Two blooms from one stem, each with its own story to tell.
Late at night, the port of Marineford lay quiet under the silver wash of moonlight. The sound of gentle waves was interrupted by a faint, rhythmic squeak the creak of a bicycle rolling slowly across the sea's surface.
A young marine standing watch at the port squinted toward the horizon, trying to make out the silhouette. "What's that...?"
Beside him, an older soldier suddenly straightened up, his eyes widening. "Idiot! That's Vice Admiral Aokiji! Hurry and open the gate!"
"Ah! Y-yes, sir!"
The younger soldier scrambled to pull the lever. The massive steel gate rumbled open, allowing the lazy figure on the bicycle to glide through. Aokiji or Kuzan, as his fellow officers knew him pedaled onto solid ground, waving a hand toward the tower above.
"Thanks~ Appreciate the help," he said in his slow, mellow tone. "Mind parking my bike somewhere safe for me?"
He strolled away without waiting for a reply, his every movement unhurried, like a man who had all the time in the world.
Passing through the quiet training grounds, Kuzan finally reached Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in," came a tired voice from inside.
Kuzan pushed the door open, his trademark calm smile in place. "Yo, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I'm back~"
Sengoku looked up from the mountain of paperwork before him. The faint crease between his brows softened. "Ah, Kuzan. You're finally back."
Scratching his messy hair, Kuzan replied, "Sorry, sir. Just wrapped up a mission. And, well... my bike isn't exactly fast."
Sengoku sighed and waved his hand dismissively. "You're here now. That's what matters."
Kuzan tilted his head slightly. "So, you called me back in such a hurry. What happened?"
Sengoku reached into his drawer and pulled out a folded document. "Take a look at this list first."
Curious, Kuzan accepted it and his eyes immediately caught the title written across the top:
"List of Admiral Candidates."
He raised a brow. "This is...?"
"Just look," Sengoku said. "We'll talk after."
Kuzan unfolded the paper. The names printed there were few, but powerful: Borsalino (Kizaru), Sakazuki (Akainu), Kuzan (Aokiji), and Ezra D. Vale.
In an instant, Kuzan understood. The Marines didn't have enough open seats. A selection would have to be made.
He looked back up at Sengoku. "Sir, isn't that your call to make?"
Sengoku sighed deeply. "If only it were that simple. The problem is... all four of you are too good. It's hard to choose."
Kuzan pinched his chin thoughtfully, eyes half-lidded. "So... this is about me and Ezra, right?"
A flicker of approval crossed Sengoku's gaze. Kuzan had always been sharp and far more agreeable than the other two.
"That's right," Sengoku admitted. "So what's your take?"
Without hesitation, Kuzan answered, "There's not much to think about. Ezra's got me beat in both strength and influence. I fully support him becoming Admiral."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "You're not even tempted? You've never wanted the title?"
Kuzan shrugged, his tone relaxed but sincere. "You know me, sir. Even if I did get the job, I'd still follow my own kind of lazy justice."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment. The young man's honesty was admirable, though it made things more complicated. This wasn't a decision he could take lightly.
Then Kuzan spoke again, his tone shifting slightly. "But if you're feeling conflicted, how about this you grant me one request, and we'll call it even?"
That piqued Sengoku's interest. A fair deal was better than having a disgruntled candidate. "Let's hear it, Kuzan. What's your condition?"
With a casual shrug, Kuzan said, "Simple. Assign me to Ezra D. Vale's crew as his vice admiral."
Sengoku blinked. "You... want to serve under him?"
"Why not?" Kuzan grinned faintly. "We get along well. Besides, instead of slacking off on my own, I might as well earn some achievements with him."
Sengoku's lips twitched. So he's even too lazy to chase glory on his own now?
Originally, Sengoku had planned to assign Vice Admiral Gion and a few others to support Ezra. But if Kuzan joined Ezra's ranks, the Scorching Admiral's fleet would become overwhelmingly powerful a force that could even rival the combined might of the other two Admirals.
Still... this might be the best outcome.
After a moment of thought, Sengoku nodded heavily. "Alright, Kuzan. I'll approve it."
Kuzan exhaled in relief and stretched, his tone playful again. "Thanks, sir. Oh, and about the official promotion when's that happening?"
Sengoku rubbed his temples. "That, I can't say for sure yet. I haven't submitted the list to the Five Elders. But since it involves Ezra's appointment... ah, forget it."
He coughed awkwardly, realizing he'd said too much. "Anyway, get some rest. We're heading to Impel Down this afternoon."
As the door shut behind him, Kuzan paused in the hallway, replaying the Fleet Admiral's slip of the tongue in his mind.
"The Five Elders... and Ezra?"
He frowned slightly, then chuckled. "No way... can't be."
He shrugged it off, dismissing the thought as absurd. But what he didn't know what no one in Marineford knew was that he had just come closer to the truth than ever before.
_______________________
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