Sure enough, that afternoon, the five warships led by Admiral Sengoku arrived at Baterilla Island swiftly.
Finn stood at the port, waiting for the big boss to disembark. He felt somewhat guilty. This was the first time he'd deceived Sengoku in the several years he'd served in the Marines. He hoped the consequences wouldn't be too severe.
Garp didn't come to greet him. He was thick-skinned and unafraid of being chased, having accumulated many debts. He remained secretly worried on the warship.
As soon as Admiral Sengoku's warship docked, he descended with Kuzan following.
His expression was stiff and he looked extremely angry.
Kuzan, walking behind him, smiled and winked at Finn, which made Finn feel slightly more at ease.
He could be a coward when necessary. Finn wasn't a man of rigid principles.
As soon as Admiral Sengoku landed, Finn rushed forward with a shameless expression and greeted enthusiastically, "Admiral Sengoku, thank you for your hard work rushing here."
Seeing Finn's eagerness, Admiral Sengoku felt his anger soften slightly. Though the boy had been reckless this time, it appeared nothing had gone wrong. However, his expression remained stern. He snorted coldly, "It's nothing compared to your hard work, Vice Admiral Finn."
"No, no, I'm not working hard. Everything is for justice," Finn said shamelessly.
"How dare you talk about justice with me? This time, such a critical matter, you actually dared hide it from headquarters and suppress the news for two full days?! If anything had gone wrong here, no one could have saved you, Finn. If you can't give me a suitable reason and explanation today, don't blame me for being ruthless. Regardless of anything else, I'll send you to military court to teach you a lesson!" Admiral Sengoku said viciously.
But Finn had already detected Sengoku's intention to protect him. As long as Finn could provide reasonable justification, Sengoku would help cover for him.
Otherwise, just wait for punishment.
Finn was deeply touched by Admiral Sengoku's consideration.
Even though he'd acted this way, this elder still cared for him.
But as for explanations and reasons, he'd naturally prepared them already.
Therefore, as soon as Admiral Sengoku finished speaking, Finn said, "Indeed, I have legitimate reason. You know, I came to the South Blue this time to handle Sorbet Kingdom affairs and search for Dragon."
At this point, Admiral Sengoku thought of Dragon again. "By the way, what about Dragon?"
"He escaped. I can confirm he's now a person with unknown devil fruit power. It feels somewhat like a Logia and can control wind. I fought with him, but couldn't gain an advantage. He didn't seem willing to fight me head-on, so he found an opportunity to flee," Finn said seriously.
Admiral Sengoku didn't blame him for anything. After all, Dragon was the leader of the new Marine generation. Even Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan were inferior to him.
Though Finn had caught up with Sakazuki and the others in strength these past years, Dragon was probably also improving. It was difficult to say whether he could be defeated, let alone captured alive.
Sengoku wasn't surprised he'd escaped. It was reasonable.
"Have you figured out what that guy wants to do? Why did he leave the Marines?" Admiral Sengoku asked again.
Finn nodded. "I've figured out a little. He seems to be planning to form a secret organization to oppose the World Government. I'm not certain of his intentions, but he's very hostile to the World Government. I suspect he wants to overthrow it. As for our Marines, though he doesn't say it explicitly, I can see he still has some feelings for us and doesn't intend to become our enemy..."
"Can he oppose the World Government while bypassing our Marines? If this bastard genuinely has such ideas, we'll clash with him sooner or later," Admiral Sengoku said heavily.
At the same time, he felt worried. The Marines had truly invested everything into training Dragon. Both Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong had regarded him as the Marines' direct heir. They'd both thought Dragon would carry the Marines' banner in the future.
It was precisely because of this dedicated nurturing, coupled with Dragon's own efforts, that he'd become accomplished in both civil and military matters. Not only a talented warrior, but also a gifted commander.
If this guy was determined to cause trouble for the World Government, Admiral Sengoku felt he could genuinely accomplish something.
Because of this, he felt even more upset. Damn it, the Marines spent so much energy and ultimately nurtured a dangerous individual...
Isn't this fraud?
But since Dragon hadn't made any moves yet, Admiral Sengoku stopped dwelling on it. He glared at Finn again. "Keep making excuses."
Finn smiled awkwardly. "How can it be excuses? This is the truth."
After a brief pause, he continued, "After finishing the Sorbet Kingdom incident, I chatted with CP-0's Senior Operations Commander, Stussy. The topic came up regarding Roger. She mentioned there was intelligence on Roger's whereabouts on Baterilla Island. I thought perhaps our headquarters also had relevant information. But as you know, Admiral, intelligence about Roger surfaces every few days across the ocean. It's impossible for our Marines to take it all seriously. I didn't take it seriously at the time, so I didn't report it immediately."
Admiral Sengoku nodded. These were all facts and he believed them.
As for Finn, no one would think he could genuinely predict the future and make such accurate judgments.
"Since we were already nearby, I figured we should look into it. So I went with Stussy to Baterilla Island. And as it turned out, Roger really was there. The situation was delicate. Our warship being anchored in the harbor meant Roger had definitely noticed us. I was concerned he might try something desperate to escape, so I went ashore alone to meet him and try to stabilize the situation.
Roger was gravely ill and likely aware he did not have much time left. He said he wanted to see Vice Admiral Garp. Otherwise..." Finn paused briefly before continuing, "Admiral, you understand. Even at death's door, he was still the Pirate King. An injured animal backed into a corner can do anything. So that was the context. I accepted his request and contacted Vice Admiral Garp first. Then, on the third day, Roger surrendered."
Admiral Sengoku looked at Finn with some helplessness. What this guy said was all correct and logical, but he still felt something was off.
But after looking at Finn again, he sighed and finally stopped bothering. No matter the real story, Finn had captured Roger after all.
He'd arrived now, and nothing had happened to Roger, so the outcome was satisfactory.
As for whatever mess was involved here, it concerned Garp and Finn, both people he trusted deeply.
It seemed it wouldn't disadvantage the Marines. Considering the messy history between Garp and Roger, Sengoku was too lazy to pursue it further.
"Remember this explanation. No matter who asks you in the future, use this reason. Understand?" Admiral Sengoku glared at Finn.
Finn heaved a sigh of relief, knowing Admiral Sengoku had let him off. He couldn't help laughing. "Yes, Admiral, don't worry. This is the truth!"
Only then did Kuzan approach with a smile. "That's incredible, Finn. I've never seen such good luck in my life. You even caught Roger."
Kuzan genuinely admired Finn's fortune. At the Battle of Edd War, Finn had strongly requested advancing into the storm, and consequently the Marines had achieved tremendous victory.
Then he'd randomly fallen through cracked deck flooring and obtained a top-tier Paramecia Press-Press Fruit.
When he'd followed the Fleet Admiral to G-1 for the most ordinary guard duty, he'd encountered the Red Earl and captured him.
Just when you'd think his luck had run out, after two years of quiet work, he'd come to the South Blue on a political mission and unexpectedly managed to capture Pirate King Roger effortlessly.
This was fucking unprecedented!
Finn also smiled happily. "This is my luck. Can't be stopped..."
Changing the subject, Finn asked Admiral Sengoku, "Admiral, I've captured Roger. Isn't that tremendous merit? What kind of reward will I receive? Tell me honestly... is there any chance?"
At this point, Finn raised his eyebrows suggestively, as though making a 'crazy suggestion.'
Admiral Sengoku laughed in exasperation. "Chance for what?"
"Well... I see that Instructor Zephyr is no longer handling active duties. The responsibilities of three Admirals all fall on you. You must be feeling strained, right? As your junior, of course I want to share your burdens and solve your problems. Can this merit help me become an Admiral?" Finn asked shamelessly.
Seeing Finn like this, Admiral Sengoku found it somewhat amusing. Finn hadn't been like this before, but since his strength had increased dramatically and he'd been promoted to Vice Admiral, he seemed to have let himself go and become much thicker-skinned.
However, Sengoku didn't feel disgusted. On the contrary, he felt this Finn seemed more genuine and approachable.
Sengoku had always known Finn desired greater power and status, so his inquiry and ambition weren't surprising. However, he still reached out and knocked Finn on the head. "Don't even think about it. What do you think being an Admiral is? Can you just become one casually?"
"Even if I capture Roger, I can't?" Finn asked helplessly.
But he wasn't surprised. After all, he hadn't held much hope. He'd asked with a try-it-and-see mentality. What if it worked?
After all, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
"If you'd captured Roger through raw strength, I could find a way to try. But as things stand, you've done well. Regardless, capturing Roger is fact. Your merit is greater than anything. But your strength... you're not yet worthy of being an Admiral. If I soften my heart and let you advance, I'm not helping you, I'm harming you," Admiral Sengoku said in a gentle tone.
After a brief pause, he continued, "What's more, you've only been at headquarters for a few years? You've been promoted quickly enough. It's not appropriate to occupy an Admiral position now."
Finn secretly complained internally. Though my advancement is considered fast, twenty years from now, the World Military Draft will directly airdrop two Admirals into positions. Won't anyone think that's inappropriate?
However, he also knew times had changed and the Marines were gradually evolving. At that future point, it would already be the most chaotic and turbulent era of the Great Pirate Age. But now, even the Great Pirate Era hadn't yet begun.
The Marines' internal ideological changes naturally weren't so violent and radical yet.
As for strength, though Finn was very confident, he didn't become arrogant. A Marine Admiral genuinely had to carry the banner of the world's peak combat power. He genuinely couldn't manage it at the moment.
Still slightly short.
"Yes, Admiral, I understand," Finn nodded and responded with a smile.
Seeing Finn wasn't angry or upset, Admiral Sengoku secretly admired him. Sure enough, though this kid is sometimes mischievous, he still listens to reason.
As for Finn being appointed Admiral, Admiral Sengoku also began contemplating it. It seemed there was nothing inappropriate?
Then wait a few years, train this kid, and give him such an opportunity in the future.
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