Four Chairs, occupied by four men.
At this moment, nearly every Marine's gaze was focused on the very front.
The light in each of their eyes burned with incomparable fervor. Everyone understood exactly what these four men represented. In the coming New Age of the Marines, they would become the four blazing suns shining the brightest, suppressing this raging era.
Those four seats represented the positions of Admiral.
Kojin could feel the countless burning gazes directed at his back. Quietly looking ahead, he leaned against the Chair, adjusted himself into a comfortable position, and casually crossed his legs.
"Never thought a guy like you would actually return to Headquarters!" A faint voice came from beside him.
Kojin turned to the right. Kuzan was staring at him with his head slightly tilted.
"I didn't expect it either! But clearly, Headquarters needs my strength." He smiled faintly as he spoke.
"The wounds you left on me back then still ache from time to time," Kuzan said in a deep voice.
The moment those words were spoken, Sakazuki's expression, seated on Kojin's left, became even gloomier, while his icy voice rang out sharply.
"A man like you isn't fit to be a Marine at all."
Kojin smiled lightly.
"My qualification to be a Marine isn't for you to decide, Sakazuki."
"Very soon, I'll make you understand something. That you're nowhere near as powerful as you imagine yourself to be." Sakazuki said coldly.
Kojin narrowed his eyes slightly before letting out a scoff.
"Then I'm looking forward to seeing how much you've changed over the years."
Then he turned back toward Kuzan.
"We've been friends for years. It was only a sparring match, yet you're still hung up over it?"
"Isn't your tolerance a bit too small?"
Kuzan's expression stiffened, the coldness on his face fading into helplessness.
"You call that war a sparring match? If nobody died, then what else could it be?" Kojin shrugged.
"Your skin's gotten thicker and thicker over the years." Kuzan snorted.
But clearly, after the brief exchange between the two old friends, their relationship had already become much closer.
"We're all going to be colleagues from now on, so let's all get along! There'll be plenty of situations in the future where we'll need to unite for work." Borsalino said with a smiling expression at that moment.
"Colleagues?"
"Heh heh~"
"That may not necessarily be the case."
Sakazuki sneered.
Kojin paid no attention to the other man's attitude. Ever since their first meeting, friction between the two had never ceased, yet Kojin had always held the upper hand.
A few words were far from enough to affect his state of mind.
"You've become even more official with your tone, Borsalino," Kojin said with a grin.
"Hehehe, can't help it!" Borsalino sighed emotionally.
"Quiet down. Fleet Admiral Sengoku is here!" Kuzan said.
The four immediately fell silent and looked ahead.
Sengoku, already changed into a new outfit, was slowly walking up to the podium with a thick stack of documents in hand, his expression solemn and grave.
At this moment, the entire Marineford Square fell into silence.
Da. Da. Da. Da.
Sengoku's heavy footsteps echoed in everyone's ears as he advanced.
Very soon, he stood before the Den Den Mushi, facing all the Marines of Marineford.
He wore a broad Marine cloak, while the left side of his white Marine uniform chest was covered with densely packed, gold-glimmering medals.
His long braided mustache hung beneath his chin, and a seagull sat atop his Marine cap.
After sweeping his gaze across the crowd, Sengoku slowly began to speak.
"This is a conference held for the Marines internally. Naturally, it is also closely related to me personally!"
His deep, powerful voice spread throughout the entire square, even causing ripples to form across the waters of the Inner Bay.
Every Marine focused intently, listening carefully.
"From today onward… no, from this very moment onward. I, Sengoku, shall assume the position of Marine Fleet Admiral!"
The moment his words fell, Marineford went silent for several seconds before countless cheers and applause erupted, instantly igniting the atmosphere.
"To me… This is not something worthy of celebration or joy."
Sengoku's voice rang out once more, and the cheers and applause vanished as though someone had pressed a pause button, plunging everything back into silence.
This fully demonstrated the outstanding discipline of Marine Headquarters' elites.
"Because this represents an even heavier responsibility and it means we must make genuine efforts for the word 'Justice,' which we Marines constantly speak of."
After a pause, Sengoku's expression became stern.
"Naturally, this is not my responsibility alone! Justice requires all of you, as Marines, to work together in order to realize the meaning it represents. I hope that in the future, every single one of you will carefully and sincerely think about the meaning behind the word 'Justice.'"
"You must understand for whom the weapons in your hands are swung and you must also understand the convictions you uphold!"
Sengoku's deep voice entered the hearts of every listener.
After the brief speech, his gaze shifted toward the four seated figures before him.
"Next, I will announce a matter of great importance concerning the entire Marine organization."
"The appointment of Admirals."
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku fixed his eyes on Kojin.
"In this New Era, we are fortunate enough to welcome an unprecedentedly powerful age for the Marines! This world shall possess four top-tier combat forces."
"And the first among them…"
At this point, Sengoku's voice suddenly rose sharply.
"Vice Admiral Kojin!!"
Upon hearing his name, Kojin slowly rose to his feet and faced all the Marines.
In the next second, the Marines erupted into an uproar. Not far away, Maynard, Vice Admiral Momonga, Strawberry, and the others shouted excitedly and whistled nonstop.
"Serving as the West Blue Base Commander, he managed the West Blue branches for eleven years. Senior Officer Kojin has been diligent and responsible, deeply beloved by civilians. The Pirate King Roger, who once sparked the Great Age of Piracy, was personally captured by him. The infamous Golden Lion Shiki was likewise defeated by him!"
"Whether in merit or strength, Vice Admiral Kojin possesses no shortcomings whatsoever!"
Sengoku's voice rang out powerfully, pushing the already frenzied atmosphere among the Marines to its peak.
"Vice Admiral Kojin! It's Vice Admiral Kojin!!"
"My God!"
Within the crowd, a Rear Admiral's face had turned completely red with excitement, his entire body trembling.
After nearly ten years, this was the first time he had seen the man again.
That person was none other than Proshu, who had once briefly crossed paths with Kojin while stationed on Baterilla Island in the South Blue. He was now a Headquarters Rear Admiral.
"Vice Admiral Kojin is hereby promoted to Headquarters Admiral effective immediately!" Sengoku's voice sounded once more.
But it was quickly drowned out by thunderous cheers. He attempted to continue speaking, yet his voice was swallowed by the roaring Marines, forcing him to helplessly raise his hand and gesture downward.
Only then did the noise gradually calm and the square return to silence.
"The second Admiral is Sakazuki, codename Akainu!"
Excited cheers erupted again. Within the Marines, Sakazuki also had a tremendous number of supporters.
Sakazuki stood up with a cold expression, facing everyone.
"The third Admiral, codename Aokiji, Kuzan!"
Kuzan rose to his feet with a smile and casually waved to the crowd.
That lazy demeanor of his remained completely unchanged even upon being promoted to Admiral.
"The fourth Admiral, codename Kizaru, Borsalino!"
Borsalino stood up and greeted everyone with a smile.
Every time an Admiral rose, the crowd unleashed wave-like cheers. It could be said that each of them possessed an enormous number of supporters behind them.
"These four Admirals represent the immense power of the Marines! It can be said that we now possess the capability to pacify this chaotic era, and to bring true peace to the world."
Standing before the microphone, Sengoku spoke slowly.
But at that moment, Sakazuki, who had been standing there calmly the entire time, suddenly narrowed his eyes and raised his right hand.
"Wait, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Sengoku's gaze sharpened as he looked toward him.
"Hm?"
"I have doubts regarding Vice Admiral Kojin's qualifications and ability to serve as an Admiral, and as far as I know, many of the things he has secretly done over the years do not align with the duties expected of an Admiral."
Sakazuki's voice was ice-cold.
Hearing this, Sengoku fell silent. He looked toward Kojin, whose face still carried a faint smile, revealing not the slightest change in expression.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Sengoku asked.
"I wish to spar with Vice Admiral Kojin. To determine whether he truly possesses the qualifications to become an Admiral!" Sakazuki declared coldly.
Sengoku frowned, vaguely sensing that something was wrong.
"You can spar anytime."
Sakazuki shook his head.
"Right now."
As he spoke, he turned toward Kojin again.
"After all, the result will be decided very quickly. Or perhaps Vice Admiral Kojin doesn't dare fight me?"
Kojin chuckled softly and stood up.
"You're right. The result will indeed come very quickly."
A trace of doubt and gloom flashed through Sengoku's heart, but with the two men having already made their decision in front of everyone present, he had no way to stop them.
"Come with me, Kojin! Today, the two of us will fight a proper battle!" Sakazuki turned and departed after speaking.
Kojin's eyes flickered slightly as he too sensed that something was off. He stepped forward to follow, a trace of suspicion arising within him.
"I'd like to see what kind of trick you're planning."
Kuzan and Borsalino watched the two leave. After exchanging a glance, solemn expressions flashed through both their eyes.
Meanwhile, the Marines below became increasingly excited and agitated.
"Admiral Akainu is going to spar with Admiral Kojin?"
"A battle between two Admirals… what a spectacular fight that'll be!"
"What a shame we can't go watch!"
"Didn't you hear? It's a one-on-one duel between the two of them! Outsiders probably won't be allowed to spectate."
"..."
Under everyone's gaze, the two boarded different battleships and slowly sailed out of the Inner Bay, passing through the Gates of Justice before disappearing from sight.
"Headquarters isn't enough for us to fully unleash our power! There's a deserted island to the southeast. It's the perfect place for our battle!" Sakazuki shouted coldly.
Kojin smiled lightly.
"No matter where it is, the result won't change."
Sakazuki remained expressionless.
Inside his chest pocket, the Den Den Mushi that had remained connected the entire time suddenly disconnected.
Back at Marineford, Sengoku slowly raised his head and looked toward the Gates of Justice ahead of him.
A strange unease swept through his heart, and his eyes gradually turned grave.
(End of Chapter)
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