A Marine Admiral stood just one step below the Fleet Admiral, and within the Marines, that position carried nearly absolute authority.
They were bound to obey the orders of the Fleet Admiral, yes, but aside from that single condition, there was little they could not decide on their own.
For a trainee of the Marine School of Justice, an admiral might not have the right to casually reassign him.
But right now...
Aren was not yet an official student of the Marine School of Justice. He was still technically just a marine captain from the East Blue, at best an officer in the middle of an examination. For someone at the level of a Marine Admiral, that was more than enough of a loophole to have him transferred.
Hearing Sakazuki's words, Zephyr frowned, his tone growing heavier. "Sakazuki."
Sakazuki glanced at him. "Zephyr-sensei, leave this one to me."
"He is already a student of the Marine School of Justice," Zephyr shot back, his brows knitting more tightly.
"The official notice has not been issued yet."
Sakazuki's reply was blunt as he stared back at Zephyr.
Zephyr's fists clenched as he held Sakazuki's gaze.
A former admiral and a current admiral, facing off right there on the ruined harbor.
The atmosphere around the dock instantly tightened.
The marines who had still been watching swallowed hard one after another, not daring to make a sound.
Aside from the cries of seagulls in the sky and the crash of waves against stone, it felt for a moment as if the entire world had gone silent.
"Pardon me, Admiral Sakazuki, are you perhaps suggesting I jump ship to your command?"
Aren pushed his glasses up, his calm voice breaking the silence and interrupting the tense standoff between Zephyr and Sakazuki.
Idiot, do not talk...
Several marines, seeing Aren voluntarily speak up, panicked inwardly on his behalf.
They all knew Sakazuki's temperament. If someone provoked him, the punishment could be severe.
"Hm?"
Sakazuki looked at Aren with a faintly puzzled expression.
"Aren!"
Zephyr immediately called out, but Aren met Sakazuki's eyes and spoke straightforwardly.
"Inviting me to work under you sounds a lot like trying to poach me into your command. In that case, I only have two questions. What would my salary be, and what about my rank promotion prospects?"
What is this guy... saying?!
What kind of nonsense was he spouting at a Marine Admiral like Sakazuki?!
The surrounding marines froze inside as soon as they processed his words, questioning reality itself.
Sakazuki frowned, then answered coldly and directly, "None of that is guaranteed."
"I see. In that case, I must refuse."
Aren pushed his glasses up again. "After three months of training at the Marine School of Justice, due to my status as a special recruit, I have the right to remain stationed here at Marine Headquarters. I will also, at minimum, receive a promotion to major. I have already looked into it, the salary of a Headquarters major is up to twice my current pay. Under those conditions, I have no reason to abandon the Marine School of Justice and join your unit instead. So, with your permission, allow me to decline your offer. Then, I will take my leave."
He then turned to Zephyr. "I will be going ahead, Chief Instructor Zephyr."
And... without another word, he turned around and walked away, not even glancing back.
...
The marines around them stared at Aren's departing back, jaws hanging open. Their minds felt like they had completely crashed.
In the end, they could only think one thing.
When you are strong enough, you really can do whatever you want.
Sakazuki watched Aren's back, his brows still furrowed.
As black smoke began to seep from his body again and his hand started to turn into molten magma...
Zephyr placed a hand on his shoulder. "That is enough, Sakazuki. You know I will never hand him over to you."
Sakazuki bit down on the cigarette in his mouth, saying nothing, his eyes still fixed on Aren's back. At some point, the magma on his hand slowly faded, his arm returning to normal.
At that moment...
"Everyone, get back to your original duties, now!"
A calm yet powerful voice rang out.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku walked toward them with his hands clasped behind his back, a goat chewing straw lazily at his side.
The moment the marines saw the Fleet Admiral, they hurriedly saluted. In the next second, they scattered in every direction, rushing back to their assigned work without a hint of hesitation.
"That is far enough, Zephyr. The repairs to the harbor will be handled by the Marine School of Justice."
Sengoku spoke once he reached Zephyr and Sakazuki.
Zephyr simply smiled. "Alright."
"Sakazuki, return to your duties as well. Also, regarding the new candidate for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, I want to hear your opinion."
Sengoku turned his gaze to Sakazuki as he spoke.
"Yes."
Sakazuki gave a curt reply.
Sengoku rubbed his temples as he glanced at the two of them, clearly feeling another headache coming on.
But in the end, his eyes drifted to the back of the young man already walking far away.
Another troublesome one...
Inwardly, Sengoku let out a quiet sigh as he thought that.