"According to the information sent back by the Marines who already got away, it was the Nation-Slayer group who forced them to go after the World Government's… ships."
Admiral Sengoku had considered many things. He had more or less figured out the routines of that group of pirates: strike at the Marines' convictions and create rifts between the World Government and the Marines.
The Marines' side certainly wouldn't make a fuss about methods like this. After all, they were being forced by pirates to attack ships that sold slaves, not being forced to burn, kill, and loot. A Marine force that holds justice might even feel they did a good job.
But how the World Government would think about it was unclear. What was worse, the Marines were to a large extent constrained by the World Government. Even the appointment of Admirals had to go through the Five Elders and the World Government for approval.
"If it were just one ship, I could still press it down on the World Government's side. But according to the news from them, three such ships in West Blue have already lost contact!"
Probably before long, they'd see news again of the great slave-liberating Marine who fears no authority—Strawberry—making the papers.
"Three ships! Just how many slave-catching ships did they put in West Blue!"
Sengoku was also an Admiral with a very strong sense of justice. His justice leaned closest to modern values—not extreme and not lax.
"It's because of the Celestial Dragons… They seem to have made big moves in Mary Geoise recently and need a lot of slaves. I estimate it's not only West Blue that has many slave ships."
Mentioning that inbred bunch of idiots made Sengoku's head ache faintly.
Admirals are appointed by the Five Elders, and the Five Elders usually don't leave the holy land Mary Geoise atop the Red Line.
So if you want to become an Admiral, you definitely have to go up the Red Line, and at the same time take on the duty of protecting the Celestial Dragons.
This is also one of the main reasons why that guy Garp clearly has the strength and seniority to be promoted to Admiral yet still refuses to become one.
"We know they had no choice… The Celestial Dragons won't care about that. Even if Strawberry comes back, he'll probably have a hard time having any future. If his rank doesn't drop, that'll already be thanking the heavens."
Although a Rear Admiral being promoted to Vice Admiral isn't as directly affected by the World Government as an Admiral is, if the Celestial Dragons and the World Government just move their lips, then Strawberry can forget about ever being promoted in this life.
Even though Strawberry's current strength and seniority aren't yet enough for promotion to Vice Admiral, among the students that Zephyr favors, Strawberry is still considered top-tier.
Using the language of cultivation and fantasy: this kid has the potential to be a Vice Admiral.
"A young Rear Admiral with a bright future—does he really have to be because of the Celestial Dragons' dirty business…"
If he had truly made some mistake, then fine. But this was incidentally solving the slave trade—of course Sengoku wasn't convinced.
"Sengoku!"
"I'm retiring next year."
Kong looked at the furious Sengoku and suddenly spoke.
"So sudden?"
"Not sudden. I'm old… and you're not young either."
Sengoku was already fifty-two. That really wasn't young.
"I recommended you to the World Government to become the new Fleet Admiral."
This was a normal handover of the Fleet Admiral position. Looking at the current Marine high command, there was no successor more suitable than Sengoku.
In terms of strength and seniority, the only real competitors were Garp and Zephyr. Garp wouldn't even accept being an Admiral, let alone Fleet Admiral.
As for Zephyr, he had both strength and seniority, but the signs of his asthma were getting worse and worse.
The doctor said this condition could flare up anytime and anywhere, and it would have a very big impact on combat strength… Over the next ten-plus years, Zephyr's strength would decline quite severely.
And a Fleet Admiral would definitely have to sit in this position for over ten years. A Fleet Admiral whose strength declines severely wouldn't do.
"Also, the Five Elders have accepted my proposal. After you take office, the number of Marine Admirals will be increased to three."
After Roger's death opened the Great Pirate Era, after several years of sifting, the monsters of the New World were becoming more and more prominent. The World Government realized that the era of two Admirals was no longer enough to support the balance of the current situation.
Following the Shichibukai policy, the number of Marine Admirals would also increase by one.
"At this juncture, don't fall out with the World Government."
Kong's meaning was very clear: Strawberry's future could be sacrificed.
"Three Marine Admirals…"
...
"No need to thank us, no need, haha—everyone just thank the Marines. We're just giving the Marines a hand."
Through intelligence from the underworld, Vane and his group took down a total of four slave-trading ships in West Blue. This was the last one.
Because it was relatively close to the places where those slaves had been captured, they escorted the victims back together and resupplied along the way.
The victims' families were extremely enthusiastic, sending over fruits and vegetables nonstop. Without spending a single Belly, their supplies were fully replenished.
"Vane-sama, this is the last ship on our list."
Baccarat reminded Vane at the right time.
"It's fine. It's also the last batch of Marines."
Vane released about fifty Marines each time he took down a slave ship. Four ships made it just right. Unfortunately, he released all the ordinary Marines, leaving only the branch Captain and Strawberry in his hands.
Originally, given the branch Captain's strength, Vane should have released him too. Considering his rank was relatively high, he kept him for now.
"What exactly are you thinking—neither releasing me nor killing me?"
Strawberry walked up to Vane. His resistance toward Vane wasn't as strong anymore. This pirate's way of doing things was more like some of the no-holds-barred Marines he knew.
"Of course I'm keeping you to make a few more moves. The business in West Blue is over, but the Grand Line isn't."
Disgusting the World Government was a spur-of-the-moment idea. The next journey would be the Grand Line.
"When we get to the Grand Line, we can pretty much let you go. Your Marine Headquarters isn't it on the Grand Line? See how nice I am—sending you back directly."
Branch Captain: You're a good person—could you let me go first? My home and my posting are both in West Blue.
Strawberry frowned. "Doing this is just making trouble for the World Government and the Marines?"
Uh—making trouble for the Marines and the World Government isn't that exactly what people like them, wanted and with bounties on their heads, are supposed to do? Otherwise, wouldn't those bounties be for nothing?
Vane thought for a moment and said, "At the same time, it's also an experiment—to see whether a Marine who has offended the World Government and the Celestial Dragons still has a future within the Marines who uphold justice."
"So I won't kill you. When the time is right, I'll let you go. And don't think about running."
When Vane was watching him, this guy could move around freely. But at night, he'd have to be put in Meowth's specially made chains and cage.
"Boss, supplies are all replenished. We can depart at any time."
"Release those Marines. We don't need the warship either—leave it to them to sail back. Move all the weapons and resources onto our ship."
"Next target: the Grand Line."