(T/N: Author Didn't put a number on this chapter, so don't get confused that there are 2 chapter 160! They just share the number.)
Ten days later, the official orders from Headquarters arrived.
The Marine's 16th Branch was officially upgraded to a first-class branch, and its personnel ceiling was expanded to 1,000 men.
According to some inside information leaked by Gion, Akainu had practically engaged in a "verbal showdown" with the high-ranking officials during the meeting to make this happen.
This news genuinely surprised Sean. Was Akainu's eloquence actually that good? Could he really "out-argue" a room full of officials?
However, after hearing Gion's detailed description, Sean could only manage a bitter smile.
What "verbal showdown" was she talking about?
It was simply a case of "might makes right."
If Sengoku hadn't stepped in to stop him, several Vice Admirals would likely have spent the next few months recovering in the naval hospital.
Well, regardless of the process, the result remained: the 16th Branch now had a quota for 500 additional soldiers.
It was time to recruit.
For this round, Sean didn't intend to recruit solely from the East Blue. Instead, he set his sights on Alabasta.
After all, he had already conducted two recruitment drives in the East Blue within a single year, and this time he needed 500 men.
If he followed the standard Marine Headquarters requirements, it wouldn't be difficult. But given the rigorous standards Sean had set for the previous two drives...
The East Blue likely wouldn't be able to satisfy a quota of 500.
Alabasta, on the other hand, was a goldmine. With a population of over 20 million, it had more people than all the nations in the East Blue combined.
Furthermore, didn't he have a trump card in his hand?
The Princess of Alabasta, Nefertari Vivi...
If he let Vivi handle the recruitment in Alabasta, he bet the line of applicants would stretch from the palace gates all the way past Alubarna and perhaps even to the banks of the Santo River.
'Tsk tsk, this idea is simply brilliant.'
Sean immediately decided that when he headed to the Sabaody Archipelago, he would bring Vivi along. He would drop her off as they passed through Alabasta.
This would allow her to visit her father while giving her the opportunity to take full charge of the recruitment efforts in her homeland.
Aside from Alabasta, he could recruit another batch from Shandora, though the population there was sparse. He estimated that 20 to 30 more men would be the limit.
'Knock, knock, knock...'
As Sean was planning, a knock sounded at his door.
"Come in!"
"Vice Admiral!"
"Lucci, what is it?"
"I've found some leads regarding that matter from before."
"That matter... wait, you mean the seller of the Electric Flower Fruit?"
Sean was confused for a moment, but as he remembered, his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yes, but the news... I'm afraid it isn't very good."
"How so?"
"The current holder of the Electric Flower Fruit is Saint Charlos!"
"That idiot from the Celestial Dragons?"
"Uh..."
'That idiot from the Celestial Dragons?'
Lucci had never imagined Sean would describe Saint Charlos in such a way.
But then again... it seemed quite accurate.
While a large portion of the Celestial Dragons were mentally unstable due to extreme inbreeding and their sheltered upbringing, Charlos was a prime example of the worst of the bunch.
"Vice Admiral, this information came from Kumadori. He personally overheard a conversation between Saint Charlos and another Celestial Dragon while at the Sabaody Archipelago."
"The gist of it is that the Celestial Dragons were feeling bored, so they came up with a new way to amuse themselves."
"Whoever wins the auction for this Devil Fruit will be captured and turned into their slave."
Sean felt like he had completely misunderstood. This was their way of passing the time?
Well, the actions of the Celestial Dragons rarely followed any logical reason. If they did, they wouldn't be Celestial Dragons.
Still, this was absurd. Whoever successfully bid for the fruit would be enslaved? Were they doing this just to enjoy the expression of someone falling from heaven to hell in an instant?
Utterly boring.
It was no wonder Lucci said the news wasn't great.
But was Sean actually afraid of a few Celestial Dragons?
Hardly.
While he didn't want to cause trouble with the Celestial Dragons before he was strong enough to confront the World Government, giving up on the Electric Flower Fruit was absolutely out of the question.
'''
At the same time, at Marine Headquarters.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
"What? You want me to protect those morons?"
"Shut up, Sakazuki! This is an order!"
The moment Akainu called them "morons," Sengoku immediately barked a reprimand.
Everyone knew they were morons, but that was something you kept to yourself. You absolutely did not say it out loud.
Just moments ago, Sengoku had summoned Akainu to inform him that five Celestial Dragons would be traveling to the Sabaody Archipelago next month to attend an auction on Island 1.
The World Government had ordered the Marine to dispatch an Admiral to accompany them as a guard.
Naturally, Akainu was unwilling.
"Then send Kizaru!"
"No, Kizaru must remain at Headquarters as a mobile force to handle any sudden emergencies. Therefore, you are the only one who can go!"
Sengoku shook his head in refusal.
Kizaru was a user of the Glint-Glint Fruit; he could provide rapid support anywhere an emergency occurred. Could Akainu do that?
In the end, no matter how reluctant he was, Akainu had to nod in agreement.
'Fine. I'll just treat it as a one-day vacation to the Sabaody Archipelago...'
'''
Half a month later, three days before the auction.
A massive ironclad warship slowly docked at the military port of the Sabaody Marine branch.
The Marines stationed there stared in wide-eyed amazement.
It was their first time seeing a warship made entirely of steel.
Though its shape was completely different from the common sailing ships, its sleek steel silhouette, paired with three intimidating multi-barrel giant cannons, practically blinded them with its majesty.
Indeed, in any world, big ships and big guns were a man's favorite—especially for those in the military.
A moment later, Sean stepped down the gangplank, followed by Lucci and several field-grade officers.
"A Vice Admiral? He doesn't even look twenty. Could he be some privileged noble using the Marine to pad his resume?"
Some of the soldiers began to whisper.
The warship clearly wasn't cheap, and given the lead officer's young age, it was natural for ordinary people to jump to that conclusion.
However, someone quickly realized the truth.
"Wait, speaking of a Vice Admiral under twenty... there actually is one. And he's definitely not some privileged noble."
"Hiss, now that you mention it, I remember him too. But isn't he stationed in the East Blue?"
"Maybe he's here for a vacation?"
"Possibly. Wait, they're coming this way!!!"
In the next instant, several Marines snapped to attention, raising their right hands in a standard salute.
"Vice Admiral!"
"Hmm. Who is currently in charge of the Sabaody branch?"
"Reporting, Vice Admiral! It is Rear Admiral Bastille!"
'Rear Admiral Bastille?'
If Sean remembered correctly, wasn't this guy a Vice Admiral?
Right, he had forgotten that there was still over a year—nearly two years—before the start of the original story.
While he was only a Rear Admiral now, he would likely be promoted to Vice Admiral soon. After all, Bastille's proficiency in Haki and physical arts was impressive, and he was well-versed in swordsmanship. Although he hadn't reached the level of a Great Swordsman, he certainly possessed the skill of an ordinary master.
"Vice Admiral, shall we notify Rear Admiral Bastille to come meet you?"
"No need. I'm not here on official business, so there's no need to trouble him. Just help me arrange quarters for the Marines on the warship."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
After giving his instructions, Sean led Lucci, Robin, Kaku, and Jabra away from the military port.
Before the auction began, Sean planned to find someone first.
'''
Half an hour later.
Grove 13.
Outside Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Looking at the name on the sign, even the usually composed Lucci felt his mouth twitch.
Who on earth names their shop that?
What a bizarre choice.
"Sean, this probably isn't an ordinary bar, is it?" Robin, wearing a mask, suddenly asked.
"Oh? How did you figure that out?"
"Because if a normal bar had a name like that, it would definitely go bankrupt. Furthermore, the moment you arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago, you came straight here with such clear purpose. How could it be a normal bar?"
"Alright, you're sharp. This indeed isn't an ordinary bar. Inside are two heavyweights from the old era."
As he spoke, Sean pushed the door open and walked in.
"What would you like to drink?" a lazy female voice called out from behind the bar.
"Orange juice, please. After all, I'm still a minor!"
"Sure. That'll be 100,000 Belly. Pay upfront!"
The group behind Sean froze in sheer confusion.
The bar was called "Rip-off," and she was actually ripping them off...
100,000 Belly for a glass of juice? At this point, "rip-off" wasn't even the right word. This was highway robbery!
"Fair enough. Give me five glasses. However, I don't have that many Belly on me. How about a promise instead?"
"What kind of promise?"
"I won't arrest you today, nor will I arrest him. I wonder if that promise satisfies you, Shakky?"
Pointing toward a white-haired old man reading a newspaper at a corner table, Sean spoke with a smile.
Silence filled the room for a good ten seconds.
Then...
"Just take a seat, whatever you like," Shakky sighed softly.
Sean didn't stand on ceremony and sat directly in front of Rayleigh.
"Hello there, legend of the old era—Dark King Rayleigh!"
Boom...
In that instant, Lucci and the others were completely stunned.
Dark King Rayleigh?
The former first mate of the Pirate King, Roger... 'that' Dark King Rayleigh?