Chapter 366: Chapter 9: Any Objections?
Those damn brats...
Sengoku sat motionless, jaw clenched, fists trembling in silent fury. His face had gone red with restrained rage as he glared at the three men slouched casually before the Marine high command, legs crossed, cigars lit, exuding shameless confidence.
This is a promotion hearing! he screamed inwardly. Even if it’s mostly a formality, there’s still protocol! Appearances! Respect!
And worse, Marine Headquarters was strapped for funds. This hearing—this precise moment—was meant to demonstrate unity and discipline. They were supposed to show the World Government that the Marines were a reliable investment. Now these three maniacs were sitting here puffing smoke like they ran the place.
And I’m the one who has to go groveling to those damned government officials afterward...
Sengoku pressed a hand to his chest and took a deep breath, forcing the urge to explode back down his throat.
He glanced sideways at Zephyr, who was deliberately looking the other way, expression blank.
Sengoku’s eyes screamed Do something!—but Zephyr only offered a silent shrug.
You’re the Fleet Admiral-to-be, not me. I can’t control these monsters anymore.
Sengoku nearly burst a blood vessel.
"Ahem." A gentle voice broke the tension.
Tsuru, calm and composed as ever, adjusted her sleeves and offered a small smile to the room.
"Rear Admiral Sakazuki, Rear Admiral Borsalino, and Commodore Darren each have... rather vivid personalities," she said tactfully.
"But there’s no malice in it. As veterans of Marine Headquarters, we should show a little patience with the younger generation."
She turned toward the Inspectorate officials, her voice as soft as silk and sharp as steel.
"What do you think?"
The gathered Inspectorate members exchanged glances. They weren’t fond of Tsuru’s defense, but they couldn’t afford to openly challenge her. She was one of the most respected officers in Marine history—and the one person most of them feared to cross.
"...Young officers will be young officers," one muttered.
"Let’s proceed," another added curtly.
"Their records speak for themselves."
Tsuru nodded and retrieved the first file from her desk.
"Very well. We begin with Rear Admiral Sakazuki."
She read aloud, voice crisp and clear:
"Born in the North Blue. Formerly a Captain, then Deputy Base Commander, and later Supreme Commander of the North Blue. Completed training at the Headquarters Elite Officer Training Camp and served as aide to former Admiral Zephyr."
"Currently holds the rank of Rear Admiral at Marine Headquarters."
"In total: 731 combat operations. Over 36,000 pirates eliminated. Of those, over 3,000 held bounties above ten million berries."
"Mission success rate: 95.6 percent."
"Performance assessment: Outstanding."
"Based on accumulated merits and after internal review, Admiral Sengoku formally recommends Rear Admiral Sakazuki for promotion to Headquarters Vice Admiral."
She closed the folder and looked up.
"If there are any questions or objections... now is the time."
A heavy silence fell across the room.
The numbers had stunned even the most skeptical observers.
Over 700 missions. Tens of thousands of confirmed kills. A success rate bordering on flawless.
More than a few veterans shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Monster.
That was the only word that truly fit.
And in each mission dossier, stamped in bold red ink beside the outcome, was a single, chilling phrase:
Total Annihilation.
No survivors. No prisoners. No mercy.
The weight of it was palpable.
Even the arrogant World Government officials in the Inspectorate hesitated.
They stared at the pages, brows furrowed. They knew what it meant.
Sakazuki didn’t just kill pirates.
He erased them.
Then, slowly, Sakazuki rose to his feet.
The marble tabletop hissed beneath his palms as crimson heat flared from his gloved hands, leaving seared imprints in the stone. Wisps of smoke curled into the air.
He leaned forward slightly, a cigar clenched between his teeth, his voice low and grating like steel across granite.
"So... anyone have objections?"
His eyes swept the room. Unblinking. Ice cold.
A predator’s gaze.
No one spoke.
No one even breathed.
Sengoku twitched. This is intimidation! Pure and simple!
And yet, no one dared call it out.
Then, finally, a voice piped up—trembling, but defiant.
"I... I have a question!"
One of the Inspectorate officials had stood, face pale, hand visibly shaking.
Sakazuki’s gaze locked onto him like a rifle scope.
The official swallowed hard, sweat already trickling down his back, but he pushed forward:
"During the mission in the Bada Kingdom last year... the prince was killed. According to the CP investigation, the circumstances point to a high probability of... intentional assassination. Would you care to explain that?"
Silence.
Sakazuki’s eyes narrowed.
Then he smiled.
It wasn’t a pleasant smile.
"I have no explanation."
The official blanched.
"I was sent to stop a wedding between Charlotte Linlin and the Bada Kingdom’s prince. My actions succeeded."
"As a result, the kingdom was never absorbed into Totto Land. Months later, the king conveniently died of illness, and the pro-government younger prince ascended the throne. The Bada Kingdom joined the World Government."
He took a slow puff from his cigar, the tip glowing like an ember in the dark.
"That’s the best possible outcome."
"As for the casualties—" he exhaled smoke in the official’s direction "—this isn’t a child’s game."
The official opened his mouth... then closed it.
His legs nearly buckled beneath him.
Sakazuki took his seat again and let his voice echo one last time:
"Any other objections?"
Silence.
Total, suffocating silence.
No one dared speak.
Not because they agreed.
But because they feared what would happen if they didn’t.
The vote proceeded.
Unanimous approval.
Sakazuki leaned back, smirking.
He looked toward Sengoku.
Sengoku exhaled slowly, as if resigning himself to the burden of cleaning up whatever mess this promotion might cause.
He rose from his chair and spoke, voice solemn:
"Rear Admiral Sakazuki, by the authority vested in me by Marine Headquarters..."
"I hereby declare your promotion to Headquarters Vice Admiral officially approved."
To be continued...