Sengoku's Promotion to Fleet Admiral!

[Knock knock--]

In Marineford, inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku knocked twice before entering, waiting for a response from inside.

"Fleet Admiral."

Sitting behind his desk, 'Steelbone' Kong nodded. You could see that his hair had turned even whiter, and his face had more wrinkles.

"Look at this, this is a report from Garp's side. Your good disciple has done something big again!"

"Vidal?"

Sengoku raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, and took the report from the other party before plopping down on the sofa to read it.

The main content of the report was that Garp recounted the background and consequences of Vidal's initiative to gather elite troops on a warship and lead them to provide early support to the G-3 Branch, as well as the final battle losses and results.

As he watched, his mouth opened slightly wider, and his pupils trembled slightly.

Previously, Vidal's killing of Mulian Mullian and Langram of the Roger Pirates had already brought great honor to the Navy and to him, his mentor.

Unexpectedly, just a few hours later, this kid killed the third-in-command of the Flying Pirates, Zangjing!

"Vidal's strength, I think, is only one step away from that level." Kong sighed, touching the warm teacup with both hands.

"Indeed, but this step is not easy to take."

Sengoku placed the documents on the coffee table in front of him, but despite his words, he had great confidence in Vidal.

"His words are just a matter of time; what I'm more worried about now is what reward to give him."

Kong shook his head and sighed helplessly. Just as Vidal had thought, this had indeed brought considerable trouble to the higher-ups.

"No need for any reward, just convert it into military merit. Oh, and while you're at it, give him the bounties for those three men."

Sengoku smiled. "I think that kid Vidal understands all this too."

In his view, Vidal was a Fleet Admiral marshal, just like himself.

"That's enough for a lieutenant Vice Admiral promotion, and the combined bounties for these three are close to a billion, not to mention the added value of their positions."

Kong spread his hands and laughed helplessly. He was experiencing a bittersweet feeling. He was naturally pleased that the Navy had produced such a monstrous genius, but the child was simply too young.

"This."

Sengoku put himself in Kong's shoes and realized that this matter was indeed difficult to handle. After all, where in the world could one find Vice Admiral who was only twenty-two years old?

As for the bounty of nearly one billion Beli, that's nothing; the Navy can afford that amount.

Just have Cornell collect the billion from his department's finance department when he leaves work tonight.

Furthermore, the initial purpose of these bounties was actually to encourage the navy to set them up; as for the so-called bounty hunters, they were not even within their consideration.

[Poluporu, Polluporu]

Just as Fleet Admiral Sora and Marine Admiral Sengoku silent regarding Vidal's military achievements, the Den Den Mushi on the desk suddenly started ringing.

Sora casually picked up the black Den Den Mushi that represented the World Government.

"It's me."

In a few minutes, after a brief exchange, he put the receiver back on the Den Den Mushi's back, his face full of surprise.

"Is it the Five Elders' side?" Sengoku asked.

"Yes, they guessed the problem we're facing now, so they solved it for us directly." Kong sighed.

"Incredible, truly remarkable, Forrest Vidal! Your disciple is indeed extraordinary, having pioneered something unprecedented!"

"Could they have promoted him to Vice Admiral?" Sengoku asked incredulously.

Kong paused for a moment, then laughed it off and said, "No, that's not true. After all, one must be careful when it comes to military ranks."

"Is that so? Then I roughly know what the Five Elders rewarded Vidal with." Sengoku understood. "If that's true, it is indeed unprecedented."

"Now that Vidal's problem is solved, the next step is to consider how to deal with the Flying Pirates' next move."

"And what about the Roger Pirates? That kid has really gotten himself into a blood feud with them this time. We should get him back as soon as possible," said 'Steelbone' Kong.

"Yes, let's not send him to the New World anymore. Let him keep a low profile in Sabaody for a few years." Sengoku agreed with Sora's idea.

"Eh--"

At this moment, Kong let out a long sigh and rubbed his arm, seemingly exhausted.

"Actually, I've already discussed your question with the Five Elders once before."

"I?"

Sengoku looked up in confusion. What was wrong with him? He hadn't done anything particularly high-profile lately.

"Hmm, you're forty-nine years old this year, right?" Kong asked.

"Yes." Sengoku nodded in agreement.

"We had originally considered that next year I would be promoted to Commander-in-Chief, and then you would take this position, since I am indeed tired."

Kong's gaze turned extremely regretful and sorrowful.

"But we've discovered that if I leave the Navy and you are promoted to Fleet Admiral, the Navy will be without Admiral!"

"."

Sengoku fell silent; this was the final obstacle preventing his advancement.

He knew that Kong and the Five Elders were right.

With Garp refusing to be promoted to Admiral and Zephyr retiring to a secondary role, it's possible that no one will be able to become Marine Admiral for several years, or even a decade.

But this is absolutely not allowed. The Admiral represents the highest combat power of the Marine Headquarters and is the "stabilizing force" for the harmony of the Four Blues. No matter how difficult the situation, there must be one guarding this position.

Even if its symbolic meaning far outweighs its practical meaning!

Even if others know that Garp and Zephyr are both at Marine Headquarters and understand that they have Admiral- level strength, they still cannot replace the Admiral position on the surface.

The Navy is currently thriving, with fresh blood emerging from its ranks, including Vidal, Sakazuki, Borsalino, Bullet, Kuzan, Gion, and Tokikake.

However, there is still a shortage of capable Admiral.

To put it bluntly, all the Vice Admiral below him at this stage, except for Garp, are a group of characters who are unlikely to achieve great things.

Even for Tsuru, her raw strength is hardly commensurate with that of Marine Admiral, although her Devil Fruit ability would strike fear into the hearts of any villain.

"It seems the key still lies with Vidal."

Sengoku crossed his hands, rested his chin on them, and fell into deep thought.

If we're talking about who has the best chance of reaching that level of strength first, looking around, it really is my disciple Vidal.

Previously, there was also a Haki Dragon who was the first to reach the level of Emission projection, but unfortunately...

As for Sakazuki and Borsalino, although they both possess top-tier Logia Devil Fruit abilities, their foundations are too weak, and they cannot catch up with Vidal within ten years.

So the situation is now quite clear: whenever Vidal is promoted to Admiral, his mentor will be promoted to Fleet Admiral.

The way things unfolded was both laughable and frustrating.

If he wants to Fleet Admiral during the Sengoku, he'll have to rely on Vidal to grow up quickly!

The fastest way would actually be for Garp to be promoted to Admiral, or for Zephyr to be reinstated Admiral, but both of them have incredibly stubborn tempers.

Basically, everyone gave up trying to persuade them.

"So that's how it is, you and I will have to wait a few more years." Kong laughed heartily, trying to find humor in his misery.

"Yes." Sengoku nodded.

Thank you so much for the 100-point reward from Ri Xian Yue Se! Thank you, thank you!