Sengoku Patted My Shoulder and Affirmed My Loyalty!
During the discussion among the big shots, Ortolan didn't interrupt much, fully demonstrating the demeanor of a true gentleman.
But he knew very well that the fact that the big shots were discussing these private matters in front of him was, to some extent, a very clear signal: the door to the circle was open to him!
From now on, we're all on the same side!
After this topic ended, Steel Bone Handsome looked at Ortolan with a smile, "Were you getting impatient?"
"Hahaha, a little bit. I've wanted to say a few times that we could discuss this promotion and wealth first. It's a small joy for you, Commander, but for me, it's a big joy to officially enter the rank of Marines officer!" Ortolan laughed and said casually.
It was precisely because of his attitude that the big shots couldn't help but laugh. This desire to get promoted and make money wasn't a bad thing. Having a goal gives you more motivation. Marines who doesn't want to be a commander isn't a true Marines.
"Garp, if you had half of Ortolan's ambition, I wouldn't be so worried." The Steel Bone -Boned Handsome Man smiled and then nodded at Garp.
Garp nonchalantly remarked, "While I may lack ambition, I've found such a promising talent. That balances things out, so please forgive me from now on..."
"Perhaps we'll have to wait until Ortolan becomes Admiral before we can truly forgive you," the Admiral Sengoku chuckled, teasing her from the side.
After a few amusing exchanges, Steel Bone General took out a document from his desk drawer and handed it to Ortolan: "Here, this is the official promotion approval. I've already signed it, and the personnel department has also processed it. From this moment forward, Bane Ortolan, you will officially assume the Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral!"
Ortolan accepted the document with both hands, then stood at attention and saluted. "Yes, sir, for justice!"
"For justice" is the Marines's official motto, and it's precisely at this moment that it's being used.
"Although I haven't known you for long, both Garp and Zephyr speak highly of you. My experience on Fellnes Island also gave me a glimpse into your character. Garp and the others are right; you are indeed an excellent prospect. You may become the hope and representative of our Marines in the future. Therefore, I would like to remind you again: no matter what, never forget your position and original intention as a member of the Marines... Understand?" Steel Bone General stood up, patted Ortolan on the shoulder, and said.
"Understood, General." Ortolan nodded seriously.
After explaining the promotion, Steel Bone General looked at Garp again. "Now that Ortolan is Rear Admiral, he's no longer suitable to serve under you, right?"
In terms of personnel, Ortolan is currently under Garp's command, but as Vice Admiral, Garp's subordinates are at most one Rear Admiral and two Commodore.
Previously, the Rear Admiral was Kuzan, Commodore were Bogard and Ortolan. Looking at it now, they certainly do not meet the regulatory requirements.
"I haven't even had my precious baby for very long, and you're already trying to take it away from me, huh?" Garp rolled his eyes, but didn't try to stop them.
Initially, Garp wanted to keep Ortolan by his side because he also wanted to give Ortolan more opportunities. Through him, Ortolan could more easily come into contact with Sengoku, Steel Bone, and others.
Now that the goal has been achieved, he knows he is a good-for-nothing, while Ortolan is very ambitious. So keeping Ortolan in his hands would not be giving him a chance, but rather becoming a burden.
At this point, sending Ortolan out would be the best course of action.
"Everyone can see Ortolan's talent. It's a bit..." Sengoku chuckled as he said this, then continued, "Let him come work for me. Borsalino has transferred people to the Science Unit, and I'm short-handed here."
Even if Borsalino hadn't been transferred to the Science Unit, Sengoku, as Admiral, would have been qualified to make Ortolan his subordinate.
"What do you think?" Garp asked Ortolan.
The words of Sengoku are right here, how could Ortolan refuse? He's Admiral, destined to become a commander-in-chief. If you refuse, aren't you looking down on this great man, Sengoku?
How can I continue working in the Marines?
At this, Ortolan immediately nodded and said with a smile, "Mr. Garp, you already know this, so I won't say anything insincere. I will always remember your kindness. If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know!"
"I knew it, you didn't want to continue working under me." Garp glared at Ortolan, but then laughed and said, "Sengoku isn't some kind of boss. There will be plenty of dirty and hard work to do in the future. You'll start to miss the days of following me then, hahahaha."
It must be said that although Ortolan had a good impression of Admiral Sengoku, he also knew that Sengoku was definitely more thoughtful than Garp. As an ambitious Marine Admiral and the future Fleet Admiral, his methods and ways of thinking were bound to be very different from Garp's.
But it doesn't matter, Ortolan can accept these things.
And so, in just a few words, Ortolan's future was temporarily in the hands of the Admiral Sengoku.
It's obvious that these were all things the big shots had discussed long ago. The evidence is that after Ortolan agreed, the Admiral Sengoku personally draped the Rear Admiral's cloak and epaulets that he had prepared beforehand onto Ortolan.
This also shows that the Admiral Sengoku greatly admired Ortolan; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to do such detailed things.
Although everyone seemed relatively busy today, there were still important matters to attend to. So, after chatting for a while longer, everyone prepared to disperse and go about their own business.
After leaving the office, Ortolan greeted the others and followed Admiral Sengoku away.
In the top-floor corridor of the Marineford Fortress of Justice Sengoku, Sengoku said in a very gentle tone, "From now on, the two of us will have to get along well."
"Please feel free to ask if you need anything," Ortolan replied with a smile.
The Admiral Sengoku nodded, then asked, "You heard what happened with the Fleet Admiral earlier. What are your thoughts on these scholars?"
"Not yet." Ortolan shook his head honestly.
After all, he only just learned about this matter, how could he have come up with an idea so quickly?
However, after a pause, he continued, "But obviously, this is not the primary responsibility of our Marines, so I think what we need to do is to cooperate with the CP Agency as much as possible... and let them take the lead."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow and asked Yu meaningfully, "What kind of cooperation would be considered the best possible cooperation?"
"They'll step up if anything happens, they'll shoulder the responsibility, and it's best if they don't take any 'labor'— Marines handle that as soon as possible. But this cooperation must be done flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism. And more importantly... if subsequent clues really point to Ohara and Alabasta, then we should downplay our Marines's role and influence in this operation as much as possible," Ortolan said immediately.
The Admiral Sengoku glanced at Ortolan with slight surprise, then said, "You are indeed quite clever."
Then, he sighed slightly, "Studying is a complicated matter. If we get too involved, whatever the outcome, it will negatively impact the image of our Marines and bring no benefit..."
"Yeah, but it doesn't matter if it's a couple or not, they don't have a good image anyway." Ortolan smiled.
In the story, why would Sengoku, as Marine Admiral, give the Golden Den Den Mushi, which could activate the Buster Call, to Spandine, a CP Agency agent?
There are plenty of Vice Admiral in the Marines, including Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and others. They're all there. Who wouldn't press a Golden Den Den Mushi? Would Sakazuki really hold back?
Now that Ortolan thinks about it, it was actually Admiral Sengoku intentionally downplaying the Marines's dishonorable role in this matter at the last moment.
I did give them the Den Den Mushi, but that was just in case something unexpected happened. If it actually got rung, it was those inhuman CP Agency who did it, not the Marines!
"I was planning to give this matter to Vice Admiral Sauro, but now I think you are more suitable. If there are no problems, you will be in charge of the study as the representative of the Marines?" Admiral Sengoku asked.
Good grief, they're already pushing the limits? No wonder Garp said working for you is dirty and tiring.
However, Ortolan also knew that this was Admiral Sengoku giving him a chance. After all, he was a newcomer to Sengoku. If he didn't show his loyalty, how could Admiral Sengoku trust him and use him?
Although this task is a bit shady, it is precisely because of its shady nature that it is more suitable for building relationships.
Besides, it wasn't anything particularly troublesome, so Ortolan nodded and said, "Understood, no problem."
"Very good." Admiral Sengoku patted Ortolan on the shoulder with satisfaction, affirming his loyalty to the Marines.