"Chaton" Kake

The materials recorded Kuzan's general observations upon landing on Capone Island, as well as Fleet Admiral Sengoku's subsequent investigation into the state of the West Blue Navy.

"As you can all see, because Marine Headquarters is located in the Grand Line, our oversight and management of the Four Seas Navies are clearly insufficient, making it extremely easy for various corruption issues to breed."

"What's listed above is merely the problem with the West Blue Navy, but it is absolutely not the only place where problems exist within the Four Seas Navies."

As Fleet Admiral Sengoku threw this issue onto the table, the Navy High Command seated in the meeting room all showed contemplative expressions.

After a moment, Vice Admiral Tsuru was the first to speak.

"This issue indeed requires attention. Even though the combat power of the Four Seas Navies is generally low, not only are they the places that will provide a steady stream of fresh forces for Marine Headquarters, but more importantly..."

Vice Admiral Tsuru crossed her hands, slightly covering her chin, and said.

"Perhaps the Grand Line is the chaotic battlefield where pirates swarm, but the Four Seas are the source of that chaos. Moreover, the area the Four Seas Navies are responsible for far exceeds that of Marine Headquarters, so the Four Seas Navies are also deeply tied to the peace of this sea."

Vice Admiral Spandine asked, "Then does Vice Admiral Tsuru mean that we should dispatch combat power from Marine Headquarters to be permanently stationed in the Four Seas Navies?"

Vice Admiral Sakazuki, sitting off to the side, spoke without hesitation.

"I oppose. Marine Headquarters is already under increasing pressure in the 'New World.' There simply isn't any spare combat power to transfer to the vast Four Seas."

"I agree with Vice Admiral Sakazuki's opinion." Vice Admiral Onigumo followed up immediately.

"Compared to the Four Seas, the Grand Line is the true priority. And we must admit that because of Gol D. Roger, pirates are now appearing in an endless stream."

"To completely solve this problem, we still need to concentrate our combat power and crush the Great Pirates of the Grand Line with overwhelming force, using deterrence to stop the seeds of evil from sprouting."

For a time, the Navy High Command present engaged in heated discussion, clearly showing great disagreement on this matter.

One side believed that diverting some of Marine Headquarters' resources and combat power to the Four Seas Navies would be more beneficial for the peace of the sea.

The other side believed that the Navy's focus should be on intensifying the transfer of power from the Four Seas Navies, quickly crushing the Great Pirates of the Grand Line with overwhelming force, thereby deterring all pirates on the sea and slowing the ever-increasing number of new pirates.

"Silence!"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku tapped the table, restoring quiet to the meeting room, then spoke.

"I understand everyone's opinions. But in my view, the current flaw of the Four Seas Navies is not a problem of combat power, but a flaw in institutional management and insufficient oversight."

"Then what does the Fleet Admiral mean?" asked Vice Admiral Spandine, chewing on his cigar.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku thought for a moment, then said, "Create a new position, directly under the management of Marine Headquarters, with the main duty of inspecting the navies of each sea."

That day, Yaen got up lazily. After a quick wash, he was surprised to find Sengoku sitting in the living room.

"Day off today, Old Man?" Yaen asked with a yawn.

"Justice never takes a day off."

Sengoku spoke while processing the documents in his hands.

"Then why are you so free, handling work at home?" Yaen asked, puzzled.

Sengoku, pen in hand as he continuously reviewed documents, glanced at Yaen and asked, "Free?"

Yaen wisely dropped the subject and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

"By the way, Old Man, have you eaten breakfast yet?"

Yaen dutifully asked.

"Full from anger," Sengoku replied flatly.

"Good, saves me the trouble."

Yaen's indifferent tone nearly made Sengoku snap the pen in his hand.

But soon, Sengoku's expression calmed, and he muttered quietly to himself.

"Brat, I've let you slack off long enough. Enjoy your last quiet morning well."

Then, just as Yaen finished his simple breakfast, two voices sounded from the courtyard gate.

"Report, Lieutenant Gion/Kake reporting for duty."

Sengoku straightened the documents in his hands, then said, "Come in."

Soon, two figures walked in. One was Gion, whom Yaen had met once before, and the other, who called himself Kake...

'Chaton?!'

Yaen carefully examined the young man before him, who looked slightly short and hunched next to Gion, with rather lecherous features.

If it weren't for his row of distinctive protruding teeth, Yaen would have thought he was some illegitimate son of Borsalino.

But Yaen knew very well that this seemingly lecherous, short Kake was no simple character. He was a man who would later earn the name 'Chaton' and stand alongside Gion as a Marine Admiral candidate, with terrifyingly strong combat power.

"No wonder there are stories later about Chaton confessing to 'Momousagi' Gion and failing a hundred times. He's already this lecherous at a young age. It would be strange if Gion ever accepted him."

Just as Yaen was muttering to himself, wondering why Sengoku had called them over, Sengoku suddenly turned his head toward Yaen and said in a tone that brooked no refusal.

"Yaen, you come here too."

?!

Yaen.

Almost instantly, based on Yaen's understanding of Sengoku, he knew things couldn't be simple—Sengoku was bound to drop a big problem on him.

'No wonder the Old Man stayed home so suspiciously today; he was probably guarding against me guessing his intent and pulling a Slip Away if he called me through a messenger...'

'This is basically cornering me!'

Faced with Sengoku's behavior—tantamount to blocking the fountain, blocking the house—Yaen, who had just woken up, didn't even have a chance to Slip Away and could only helplessly walk over.

"Gion, Kake, Yaen—you three are the most outstanding new generation of Marines. The Marine Headquarters has a mission for you now..."

Just then, Yaen weakly interrupted. "Um... I haven't joined the Marines yet."

The moment Yaen finished speaking, Sengoku pulled a document from the pile he'd been processing and tossed it to Yaen, saying, "Your father has already submitted your application to join the Marines, and it's just been signed and confirmed by the Fleet Admiral."

Pausing, Sengoku's expression turned serious. "Congratulations, Marine Yaen."

???

Yaen.

Taking the document, he immediately flipped to the last page and looked at the rank section.

Marine Headquarters Captain!

In an instant, Yaen felt his vision go dark.

Forgetting Gion and Kake's presence, he blurted out in protest, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this application is wrong. The merits I've accumulated couldn't possibly qualify me for the rank of Marine Headquarters Captain."