My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror; everything I do is justice!

Fleet Admiral... candidate?

Storm looked dazed for a moment.

This rank sounds similar to "Marine Headquarters Admiral Candidate".

The term "Admiral Candidate" refers to a candidate who is ready to succeed as "Headquarters Admiral" at any time.

Therefore, the significance of the rank of "New Marine Fleet Admiral Candidate" is probably as follows:

If the current Fleet Admiral's health fails, can the Fleet Admiral Candidate immediately take over?

Storm smirked.

Is it possible to have a "candidate" for the position of "Fleet Admiral"?

Storm refused again.

But this time, Zephyr insisted on sticking to his opinion no matter what.

We can't exactly let Storm become some kind of "Admiral Candidate," can we?

Although, in name, "Admiral Candidate" is on par with "Headquarters Admiral".

However, in reality, there is still a certain gap between Admiral Candidate and Headquarters Admiral.

Strictly speaking...

In the navy, there is actually no such rank as "Admiral Candidate"; there is only "Vice Admiral," who can succeed Admiral.

That's right.

Whether it's Momousagi or Chaton, their actual military rank is "Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral"!

According to information Zephyr has gathered, Storm is already a "Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral"!

Besides.

Storm's current strength and reputation speak for themselves.

He was not only the creator of the New Marines.

Moreover, he single-handedly "won over" Aokiji and Kizaru.

It is said that they even recruited a "benevolent Chivalrous" person whose strength was comparable to that of Admiral in advance.

All three Admiral of the New Marines were recruited by Storm through his personal efforts!

In this case.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Storm is directly appointed as the New Marines Fleet Admiral!

Not to mention.

The New Marines was established.

From then on, we needed to rely on Storm's assistance for everything, big and small.

Zephyr appointed Storm as a "Fleet Admiral Candidate," a decision he himself felt was somewhat inadequate...

At Zephyr's insistence.

Storm ultimately chose to back down and accepted the position of "New Marine Fleet Admiral Candidate".

Although he still felt that the title of "Whole Cake Island Grand Army Commander" was more prestigious than anything like "New Marine Fleet Admiral Candidate"...

But that doesn't really matter.

Let's just say that in addition to serving as "Whole Cake Island Grand Army Commander," Storm also concurrently served as "New Marine Fleet Admiral Candidate"!

Kizaru and Aokiji exchanged a glance. They didn't find the position unusual; on the contrary, they felt it was quite suitable.

As expected of Zephyr- sensei!

The discussion regarding the ranks and positions of the New Marines has now come to an end.

New Marines Fleet Admiral - Black Arm Zephyr.

New Marines Fleet Admiral Candidate - White Dragon Vongola Storm.

New Marines Admiral – Kizaru and Aokiji.

There was also a laugh.

Although Issho has not yet faced the test from Zephyr, Kizaru, and others.

However, Storm was very confident in the strength of that fat tiger.

After all, he had personally tested Yixiao's strength level!

He is definitely a strongman who is on par with the Admiral and Pirate Emperor.

So now we have all three Admiral for the New Marines!

"By the way, Professor Zephyr."

Storm then brought up another topic.

"I previously looted—I mean, took away quite a few naval warships from Punk Hazard Island —and I've preserved them in excellent condition. They can be reassigned to the New Marines later."

You just used the word "rob," right?

Zephyr glanced at Storm with a strange expression and said in a deep voice.

"Storm, I know your style of doing things has been influenced by 'pirates'... but now, you are Fleet Admiral Candidate New Marines, so don't do things like 'plundering' anymore."

"I'm sorry, Professor Zephyr, I think there's a slight difference in our understanding of 'plundering'."

Storm shook his head and said bluntly.

"Those previous naval warships were just 'trophies,' and I will not give up on targeting the Old Marines in the future."

"For every slight weakening of the Old Marines, the strength of the New Marines will increase."

Storm felt he had already exercised considerable restraint.

At least he only seized the island and the warships, but he didn't kill anyone.

It's important to understand that the relationship between the New Marines and Old Marines was purely "hostile."

Moreover, this "hostility" is not due to any material or interest-based conflict, but rather to ideological conflict.

The Old Marines resolutely upheld so-called "Absolute Justice" in order to protect the interests of the World Government.

And the New Marines's justice...

The New Marines's justice...

Thinking of this, Storm's expression suddenly became a little strange.

"Zephyr- sensei, Admiral Aokiji, and Kizaru."

Storm looked at the New Marines leaders in front of him and asked with a solemn expression.

"What kind of 'justice' does the New Marines advocate?"

As is widely known.

This navy Relying on Justice!

In general terms, the Navy upholds "Absolute Justice."

This is also the "justice" that every Fleet Admiral must uphold.

However, when it comes to individuals, each navy officer's Heart of Justice is different.

Every Admiral has a different definition of "justice".

There is [Justice that Reigns Supreme], [Non-Killing Justice], [Thorough Justice], [Lazy Justice], [Ambiguous Justice], [Righteous Justice], [Desperate Justice]...

As for the Marine Vice Admiral ' "justice," there's much more to it than that.

I won't list them all here.

All in all.

Justice within the Navy is incredibly diverse and varied, as numerous as Devil Fruit.

The expressions of the other three changed somewhat in response to Storm's question.

"You don't even know the answer to this question?"

Kizaru stroked his chin, looking at Storm and Zephyr with utter bewilderment.

"Aren't you the creator of the New Marines? And what about Professor Zephyr? Oh~"

"So even Zephyr- sensei didn't know~"

Zephyr's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

He hadn't discussed this issue with Storm before.

But what exactly is justice for the New Marines?

A slightly inexplicable thought flashed through Zephyr's mind.

The Old Marines's justice was [Absolute Justice]...

Does the New Marines's justice have to be "relative justice"?

That sounds incredibly unreliable!

I think!

Aokiji said quite seriously.

"Burning Justice is a perfect fit for our New Marines!"

Aokiji was once a practitioner of "Burning Justice".

Until he encountered the Buster Call incident in Ohara, his original Heart of Justice was shattered by Akainu.

Aokiji then transformed into "Lazy Justice".

But now it has left the Old Marines and joined the New Marines...

Aokiji felt it was time for him to rekindle his former "Burning Justice"!

Thinking about this, Aokiji suddenly felt a surge of energy!

"No."

Storm shook his head, directly rejecting Aokiji's suggestion.

"Not everyone can 'burn'; there are always some 'non-flammable things' on the sea."

For example, Kizaru standing to the side, you can tell at a glance that this guy won't catch fire.

The idea had just crossed Storm's mind.

Kizaru smiled and said, "Then what about 'Ambiguous Justice'?"

"No!"

This time, it wasn't Storm who spoke, but Zephyr, who glared at Kizaru with a look of utter disappointment.

"Borsalino, do you think everyone is as lazy as you?!"

"What!?"

Kizaru stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then pointed aggrievedly at Aokiji beside him.

"Teacher Zephyr, I'm not lazy, Kuzan is."

"Ah la la..."

Aokiji shrank his neck and said helplessly.

Why drag me into this?

It looks like the discussion is about to go off-topic.

Storm forcefully steered the conversation back on track.

"Professor Zephyr, what are your thoughts?"

My thoughts...

Zephyr extended his healthy right hand and opened and closed his five fingers a few times.

"I am a practitioner of 'Non-Killing Justice'..."

"Professor Zephyr, I once heard an old saying: 'In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary.'"

Storm shook his head; though he didn't say it explicitly, he still denied Zephyr's Heart of Justice.

"I believe your sense of justice is not suited to this increasingly chaotic sea..."

"But I think you and Yixiao must have a lot in common."

Yixiao believes in [Righteous Justice].

This kind of justice differs somewhat from Zephyr's ideals, but it is also quite similar.

Before Zephyr could speak, Storm's gaze shifted to the other three.

What are your thoughts?

Nami, Ain, and Binz all looked puzzled and said in unison.

"Us?" X3

"Of course it's you guys."

Storm nodded and said calmly.

"You are now members of the New Marines, so you are certainly qualified to discuss 'justice'."

In the Old Marines, those who were qualified to promote their own "motto of justice" were basically big shots in their own right.

At the very least, he would be Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.

Certainly.

This does not mean that lower-ranking marines cannot have their own "Heart of Justice".

However, compared to these big shots, the justice of the lower-ranking marines... is often overlooked.

Now, facing Storm's question.

After a moment of hesitation, Ain and Binz revealed their respective thoughts.

We're all in the navy, how could we not have our own understanding of "justice"?

It's just that Ain and Binz haven't had the chance to say their respective "mottos of justice" before.

"If it were me..."

Ain brushed a strand of her sea-blue hair behind her ear and said softly.

"I believe in 'Eternal Justice'."

Um?

Storm raised an eyebrow.

This marine looks rather frail, but this "justice" of his sounds even more radical than Akainu's?

As for me...

Binz scratched the back of his head and grinned.

"It should be 'Robust Justice'!"

Um...

Storm nodded, but didn't say anything more, only turning his gaze to Nami, who had remained silent.

"Nami, what about you?"

"Captain, I think you might have asked the wrong person..."

Nami stuck out her tongue and said helplessly.

"How could someone like me possibly believe in 'justice'!"

Nami's adoptive mother, Bellemere, is a very responsible navy woman.

Unfortunately, Bellemere was brutally murdered by Arlong...

From a very young age, Nami understood a principle.

On this vast ocean, "justice" is unreliable.

At least Nami has never encountered any reliable Marines!

Well, the Captain isn't considered part of the navy!

"It doesn't matter."

Storm shook his head and said calmly.

"Just tell me what you think."

"Oh, then..."

Nami tilted her head and said casually.

"Money Justice?"

"Cough cough!!"

Zephyr coughed twice loudly.

Money Justice?

He had never heard such a materialistic motto of justice before!

This marine recommended by Storm definitely needs to undergo rigorous training in the ways of justice!

At this moment, Storm's lips twitched a few times.

"The Money Justice"...

How should I put it?

You can tell just by listening to it that it's a righteous motto that Nami would utter!

Tesoro would definitely like this kind of justice...

Storm gave Nami a disapproving look, but didn't say anything, instead turning to look at Zephyr.

"I suppose Professor Zephyr has already heard it..."

Storm raised his right hand and pointed from Aokiji all the way to Nami.

Everyone has their own sense of justice.

I once heard a saying--

"The opposite of justice is not evil, but other forms of justice."

Putting aside other things...

Akainu's "Thorough Justice" versus Aokiji's "Lazy Justice".

These two concepts of justice sound fundamentally contradictory!

There are many other cases like this.

Zephyr stared at Storm and spoke in a deep voice.

"Storm, what are you trying to say?"

"Professor Zephyr, what I wanted to say was..."

"Storm said solemnly."

"The New Marines doesn't need to follow any special 'justice,' New Marines just needs to believe in justice!"

"My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror; everything I do is righteous."

First update...

Sigh, I'm late, I'm delaying the update...

One more chapter to come.

It will be very late.

Everyone, stop waiting.