Kaji Is Sent Away Early

As the transfer order was written,

Kaji's once-promising career was instantly half-ruined.

Among the Headquarters' elite, only rear admirals were generally sent out to branch bases.

That was because Headquarters ranks were one level higher than branch ranks. A Headquarters rear admiral was equivalent to a branch vice admiral.

But this one-rank difference was merely an unspoken consensus.

Officially, no such distinction existed.

Therefore, through an external transfer, a Headquarters rear admiral could reasonably be promoted to vice admiral.

A few years later,

when he was transferred back to Headquarters, he would naturally become a Headquarters vice admiral.

But Kaji was only a Headquarters commodore now.

If he was transferred out, he could only count as a branch rear admiral, falling far behind his peers.

One step behind meant falling behind at every step.

From then on, he would need at least another ten years before he could possibly rise to Headquarters vice admiral.

"You brought this upon yourself, Kaji."

Sengoku shook his head, his face full of regret.

He couldn't possibly punish a fifteen-year-old great swordsman.

Besides, Kaji had been the one to provoke the incident.

So, sending him away was the only option.

Even this was already showing Kaji some leniency.

"That sharp, sword-like attack just now... was it Conqueror's Haki?" Sengoku frowned as he recalled the sensation.

His Observation Haki had caught a sharp aura erupting from Junichi.

Then Kaji had been injured, and his aura had weakened.

"No, it wasn't like Conqueror's Haki."

"But it wasn't a conventional slash either."

"It seemed more like an attack that directly harmed the mind?"

Sengoku's expression turned thoughtful.

He possessed Conqueror's Haki himself and understood its effects well. It was an intimidation on the spiritual level.

But Junichi's attack just now had been more like a sword swing aimed at the spirit.

There was an obvious difference between the two.

"A Devil Fruit, or some special ability?" Sengoku did not dwell on it, merely committing the matter to memory.

He did not have the bad habit of prying into other people's secrets.

At the docks.

Kaji covered his eyes as he was helped toward the medical department.

"Come with me."

Gion took a deep breath, sheathed her sword, and said to Junichi, "You heard it just now. The Fleet Admiral wants to see you."

"Alright." Junichi nodded calmly.

Led by Gion, he headed toward Marineford's central district.

The others secretly breathed a sigh of relief at the sight.

This great swordsman was truly dangerous. A single glance had brought Kaji down.

Though Kaji had started it,

they still felt that Junichi was not easy to get along with.

For a time,

their gazes became wary.

Junichi did not care about the others' attitudes.

He had joined the Marines not to form factions or make friends, but to grow stronger.

"The Fleet Admiral's office is on the top floor."

Gion led Junichi into the elevator and went straight to the highest level.

After stepping out of the elevator,

she walked directly to the office door and raised her hand to knock.

Knock, knock—

"Fleet Admiral, I've brought him."

"Come in," Sengoku's voice came from within.

Junichi's brow rose slightly.

Within the range of his Observation Haki, the office was completely empty, as if no one existed inside.

Clearly,

Fleet Admiral Sengoku was exceptionally skilled at concealing his strength and presence.

"Excuse us."

After receiving permission, Gion pushed open the office door.

Junichi followed her inside.

The moment he looked up,

he saw a burly man wearing glasses, with a long braided beard hanging from his chin, rise from behind his desk.

"Gion, wait outside for a moment," Sengoku said.

"Yes."

Gion left the office and closed the door behind her.

Inside,

only Junichi and Sengoku remained.

"Junichi Uchiha, welcome to the Marine family. Let's forget the unpleasantness just now. I've already issued an order transferring Kaji to a branch in the Four Blues," Sengoku said slowly.

After a pause,

he added, "By the way, Kaji was the man you injured earlier."

"Is that so?" Junichi was secretly surprised. He had not expected Sengoku to handle it so quickly.

And so decisively.

Sengoku had practically made it clear that he stood on Junichi's side.

Although Junichi understood Sengoku's character, as Fleet Admiral, he considered the Marines' overall interests and would not mix in personal feelings.

For example, Sengoku had hesitated over Ace's execution.

"That's right, so you don't need to worry about any further trouble," Sengoku said with a nod, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes.

As he spoke, he had been observing Junichi.

To his Observation Haki, this boy was like an invincible sword.

That sharp aura shot straight into the heavens.

As expected of a fifteen-year-old great swordsman! Sengoku marveled inwardly.

"Thank you for the trouble." Junichi responded politely, accepting the goodwill.

"Now that we're done with the interruption, let's discuss serious matters." Sengoku's expression became solemn. "Lei Zuo's letter to me was full of praise for you."

"I was only half-convinced at first."

"But after seeing you in person, I believe it. I even think Lei Zuo was being conservative."

Sengoku adjusted his glasses, a smile appearing on his face.

"So, I don't intend to have you follow the ordinary recruit process. Instead, you'll be directly placed into this term's elite training camp."

"I assume you've heard of it."

"Outstanding trainees who graduate successfully start as Headquarters rear admirals, with limitless prospects ahead of them."

As he spoke, Sengoku took out a prepared document and handed it to Junichi.

Junichi reached out and accepted it.

After glancing at it, he saw that it was indeed an enrollment document for the elite training camp.

"Rest for a day first and look around Marineford," Sengoku said. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone take you to the training camp."

"Alright." Junichi readily agreed.

"Then that settles it." Sengoku smiled as he stepped forward and patted Junichi on the shoulder. "I look forward to your performance in the training camp."

"I won't disappoint you, Fleet Admiral," Junichi replied with a smile.

He immediately settled into his role as a Marine soldier.

He humbly accepted his superior's guidance and favor.

"I almost forgot." Sengoku suddenly said, "Don't use that move that injured Kaji on your comrades again. It's too dangerous."

"Understood." Junichi naturally agreed.

Kaji had merely been an exception.

That sudden malice from the man had struck a nerve.

As for everyone else,

Junichi naturally would not retaliate so intensely.

"Then that's all. When you leave, help me call Gion in," Sengoku said with a smile.

"Goodbye."

Junichi politely rose to his feet, took the document, and left the office.

Outside.

Gion was sitting in a break room not far away, drinking something.

Seeing Junichi emerge so quickly, she was slightly surprised.

"The Fleet Admiral wants you." Junichi pointed his thumb toward the office behind him, then turned and left.

Gion felt strangely unsettled.

Junichi's gaze had not lingered on her for even a second longer?

Was this guy really a boy?

Or did her charm simply not work on minors?

"..."

Feeling inexplicably annoyed,

Gion entered the office with an expressionless face.

"Gion, why are you angry?" Sengoku glanced at her and asked in surprise.

"I..."

Only then did Gion realize something was wrong. She hurriedly adjusted her emotions and returned to her usual faint smile. "My apologies, Fleet Admiral. What are your orders?"

"It's like this. I don't want the relationship between you young people to become too strained." Sengoku looked at her deeply and said, "You're very approachable, Gion."

"I hope you can take the lead in building a good relationship with Junichi."

"Try your best to erase Kaji's influence."

As he spoke, Sengoku also informed her of how he had dealt with Kaji.

Gion's eyes narrowed slightly.