At those words, Garp turned his head, glanced at the senior officers behind him, and laughed.
"We're both over seventy!"
"Of course we're old."
Sengoku laughed as well and nodded. "You're right. We're both over seventy!"
"It's time to let the young people fight!"
At what age did a person reach their prime?
Was it their passionate twenties and thirties? Or their forties and fifties, when they were in the full vigor of adulthood?
Whatever the answer, it certainly wasn't old men like them, already over seventy with graying hair.
Since becoming Fleet Admiral, he had never fought again. With age, his stamina and strength had declined. If he rashly fought someone, one wrong move could leave him utterly humiliated.
Fortunately, he was a Marine. Unlike pirates, he didn't need to risk his life every day, still dreaming of becoming the Pirate King at his age.
As he mulled it over, voices rose from the crowd again.
"Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Kizaru are here!"
"I heard new Admirals will also be appointed at this gathering. I wonder who they'll be?"
"Several Vice Admirals distinguished themselves during the Summit War."
"We'll know the answer soon!"
Amid the chatter, Kizaru and Aokiji walked to the front row, then slowly took their seats and quietly looked ahead.
Gazing at the empty platform, both men seemed momentarily lost in thought.
"He's finally made it this far!"
Aokiji sighed softly.
"It wasn't easy, but it was only natural."
Kizaru chuckled softly.
They had known him since he first joined the Marines. The three of them had been friends for more than twenty years.
"With his personality, who knows what crazy things he'll do once he takes charge!"
Aokiji sighed again.
"His uncompromising attitude has already become famous throughout the Marines."
Kizaru clicked his tongue in