Just hearing that voice and its string of self-aggrandizing titles made Sengoku feel his blood pressure starting to soar again.
He fought back the urge to smash the Den Den Mushi. A vein twitched at his temple as he forced the words through clenched teeth:
"Gern! I've already read that bullshit report of yours! I don't have time for your nonsense!"
"Come now, Fleet Admiral, no need to get so worked up~" Gern's voice remained carefree over the Den Den Mushi. "That report was a distillation of my heartfelt feelings and solid facts.
So, does this mean... you've approved it?"
Sengoku snorted. "Approved it? The fact that I haven't torn it to pieces and thrown it in your face is proof of my restraint! Dracule Mihawk... are you sure you can keep him under control?"
"Control? No, no, no, Fleet Admiral, that's entirely the wrong way to put it." Gern's voice held a smile, but beneath it lay tremendous confidence.
"This is mutual attraction between strong men who share the same ideals.
He's simply chosen to put his name on my roster and help me cut down some clueless pirates and monsters from the New World along the way.
What does control have to do with it? That would only hurt our friendship."
"..." Sengoku was speechless. Talking to this man always seemed to lead him off track.
He rubbed his brow and decided not to pursue a subject that was doomed to go nowhere. His voice grew heavy, carrying an unprecedented seriousness:
"Gern, I'm in no mood for jokes.
For now, I can leave you alone about whom you recruit and how you recruit them."
"But..." He emphasized the word. "You and that G-10 Base of yours had better remember who you are!
You're Marines! Your blades must be