As he listened to that familiar yet unfamiliar name from Sengoku's lips,
Xiu realized the issue too.
After all, Akainu believed that "only absolute justice is justice,"
so someone like him, promoted straight through the ranks,
would probably rub him the wrong way, right?
Still, Xiu was not particularly worried.
In fact, he was even a little eager...
After all, both he and Akainu could be considered fire users.
If they could have a fight... he would definitely teach him a lesson!
"Old man, don't worry..."
Listening to Sengoku go on and on about how terrifying Akainu was,
Xiu hurriedly interrupted his verbal barrage.
Sengoku choked on his words and gave Xiu a reproachful look.
"Kid, I'm not worried about you..."
"I'm worried you two will tear Marineford apart..."
"Were you even listening to me?!"
Xiu scratched his head, looking rather embarrassed.
"Ahaha, I was too busy admiring the scenery just now."
"Old man, don't worry!"
"Even if I beat him to death, there's no way I'd tear Marineford apart!"
Sengoku: "..."
Looking at Xiu's utterly serious expression, Sengoku sighed helplessly.
The boy had not even joined the Marines yet, and Sengoku already felt ten years older...
As time passed, the warship finally sailed into Marineford's harbor.
As they stepped off the warship, two neat rows of soldiers stood on either side of the harbor.
Several figures wearing Justice Coats also stood at the foot of the warship's steps.
"Kid, get ready for life as a real Marine!"
Sengoku smiled at the curious Xiu beside him,
then strode off the warship.
"Welcome, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Several voices instantly rang out, loud and in unison.
Sengoku nodded in satisfaction.
"You're all dismissed!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
As the soldiers on both sides dispersed,
Sengoku turned his gaze toward the four figures before him.
The purple-haired figure at their head was none other than Zephyr.
Behind him were the Marine Vice Admirals known as the three monsters: Kizaru, Akainu, and Kuzan!
"Zephyr! How did you find the time to come here?"
"Hahahahaha! Sengoku! Well, I got your call!"
"You said you'd found a promising youngster? Where is he?"
As they spoke, a figure slowly emerged from the warship.
He was still wearing that ordinary Marine soldier's uniform,
with Ryūjin Jakka hanging at his waist.
"So this is the boy..." A gleam flashed in Zephyr's eyes.
Zephyr had always been a good judge of people, and he spotted what set Xiu apart at a glance.
"Firm muscles... looks like he's got quite a bit of strength?"
Sengoku laughed heartily beside him.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is Era Xiu."
"Xiu, this is Marine Headquarters Admiral 'Black Arm' Zephyr!"
"Hello, Uncle Zephyr," Xiu said, neither servile nor overbearing.
Zephyr nodded approvingly. "Mm, Xiu, was it... I hope you'll rise to general level soon,
"and become a mainstay of the Marines!"
As his words fell, Sengoku's expression grew somewhat complicated.
Kizaru, the slacker Vice Admiral who was good at reading people, quickly noticed something was off with Sengoku.
"Ohhh... does the Fleet Admiral have something to say?"
Kizaru spoke in an extremely slow drawl.
"Ahem, this isn't the place to talk. Let's head back to the office first..."
Then he turned to Xiu, who was admiring Marineford, and said,
"Xiu, you come too."
The group soon arrived at Sengoku's office.
"What exactly is this about, Sengoku?"
Sengoku sat in his office chair, resting his head on his hands.
"With the approval of the Five Elders, Era Xiu is hereby promoted to Marine Commodore!"
"I object!"
As those words fell, a deep voice rang out.
Everyone looked over. Who else could it be but Akainu?
"Sakazuki! These are orders from the Five Elders!"
"Even if they're orders from the Five Elders, I won't agree to this nonsense,
"making someone with no achievements a Marine Commodore!"
"What's more, he's just a boy!"
"Does he have the strength to deserve the rank of Commodore?!"
"If word gets out about such a weak Commodore, won't we become a laughingstock?"
Akainu's words brought the atmosphere to freezing point.
Sengoku sighed inwardly.
Sure enough, things had already begun heading in the direction he least wanted...
"Of course, if he can defeat me, I won't have any complaints!"
At Akainu's words, Xiu, who had remained silent at the side, stepped forward.
He looked at the furious Akainu with a smile.
"Since Vice Admiral Akainu wants a fight, I certainly have no problem with that."
At the same time, the system in his mind sent a message:
[Ding! Temporary mission triggered!] [The Navy's Provocation!] [He looks down on you? Beat him until he coughs up blood!] [Mission reward: Inheritance degree +%!]
PS: It's the new book's first day, and the stats are extremely important. I beg all you dear readers to give them a boost~~
Flowers, review votes, monthly votes, tips-anything will do!!
Please!