Lorne rolled over and sat up, reaching into his clothes with his right hand and catching the Den Den Mushi that was shrieking at the top of its lungs.
With a click, the call connected.
The Den Den Mushi, which had been curled into a ball, instantly straightened. Its facial muscles shifted, taking on Sengoku's stern face, complete with round glasses and a braided beard.
"Lorne, can you hear me?"
Sengoku's deep, authoritative voice came through the receiver, carrying a barely perceptible trace of fatigue and breaking through the thin morning mist over the Island of Misfortune.
Lorne stretched, his bones crackling like popping beans. He watched the red sun gradually rising over the sea and spoke casually.
"Fleet Admiral, the signal in the Calm Belt has always been bad. You certainly timed this call well. I was just about to catch a Sea King for breakfast."
"You're still in the mood to joke?"
Sengoku snorted on the other end, followed by the rustling of papers.
"I've spent two full years negotiating with the Five Elders. The final ruling on your beating of Saint Charlos and killing of CP0 agents in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise two years ago has come down."
Lorne raised an eyebrow. His left hand flexed slightly on his knee, and golden Grit flashed between his fingers before vanishing.
"Oh, those old men are finally willing to let me out? I thought they intended to keep me on this island until I retired and grew a white beard."
"Stop interrupting and hear me out!"
Sengoku's voice grew stern.
"The Five Elders have agreed to lift your indefinite confinement, but in exchange, Marine Headquarters must publicly discipline you. Lorne, effective immediately, you are officially stripped of your rank of rear admiral. All your Marine records will