Yas did not answer Fleet Admiral Kong's warning.
He simply picked up the Golden Den Den Mushi that represented supreme command authority, turned, and headed for the office door, as though staying another second would be a waste of time.
The sight of his aloof, defiant back made Sengoku's temples throb.
Only after Yas disappeared through the doorway did the oppressive atmosphere in the office finally ease a little.
"Kong! You've truly lost your mind! You're gambling the Navy's future on an uncontrollable monster!" Sengoku stared at the blank authorization document, his voice trembling.
"No." Fleet Admiral Kong slowly settled back into his chair, a glimmer of relief in his eyes. "I'm not gambling."
He looked out the window at the black warship moored quietly in the harbor, as fearsome as a deep-sea beast-the Leviathan.
"I merely... pointed out the enemy's direction to a beast that had already broken free of every shackle."
On the Leviathan's deck.
When Yas appeared at the gangway-
Whoosh!
Led by Adjutant Brannew and Combat Captain Bullet, everyone aboard the ship-from the five hundred newly recruited elite Navy soldiers to the three Devil Fruit Users implanted with "Black Lightning Collars"-instantly dropped to one knee!
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their eyes burning with a nearly crazed, fervent faith hot enough to melt steel!
"Welcome back in glory, Rear Admiral Yas!"
Their thunderous cries soared into the sky!
They had already learned of that miraculous commissioning ceremony through the Navy's internal broadcast. Their captain, a boy of only sixteen, had become the youngest rear admiral in Navy history!
This was not merely Yas's glory, but the glory of their entire Leviathan! It was the supreme honor of following a god into battle across the seas!
"Rise."
Yas uttered the word indifferently and strode straight onto