"I, 'Tactician' Sengoku, am willing to stake my future position as a Marine Admiral as a guarantee!"
When Sengoku's declaration, which staked everything, echoed through the Fleet Admiral's Office, everyone was stunned by the do-or-die resolve in his words.
His future position as an Admiral as a guarantee!
What a weighty promise!
For the first time, undisguisable shock appeared on Pokato's perpetually calculating face. He stared fixedly at Sengoku, as though trying to find a trace of hesitation on that serious face.
But he was disappointed.
Sengoku's gaze was as firm as iron, allowing no questions.
"Steel Bone" Kong drew a deep breath, his chest heaving violently. He looked at the two future pillars of the Marines before him, one wild and unrestrained, the other steady as a mountain. Yet at this moment, for the same young man, they had independently chosen the most radical path.
Had the times truly changed?
A long while passed.
"Sigh..."
A heavy sigh marked the Fleet Admiral's final concession.
"We'll do as you say, Sengoku." Kong waved a weary hand, seeming to age ten years in an instant. "Draft the promotion order immediately and notify the World Government. Also, have that bastard Garp bring Yas back to Marineford! I'll personally commission him!"
He had to see the young man who had stirred up the entire world with his own eyes.
He wanted to see just what kind of monster he was!
Two days later, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The harbor was packed with people.
Tens of thousands of Marine soldiers stood in neat formations, utterly silent. Their eyes were all fixed on the pitch-black warship in the center of the harbor, as terrifying and ferocious as an ancient beast.
The Leviathan!
And the young figure standing at its bow, wearing a white Justice Coat,