"Zephyr, you're absolutely right—having a brain is what truly matters," Sengoku stepped forward and sat beside Zephyr.
"Michael and Rosinante are both rare geniuses!"
"...And that's why you made them part of a classified special unit, even sending Rosinante undercover?"
"Now you're blaming me unfairly—the undercover mission was Michael's own choice for Rosinante."
With Sengoku steering the conversation, the future Three Admirals across from them finally relaxed.
And Sakazuki finally managed to put his cigar in his mouth…
Though he didn't light it.
Because beside the sofa, two kids were staring straight at him.
"Uncle Sakazuki, what's that?"
"You idiot Kujaku, that's a cigar!"
"A cigar? Like the thing Grandma sometimes smokes when she's thinking?"
"Yeah, it's something that produces smoke when lit… But why would anyone like this? The smoke is so harsh."
"Maybe… it's just an adult thing?" Kujaku nodded at Ace, then blinked her big, watery eyes at Sakazuki.
"Uncle Sakazuki, can Kujaku try it too? I'm really curious."
The moment she said that, cold sweat instantly broke out on Sakazuki's forehead.
If his earlier restraint in front of Zephyr was out of respect for his mentor…
Now, it was pure intimidation.
He didn't even need to turn around to know that the Marine's second-in-command, the great strategist, was glaring at him with cold eyes.
"Sakazuki, you wouldn't smoke a cigar in front of two children, would you?" Tsuru's voice remained gentle, but the underlying chill was unmistakable.
"If you really can't help yourself, go back to G1 and smoke there."
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I was just… smelling it."
Even Sakazuki, who usually showed no respect even to his superior Sengoku and dared to snap at him, now forced himself to put on an awkwardly amiable smile.
"Sakazuki, your smile is uglier than a frown," Michael scoffed. "You might as well stop—you'll scare the kids."
...
The dinner was, by all accounts, a pleasant gathering.
Of course, the happiest was naturally Garp, since he had gained a new grandson.
And the main purpose of the Marine's top brass wasn't just the meal—it was to see the Marine Hero's newest descendant.
"Honestly, babies are much smaller than I imagined," Borsalino gestured with his hands. "They're barely bigger than my palm."
"Is that the point?" Kuzan sighed. "Just thinking about this kid having to endure Vice Admiral Garp's hellish training when he gets a little older makes me want to mourn for him in advance for a minute…"
"You two, next time you talk behind my back, check if I'm around first, alright?" Garp snorted. "And what do you know? Both my grandsons are born Marines! Training like that is nothing to them!"
Listening to Garp's proud laughter, Kuzan couldn't help but roll his eyes.
If he hadn't been Garp's former subordinate and endured that inhuman torment himself, he might have actually believed it!
Training so brutal even a Vice Admiral like him still remembers it vividly—and you want to subject a little kid to that?
Garp, get a grip already!
Everyone crowded around Luffy, watching him like a newborn monkey at the zoo.
Only Sakazuki and Michael sat to the side, keeping their distance.
"You really don't want to take a look? That's the grandson of the Marine's hero."
"And also the son of the Revolutionary Army's leader."
"Stop right there." Michael rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me you've evolved to the point where even babies aren't spared."
"I meant nothing by it—just stating a fact." Sakazuki shook his head. "A child may seem insignificant now, but in the future, no matter what he becomes, those complicated ties of his will inevitably shake up the status quo."
Sakazuki's concerns weren't unfounded.
The grandson of a great hero and the son of a great criminal—this meant Luffy would have solid connections on both sides of the law in the future.
Michael's title as the ultimate nepotism might even have to be passed down to this little guy.
"No matter how much he shakes things up, he's still just a kid." Michael raised an eyebrow. "Even if he ends up doing something earth-shattering, that's still over a decade away."
"Fair point."
For once, Sakazuki agreed with Michael.
"By the way, Sakazuki, have you seen the new recruits from Amazon Lily?"
"Yes, I made a special trip to Sabaody Archipelago…" Sakazuki nodded.
Though Michael changed topics abruptly, they somehow synced up effortlessly.
"Putting aside their former identities… they're truly outstanding warriors."
Even with the negative title of 'former pirates' coloring his view, Sakazuki had to admit the warriors of this 'Kingdom of Women' surpassed all current low-ranking Marines in skill.
Strong, swift, fearless—and every one of them had mastered remarkably refined Armament Haki.
With an army like that, his pressure in the New World would be halved at least!
The only problem was… These women were a bit too… thirsty.
Every male Marine on Sabaody Archipelago had been flirted with by them.
Sakazuki was gradually realizing why this nation, whose people had historically taken to the seas as pirates, so easily switched sides to the Marines under Michael's guidance.
A Marine that offered both salaries and assigned partners? To them, it was practically paradise!
A stable livelihood without having to scour the seas for sturdy men to reproduce with…
'Who the hell wants to be some damn pirate?'
Watching Sakazuki lost in fantasies of bolstering the Marine's forces, Michael twitched his lips and stood up.
With a mind solely focused on strengthening the Marines, who else would be fit for Fleet Admiral if not him?
"Michael, what's up with Sakazuki?" Borsalino sidled over, glancing at Sakazuki.
"Nothing, just daydreaming."
With that, Michael flashed into the crowd, blocking Luffy's path.
"Michael, what the hell are you doing? Why are you blocking my grandson?!"
"I know you're in a hurry, but hold on. There's something I need to tell you all—about myself."
The moment he said this, even Garp fell silent.
A group of high-ranking Marines gathered around, including Sakazuki, who had just been lost in his daydreams.
"Wait, why are you all looking at me so seriously?"
"Dragon had the exact same expression when he announced he was leaving the Marines."
"Damn it, I just want to come clean about something."
"My full name is Angel D. Michael."
Michael cleared his throat and continued under everyone's stunned gazes.
"Recently, I found my long-lost sister in the North Blue—who also happens to be the new queen of the Germa Kingdom."
"In other words... I'm now a member of the Germa royal family."
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