T/N: Please don't criticize me, but you can criticize my translation and I'll try to do better. I am just a translator and don't own the story. Someone requested me to translate this; so I did. This story was written long ago so there could be mishaps in information. You don't need to continue reading if you don't like it. Thank you!
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For a moment, the ever-stern face of Admiral Sengoku softened, an uncharacteristically warm smile appearing as he spoke.
"Yahn, welcome to the Navy. From now on, I hope you'll lend your strength to justice. For now, I'll grant you the rank of—"
Before Sengoku could finish, Yahn interrupted him with a serious expression.
"Admiral Sengoku, that would be against Navy regulations."
Sengoku blinked, visibly puzzled.
At that moment, the corners of Yahn's mouth curled into a smug little smile.
"According to the Navy's newly established promotion guidelines, all soldiers must earn their ranks through proper merit and pass standardized training assessments. Promotions can't be handed out arbitrarily based on personal strength alone."
After a short pause, Yahn continued with a righteous expression.
"Admiral Sengoku, even if our relationship isn't strictly one of superior and subordinate, you absolutely cannot abuse your authority for personal reasons. Bending the rules for me would only damage the integrity of the Navy, and worse, dishearten countless officers and recruits."
"If morale drops and Navy personnel grow complacent, slacking off in their duties, the chain reaction could lead to widespread disorder across the seas."
Sengoku stared at Yahn with an expression that could only be described as dumbfounded. Gritting his teeth, he said,
"Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"A thousand-mile dam can collapse from a single ant hole. You must never underestimate the power of top-down influence, Admiral Sengoku," Yahn replied solemnly.
It took a long moment before Sengoku fully processed everything. Then, through clenched teeth, he managed to squeeze out a sentence.
"You little bastard. No wonder you were so eager to help me revise and perfect the Navy's promotion system years ago. You were waiting for this moment, weren't you?"
Yahn didn't hesitate to shake his head, radiating an air of upright virtue.
"Admiral, you can eat more than your fill of food, but words—words must be spoken carefully. Even if we share a special bond, slandering me like this... I could very well sue for defama—"
But seeing Sengoku's eyes begin to blaze with fury, Yahn wisely swallowed the rest of his sentence. Instead, he quickly put on a "filial" face and said,
"Old man, you've misunderstood my intentions! Back then, I just wanted to do my part and repay the kindness you showed me by raising me. Why would I ever be so ungrateful as to scheme against you?"
"Admiral Sengoku, I, Trafymore Yahn, only want to be a good, filial son to you. My greatest wish in life is to take care of you in your old age. I've even dreamed of marrying someday—just so you could have a daughter-in-law to pamper you and, with luck, some grandchildren to hold."
"As for why I opposed you just now—it's because I was worried that bending the rules for me would tarnish your reputation and cause others in the Navy to talk behind your back."
At that moment, the warmth that had once appeared on Sengoku's face vanished like the calm before a storm. Thick storm clouds gathered in his expression.
Even so, Yahn pressed on and said the most critical part.
"Old man, according to the Navy's internal promotion rules and recruitment standards, Trafymore Yahn—due to his outstanding strength and for defeating a senior officer in direct combat—is eligible for a field promotion of three ranks. From naval recruit, I should be promoted directly to the Glorious First-Class Seaman/Seaman First Class, with extra benefits: a private dormitory and exemption from daily physical training."
"Hehehe..."
At this point, Yahn couldn't hold back his laughter.
"So, old man, I don't think I'm mistaken. When will my rank be formally awarded? Or perhaps you can just assign a random lieutenant to handle the ceremony for me?"
Truth be told, Yahn was as calm and collected as could be. Joining the Navy was Sengoku's heartfelt wish, and since it meant so much to the old man, Yahn decided to grant it. After all, if he made Sengoku collapse from anger, Yanh really would regret it.
But under the Navy's newly implemented promotion framework, the most he could become was a Glorious First-Class Seaman.
And what did that mean, exactly?
In Marineford, the Navy's headquarters, you couldn't walk five steps without bumping into a commissioned officer. A mere First-Class Seaman? They'd be lucky just to qualify for janitorial duty—never mind earning actual merits for promotion.
Which meant that Yahn could safely laze around at HQ, living the good life. All he needed to do was report to Sengoku's office every day like a diligent First-Class Seaman.
As for commanding a warship, patrolling the seas, or fighting pirates?
What? Has the Navy run out of personnel? Are they really going to send a First-Class Seaman to handle critical missions?
That would destroy the Navy's reputation. Even if Sengoku approved it, Yahn certainly wouldn't. And even if Yahn somehow agreed, the entire chain of command would protest.
Of course, the Navy is a massive organization with plenty of roles. Not every merit must come from patrolling or pirate-hunting.
In fact, even "cleaning duties" could earn you a bit of credit.
But Yahn knew exactly how little that amounted to. Even if he swept the floors until Sengoku retired, the best he'd get would be a promotion to Master Chief Petty Officer or maybe Warrant Officer—at most, leader of the cleaning crew.
Now, if Sengoku were to send Yahn to one of the branch bases in the Four Seas, arranging opportunities to earn merit…
Well, without Sengoku nearby to supervise, Yahn was confident he'd "fail spectacularly" at seizing those opportunities.
'Perfect. Old man, good thing I planned ahead. If I hadn't cut you off early, I really might've become the youngest major in Navy history. Now that would've been a disaster.'
With that thought, Yahn's smile grew more and more "filial," as he braced himself for the storm of verbal abuse that was surely coming.
As for a beating? No way.
Given Yahn's physical condition, one slap from Sengoku could send him into critical condition. He might not recover for twenty years!
At this point, Sengoku was already seething with rage.
To get Yahn to join the Navy, he'd gone to great lengths—he even persuaded Vice Admiral Tsuru to arrange a duel with Gion, hoping her fame would help frame Yahn as the Navy's next rising star.
But then, Sengoku paused and let out a low chuckle.
"You little brat. Did you forget something important? Your contributions to the promotion system itself—those count as merit too."
Yahn casually waved a hand, unconcerned.
"Old man, come on. That's not a good look."
"Those reforms were 'your' work alone, remember? You already submitted official documentation crediting yourself for the improvements—and sent it to the Five Elders as part of your campaign to become Fleet Admiral."
"And now you're not even officially promoted yet, but already pulling stunts like falsifying achievements and misreporting merit? The Five Elders won't be too pleased to hear about that, don't you think?"
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Currently at chapter 60 on Ko-Fi
https:// ko-fi.com/sami27