The report contained an overview of Kuzan's landing on Capone Island, as well as Fleet Admiral Sengoku's follow-up investigation into the state of the West Blue Navy.
"As you can all see, because the Marine Headquarters is located on the Grand Line, oversight and management of the Four Blues is clearly insufficient, making them highly susceptible to corruption."
"The current case concerns the West Blue Navy, but make no mistake — this is not a problem exclusive to the West Blue."
As Sengoku laid the issue on the table, the senior officers in the conference room all wore thoughtful expressions.
After a brief silence, Vice Admiral Tsuru was the first to speak.
"This is indeed a matter that deserves serious attention. Even though the naval strength of the Four Blues is generally weak, they're not without importance. Not only do they provide a continuous supply of manpower for Headquarters, but more importantly…"
Tsuru folded her hands before her chin and continued,
"…the Grand Line may be where pirates swarm and battle, but the true source of that chaos lies in the Four Blues. They cover a much larger area than Marine HQ, and they are deeply tied to the peace and order of the entire sea."
Vice Admiral Yamakaji asked, "So what you're suggesting is to permanently station forces from Headquarters within the Four Blues?"
Before Tsuru could answer, Vice Admiral Sakazuki responded bluntly.
"I oppose that. The pressure on Marine Headquarters in the New World is already immense — we don't have spare forces to spread across the Four Blues."
"I agree with Vice Admiral Sakazuki," Vice Admiral Onigumo added immediately.
"The Grand Line is the true priority. We must admit that, ever since Gol D. Roger, pirates have been appearing one after another, with no end in sight."
"If we truly want to solve this crisis, we must concentrate our strength and obliterate the major pirates of the Grand Line with overwhelming force. Only through shock and awe can we stop the spread of evil at its roots."
The debate among the Marine leaders grew heated. Clearly, there was a serious divide in opinion.
One camp believed that allocating resources and strength from HQ to support the Four Blues would lead to greater overall stability and peace.
The other insisted that the focus should remain on pulling more strength from the Four Blues to launch a decisive campaign against the Grand Line's pirate overlords, thereby creating a deterrent for all others.
"Enough!"
Sengoku knocked on the table, restoring order to the room before speaking again.
"I understand your views. But in my opinion, the flaws in the Four Blues Navy don't lie in their combat power — it's their systemic issues. Poor management, weak oversight."
"So what does the Fleet Admiral propose?" Vice Admiral Yamakaji asked, chewing on his cigar.
After thinking for a moment, Sengoku said, "We create a new position. Directly overseen by Marine HQ, responsible for inspecting and supervising the Marines stationed in all seas."
---
That same morning, Yahn woke up lazily. After a quick wash, he was surprised to find Sengoku sitting in the living room.
"Day off today, old man?" Yahn asked with a yawn.
"Justice never takes a day off," Sengoku replied while flipping through a stack of documents.
"Then why are you doing paperwork at home?" Yahn asked, puzzled.
Sengoku glanced at him without pausing his work. "Does this look like free time to you?"
Yahn wisely dropped the subject and went into the kitchen to make breakfast.
"Oh right — you eaten yet, old man?" he asked dutifully.
"Stuffed full of rage," Sengoku muttered dryly.
"Great, saves me some effort."
Yahn's indifferent tone nearly made Sengoku snap the pen in his hand.
But soon, the Fleet Admiral's expression calmed. He muttered to himself,
"You little brat… I've let you slack off long enough. Enjoy this last peaceful morning while you can."
Moments later, just as Yahn was finishing up his simple breakfast, two voices called out from the courtyard gate.
"Reporting in! Captain Gion / Tokikake present!"
(Since Tokikake's age is not clarified in the manga. Let's just say that he is the same age as Gion, Just with an older looking face.)
Sengoku straightened the papers in his hands and said, "Come in."
Soon, two figures entered. One was Gion, whom Yahn had met once before. The other introduced himself as Tokikake—
'Chaton?!'
Yahn scrutinized the hunched, scrawny young man with greasy features standing beside Gion.
If not for that distinctive row of protruding buckteeth, Yahn might've mistaken him for one of Borsalino's illegitimate children.
But Yahn knew better. Despite his sleazy and short appearance, this Tokikake wasn't some nobody — he would eventually earn the codename Chaton, standing alongside Gion as a candidate for Admiral. His strength was terrifying.
"No wonder he ended up proposing to Gion and getting rejected a hundred times. Creepy from this young an age… honestly, it'd be weirder if she said yes."
As Yahn mumbled internally, still wondering why Sengoku had summoned them, the Fleet Admiral suddenly turned toward him.
"Yahn, you too. Come here."
?!
Yahn's mind raced. Based on his experience with Sengoku, he instantly knew: this wasn't going to be simple.
'So that's why the old man stayed home today… He was worried I'd catch on and slip away if he just sent a messenger.'
'He's cornered me!'
Faced with this ambush from Sengoku — who had essentially blocked the exits — Yahn had no chance to flee. Resigned, he walked over.
"Gion, Tokikake, Yahn — the three of you are among the most outstanding members of the new generation of Marines. Marine HQ has a mission for you…"
Yahn weakly interjected, "Um… I'm not actually a Marine yet."
Before he could finish, Sengoku pulled a document from the stack and tossed it at him.
"I, your father already submitted your enlistment request. It's been approved and signed by me, the Fleet Admiral."
He paused, then straightened his face and said sternly,
"Congratulations, Marine Officer Yahn."
???
Yahn.
He flipped to the last page of the document in disbelief, eyes scanning for his rank.
Marine Headquarters — Lieutenant!
At that moment, darkness seemed to cloud Yahn's vision.
Ignoring Gion and Tokikake, he instinctively blurted out,
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! This must be a mistake! There's no way my achievements qualify me for the rank of Lieutenant!"
---
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