"Headquarters has already decided to make an exception and grant you the rank of Admiral." Sengoku said while looking straight into Rosen's eyes.
"Since you've said so," Rosen replied evenly, "then let me use that Rank as my guarantee for Douglas Bullet."
"If this so-called Demon's Heir truly has the strength you claim — and he can keep every Shichibukai in line — then I will submit an application to the military court under the Authority of a Marine Admiral. In my name, Douglas Bullet will be pardoned of his crimes."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was a wise leader. The moment he realized Rosen's intent—to bring the Demon's Heir under the Navy's banner—and that the idea was at least feasible, he threw his weight behind it. Not recklessly, but without trampling the system or ideals of the Marines.
The extraordinary Rank Rosen had been granted would now serve as Collateral.
And Sengoku thought to himself even this can't sway Bullet's hardened heart, then nothing will.
Of course, all of this depended on one thing, Rosen himself. If he truly had the power to subdue the Demon's Heir, then his new title as Admiral was justified. But if not? Then no one would put their faith in him.
As expected, Douglas Bullet's expression shifted the moment he heard Sengoku's words. Lying on the ground, his bloodshot eyes slowly turned toward Rosen.
"Junior… you'd better think this through."
"You're really willing to throw away the Vice Admiral's chair that's already within your grasp? Just for the sake of… a pirate?"
"Is it worth it?"
Kizaru watched quietly. He hadn't heard the private conversation Rosen had shared with Sengoku beneath the starry sky. He didn't know Rosen had already rejected the safe path of simply becoming an Admiral, instead carving out his own. He didn't know the tacit understanding Rosen and Sengoku had reached.
"If Douglas Bullet stirs up trouble again, your Marine record will be permanently stained,"
Borsalino warned at last. "When that happens, forget about ever becoming a Fleet Admiral. Even your current Vice Admiral status could be stripped away."
He had abandoned his usual flippant tone. For once, he spoke earnestly.
"I know, Senior," Rosen said calmly, holding the receiver of the Den Den Mushi. His back was to Bullet. "I know every word you're saying is sincere. But I've already made my choice."
"Pirates don't deserve sympathy. Soldiers, though… soldiers are different."
His voice was firm.
"He insists he isn't a pirate, but a soldier. Then I'll give him that chance to choose again. Treat it as my reckless youth if you must, Senior."
Bullet's pupils narrowed sharply. The words struck deeper than he wanted them to.
"Junior, you…" His voice trembled with something unspoken. "Why… why go this far!?"
"Well then," Borsalino muttered, shoulders sinking, "I hope Bullet won't let you down."
He wanted to press further, but he stopped himself. He remembered that anyone chosen as an Admiral was made of stern steel, unshaken even in the face of death. A decision like Rosen's could never be swayed by persuasion.
Still, a thought burned quietly in his chest: If Bullet ever steps out of line… I'll be the one to cut him down. I won't let my junior's name be tarnished.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Rosen said firmly. "I accept your condition. I'll use my Vice Admiral's rank as a guarantee for Douglas Bullet."
At those words, Bullet abruptly turned his head away, hiding his expression. He didn't want anyone to see his face contorted with emotion.
"Good," Sengoku replied.
"Then it shall be as you wish. Until Douglas Bullet commits a new crime, he is permitted to return to the seas. The Navy will call off its pursuit."
Through the eye of the video Den Den Mushi, Sengoku caught the fleeting movement of Bullet turning his head. A smile glimmered faintly in his eyes.
Roger…
Gol D. Roger…
You never valued the potential of your Demon's Heir.
Very well.
If the Roger Pirates cast aside that strength, then we Marines will accept it without hesitation.
"Senior," Rosen said, shifting his tone, "could you bring me a military uniform? Any will do."
"Eh? That's fine," Borsalino answered lazily. He waved a hand, and a Marine rushed to fetch one. Accepting the folded uniform, Kizaru's body split into golden light. In an instant, he vanished from the deck of the warship.
The next moment, the same golden brilliance flashed beside Rosen. Borsalino stepped out of the light, holding the uniform out.
"You just said the Grand Line is vast… full of every kind of possibility," Rosen said, crouching down beside Bullet.
"But you never got the chance to choose for yourself. Maybe that's true. But I'll give you that chance now."
"Will you die here as a prisoner? Or will you walk beneath the sun as a soldier… and challenge the strongest once again?"
He leaned forward and pressed the folded Marine's uniform into Bullet's hand.
"I'll be waiting for you on the warship, Bullet. Waiting for your answer."
With that, Rosen stood and turned away, leaving with Borsalino at his side.
Bullet remained lying there, his expression shifting violently, emotions surging like a storm.
Why? Why such turmoil?
Because Haki never lies. His Observation could clearly sense it. Every word Rosen had spoken was genuine. Not an ounce of deception.
Sincerity meeting sincerity.
That was why Bullet felt shaken to his core.
"Rosen…" he muttered, staring up at the sky where clouds slowly gathered. His eyes glimmered with something he hadn't felt in decades.
This respect between soldiers.
Between warriors.
Between kings.
Even Gol D. Roger had never offered that to him.
Roger was a pirate. Bullet, a soldier. Their very identities made them opposites.
That was why, even among the monsters of the Roger Pirates, none had ever truly reached him. None had treated him as an equal partner. To them—and to Buggy, who had once spat the truth—he was only ever a monster.
But Rosen was different.
Marine
Government soldier.
The same world Bullet had once belonged to, back in the war. They were cut from the same cloth. There was no unbridgeable gap between them.
And with Sengoku's words still echoing in his ears, and Rosen's sincerity piercing through his heart, Douglas Bullet was completely moved.
Back aboard the warship, Borsalino reappeared on the deck. The first thing his eyes sought was the live video feed projected by the Den Den Mushi.
The bullet was still lying there, motionless.
"Junior…" Borsalino said, shaking his head, "it seems your good intentions were wasted."
"Maybe he really was an excellent soldier in the past. But he's been a pirate—and a prisoner—for far too long. Some things can't be undone."
He glanced sidelong at Rosen.
"If you want an adjutant, talk to Zephyr. In a few months, Gion and Tokikake will be strong enough to become Vice Admirals. Maybe even surpass that."
"Either of them would make an ideal right hand for you."
"At the very least, Fleet Admiral Sengoku can assign you a capable adjutant. You don't need to gamble everything on Douglas Bullet."
His tone carried a rare edge. It was his final warning.
...
If you enjoyed this book, don't forget to vote with a Power Stone and take a few seconds to leave a review
Join my P@treon for advance chapters and special content!
[email protected]/Ren_Saga