Chapter 140: Fleet Admiral Selection

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The towering figure nearly blocked everything behind the door. Thick veins, like coiling dragons, were clearly visible on his broad neck. 

His firm, well-defined pectoral muscles were partially exposed, while his Marine uniform looked as thin as paper as if a single flex would tear it apart. 

His short-cropped black hair and chiseled, sharp-edged features exuded an aura of unyielding determination.

Some people looked puzzled, while others' pupils contracted sharply. In an instant, many had recognized the man who had just spoken.

"A-A… Arashi!"

"Vice Admiral Arashi!"

"What are you doing here?!"

The conference room erupted with exclamations of shock. Voices came from both Sengoku's side and those backing Jabal. 

Some were even so shaken that they instinctively stood up. Kong turned his head, his gaze landing on Arashi with a flicker of confusion. 

His brow furrowed even deeper. At the same time, Garp, who had been napping at the table, suddenly opened his eyes and burst into laughter. 

"Hahahaha! You finally showed up!"

"Then I'll leave the rest to you—I've had enough of this nonsense!"

Sengoku let out a small smile and gave Arashi a nod before shooting an annoyed glare at his old friend. 

"What exactly have you been doing sitting here this whole time?"

Tsuru nodded slightly, her lips curling into a faint smile. On the other hand, Zephyr regarded Arashi with a serious expression, lost in thought.

Under everyone's gaze, Arashi strode toward the conference table.

"Vice Admiral Arashi, please take this seat!"

A Marine stood up respectfully, offering his seat. He was also a vice admiral, younger in appearance, with dark skin and a muscular build—Maynard, if Arashi recalled correctly.

"No need for formalities, this seat will do." Arashi smiled, pulling out a chair further back before sitting down.

His eyes swept across the room.

Not far away, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Sakazuki were seated, each showing varying degrees of curiosity and complexity in their expressions as they observed him.

On the opposite side, Vice Admiral Jabal's face had already darkened. Meanwhile, many others had solemn expressions, though some couldn't contain their excitement upon seeing him.

Taking in everyone's reactions, Arashi finally spoke.

"Before I arrived, I heard that you all have been endlessly arguing over who should be the next Fleet Admiral."

A mocking smirk appeared on his face. "How ridiculous!"

Sengoku's supporters nodded in agreement. Even among Jabal's camp, a few people in the back couldn't help but nod enthusiastically.

Over the past decade, many of the once-young Marine officers had grown into pillars of the organization, some even rising to the rank of vice admiral. 

It was evident that both sides had ardent supporters of Arashi. While younger Marines and lower-ranking officers might not recognize him, the vice admirals—many of whom had idolized him in their youth—could not. 

Seeing their former role model suddenly appear filled them with exhilaration.

"Who is Jabal?" Arashi's voice was indifferent.

"If any random transfer from the Marine can qualify for the position of Fleet Admiral…"

His eyes sharpened. "Then does that mean I, Arashi, also qualify?"

The words struck the room like a hammer. Expressions shifted across the board.

Kong's brow furrowed before he let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. Sengoku and the others also smiled in amusement. But then, an unexpected outburst erupted.

"I support Vice Admiral Arashi!"

"I support him too!"

"If Vice Admiral Arashi wants to compete for Fleet Admiral, I'll back him with everything I have!"

Suddenly, a third faction had emerged in the race for Fleet Admiral.

Arashi blinked in surprise.

He looked at Maynard, the man who had first offered him a seat, then glanced at several vice admirals across the table. 

Raising his hands slightly, he gestured for calm.

"Settle down, everyone. For now, I have no such intentions."

At his words, several officers visibly sighed in disappointment.

If Arashi truly ran for Fleet Admiral, the Marine ranks—especially among the vice admirals and high-ranking officers—would undoubtedly be thrown into turmoil.

"I support Admiral Sengoku."

Arashi's voice carried unwavering conviction.

"For decades, his contributions to the Marines and his efforts in maintaining world peace—the blood, sweat, and sacrifice he has given—are evident to all."

He shifted his gaze to Jabal.

"As for you… I advise you to step back while you can. I don't care who's backing you. The position of Fleet Admiral has nothing to do with you."

His tone was calm, but every word cut deep.

"Arashi!" Kong's voice turned stern. "This is Marine Headquarters—watch your words!"

There was no mistaking it—Arashi's words were utterly brazen, even ruthless.

Jabal's face twisted with displeasure, but a flicker of fear surfaced when his eyes met Arashi's cold gaze.

The rumors about this man—he had heard them all, loud and clear. No one knew what Arashi was capable of doing.

This was the same man who had dared to confront even the Five Elders head-on in Mary Geoise.

And now, just by sitting here, he had already won over several young vice admirals from Jabal's faction.

The outright defection of his supposed supporters sent a chill down Jabal's spine.

"His influence within the Marines…Even after ten years of deliberate suppression, it's still this strong?"

Jabal exhaled quietly. He could already see the outcome. With Arashi here, Sengoku's victory was inevitable.

Compared to Garp, who spent his days slacking off, and Zephyr, who was nearing retirement, the three 'Monster Vice Admirals' of the younger generation—Kuzan, Borsalino, and Sakazuki—did not command nearly as much respect as Arashi.

And though this entire ordeal had been prolonged, Jabal had already achieved his true objective.

"Perhaps… Sengoku truly is the better candidate for Fleet Admiral."

Letting out a sigh, Jabal smiled. Kong was momentarily taken aback before nodding.

"Then it's decided. In three days, Sengoku will officially assume the role of Fleet Admiral!"

The sudden and decisive conclusion surprised many. But Sengoku understood—this outcome only needed one final push.

Kong, too, was eager to finalize things. He had his appointment as Supreme Commander of the entire military to take up.

The real obstacle had always been the World Government. As the meeting adjourned, Sengoku signaled for Arashi to follow him into his office.

"Take a seat."

He gestured toward the couch before plopping down in his chair with a heavy sigh.

"Jabal was just a puppet. The true masterminds are the World Government. It's obvious they're no longer happy with me."

"But unfortunately for them, they have no viable replacement—at least, not right now."

A wry smirk tugged at Sengoku's lips. Arashi's eyes narrowed slightly. There was something different about the way Sengoku spoke.

The soon-to-be Fleet Admiral seemed no longer fully aligned with the World Government.

"Your arrival today played a crucial role. Only a portion of the vice admirals were present at that meeting. Many others still remain."

"But among the younger generation, most of them are your admirers." Sengoku sighed before flashing a small smile.

"Now that the Fleet Admiral position is secured…Let's get to the real discussion."

His gaze sharpened, becoming more serious. "Ever since the battle at Ohara, something inside me has wavered. For years, I've questioned my own sense of justice."

"I've spent every day reflecting on that moment, trying to find the truth." Taking a deep breath, Sengoku locked eyes with Arashi.

"And I've come to realize…The justice I once upheld was deeply flawed. That's why I've decided to change it. I intend to reform the Marines—to make them truly stand for justice."

"And for that… I need power. I need your help. So that one day, we will change this world!" Sengoku sighed, his eyes gleaming. 

Everyone should have some aspirations. He had been serving in the Marines his entire life and was now about to assume the position of Fleet Admiral. 

Naturally, he wanted to accomplish something great in his role. "I fully agree with you." 

"It's also an honor to become comrades with Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Arashi nodded with a smile. 

Sengoku's serious face faded, revealing a hint of a smile. The next moment, he stood up and extended his hand. 

Arashi also extended his hand. The two large hands clasped tightly together.

.....

In a sparsely populated, vast, dense forest, Sakazuki sat quietly. "Buru Buru Buru." The Den Den Mushi in his arms had been ringing for a long time. 

He seemed not to hear it, remaining completely unmoved. The Den Den Mushi finally stopped, emitting no sound. 

But after about ten seconds, it vibrated again. Sakazuki took out the Den Den Mushi expressionlessly, then placed it in front of him and connected the call. 

"Retreating and avoiding will not let you advance, Akainu!" A deep voice came through. 

"Do you intend to evade that man for a lifetime? To admit your past miserable failure?"

As the words came, Sakazuki's eyes turned cold. "Compared to your absolute justice, his justice is undoubtedly a misguided path!" 

"Such justice should be eradicated! And this is your only chance! Otherwise, ten, twenty years later, when he becomes the new Fleet Admiral, your dreams and ambitions will vanish instantly."

"You will become a complete failure!" Sakazuki's face grew increasingly grim, and scorching magma emerged from his body, bubbling. 

"Time, place!" A sentence quickly came from the other side of the Den Den Mushi.

Sakazuki silently memorized it, then stood up and disappeared from there. Marine Headquarters, Marineford. 

.....

A breeze blew in, stirring the white curtains. Arashi looked down at the bustling crowd below, feeling a bit emotional and conflicted. 

Ten years is neither long nor short, but it's enough for many to forget him. 

It can also allow young officers who were once unknown to hold important positions in the Marines now. 

The lower-ranking Marines' unfamiliarity with him contrasted sharply with the respect from the higher-ranking officers. 

"In three days, Sengoku will assume the position of Fleet Admiral and I will become the new Admiral!" Muttering to himself, Arashi's eyes flickered. 

Aside from being a fleet admiral, becoming a marine admiral is the highest position within the Marines, and it confers great power and respect worldwide. 

This also means that his status in this world will reach an all-time high. 

As the Commander of the West Sea, although he was given jurisdiction over a region, it was vastly different from that of an Admiral in terms of influence. 

Each Admiral's power extends throughout the entire Marine system worldwide. The next day, in this temporary residence,

Maynard and several Vice Admirals from the previous day enthusiastically visited. "It's wonderful to have you back at headquarters!" 

"Your words to the world back then were a guiding light in my Marine career." 

"Vice Admiral Arashi, you may not remember me. I once saw you from afar in Loguetown, and you even smiled and greeted me." 

The few maintained a calm demeanor, but the light and fervor in their eyes were evident. 

"Hello." 

"In the eleven years in the West Sea, this headquarters has indeed changed significantly!" Arashi nodded and smiled.

"Yes, Marineford has changed a lot, mainly in personnel shifts." 

"Many of the older Vice Admirals have retired, giving us younger generations the opportunity to rise," Maynard said with emotion. 

He looked at Arashi with fervent eyes, feeling extremely excited. 

It was beyond everyone's expectations that this legendary Vice Admiral could return to headquarters. 

And since he has returned, with his prestige and terrifying strength, once Fleet Admiral Sengoku takes office, he will likely become an Admiral! 

If he expresses his intention to follow at this time, his future will naturally be promising. 

After all, none of the widely rumored three Admirals in the Marines today align with his ideals. 

Vice Admiral Aokiji is lazy, adhering to a lazy justice; Vice Admiral Kizaru needs no further mention, and Vice Admiral Akainu's absolute justice makes him even more repulsed and disgusted.

When justice becomes absolute, it inevitably goes astray. But if Vice Admiral Arashi also becomes an Admiral, then within the Marines, a considerable force will come to follow him.

A new Fleet Admiral and a new Admiral will undoubtedly lead to a reshuffle.

Therefore, choosing the right person to follow in the future is crucial. "Colleagues, please introduce yourselves!" Arashi said with a smile. 

"I'm Maynard, the Pursuer!" 

"Codename Doberman, I joined a year after you, Vice Admiral Arashi, and am also a disciple of Instructor Zephyr!" 

"Gumir, also your junior!" 

"Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Shark Cutter Bastille!" 

"Stainless!" The few introduced themselves one after another, surprising Arashi as they seemed to be future renowned Vice Admirals. 

"There are many more in the Marines, officers of civilian origin who believe in your equal justice."

"Vice Admiral Arashi, you can't imagine your current prestige among the Marine officers!" 

"Yes, if you were to compete for the position of Fleet Admiral, honestly, we think there's a real possibility!" Maynard and the others said. 

Doberman stroked his chin, smiling and showing support. Looking at the Vice Admirals before him, Arashi smiled slightly. 

"I appreciate your support, but headquarters has already decided, and Admiral Sengoku has been confirmed as the next Fleet Admiral." 

"Compared to me, I believe he will do better."

Maynard and the others showed a hint of disappointment but quickly became excited again. 

"With your strength and prestige in the Marines, becoming the next Admiral should be no problem, right?" Bastille said. 

Arashi smiled and nodded to the five. Immediately, the five became excited. 

"I wonder which department you'll be in charge of at headquarters three days later." 

"I heard Kizaru has been assigned to the Science Defense Force!" 

"The other two haven't been decided yet." Arashi, smiling, conversed with the five. They seemed to be of similar age,

with at most a few years' difference between them. However, regarding seniority and reputation in the Marines, Arashi was a senior.

In their chat, Arashi also learned about recent changes and gossip at headquarters. 

For instance, after the Ohara incident, the three monster Vice Admirals entered a phase of intense training, with Sakazuki showing significant improvement. 

Now, the extent to which he has reached it is unknown to outsiders. 

But there are rumors that he has surpassed the older generation of Admirals and is becoming the strongest Admiral in history. Whether in Devil Fruit abilities or Haki,

Sakazuki has reached new extremes. Hearing this, Arashi was thoughtful but didn't pay much attention. 

No matter how strong the opponent is, they won't be stronger than him. This is his confidence in his strength and the pride of a strong person. 

"Speaking of which, the strongest era of the Marines is coming!"

This base could be considered the most heavily fortified military stronghold globally. Easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is every pirate's nightmare.

"Roger was executed in Loguetown, ushering the world into a new era of piracy! Sengoku's promotion to Fleet Admiral signifies the beginning of a new era for the Marines!"

Muttering to himself, Arashi's eyes gleamed. From before the Great Pirate Era to today, he had witnessed history unfold repeatedly, ultimately reaching this position.

"As for my era…It's not time yet!"

He fully agreed with Roger's once—mentioned statement that everyone has their own moment to step onto the stage and their own era to shine. 

Before the right time comes, one only needs to refine oneself and accumulate one's foundation. Everyone is the protagonist of their own story.

.....

-Marineford – Early Morning-

Gentle morning sunlight bathed the vast military fortress. The waters of the inner bay shimmered, and deep horn sounds echoed through the air.

Warships slowly docked, coming to a halt. A sea breeze swept across the grand plaza, where countless Marines stood upright, their gazes fixed forward. 

At this moment, nearly all Marines stationed at Marineford had gathered.

For the Marine system, today was a momentous day—the inauguration of a new Fleet Admiral and new Admirals signified a complete restructuring within the Marine hierarchy.

On the elevated stage at the front, the space remained empty—the key figures had yet to appear. 

However, the high-ranking officers, from captains to vice admirals, had already taken their positions.

Vice Admirals Maynard, Doberman, Stainless, Bastille, and Gumir stood in a row, watching ahead. Suddenly, their eyes flickered.

"They're here! Today's main figures!" Stainless murmured, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.

Eleven years ago, they had deeply admired that man. 

For many officers of civilian backgrounds, his words had served as a guiding beacon, illuminating their path forward.

Many Marines, amid the complexities of their duties, would sometimes feel lost and uncertain, questioning the true meaning of their mission. 

The phrase "for justice" sounded grand, yet doubts would inevitably creep in when night fell.

What exactly is justice? Only Vice Admiral Arashi, on that day, had stood before the world and given them an answer.

Whoosh!

A sudden gust swept through Marineford's plaza. A lone figure approached, stepping forward steadily. 

His Marine cap sat firmly atop his head, and his face was as cold and unyielding as forged steel. His expression was sharp, exuding an air of indomitable will.

"Vice Admiral Akainu!"

Many Marines watched him with intense admiration, their eyes locked onto the imposing figure.

Sakazuki strode forward, settling into one of the four front-row chairs. Lowering his head slightly, he gazed ahead in silence.

Soon after, a second figure appeared. 

A pristine white Marine coat draped over his shoulders, his yellow-striped suit and purple tie standing against a deep green shirt. 

White leather shoes clicked lightly against the ground. A pair of sunglasses rested on his nose, reflecting the light.

"Vice Admiral Kizaru!"

As murmurs rippled through the crowd, Borsalino casually took his seat, crossing one leg over the other. 

His gaze flickered to his left and right when he noticed the four chairs. A knowing look crossed his face.

Then, the third figure arrived.

He moved with a lazy demeanor, but his steps were swift, and in the blink of an eye, he had already taken his seat. 

This was Vice Admiral Kuzan, known by the codename Aokiji. Tilting slightly, he looked toward his left, spotting Garp behind him.

Not seeing Arashi's figure, he paused momentarily before a small smile tugged at his lips.

"I see…That seat belongs to you—it's only fitting!"

Aokiji's expression softened into a knowing grin. But soon, memories of a battle from years ago surfaced, causing him to fall silent.

Moments later…From the distance, a tall, powerful figure emerged.

He had a short crop of jet-black hair, a white Marine coat billowing over his broad shoulders, and a neatly pressed Marine uniform beneath it. 

A white dress shirt lay snug against his muscular frame, the fabric straining slightly as though it could rip apart at any moment.

"Legendary Vice Admiral… Arashi!"

"My god is that Vice Admiral Arashi?!"

"Vice Admiral Arashi came, too?!"

"This is incredible! I never thought I'd have the chance to see Vice Admiral Arashi in person!"

"He looks just as strong and charismatic as he did ten years ago!"

Excited murmurs filled the previously silent plaza. Though the commotion soon died down, a ripple of energy remained.

As the figure strode forward, Garp broke into a wide grin, laughing heartily. Seeing his prized disciple reach this point filled his heart with pride.

But the moment he thought about those two troublemaking brats in the East Blue, an irritated grimace crossed his face, and he clenched his teeth in frustration.

Under the watchful gazes of countless Marines, Arashi, wearing a calm smile, slowly took his seat—right beside Sakazuki.

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