102. Interlocking

The white-haired elder slowly placed the white knight, which he had been holding up with his left hand, back onto the chessboard. He extended his slender index finger and traced a smooth line from the position of the white queen to the white-side rook on the board.

With the pad of his index finger, he gently stroked the large piece, which, alongside the queen, was considered one of the powerhouses in chess. The elder did not engage in any wordplay with the Fleet Admiral and instead spoke bluntly:

"We intend to designate Sakazuki as the executor of this top-secret mission."

"Sakazuki?" Kong's face darkened. The intent of the Five Elders had been made clear earlier:

The World Government and Marine Headquarters, as symbols of authority, would not openly interfere in the internal affairs of allied nations. Instead, they needed to find a capable individual to carry out the mission under a personal identity and proceed to Fish-Man Island to implement the Five Elders' next step in their plan.

The Fleet Admiral stood up abruptly and walked over to the white-haired elder, his voice carrying a questioning tone as he spoke in a low voice:

"Why him? Simply because he opposes the Warlord system? From the difficulty of this mission alone, among all the personnel in Marine Headquarters, I am the most suitable candidate to execute it."

Kong knew all too well the risks of carrying out a top-secret mission under a personal identity. If the mission succeeded, there might be a chance to withdraw safely.

But if anything went wrong, the executor would be the perfect scapegoat—there would be no concrete evidence to prove that they were acting under orders.

Considering the Five Elders' earlier inquiries, the highest commander of Marine Headquarters naturally perceived this arrangement as a purge of dissenting voices.

"It seems we've been underestimated, Kong. Do you really think we're just using him as a sacrificial pawn?" The bald elder let out a cold chuckle, directly voicing what was on the Fleet Admiral's mind.

Kong turned his head sharply, glaring fiercely at the speaker.

"Isn't that exactly what this is?"

Sensing that the atmosphere was on the verge of hostility, the long-haired elder, who had been idly playing with a chess piece, interjected to smooth things over:

"Of course not. The Warlord system has always had its flaws, and our patience is not so petty that we would hold a grudge against a mere child. From the perspective of both the Marines and the World Government, Sakazuki is merely upholding our common interests."

"...Then why choose him for this mission?"

After a brief silence, Kong slowly restrained the burst of momentum he had just unleashed.

"Don't be so overprotective, Kong. You know you cannot replace him in going to Fish-Man Island."

The elder in the flat hat tapped his cane against the floor.

"Your identity is too conspicuous. Even if you were to appear on Fish-Man Island in a personal capacity, it would be interpreted by other forces and the populace as a major operation by Marine Headquarters. That would be no different from the World Government openly intervening."

The blond elder followed up on his colleague's statement:

"For the same reason, Marine Admirals—being symbolic powerhouses—also cannot participate. Among those with the capability to carry out this mission and sufficient understanding of Fish-Man Island's situation, he is the only choice."

The white-haired elder held up the white-side rook in one hand, raising it before Kong's eyes:

"Do you remember the plan Sakazuki initiated six months ago? The campaign against pirates along the route from the Sabaody Archipelago to Fish-Man Island? A Marine like him, who harbors an intense hatred for evil, has likely long set his sights on the slave trade issue at Fish-Man Island."

The Fleet Admiral stared at the white rook in front of him, saying nothing.

The bald elder adjusted his round-framed glasses that had slipped slightly down his nose:

"Since your subordinate already wishes to be involved in Fish-Man Island affairs, we are merely providing him with a platform."

The stern elder posed a final question:

"So, do you still intend to reject our proposal? Or are you saying that you plan to relinquish the selection authority for the Warlord candidates entirely to the World Government?"

The silent veteran fixated on the chess piece held in the white-haired elder's grasp, trying to get the Five Elders to make a promise:

"He is a chess piece—but not a discarded one, correct?"

"Whether he is a chess piece or a discarded one depends on whether he possesses the necessary qualifications."

The white-haired elder placed the rook into Kong's open palm.

"I need to obtain Sakazuki's personal consent before I can respond to you."

Kong closed his eyes, his left hand tightening its grip around the white rook.

Meanwhile, Sakazuki was not idle either.

In Sengoku's office, he was presenting the results of his past six months of work, including an organizational strategy for mid- and lower-ranking Marine soldiers, to Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp.

Sengoku let out a sigh of exasperation as he flipped through the document in his hands.

This kid was excellent in every way—he was diligent and hardworking, highly adaptable in the field, and reliable in executing missions.

He was upright and principled, disciplined in his conduct, and deeply respected by his subordinates. Many already regarded him as the leader of the Hawk Faction within Marine Headquarters.

Responsible in his duties, powerful in combat, and possessing a keen strategic mind.

Compared to Borsalino, who only did half his assigned tasks, and Kuzan, who outright ignored them when he didn't feel like it—Sakazuki was practically a breath of fresh air among the Marine Admiral candidates.

However, however, despite being such an exceptional figure, a near-perfect general, and a model soldier—Sengoku had still managed to pinpoint one flaw in him.

That was...

This brat loved to stir up trouble!

Every time Sengoku allowed himself a moment of relaxation, Sakazuki would drop a bombshell on his desk. He never gave the Great Buddha a chance to rest!

And worst of all—every single time—Sakazuki's proposals weren't for personal gain! Not once!

Every time!

His suggestions were always genuinely aimed at the development of the Marines, the safety and well-being of the people, and the eradication of pirates.

Even if Sengoku wanted to criticize him, he could never find a proper reason to do so.

If it were possible, Sengoku wished he could have dozens more Marine officers just like him.

And now, in his hands, was yet another hardcore reform proposal.

Any change affecting the entire force—even a minor adjustment to regulations—had to be approached with utmost caution.

This wasn't a simple restructuring of a single Marine sector.

It encompassed the Four Seas, the Seven Routes of the Grand Line, hundreds of Marine bases, and over a million stationed Marine personnel.

The suggestions outlined in this document—if they worked as described—

Would have an impact on the Marines' future force distribution and fleet combat effectiveness that could surpass even the expansion of the Marine Giant Force or the establishment of the Marine Science Unit.

"Sakazuki, explain in detail the effects of this battle formation on mid- and lower-ranking Marines' combat capabilities, as well as its efficiency in exterminating pirates!"

Sengoku, holding the document that would not only disrupt his rest but also trouble him for a long time, felt both admiration and frustration.

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