Chapter 96: Ambition and Resolve

"This is absolutely out of the question!!"

Sengoku slammed his fist down on the desk, fury blazing in his eyes.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, the North Blue Navy is not the private army of Rogers Daren!"

"If we allow this precedent, Marineford—as the headquarters of the Marines—will lose the authority and dignity to lead the world's forces of justice!"

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Kong pressed a hand to his forehead, clearly feeling a headache coming on.

Sengoku was smart, no doubt about it. But when it came to matters of power, he often got caught up in rigid thinking.

At his core, Sengoku was a traditional soldier, devoted to duty and obedience. And that made him overly cautious when it came to certain sensitive issues.

...Not bold enough.

Kong paused for a moment, then asked,

"Tell me, Sengoku—besides Daren, who else could've done what he did?"

Sengoku fell silent.

Kong let out a bitter smile.

"I wish we had more young men like Daren. But the truth is, we don't have a single one."

"Even those you've pinned your hopes on—Sakazuki, Borsalino... and that kid from Garp—they still couldn't pull off what he did."

Sengoku muttered under his breath, "I never had much hope for Borsalino…"

Kong: …

He shook his head, took a long drag from his cigar, then continued.

"Daren is exceptional. Far beyond any of our expectations."

Sengoku grudgingly admitted, "His talent is indeed remarkable."

"No—it's more than just talent," Kong said solemnly.

"I read your report on the operation to eliminate Byrnndi World... Let's not even mention the North Blue Fleet he built from scratch. Just the force deployment, the ambush planning, the tactical layout—Daren's military aptitude is among the finest on these seas."

"He used the fleet's firepower advantage to cut off Byrnndi World's escape route first."

"Then he tampered with the arms shipment ahead of the exchange."

"Every move Byrnndi World made was anticipated—if you ask me, I'd say Daren had already played out this operation in his head a hundred times."

"To have someone so young with this level of military prowess... the Marines are lucky."

"If it had been Sakazuki, Borsalino, Dragon—or even you, Sengoku—could you have pulled it off so cleanly?"

Sengoku hesitated, unable to give a reply.

Sakazuki, Borsalino, Dragon... their talents were dazzling. Rising stars of justice that inspired awe wherever they went.

But Daren's political acumen, military command, and strategic depth were already beyond what those three could offer.

He wiped out the World Pirates without sacrificing a single soldier. A complete annihilation with zero casualties.

Who else could claim such a feat on this sea?

Byrnndi World was no ordinary opponent.

Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr had clashed with him countless times over the years—and always come up empty-handed.

In that sense, Daren had already surpassed them.

Sengoku's face burned at the thought.

The worst part? In this final campaign against Byrnndi World... he hadn't even been able to contribute.

"So now you understand, Sengoku,"

Kong said with meaning in his voice.

"When you weigh the North Blue against the future possibility of a Marine Admiral with both brilliance and might... isn't it worth handing it over?"

"And most importantly—no matter what others say about Daren, that kid has a line he won't cross."

"You can see that clearly from how he's governed the North Blue."

"Crime is down. Civilian life has improved. Pirate activity has dropped significantly... Isn't that the kind of justice we want?"

Sengoku frowned. "But Fleet Admiral Kong, all of this still stems from his personal ambitions…"

"It doesn't matter!"

Kong cut him off sharply.

"Anyone living on this sea has ambition."

"We all know what Daren wants. But if he truly grows strong enough—if one day he can lead the Marines to eliminate Whitebeard, Shiki, and Roger—then why shouldn't he take my place as Fleet Admiral?"

His weathered eyes gleamed with clarity.

"Sengoku, I know you're worried the North Blue will become Daren's personal power base…"

"I get it."

"But what you need to understand is this—true justice cannot be bound by narrow thinking. The Marines' vision must be far broader than you realize!"

"Let me share something with you. It won't be long before I take up a new post in the Holy Land."

Sengoku's eyes widened.

"Fleet Admiral... you mean...?"

"Yes. The position has opened up. The previous commander passed away from illness."

Kong didn't deny it, brushing the matter off lightly.

He leaned back into the sofa, cigar smoke curling around the hard lines of his face as he spoke in a deep, earnest tone.

"Sengoku, I've always had high hopes for you."

"Out of you, Zephyr, and Garp, only you have what it takes to succeed me."

"To lead from the top, you need the heart to match the rank. You must have the vision to look beyond the immediate."

"As long as Daren is fighting pirates... as long as he follows Marine orders... as long as he still wears that cloak of justice—he is one of us."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Sengoku's heart shook violently.

Kong's words hit him like a bolt of lightning, exploding in his mind and stirring up a storm within.

The Den Den Mushi line went silent for a long time.

"I understand, Fleet Admiral,"

Sengoku finally said, lifting his head slowly. His voice was once again calm and composed.

Kong let out a satisfied laugh.

"Then... what about the press release? Have you decided on the wording?"

Sengoku thought for a moment, then said solemnly:

"North Blue Admiral Rogers Daren, in the name of justice, has successfully eliminated the 'World Destroyer,' Byrnndi World!"

"Hahahahaha..."

Kong's hearty laughter echoed throughout the Marshal's Office in Marineford.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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