Late at night, in Rorschach's room.
"Hey, you little brat, are you out of your mind?! Calling me at two in the morning? Just because you young folks are full of energy and don't need sleep doesn't mean you can't show some consideration for an old man in his seventies!"
On the desk by the window, the Den Den Mushi had transformed into Sengoku's face. His tired eyes glared as he spat complaints at Rorschach.
His voice carried so much resentment that even Hibari next door could hear it.
"Calm down, old man, calm down. I wouldn't call if it wasn't urgent! Hehe."
Rorschach grinned shamelessly.
Behind him, the door was carefully pushed open. Without even turning around, Rorschach knew Hibari had slipped inside.
Hibari sat obediently on the edge of the bed, not interrupting the conversation between Rorschach and Sengoku.
"What's so urgent? Don't tell me you've caused trouble again. My heart can't take the stress—I still want to live a few more years."
Sengoku's face darkened with frustration.
"I haven't caused any trouble! How could I possibly cause trouble?"
Rorschach let out an awkward chuckle before continuing,"This is a matter that concerns the long-term development of our Navy, one that could influence an entire era—perhaps even change the current state of this decaying world!"
"Speak normally!" Sengoku's mouth twitched.
Why did it feel like Rorschach had gotten way more unruly since leaving Marineford?
Was it because he hadn't been beaten up by Garp, Kizaru, and the others lately?
Rorschach glanced at Hibari, who was covering her mouth to suppress a laugh, then said seriously, "Grandpa Sengoku, I'd like to request your approval to establish a Navy branch in Water 7."
"A Navy branch in Water 7?"
Sengoku was momentarily stunned. "What made you think of establishing a branch there?"
"Well, it's like this…"
Rorschach briefly explained the recent events that had taken place in Water 7.
After he finished, Sengoku fell silent for a moment. Then, he first praised Rorschach for his efforts in resisting the tsunami before asking,"Water 7 is indeed a suitable place for a Navy base. Do you know why?"
"Because it's an independent island, not under the jurisdiction of any country."
Rorschach answered without hesitation.
Sengoku nodded slightly. "That's right. Water 7 does not belong to any member nation of the World Government. It's an independent trade city, home to one of the world's top shipbuilding industries."
Typically, Navy branches aren't allowed to be established within member nations, nor near their capitals.
This is to prevent the Navy from interfering in national affairs.
A place like Water 7, with its world-class shipbuilding industry and its location at a crucial point in the Grand Line, would greatly enhance naval control over the surrounding regions if a branch were established there.
It would also effectively suppress the expansion of pirate forces.
Water 7 is a neutral and orderly city.
The Galley-La Company does not prohibit pirates, marines, or any other faction from purchasing ships.
If the Navy took control of the city, it would become much more difficult for pirates to acquire the ships they needed to set sail.
Sengoku then asked, "But do you know why, despite Water 7's ideal location, we haven't established a Navy branch there?"
"Because it doesn't belong to any member nation."
Rorschach gave the same answer as before.
"That's correct, but not the whole picture."
Sengoku sighed. "The duty of the Navy is to protect the seas and the world. But in reality, the vast majority of our efforts go into protecting the 170 member nations."
"The world is too big. Even though our total naval forces now exceed a million soldiers, it's still like a drop in the ocean—we can't cover every corner."
"The member nations pay taxes, so naturally, the Navy must assist them in times of need."
"Water 7 is not a member of the World Government, so the Navy has no obligation to protect it."
"Old man…" Rorschach opened his mouth as if to argue, but Sengoku cut him off.
"I know what you're going to say, but let me finish first."
Sengoku's end of the line rustled with movement, as if he were getting out of bed.
After a while, his voice continued.
"The other reason the Navy hasn't established a branch in Water 7 is that Enies Lobby is not far from there—just on a neighboring island.
Although that island isn't under the Navy's official protection, if the marines stationed at Enies Lobby receive a distress call from Water 7—especially in cases of pirate attacks—the Navy will respond.
As I recall, over the years, Penn has earned military merit for helping Water 7 fend off pirates.
Moreover, while Water 7 doesn't have its own armed forces, the shipwrights of the Galley-La Company are all strong men. Ordinary pirates can't easily take advantage of them."
After hearing Sengoku's words, Rorschach pressed his lips together and spoke softly:
"Old man, even though Enies Lobby is close—just a few dozen miles away—
If Water 7 sends out a distress call, the Navy might be able to arrive in under an hour.
But in that hour, dozens of innocent people could already be lying dead beneath the blades and guns of pirates."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku fell silent. He sighed inwardly—Rorschach was still too sentimental, too kind.
But for a marine, kindness wasn't a bad thing.
To uphold justice, one must first have a heart filled with goodwill.
With that thought, Sengoku made up his mind and decided to grant Rorschach's request.
He spoke: "I approve the establishment of a new Navy branch and the construction of a naval base in Water 7.
However, there is one condition—you must obtain the approval of Mayor Iceburg.
Additionally, we currently don't have many troops available to deploy from headquarters.
You'll have to figure that part out yourself."
Upon hearing this, Rorschach's face lit up with joy. He quickly responded, "No problem, old man! As for manpower, Water 7 has plenty! The shipwrights of the Galley-La Company would be perfect for the Navy. This is their home—they'll be even more motivated to protect it."
"Shipwrights?" Sengoku frowned.
"Yes! I've already asked around—most of the Galley-La shipwrights are willing to join the Navy, but they don't want to leave Water 7 or abandon their professions…"
Before Rorschach could finish, Sengoku interrupted.
"If they don't want to give up their jobs, how can they join the Navy? Becoming a marine requires training. Just being strong isn't enough to form an effective fighting force. Against ordinary pirates, it might work, but if they encounter powerful ones, they'll collapse in an instant."
"They don't need to abandon their jobs. My idea is this."
Rorschach smiled as he explained to Sengoku the concept of militias—civilians in peacetime, but warriors who take up arms to defend their homes in times of war.
"If we recruit the shipwrights of Galley-La as auxiliary marines—militiamen—they can undergo basic combat training in their free time. This would quickly build up a decent fighting force.
The greatest advantage of this approach is that it won't require the Navy to spend much of its military budget on them.
All we need is a small contingent of personnel stationed in Water 7 to train them regularly while also recruiting young people who are willing to fully commit to the cause of justice.
If we continue this for three to five years, Water 7—a key maritime city—will become one of the Navy's most strategic outposts in the Grand Line!
And we can replicate this model, expanding the auxiliary Navy to every island and village willing to defend itself."
After listening to Rorschach's analysis and explanation, Sengoku, sitting in Marine Headquarters, was completely stunned.
Militias… Auxiliary Navy… These simple and easy-to-understand concepts instantly revealed their immense potential to Sengoku, a battle-hardened veteran who had been in the Navy's upper ranks for decades.
If Rorschach's theory could be successfully implemented, then in the near future, the Navy would possess auxiliary forces several times—or even dozens of times—larger than its official ranks.
However, this kind of large-scale expansion would definitely not sit well with the higher-ups.
Sengoku felt both shock and deep concern.
A leader in the making!
Zeffar was right—this kid Rorschach truly had the makings of a great leader.
Seeing that Sengoku had not responded for a long time, Rorschach hesitantly made one final request.
"Grandpa Sengoku, I request that Penn be appointed as the first base commander of the Water 7 Naval Branch."
(End of Chapter)
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