Inside the Admiral's office, Sengoku frowned as he read the intelligence report on the Pacifista sent from Marine Base G-2.
The report said that the combat power displayed by ZP-1 was beyond imagination. Based on its performance, it was no weaker than a Vice Admiral, and it was still in its unfinished stage. If completed, they would probably be able to create a powerful army of immortals. However, creating such a thing came at a considerable cost. Based on what Sengoku could understand, creating a ZP Pacifista required two things:
First, a massive amount of funds. The cost of a single unit was so exorbitant it was enough to build a new battleship.
Second, Zephyr's own genes, or to be more specific, Alucard's Lineage Factor. Dr. Vegapunk had named the substance Alucard's Lineage Factor. With it, the Pacifista could unleash such terrifying destructive power. Without it, every one of its stats would plummet.
This meant that Dr. Vegapunk and the scientists in the research department needed a continuous supply of the Lineage Factor from Zephyr. After seeing the Pacifista's powerful strength, the government fully approved this. It was a simple matter. Every time Zephyr came in for a physical exam, Dr. Vegapunk would operate on him without his knowledge and extract the required Lineage Factor.
" Admiral Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral requests your presence. Also, Chief Instructor Zephyr is back and is on his way to the science unit. As usual, he's probably going to undergo experimental tests with Dr. Vegapunk," an officer said as he walked in and reported to Sengoku.
Sengoku scratched his afro in frustration and told the officer, "Alright, I understand. You can go now."
"Yes."
"Tch… What should I do about this?" Sengoku felt like he had been losing a lot of hair lately, and a big reason was Zephyr.
Zephyr was like a mentor and a friend to him. He couldn't predict what would happen if things continued this way. With a heavy heart, Sengoku went to the Fleet Admiral's office, a position he knew he would soon take over, and said to Kong, "Kong-san."
"Hmm, you've heard about the Pacifistas, right?" Kong said, crossing his arms and placing them below his "M-shaped" beard.
Sengoku forced a smile. "The government seems very pleased with them."
"Although they're expensive, they can significantly increase the government's combat power. Of course, they'd be happy." Kong said with a cold laugh. "I just went to see Zephyr. I feel like his condition has gotten a bit worse. Also, he plans to completely resign from his position as Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy after this batch of students graduates and focus all his energy on fighting pirates."
"Has it really come to this?" Sengoku was an intelligent man. Even without Kong's elaboration, he fully understood what he meant. Zephyr was afraid his body would affect the next generation of students, so he chose to resign and devote his last remaining energy to the one thing he could still do: fight pirates.
"Speaking of which, I should be resigning as well," Kong said suddenly, causing Sengoku's expression to freeze. Kong continued, "To be more precise, it's a promotion. I'll be promoted to the Commander-in-Chief of the entire military, and you'll take my place."
As he said this, Kong spread his hands, motioning to the seat he was currently in, signaling that it would soon be Sengoku's.
"The Gorosei's intentions are…"
"Just keep it to yourself. Don't say it out loud." Kong raised his hand to stop Sengoku from talking and returned to the original topic. "Once I leave, you'll be promoted to Fleet Admiral, and the three Admiral positions will be completely vacant. This will leave Kuzan, Borsalino, and Issho to fill them. Well... Issho is a special promotion."
Issho was only a Rear Admiral at the moment. If he were promoted to Admiral in one go, he would skip two ranks, something that had never happened in Marine history.
"Kong-san… Please take care," Sengoku said after a long silence. "I'm not dead yet, you brat," Kong said with a laugh.
Thud thud thud...
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Kong said, "Come in," and three men in black suits walked in, standing in a triangular formation. The man in the lead first bowed to Kong and then said, "Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, the Celestial Dragons have sent us to inform you that the day for the world to pay the Heavenly Tribute is approaching."
Sengoku and Kong's smiling faces instantly turned gloomy. Sengoku grunted, "This happens every day. Do you need to send someone specifically to tell us? We'll handle it."
Every year, over 170 countries that were members of the World Government would have to pay a portion of their wealth to the Celestial Dragons, known as the Heavenly Tribute. However, most Marines, including Kong and Sengoku, had nothing but disdain for this act. Just hearing about it made them sick.
The government agents continued despite the two Marine brass's grim expressions. "However, this time, the higher-ups in the government have another request."
"What is it?" Kong asked impatiently.
"They want Cheif Inspector Zephyr to be in charge of the escort," the agent said, dropping a bombshell.
"Are you joking?!" Kong stood up from his chair in a rage, causing a loud sound.
The three agents were intimidated by the Fleet Admiral's aura and nervously took two steps back. With lingering fear in their eyes, they bowed and said, "This is a direct order from the government's higher-ups. We are only here to relay the message. We have now informed you both. Please excuse us."
With that, the three agents scurried away faster than rabbits.
Sengoku opened and closed his mouth, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't. He finally managed to utter a complete sentence, "What… what are they trying to do?"
Ever since his "investigation" with Garp into Alucard's plan, which resulted in Zephyr losing more than 600 members of his Guerrilla Unit, Zephyr had become extremely reluctant to carry out orders from the government. Kong had been lenient with him, trying his best to give those tasks to others. But this time, the government had explicitly ordered Zephyr to escort something for the Celestial Dragons—the Heavenly Tribute of all things.
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