"Let me ask you."
"Teacher Sengoku."
"You are also a man who possesses the Conqueror's Haki. If you were in my shoes, would you allow someone to dominate you?"
Faced with Sengoku's question of choosing between two options, Rosen did not answer directly, but instead posed a question of his own.
"I would."
"The prerequisite is that the person who is superior to me must be superior to me in both civil and military affairs."
"A king is also a human being. As a human being, he will bow his head sometimes — but he will only bow his head to a king who is stronger than himself."
The meaning behind Sengoku's words was self-evident.
He had now become the Admiral of the Navy. In other words, in his era, there was no one in the Navy who was superior to him in both civil and military affairs.
"Senior Borsalino."
"Mr. Kuzan."
"And Mr. Sakaski, whom I've never met."
"May I ask, Mr. Sengoku — who in the navy can surpass me?"
Rosen met Sengoku's gaze. His spirit seemed to sense the changes in the other man's emotions and thoughts. A strong pressure — as if compressing the air into a liquid — filled the surroundings.
"Not a single one."
Sengoku felt the Haki aura pressing against him, and a smile of both relief and excitement appeared on his face.
It was true.
This was a superior Conqueror's Haki.
And Rosen had reached a level that even he himself had never reached before — and had done so in such a short time.
"They are all men with the qualities of a great Admiral. I won't compete with them for the position of the three Admirals."
Rosen changed the subject.
One moment he was overbearing and Haki; the next, humble and self-disciplined.
But Sengoku still heard the arrogance hidden within his seemingly humble words.
He didn't compete with Sakaski and the others for the position of Admiral because he couldn't — no. It was because, once they were on the field, Sakaski and the others wouldn't be able to take the position from him at all.
He didn't compete with Borsalino and the others for the position of Admiral because, in Rosen's eyes, they weren't even worthy opponents.
The reason Rosen didn't compete with Kuzan and the others for the position of Admiral was because the position of mere Admiral wasn't what he sought.
If Rosen wanted to compete for the position of Admiral, no one could defeat him.
"Then you must be prepared. Garp and I only have five years left in our prime. Once that's over, even if we don't retire, our strength will decline day by day, and we won't be able to speak with the same confidence we do now."
"You must possess the civil and military skills to succeed the Admiral before we lose our heyday."
"In that case, perhaps we two old guys can still help you when you become Fleet Admiral."
Sengoku's tone was meaningful.
As one of the World Government's directly-affiliated agencies, the Five Elders wanted the Navy Headquarters to be strong — but they didn't want to see it too strong.
There was always the possibility that the guest might become the host.
Sengoku had gained a deep understanding of this in the years since becoming Fleet Admiral.
That was why Sengoku very much hoped that Rosen could take over the position of Fleet Admiral before his own peak ended.
That way, he — a Fleet Admiral on the verge of becoming outdated — could still have influence and help eliminate unnecessary troubles and disputes for his successor.
"Five years?"
Rosen understood the hidden meaning behind Sengoku's words.
Within five years, their strength would still be at its peak, and in Marine Headquarters, the golden duo of Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hero of the Marines Garp would still hold final authority.
Even the Five Elders wouldn't dare to interfere too much in navy affairs.
But five years later, the king would grow old, the hero would enter his twilight years, and the ability to make decisions independently would vanish.
From the Five Elders to CP0 Chief Rob Lucci, everyone bossed Sakaski around and disregarded the new Fleet Admiral entirely.
It wasn't that Sakaski lacked strength — but he couldn't do it alone.
Two years after the events of the original Manga, the overall deterrent power of the navy was far less than during the period when Sengoku, Garp, and the three Admirals were all at their peak.
A reminder from Sengoku.
Rosen simply smiled, but said nothing.
From the time he entered school until now, it had taken him less than four months to gain the combat power of a top Admiral.
If he took one more step and gained the civil and military skills to succeed as Fleet Admiral, it wouldn't take too long.
Five years?
Too long.
He had no patience to wait. He wanted to seize what was his as soon as possible.
As for the "help" Sengoku mentioned—
If becoming Fleet Admiral required the support of Sengoku and Garp, like Kuzan had, and he still failed in the end, then he might as well never take the position.
If you aren't cut out for it, forcing yourself into it will only bring shame upon yourself.
Whether it was the future Kuzan or the future Sakaski, both had proven this.
As for the position of Fleet Admiral — as long as you reached out to take it, no one would dare to snatch it, no one could snatch it, and no one would dare to refuse.
That was called being the king of the world.
Otherwise, even stray cats and dogs passing by would dare to bare their teeth at the Fleet Admiral.
"Since you've made your decision, fine."
"Rosen."
"After you graduate, I plan to send you to the North Blue."
Sengoku glanced at Rosen and took in the smile on his face.
Without the need for Observation Haki, he could feel the confidence that looked down upon the world radiating from that smile.
In a trance, it was as if he saw his younger self.
Back then, was the rank of Admiral awarded by the Five Elders?
No.
He fought for it.
Did former Fleet Admiral Kong dare to recommend anyone else?
No.
Did other Admirals of the same era dare to compete with him?
No.
And now —
Sengoku realized that the Rosen before him was even more confident, and even stronger, than he had been in his youth.
Only such a man could, upon becoming Fleet Admiral, subdue the three Admirals and command a million-strong navy — ushering in a heyday far beyond the current era.
A heyday in which the Four Emperors bowed their heads, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea ceased to exist.
"Why the North Blue?"
Rosen asked.
He had thought Sengoku would send him to the New World.
Although there were navy branches across the globe, those in the New World faced the greatest pressure.
That was why Headquarters always assigned Sakaski — the strongest and toughest of the three Admirals — to guard it.
"What do you think of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system?"
Sengoku did not answer, but asked instead.
"How else can one view it except as shame?"
Rosen sneered.
Since traveling to this world, and under the guidance and instruction of Zephyr and Borsalino, he had gradually developed a sense of belonging and identification with the navy.
And since he was in the navy — of course he felt only shame toward the Shichibukai system.
"This is a mandatory requirement from the Five Elders."
"It is undeniable that this system is a disgrace to the navy, but it does serve to balance the situation at sea."
"However, this kind of balance — achieved by trampling on the navy's reputation and justice — is something I, and the navy, do not want."
Sengoku's tone sank, and a cold, Haki aura burst forth from his body.
"Then."
"Destroy it."
Rosen's voice was not loud, his tone calm — but it carried a sharp edge that made one's heart palpitate.
"I can't do it. But you can."
"But not now."
"It must be when you overpower the three Admirals and the Four Emperors, hold great power, and reign supreme."
Sengoku admitted Rosen had the ability, but did not support him doing so now.
"Rosen, you must remember one thing. The reason and purpose of the navy's existence is not to go to war with the World Government at every turn, but to uphold justice and ensure long-term peace and stability on this ocean — free from the plunder and invasion of pirates."
"So, pirates are the first target the navy should deal with."
"As for other matters — using fists to resolve them is certainly the most convenient method, but it should only be used as a last resort."
"You must learn to use your dignity and courage to sweep away everything that stands in your way — without taking action."
It was obvious.
Sengoku sincerely — or rather, with determination — intended to train Rosen as the next Fleet Admiral.
There were things he had never told anyone in the past, words he had only revealed to Garp — even statements that seemed to question the World Government.
Yet to Rosen, he spoke to them directly, without reservation.
...
If you enjoyed this book, don't forget to vote with a Power Stone and take a few seconds to leave a review
Join my P@treon for advance chapters and special content!
[email protected]/Ren_Saga