"Is there no such thief?"
Faced with Victor Seiji's reply, Rosen frowned slightly.
He knew Victor Seiji was not lying and that was precisely why the situation felt tricky.
It even seemed more difficult than fighting the Four Emperors with real swords and guns.
After all, when fighting against the Four Emperors, the goals and positions were clear and specific. As long as you were strong enough, you could simply drive your warship into the heart of their territory.
But avenging Zephyr's family was far more Difficult.
He didn't even know the culprit's name.
Not to mention his position.
Even leaving aside the Four Seas,
Just in the first and second halves of the Grand Line,
The countries,
Islands,
And populations were as numerous as the stars.
Without a clear target,
even with the power to dominate the world, one would still be powerless.
"Frankly… your arrival and your purpose for coming here both surprise me greatly."
"Teacher Zephyr has taught countless students over the years, and many of them now hold high positions."
"But you, Rosen you are the only one in the Navy who, having just graduated from the military academy, did not take up your post in the North Blue, but instead came to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to ask for my help."
Victor Seiji looked at Rosen, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes behind the sunglasses.
Filial piety.
Even in the world of pirates,it remained highly valued and respected.
No one would hate someone who was loyal and filial to their teachers and parents, and almost no one would refuse to make friends with such a person.
Even if positions were opposed, it was difficult to feel disgust.
Victor Seiji was no exception.
Especially since Rosen was a marine there was no conflict of interest between them.
After learning that Rosen's purpose was not to use the power of the Marine Criminal Affairs for personal gain,
but to find the murderer who killed his teacher's family,
Victor Seiji's impression of him soared on the spot.
Before…Victor Seiji had gone out to greet Rosen in person because of his strength and ability.
But now, it is different.
Putting aside his strength at the peak of the seas…
Victor Seiji found himself respecting the man before him.
"Whether because we come from the same school, or because I want to establish a good relationship with you, I truly want to do my best to help you uncover the identity of the murderer who killed Mr. Zephyr's family."
"But to be honest, I've been investigating this matter since I took over as Director of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Borsalino has even helped me track down the culprit more than once, but the results have always been the same."
"There is no such killer."
Victor Seiji shook his head and spread his hands.
"Senior was also involved in the investigation?"
Rosen was a little surprised to hear this.
Not only him
Gion and Tokikake also showed surprised expressions.
After all
Everyone in the Naval Academy and even all of Marine Headquarters knew that Borsalino and Zephyr were not on good terms
their master-disciple relationship long since turned into fire and water.
But unexpectedly, among the three Admirals, the only one who cared about the murder of Zephyr's family and investigated it more than once was not Kuzan, who had the best relationship with Zephyr, nor Sakazuki, who hated pirates to the bone but Borsalino, who was openly at odds with him.
"Borsalino… he is so ambiguous, both as a person and in the Justice he upholds, that it is hard to understand."
"But one thing I can tell you with absolute certainty is that he has always respected Zephyr and regarded him as his teacher from the bottom of his heart."
"But no one is perfect."
"And besides"
"Who among those who can become Admirals of the navy doesn't have lofty ambitions and a distinct personality?Sometimes, disagreements and differences of opinion can turn even the closest of relationships into acrimony."
Victor Seiji shook his head.
"Is there really no way?"
"Having spent several months with Borsalino, Rosen naturally had some understanding of his senior's character."
"Otherwise, they wouldn't have become friends. And Borsalino, who always acted ambiguously, would never have repeatedly warned him about the Demon's Heir if he hadn't truly cared."
"From the Navy's perspective, there is no way."
Victor Seiji glanced at Rosen with a pensive expression, as if weighing something.
After a moment, he sighed softly, as though making a decision.
"As the Marine Criminal Affairs, whether investigating pirates, the navy, or the Revolutionary Army, we must rely on solid evidence. We absolutely cannot fabricate anything out of thin air."
"Based on my years of investigation, I haven't found any evidence or clues that point to a specific person regarding the murder of Mr. Zephyr's family. But…"
He leaned forward.
"I recently discovered something that cannot be called evidence. It cannot even be called a clue."
Victor Seiji looked straight at Rosen.
"I will never admit anything you hear after we leave this room."
"Do you understand?"He spoke solemnly.
"Do you need us to leave first?"
Seeing this, Gion stood up from her chair, but just as she did, Rosen grabbed her arm and pushed her gently back down.
"Sit."
"You are my only two classmates in Marine Headquarters."
"If I have to be on guard against you, then who else can I trust in this place?"
Rosen's words stunned Gion and Tokikake.
They might not be ready to die for him, but the feeling of being trusted so completely still struck them deeply.
"Hehehe!
Mr. Sengoku, you really didn't make a mistake!
Compared to Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino, Rosen is indeed much better."
Victor Seiji, watching this scene, couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Rosen had just graduated, hadn't even taken up his post in the North Blue yet, and already he had built bonds with two classmates of immense potential.
Unlike Sakazuki and Kuzan
Who were already Admiral candidates and about to be promoted to Admirals
Yet still opposed each other day after day, competing endlessly in military achievements
Rosen was different.
Neither Sakazuki nor Kuzan had been able to win over generals or promising officers around them.
But Rosen?
The current Fleet Admiral Sengoku had directly given up on Kuzan, showing full support for Rosen and even grooming him as his successor.
Garp had not spoken openly, still seeming to support his eldest disciple Kuzan, but if Sengoku spoke, he would not oppose Rosen.
As for Tsuru, considering Gion's relationship with Rosen, there was little more that needed to be said.
What surprised Victor Seiji most…
What even amazed him was that in just a few months, Rosen had become friends with Borsalino, who had the closest ties with Sakazuki.
And not just casual friends, but almost openly allied.
Borsalino, who as Sakazuki's fellow countryman had never explicitly expressed support for him in the Admiral dispute, had, for Rosen, broken his principle of neutrality more than once.
During the subjugation of Douglas Bullet
Borsalino had openly sided with Rosen to ensure his record would not be stained by the Demon's Heir.
A stain that could have destroyed his future as Fleet Admiral.
On top of this, Rosen had Gion and Tokikake — both of Admiral potential.
In just a few years, there would be two more Admiral candidates at his side.
The old era, the new era, and even the future era.
Rosen had the support of Marine Headquarters' top combat forces across all three.
Combined with his strength and qualifications
Victor Seiji truly couldn't imagine what Sakazuki or Kuzan could use to compete with this man for the position of Fleet Admiral.
"It seems… I too can consider placing my bet."
Victor Seiji looked at Rosen, who was still focused on avenging Zephyr's family, and the thought came to him involuntarily.
Before meeting Rosen, his stance had been the same as Borsalino's in the original timeline: in the dispute between Kuzan and Sakazuki, he would help neither side — only the Fleet Admiral. Whoever won, he would obey.
But after meeting Rosen, Victor Seiji's thoughts began to change.
It wasn't because of Rosen's strength.
It was because, among all those vying for the Fleet Admiral's seat, only the man in front of him was pouring his efforts into avenging his teacher's family.
Filial piety.It's always a sure-win move.It has an eternal charm that transcends time and space transcending countries, races, even eras.Even in the cruel world of pirates, teeming with monsters and powerful figures, this was no exception.
...
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