"I hope that when you face the orders given by this man, you will also be able to follow them as you did just now."
Douglas Bullet looked at Doll Deeply, his tone sounding like both a Reminder and a Warning.
At the same time, he was also subtly sending a signal to Rosen.
Doll's outstanding performance in following military Orders just now was based on the orders issued by Navy Headquarters.
But that may not be the case for Rosen's military orders.
"Since this headquarters has appointed me as Vice Admiral Rosen's adjutant, as long as I remain his adjutant, Rosen's orders are the headquarters' orders."
Doll glanced at Douglas Bullet. Even facing the legendary heir of the devil, she remained calm and composed, not backing down in the slightest.
"Vice Admiral Rosen."
"Captian of our headquarters, Doll."
"Here, I formally report to you."
She turned to face Rosen and saluted solemnly.
"Captain Doll.Since you are my adjutant, there is no need to be so reserved. From the moment we left our headquarters and set foot on this ocean, we have not only been on the same side, but also a community that shares honor and disgrace, and a shared destiny."
Rosen's words made Doll feel recognized and valued.
"This is Douglas Bullet."
"He's a new recruit to this headquarters. He currently serves under my command and is the strongest soldier I have. You will all be on the same ship from now on. I hope you can get along well and not hold grudges because of what just happened. After all, you are both top-class soldiers, and your reactions just now have proven that."
Rosen did not forget to introduce Douglas Bullet to Doll.
Even if she already knew of the Demon's Heir,
This solemn introduction was undoubtedly a gesture of respect for Bullet.
"Demon's Heir."
"Of course I've heard of it."
"The hero of the Endless War, once a role model for soldiers from countless nations on the Grand Line to emulate."
Doll's rise to Captain and future command of the G-14 branch came not only from her strength and discipline, but also from her high emotional intelligence.
She pointed out that Douglas Bullet had been a hero of the Endless War, but carefully avoided mentioning that the Demon's Heir was also the one who destroyed it.
"What now?"
"A disgrace to the military. Am I right?"
Douglas Bullet Grinned, looking at Doll with interest. He was curious to see how she would respond.
"What else could you be besides a new recruit at our headquarters?"
"But I really want to know one thing…back in the Land of Endless War, you were a national hero. What about here, in Marine Headquarters? Will you be lost in the crowd… or will you become the strongest soldier?"
Doll met Douglas Bullet's gaze firmly.
"The qualities of a national hero…"
"Can you show them to me, Douglas Bullet?"
She spoke calmly.
"Interesting."
Douglas Bullet first looked at Doll deeply, then smiled and nodded.
"You'll see.
Because I am the strongest soldier.
Anytime, anywhere."
Finished, he ignored Doll and walked to the deck. There, he immediately began exercising.
As a defeated warrior of the previous era, imprisoned in Impel Down for nearly Eight years, he knew he was already far behind the current overlords who ruled the seas.
Naturally, he had to seize every moment to catch up.
With this mindset, Bullet already notorious for his grueling training
Now pushed himself to even more terrifying extremes every day since regaining his freedom.
"You're already so strong, and yet you're still doing this kind of training."
"No wonder."
"The name 'Demon's Heir' is well-deserved."
Doll glanced at Bullet as he trained.
At last, she understood why this monster could rival an Emperor before even reaching twenty years of age.Such self-discipline, diligence, perseverance, and relentless pursuit of strengthThese were not qualities ordinary men could ever possess.
And more importantly, she could hardly find any trace of a pirate in Bullet's demeanor.
"Vice Admiral Rosen,The warship, the accompanying personnel, and all sailing supplies are in place. Please feel free to inspect them."
Doll withdrew her gaze from Bullet and reported.
"No need. Since you said everything is in place, then there must be no problem. Captain Doll."
After seeing Doll's performance, Rosen admired her even more.
He could tell that his adjutant had done her homework, not only investigating and understanding her superior, but also studying Douglas Bullet, his subordinate
She had planned in advance how to deal with him and how to get along.
These were essential qualities for an excellent adjutant.
If she had left a poor impression on her commanding officer during their first meeting, or created hostility with the strongest soldier under him, then it would be better not to have such an adjutant at all.
On the contrary…
From the moment she boarded, every action Doll took had been textbook-perfect for an adjutant.
Impeccable.
Her very first impression was one of strictness in military orders.
She faced the Demon's Heir
Without arrogance or servility.
After their clash, she quickly eased the tension by not holding grudges, but instead smoothly integrating herself into Rosen's unit.
At the same time, she was also subtly helping Bullet deepen his sense of belonging to the Marines.
"No wonder that among the thousands of Captain in headquarters, Sengoku personally chose Doll as my adjutant."
Rosen grew more and more satisfied with Sengoku's arrangement.
At the same time, he came to better understand Sengoku's perspective on people.
No wonder that during Sengoku's time as Fleet Admiral, the top combat powers of both old and new generations in the Navy stood united.
No internal strife.
No rebellions.
Heroes of the old era like Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru…
And the three Admirals of the new era, Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan
Each with powerful strength and unique personalities
Yet under Sengoku's leadership, all were controlled and aligned.
This was something that could not be achieved by sheer strength alone.
No matter how strong Sengoku was, could he possibly defeat all three Admirals at once?
Impossible.
Even one Sakazuki was enough to keep him occupied.
But he could still command Garp, Black Arm Zephyr, Chief of Staff Tsuru, the Admirals, and many others—suppressing the Great Pirate Era sparked by Gol D. Roger.
On the other hand, under Sakazuki as Fleet Admiral, the structure collapsed as soon as Sengoku stepped down.
Garp Retired.
Kuzan left.
Fujitora Defied orders.
Green Bull was too Timid.
Aside from Borsalino,
Not a single Admiral could be relied upon.
That is the difference between leaders.
"To know people with wisdom."
"To use them appropriately."
"To draw out their strength."
"To tolerate their concerns."
"To win their hearts with virtue…"
"To do all this flawlessly is no easy feat, Teacher Sengoku."
Rosen grew more appreciative of Sengoku's extraordinary leadership, and of his intention in assigning him the mission of taming the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Military merit and prestige
With Rosen's strength, those could be earned in minutes.
But wisdom in knowing people, skill in using them, the ability to tolerate, to inspire loyalty, to lead with virtue—
These qualities of a true Admiral could not be gained in minutes.
Serving as Admiral of the North Sea and taming the Seven Warlords of the Sea was undoubtedly a training ground designed to shape Rosen into a true leader.
After all, the Seven Warlords were
Unruly,
Proud,
And monstrously strong.
If he could collar and tame them all, then when the time came for him to succeed Sengoku, he would never face the humiliating shortage of trustworthy generals that Sakazuki had suffered.