"Come in first and talk."
"Rosen."
"If Borsalino knew that you traveled all the way from the four seas to G-1 Branch, and I made you stand here in the sea breeze, he would probably say that I am heartless."
Sakazuki's mind raced with various thoughts, but he remained outwardly calm.
Although Sengoku was grooming Rosen to be a Marine admiral, and Borsalino also sided with Rosen, he did not show any malice, dissatisfaction, or aloofness towards the man in front of him.
On the contrary, after sensing Rosen's presence, from the moment he left his office and arrived at the fortress ahead of time to wait for him, to the initial exchange during their first meeting, his manners were commendable.
"Excuse me, senior."
Through his perception of the Observation Haki, Rosen realized that Sakazuki usually worked out at this time, and then he understood.
The title of the top general was indeed well-deserved.
Let's take another look at the lives of Borsalino and Kuzan as generals.
The former reads newspapers during work hours, while the latter sleeps during work hours.
No wonder Kuzan was crippled in the battle against the Fleet Admiral.
They are both monsters with great potential, and both are top-tier Logia-type Devil Fruit users. One sleeps all day, and the other lifts weights all day. It's no wonder that the one who sleeps gets beaten to a pulp by the one who lifts weights.
Please sit wherever you like.
"Let me make it clear beforehand that this place is not like Borsalino's office, where all kinds of tea are available."
"It's just regular green tea, is that alright?"
After taking Rosen to the base commander's office, Sakazuki spoke as he turned to boil water for tea.
"Of course not."
Rosen shook his head.
Sakazuki nodded slightly, poured the boiled water, which had cooled slightly, into the gaiwan, and then quickly poured out the tea that had been steeping the tea leaves.
When he turned around and came to Rosen with the fairness cup containing tea and two teacups, he noticed that there was a beautifully packaged little box on his desk.
"Hehehehe."
"Except for Borsalino."
"In all my years in the Marines, you are the first person to take the initiative to visit me, and the first person to bring me a gift."
Seeing this, Sakazuki, who was usually upright and stern, surprisingly managed to squeeze out a smile.
Because he upheld absolute justice, coupled with ruthless methods and a merciless style, the Marine officers below the rank of admiral were either so nervous that they were sweating profusely or so afraid that they trembled in fear when they saw him, let alone visiting him.
As for giving gifts, that goes without saying; they were afraid of being seen as bribes and then being rewarded with a hit from the underworld dog.
"To borrow a phrase from my senior Borsalino."
"As a junior visiting a senior, I can't just come empty-handed, can I?"
Rosen picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.
Um!
One of the national treasure teas of the tea country.
It must have been a gift from Borsalino.
Given Sakazuki's style, unless the other party puts a ghost on the neck of the Tea Kingdom's king, there is absolutely no way he can get this level of tea.
"What's this?"
Sakazuki's attention was focused on the gift Rosen had brought him, and he didn't notice that the other man's gaze was a little impolite.
Whetstone.
Upon hearing Rosen's words, Sakazuki's eyes immediately lit up.
"interesting."
"Rosen, the fact that you thought of giving me a whetstone as a gift must be because Borsalino mentioned that I have a habit of sharpening my knives every day."
"Then do you know why I did this?"
Sakazuki glanced at the swords displayed on the rack:
"This knife has been out of use for more than a decade."
"But I have never stopped polishing it for a single day."
"why is that?"
He picked up the fairness cup and filled Rosen's teacup to about seven-tenths full.
"A knife may not be used; but it cannot be dull."
Rosen hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"good."
"Now we don't need a knife, but it must always be kept sharp."
"Just like our Marines, we can choose not to fight the Four Emperors, but we cannot be without the power to fight."
Upon hearing this, Sakazuki smiled with delight and nodded vigorously.
Even if a knife is shelved and no longer used, it must still remain sharp.
As a Marine Admiral, one can avoid fighting the Four Emperors, but must maintain the strength of one's prime.
This is why he sharpens his knife day after day, year after year, and why he trains day after day, year after year.
"He is the foremost of the three generals, and his reputation is well-deserved."
Rosen glanced at Sakazuki and had to admit that there was a reason why Sakazuki was able to surpass Kuzan and become the Fleet Admiral.
When he entered the G-1 Branch, he already knew one thing through his Observation Haki.
This base houses a force of a thousand men. Although the number is small, all of them have mastered the binding and hardening techniques of Armament Haki.
Moreover, this Marine was not transferred from the headquarters to the G-1 Branch by Sengoku. It was Sakazuki who, after becoming the base commander of the G-1 Branch, initiated a recruitment drive in the New World and personally trained a group of new recruits into an elite Marine capable of using Haki.
Whether it's training soldiers, leading troops into battle, or charging into battle, Sakazuki is unparalleled among the three admirals of the Marines.
If I had to choose a good person from among the three generals, it would definitely be Kuzan.
If one had to choose a Fleet Admiral from among the three Admirals to quell the rampaging Great Pirate Era, it would undoubtedly be Sakazuki.
Of course, this only applies to the three generals.
"Just the head of the three generals?"
"Well, what about you?"
"When you become the fourth admiral of the Marine Headquarters, do you think I can still be the head of the four admirals?"
Upon hearing this, Sakazuki abruptly changed the subject.
The previously harmonious atmosphere in the office suddenly became extremely heavy and sharp.
"The general is the one who leads the troops."
"I am the commander."
Faced with the pointed questions posed by Sakazuki, Rosen remained unfazed.
"You mean I can't command a Marine admiral?"
now.
Sakazuki's face showed no anger, but his voice, tone, and aura were as violent and aggressive as a magma fist.
Even a vice admiral would tremble before him, unable to maintain a composed demeanor.
"No."
"I just can't bear to see Admiral Akainu following behind the Five Elders."
Rosen chuckled and shook his head.
"Therefore, I will give up competing with you for the position of Fleet Admiral."
"Is this why you came to G-1 Branch?"
"Rosen."
Sakazuki, upon hearing this, did not get angry, but instead gave Rosen a deep look.
He understood the implication in Rosen's words.
If he were to become the Fleet Admiral, not only would he be unable to command the Admirals, but even as the Fleet Admiral, he would be relegated to following behind the Five Elders.
Along with the Marines' justice, it was forced to submit to the World Government.
"I should say that I am here to give my senior a chance to get to know me, understand me, and then obey me."
Rosen picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and then uttered something astonishing.