Steel Bone Kong slammed his fist into the desk. Wood splintered, a deep fist mark left behind.
"Does he not know what is good for him. Vice Admiral is not enough, Admiral is not enough. Does he want my seat as Fleet Admiral."
A youth with Admiral-level power, so arrogant he looked down even on an Admiral's post. It was infuriating. Even Steel Bone Kong had climbed step by step to reach Fleet Admiral.
The Marines had offered terms as high as they could go. The youth still refused.
To Kong, Rakuya was insufferably proud.
"Kong, it is not what you think," Zephyr said after a long breath. "He told me he does not want to be bound by Marine rules. He prefers freedom. In other words, he has no interest in being an Admiral."
"What."
That answer surprised Kong. So it was not about rank at all.
He did not want to be restrained.
"Then raise the stakes," Kong said. "Tell him the Admiral post is in name only. Unless Headquarters calls him back at a critical moment, he can do as he pleases the rest of the time."
Another condition countless Marines could only dream of.
"I said all of that," Zephyr replied. "He answered with one line. He does not want to be controlled by authority, nor become a puppet of authority. That is all."
"I see."
The heat in Kong's chest cooled. He sank back into his chair.
"This kid is sharper than he looks."
His finger tapped the desk, interest glinting in his eyes. So young, yet he already saw through the rules of the world. Not easy.
"Then treat him well. If he will not work for us, let him at least be our friend. Above all, do not turn him into our enemy."
"Agreed," Zephyr said with a small smile. It was the first time he had seen Kong truly angry.
"But that is not the only thing I need to report."
"Oh. There is more."
"The youth we spoke of has a powerful backing. I offered to send him home. He said that with my strength, I am not qualified to enter his homeland. If even I, with power on the level of an Admiral, cannot step into that place, imagine how terrifying it must be. In other words, imagine how terrifying the family behind him is."
"Family."
The word left Kong's lips slowly. For the first time, his face grew truly grave. A single youth with Admiral-level strength could still be handled. A youth like that with an invincible clan behind him was another matter entirely.
How deep was their foundation.
Why were they hidden in this world.
When they emerged, what kind of waves would they stir across the seas.
Kong did not know.
But it was a serious risk.
"I will issue an order now. All Marines are forbidden to provoke this youth."
Kong read the situation and made his decision.
"Zephyr, what you told me does not leave this room. And the secrets around this youth must be investigated thoroughly. Most importantly, dig up the family behind him. This world does not allow such a heaven-defying clan to exist unchecked."
"Yes."
Zephyr nodded heavily. This was what he had expected.
Until they understood Rakuya, they would keep him calm and comfortable, while sending trusted agents to trace his origins in secret.
Once Headquarters grasped the details of the family behind him, they would have a plan.
Then, if they needed to act, it would be far easier.
"Win him over if possible. If not, do not become his enemy," Kong said, each word firm. Rakuya's importance was now clear.
A few days later, Marine Headquarters convened a secret emergency meeting. Rakuya's photo spread like wildfire through the upper ranks.
Steel Bone Kong announced a major directive.
"All Marines are forbidden to provoke Rakuya. Any violator will be expelled from Headquarters and hunted without end."