Under waves of envy, awe, and outright jealousy, Rakuya simply lifted a hand and waved them off.
"Sorry. I do not have that kind of plan."
"Sorry… what? Did he just say sorry?"
"He turned Zephyr-sensei down?"
"He refused that chance… who does that?"
A Rear Admiral almost spat blood on the spot.
He had filed promotion requests to Vice Admiral again and again, each one rejected by Marine Headquarters.
And this youth could have it handed to him for free, yet he refused.
Tears streamed in his heart. The bitterness was real.
"No plans… like that?"
Even with Zephyr's seasoned calm, his face turned a shade awkward.
This was a first. In front of the entire crew, under so many eyes, a young man had rejected him.
And it was a position countless Marines fought over until their heads bled.
Yet the youth before him refused it as if it were nothing.
Does Vice Admiral not move him. Is the rank too low.
"I see." Zephyr grit his teeth, then spoke. "Join the Marines. Start as a Vice Admiral. I will make the arrangements and have you promoted to Admiral within a few months."
Black Arm Zephyr showed his hand.
In his mind, the only reason for refusal was that the rank felt beneath the boy.
A youth not yet twenty, with power on par with an Admiral, and likely a terrifying family behind him. Someone like that was either the heir of a great clan or its chosen successor.
With a background like that, offering only Vice Admiral did feel shabby.
"Admiral?"
Rakuya lifted his head, a spark of interest in his eyes.
Zephyr caught it at once. "Yes. Admiral. Garp has refused the promotion time and time again. Knowing him, he will refuse again. In that case, we can make you an Admiral. How about it."
The Marines had not yet recovered from the first shock when Zephyr's next words slammed into them.
"Ad… Admiral?"
"In one breath, from Vice Admiral to Admiral?"
"A kid becomes Admiral just like that? Tell me I am dreaming."
"Did I hear wrong?"
All around, jaws hung open. Zephyr's hunger for talent felt like a thunderclap.
To promise an Admiral's seat to a youth… when did Admirals become so easy to hand out.
"Zephyr-sensei, are you serious?"
A Marine Colonel could not help himself.
Zephyr turned his head. "Do I look like I am joking."
Faced with that solemn, weighty expression, the Colonel opened his mouth and found no words.
"Sorry. I still cannot accept."
After a short silence, Rakuya refused again, right there in front of everyone.
"Why."
Zephyr frowned. Even this tempting rank could not sway him.
What did this kid truly want.
Did he want to be Fleet Admiral.
"What rank do you want, then." Zephyr had run out of chips. All he could do was ask.
"Rank." Rakuya shook his head. "You misunderstand me. I am not refusing because the rank is low. I have my own reasons."
"What reasons."
"I am lazy by nature," Rakuya said, completely frank. "I like freedom. I do not want to be tied down by Marine rules."
"I see."
Regret moved across Zephyr's gaze. With that, he understood.
This was not someone he could rope in.
Golden scales do not belong in a pond. This boy's future would not be small.
"I only hope you will not become the enemy of the Marines," Zephyr said quietly. "A pirate."
He lifted a hand, dismissing the onlookers. Marines scattered to their duties. Rakuya followed Zephyr into the warship's interior and, with nothing more on his mind, slept like a log.
A few days later, Zephyr's warship reached the Sabaody Archipelago.