During the meeting, Ortoren barely spoke, fully showing the composure expected of a newcomer.
But in his heart, he knew very well: for these top brass to discuss such private matters openly in front of him was already a clear signal. The door to their circle was opening.
From now on, he was one of them.
After the discussion ended, Fleet Admiral Kong smiled at Ortoren. "Getting impatient, are you?"
"Hahahaha, a little. I wanted to ask several times if we could first talk about my promotion. For you, Fleet Admiral, it may be a small thing, but for me, this is a big deal—it marks my official step into the ranks of the Navy's officers!" Ortoren said with a bold laugh.
His attitude made the others laugh as well. Wanting promotion and success wasn't a bad thing—ambition gave motivation. A Marine who didn't aspire to be Fleet Admiral wasn't a good Marine.
"Garp, if you had even half of Ortoren's drive, I wouldn't have to worry so much," Kong chuckled, nodding at him.
Garp replied carelessly, "I may not have ambition, but I found you such an ambitious recruit. Let that balance out my faults—spare me in the future..."
"Maybe we'll forgive you once Ortoren becomes an Admiral," Sengoku said with a teasing smile.
After the lighthearted exchange, Kong pulled a document from his desk drawer and handed it to Ortoren. "Here. This is your official promotion approval. I've already signed it, and the personnel department has filed it. From this moment on, Benn Ortoren, you are officially a Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters!"
Ortoren accepted the document with both hands, then snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes, everything for justice!"
Everything for justice—the Navy's official motto. And in this moment, it was the perfect thing to say.
"Although we haven't known each other long, both Garp and Zephyr have praised you highly. What happened on Feller Island also gave me the chance to see you for myself. They were right—you're an outstanding talent. You may well become the new hope and symbol of our Navy. So let me remind you: no matter what, never forget your position and your original purpose as a Marine. Do you understand?"
Kong stood, patted Ortoren on the shoulder, and spoke firmly.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral," Ortoren answered seriously with a nod.
After finishing the promotion matter, Kong turned to Garp. "Now that Ortoren is a Rear Admiral, it's no longer suitable for him to remain under your command, is it?"
Ortoren's personnel record currently placed him as Garp's direct subordinate. But as a Vice Admiral, Garp could have at most one Rear Admiral and two Commodores under him.
Previously, Kuzan was the Rear Admiral, while Bogard and Ortoren were Commodores. Now, the structure clearly no longer matched regulations.
"I've barely had time to warm this treasure in my hands, and now you're taking him away?" Garp rolled his eyes, though he made no move to stop it.
At first, Garp had kept Ortoren by his side to give him more opportunities—to allow him to more easily meet Sengoku, Kong, and the others.
Now that goal had been achieved. Garp knew he was a slacker, while Ortoren was ambitious. Keeping him around any longer wouldn't be helping—it would only hold him back.
At this point, sending Ortoren off was the best choice.
"Everyone can see Ortoren's talent. Keeping him with you any longer would be..." Sengoku smiled and continued, "Let him come work under me. Borsalino has been transferred to the Science Division, and I need someone to fill the gap."
In truth, even if Borsalino hadn't been reassigned, Sengoku, as an Admiral, was still qualified to make Ortoren one of his direct subordinates.
"What do you think?" Garp turned to Ortoren and asked.
With Admiral Sengoku having already spoken, how could Ortoren possibly refuse? Sengoku was not only an Admiral but also a future Fleet Admiral. Refusing him would be the same as showing contempt for one of the Navy's top figures.
And if he did that, how could he hope to have a future in the Marines?
So Ortoren immediately nodded with a smile. "Garp-san, you've known all along, so I won't bother with empty words. I'll always remember your kindness. Whatever you need me for, just call on me, and I'll be there."
"I knew it—you really don't want to keep working under me," Garp said, glaring at him before breaking into a grin. "But that Sengoku guy isn't exactly a good boss. In the future, you'll be stuck with all the dirty and exhausting jobs. When that happens, you'll start missing the days you spent with me, Bwahahahaha."
Truth be told, Ortoren also had a good impression of Sengoku, but he was well aware that Sengoku was far more calculating than Garp. As an ambitious Marine Admiral and future Fleet Admiral, his way of thinking and handling things was bound to be very different.
But that was fine—Ortoren could accept it.
And just like that, with only a few words exchanged, Ortoren's future was placed in Sengoku's hands.
It was obvious the higher-ups had already settled this beforehand. The proof came when Sengoku, right after Ortoren agreed, draped the Rear Admiral's cloak and epaulettes—already prepared in advance—onto him personally.
That small gesture showed clearly that Sengoku valued Ortoren. Otherwise, there'd have been no need for such details.
Although no one seemed overly busy today, important work still awaited, so after chatting for a while, they all dispersed to handle their duties.
Leaving the office, Ortoren greeted the others, then followed Sengoku out.
Walking along the top corridor of the Fortress of Justice in Marineford, Sengoku spoke in a warm tone. "From now on, you and I will need to get along well."
"If there's anything you need, just say the word," Ortoren replied with a smile.
Sengoku nodded, then asked, "You heard what the Fleet Admiral said earlier. What are your thoughts on this scholar matter?"
"None yet," Ortoren admitted honestly, shaking his head.
After all, he had only just learned about it. How could he already have an opinion?
But after a short pause, he continued, "That said, it's clear this isn't the Navy's primary duty. I think what we should do is cooperate with the CP Agency as much as possible... and let them take the lead."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow, his tone probing. "And what exactly do you mean by 'as much as possible'?"
"They go first, they take responsibility, and we'd best not claim any so-called 'credit.' Our job is to assist—but assist cleanly, without leaving room for criticism. And most importantly... if the evidence later points toward Ohara or Alabasta, we should downplay the Navy's presence and influence in the whole affair as much as possible."
Ortoren spoke without hesitation.
Sengoku looked at him in slight surprise before nodding. "You really are sharp."
He sighed softly. "Matters involving scholars are troublesome. If we get too deeply involved, no matter the outcome, it'll harm the Navy's image—and bring us no benefit."
"Exactly. But CP doesn't care. They don't have much of a reputation to protect anyway," Ortoren said with a small smile.
In the original story, Sengoku had been the one to hand the Golden Den Den Mushi, capable of triggering the Buster Call, to Spandine of CP. Yet there had been plenty of Vice Admirals present—Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino. Who among them couldn't press a button? Was Sakazuki going to hesitate?
Looking at it now, Ortoren realized Sengoku had done it deliberately—to shift the stain away from the Navy.
The Golden Den Den Mushi might have been given, but if it was actually used, then it was CP who pressed it. The Navy could claim clean hands.
"I originally planned to have Vice Admiral Saul handle this matter," Sengoku said, "but now I think you're more suited. If you don't have any objections, will you take charge of the scholar issue as the Navy's representative?"
Good grief, straight into the heavy work? No wonder Garp said working under him meant dirty and exhausting jobs.
Still, Ortoren understood—this was Sengoku giving him an opportunity. He was new here, and if he didn't show loyalty, how could Sengoku trust him?
And precisely because the job was a little dirty, it was a better chance to build that trust.
It wasn't especially difficult either, so Ortoren nodded. "Understood. No problem."
"Very good." Sengoku patted Ortoren on the shoulder with satisfaction, affirming his loyalty to the Navy.
...
(50 Chapters Ahead)
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