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Inside the Seat of Power, there was a deathly silence.
Sakazuki's worldview was undergoing a violent collapse and reconstruction.
Watching the five Gorosei, whose every breath usually carried supreme authority and who dictated the world's direction, now kneeling like the humblest servants before Ian, his mind buzzed incessantly, and his understanding of power was refreshed to a new height!
After a brief daze, a thought inexplicably popped into Sakazuki's mind, and he secretly muttered to himself, "So, I have the biggest backer in Mary Geoise now?"
At this thought, Sakazuki's eyes immediately became fervent.
Although Ian's actions in Mary Geoise were overly eccentric, embodying the abuse of power to the fullest, who could fault him? He was a Celestial Dragon! As a Celestial Dragon, who stood above the World Government, he naturally enjoyed all privileges; whatever he did was reasonable.
Therefore, even if the rumors about Ian were not very positive, in his view, it was no big deal. Especially those extremely excessive things Ian had done to the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise were merely conflicts and disputes between gods, and they had no right to question them.
Of course, none of that was important.
What was important was that he now seemed to have gained the favor of Saint Ian, the most powerful Young Master in Mary Geoise.
With Saint Ian as his strong backing, not only would he no longer have to bow to anyone, but the next Fleet Admiral might also fall to him.
Just then, Ian's voice came again, pulling Sakazuki back from his fervent thoughts.
"This Young Master knows why you came to Mary Geoise!"
"That coward Sengoku didn't dare to face these old guys, and was even more afraid of being reprimanded by me, so he sent you to Mary Geoise, wanting you to bear everything for him."
"But you don't have to worry," Ian stepped forward and patted Sakazuki's shoulder heavily again, "This Young Master said I'd be your backer, and I will definitely be your backer."
"This place is unsettlingly oppressive; let's talk somewhere else."
"I will tell you everything about the Marineford War."
"Because, in the current Marineford, I don't trust anyone but you, Sakazuki!"
As his voice fell, Ian turned and walked away decisively.
Sakazuki's chest heaved violently; he could feel the sincerity in Ian's words, an unquestionable trust and a determination to entrust him with a great responsibility.
He took a deep breath, straightened his back, ignored the complex gazes from the Gorosei behind him, and strode forward, closely following Ian's footsteps.
After watching the two leave, the atmosphere in the Seat of Power finally relaxed slightly.
The Gorosei slowly rose and returned to their seats, each with a solemn and puzzled expression.
"Why did the Young Master suddenly take a liking to Sakazuki?" Satan Saint was the first to break the silence, "And even declared in front of us that he would be his backer?"
"Purely in terms of loyalty, Sakazuki's loyalty to the World Government is beyond doubt." Saint V. Nusjuro picked up his teacup and took a small sip, then suddenly remembered something and looked at the other Gorosei, asking, "Before, were we perhaps too harsh on Sakazuki?"
He paused, then suddenly changed the subject: "But it doesn't matter. Since he has gained the Young Master's favor, we should be more respectful to him from now on."
"Indeed," Nasujuro Saint echoed, "I hope he won't hold a grudge because of this. When he truly realizes what an honor it is to gain the Young Master's favor, he might even go head-to-head with us. By then, his magma fists might actually land on us. Although we won't die, it will truly hurt!"
"Don't be so quick to judge."
Satan Saint shook his head, "No one understands the Young Master's temperament better than us. He's not just eccentric; what the Young Master enjoys most is playing with people's hearts."
"His current favor for Sakazuki might just be because Sakazuki is useful right now."
...Outside the World Government Headquarters building.
Sakazuki followed closely behind Ian, always maintaining a two-step distance.
As soon as they exited the main door, two figures caught his eye.
Leading them was the Supreme Commander of the God's Knights, Figarland Gringu-sei.
Following him was his son, Charloss Saint.
Before Sakazuki could react, Gringo Saint had already come forward with a beaming smile, his fawning demeanor completely different from his usual arrogant posture.
"Young Master, did you rest well last night? My granddaughter Uta, she didn't upset you, did she?"
Hearing his father say such words in public, Charloss's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He wanted to stop him but was afraid of angering Ian, so he could only vent his dissatisfaction on Sakazuki.
He first bowed respectfully to Ian, then suddenly looked up and sternly rebuked Sakazuki, who stood behind Ian, "Sakazuki! What are you still doing here? Ace's public execution is imminent; hurry back to Marineford and prepare for full-scale war!"
Upon hearing this, Sakazuki subconsciously glanced at Ian.
Ian smiled and nodded at him.
Seeing this, Sakazuki secretly took a deep breath, then stepped forward, his chest almost bumping into Shamrock, and said in a low voice, "Charloss Saint, the Young Master hasn't spoken yet. What right do you have to order me around here?"
Hmm?
Charloss and Gringo both frowned simultaneously, looking in surprise at this Marine Admiral who had always been deferential to them.
Sakazuki did not avoid their gazes; instead, he took another step closer, spewing out all the pent-up frustration he had accumulated over the years.
"Charloss Saint, from now on, you have no right to issue orders to me based on status and position."
"Because, from now on, I, Sakazuki, will only obey the commands of Young Master Ian!"
Gringo's face instantly darkened, revealing murderous intent: "Sakazuki, how dare you! How dare you speak to a noble Celestial Dragon with such an attitude! Do you want to die?"
Sakazuki, cigar in mouth, turned his head and met the gaze of the Supreme Commander of the God's Knights without fear.
"Did you not understand what I just said?"
"Or are you saying you don't even put Young Master Ian in your eyes?"
"This old man..." Gringo's expression changed drastically, and just as he was about to explain, Ian waved his hand to interrupt him.
"Sakazuki is right."
Ian said casually, "From now on, he's under This Young Master's protection. Even if you have ten thousand complaints, you'd better swallow them. If I ever find any of you daring to target him, This Young Master wouldn't mind gouging out a few more eyeballs and using them as golf balls."
As soon as his voice fell, Gringo felt a chill run down his spine.
Although he didn't understand what stroke of luck Sakazuki had to gain their Young Master's favor, he immediately put on a smiling face and said to Sakazuki:
"Admiral Sakazuki, it was this old man and my unruly son who were in the wrong just now. This old man apologizes to you here!"
Watching Gringo immediately put on a smiling face and even lowered his Celestial Dragon status to apologize to him, Sakazuki was so thrilled he almost took off on the spot.
A noble Celestial Dragon, Gringo, the leader of the God's Knights, actually apologized to him! Can you believe it?
Being protected by someone, it felt so damn good!
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