"Pururururu, pururururu…"
Just as Sengoku felt a surge of irritation, the military Den Den Mushi in his embrace suddenly chimed. He frowned, pulled out the device, and upon seeing the signal, took a deep breath to force his emotions under control. With a strained smile, he connected the call.
"Saint Saturn, this is Sengoku."
The Den Den Mushi transmitted the hoarse, detached voice of Jaygarcia Saturn, one of the Five Elders:
"Sengoku, how are your Navy deployments progressing?"
Sengoku replied in a grave tone:
"Reporting, Your Excellency. The Navy's main force has arrived at G1 Branch. They will establish a security perimeter, conducting intensive patrols within a three-nautical-mile radius of Red Port to ensure the safety of all Member Nations' representative vessels."
Saint Saturn replied flatly:
"Your escort duties conclude upon the arrival of the Member Nations at Red Port. Subsequent security will be handled by the CP Department. Senior CP0 agent 'Fox' is in charge."
Sengoku clenched his jaw, reluctantly replying:
"Saturn-sama, as the symbol of maritime justice, shouldn't the Marines send representatives to observe the ceremony? This would both bolster security at the Holy Land and send a signal of stability to the nations of the world…"
"—Unnecessary."
Before Sengoku could finish, Saint Saturn cut him off without hesitation.
"The Marines' sole mission this time is to secure Red Port. The Noble's gifts must not be compromised."
"Sengoku, you must understand… The Holy Land attack inflicted heavy casualties among the Nobles. The goodwill brought by the Member Nations this time can soothe their wounded hearts."
"This is a crucial mission. We entrust it to you precisely because we believe in your capabilities."
Damn it!
Sengoku couldn't help but curse inwardly.
I'm an Admiral! When did I sink so low as to be treated like bank security personnel?!
As for Saint Saturn's talk of "mission critical, no room for error"—with Sengoku's experience, he could easily see through the hollow platitudes. Put simply, the government didn't trust the Marines!
"Do you have any objections?"
Seeing Sengoku's silence, Saint Saturn's tone sharpened with warning.
"None, Saint Saturn. It is my own short-sightedness."
Sengoku forced a stiff smile, clenched his fist, then silently released it, and said stiffly:
"Thank you for your trust, Your Excellency. I will see this mission through."
"Hmm…"
Saint Saturn finally nodded. As if to soothe Sengoku's discontent, he paused for a second before slowly adding:
"You know as well as I that too many things have happened recently."
"The Philseque incident in the North Blue, the attack on the Holy Land, the North Blue's withdrawal from the Member Nations' political system… Each of these events alone could have triggered unimaginable upheaval in history. Yet they occurred within a span of less than a few months, producing some extremely detrimental effects."
"While these matters are hardly significant enough to alter anything for us, in the eyes of the nobles of the Holy Land, your navy has indeed been rather disappointing."
Sengoku's eye twitched.
Wait, I did warn you guys! Don't go messing with that brat Daren! You wouldn't listen, insisting on flaunting your power and status in front of that little madman! Now you've blown it, pushed Daren into rebellion—what does that have to do with me?!
An indescribable resentment suddenly welled up in Sengoku's heart, causing his chest to rise and fall slightly.
"My apologies, Saint Saturn-sama."
His lips were pressed tightly together.
"Sengoku, you should understand that we have always trusted you." Saint Saturn smiled faintly.
"Once these adverse effects have passed, once the Nobles' impression of the Navy improves slightly, we will propose that you succeed Kong's position and be promoted to Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters."
"Therefore, do not disappoint us again."
"...Yes, Saint Saturn." Sengoku bowed slightly. He paused, then asked:
"I have another matter to discuss—regarding the military funding request previously submitted to the government..."
"—All such matters shall be discussed after the inauguration ceremony." Saint Saturn spoke coolly, cutting off Sengoku before he could continue.
"Focus on your own duties."
Sengoku froze. Before he could respond, the Den Den Mushi communication abruptly cut off.
"Gacha-gacha..." The sound of the Den Den Mushi falling silent echoed. Sengoku stood motionless, frozen in place.
"Admiral Sengoku..." A guard standing nearby cautiously observed Sengoku's expression, speaking nervously.
"Leave me alone." Sengoku waved his hand, signaling the guard to depart. The guard, as if granted a reprieve, turned and fled the scene.
"The one disappointing others isn't me." After a long moment, Sengoku slowly exhaled a heavy breath, lifting his head to gaze at the clear, blue sky. He murmured a single sentence, as if speaking to himself.
Shaking his head, he turned to find Borsalino already reclining on a nearby deck chair. He snapped irritably:
"How did you end up on my warship again!?"
Borsalino shrugged, grinning.
"It was just too boring. We Marines don't have access to the Holy Land for the ceremony."
Sengoku glanced at him, then suddenly asked:
"What's the situation at Impel Down? Daren didn't tear down the sixth level underground, did he?"
Borsalino's expression instantly became rather entertaining. He scratched his head, looking troubled.
"I don't know either, Admiral Sengoku..."
"Don't play dumb with me, you brat!" Sengoku rolled his eyes.
"Don't you think I know my own adjutant?"
Only then did Borsalino raise both hands in surrender, admitting:
"Sorry, sorry... Things are still relatively quiet over at Impel Down."
A mocking curve touched his lips.
"Daren's getting along splendidly with the prisoners of Eternal Hell. They even threw a party together..."
"That brat released the prisoners!?" Sengoku froze, then shook his head with a hint of resignation. That was entirely in character for the kid.
He wasn't worried the prisoners would escape—at least, Sengoku believed he understood Daren's nature. Even in his wildest actions, the scoundrel had his limits. That one thing hadn't changed since the North Blue days.
Sengoku pondered, about to ask more, when he suddenly sensed something and turned his gaze.
On the distant sea, one bizarrely shaped vessel after another began to appear. Brown warships with crocodile prows, steel submarines erupting from the depths, ghostly skiffs bearing massive black crosses, rust-stained, sinister-looking ghost ships...
"Those are..." Sengoku's eyes suddenly turned red.
"The Shichibukai have been granted the privilege to witness the ceremony!?"