Marine Headquarters, Marineford. The coastline.
A crowd of Marine officers gathered along the shore, their attention fixed on the vast golden expanse visible in the distance. Shandora, the legendary Golden Land, now sat relocated beside Marine Headquarters like some impossible monument to wealth and ancient history.
Shock registered on every face. The sheer scale of Shandora's grandeur, the impossible amount of gold gleaming in the afternoon sun, left even veteran admirals momentarily speechless. They'd all heard the legends, of course. Four hundred years of folklore. But seeing an entire city constructed from precious metal was something else entirely.
Finn sat on a large rock near the water's edge, a cigar clenched between his teeth, watching the assembled officers with undisguised irritation. He muttered under his breath, just loud enough to hear, "Hmph. Country bumpkins."
Admiral Sengoku had been persistent. Relentless, actually. He'd coaxed, cajoled, and finally outright extorted Finn into surrendering the Golden Land. Through a combination of shameless reasoning and rank-based intimidation, Sengoku had convinced Finn to hand over the bulk of Shandora's wealth to Marine Headquarters.
Finn had retained seven hundred billion berries for G-7. To be honest, it was more than enough. He genuinely didn't know how to spend that much money efficiently. But the principle of having the entire treasure taken still rankled.
After securing his prize, Sengoku had immediately ordered Finn to transport the Golden City to headquarters. The Admiral felt uncomfortable leaving trillions of berries at G-7, even with Finn's presence providing security. Better to position it near Marineford, where he'd already decided to station ten thousand Marines to guard this hard-earned wealth day and night.
Finn exhaled a long stream of cigar smoke, his expression sour.
Footsteps approached from behind. Kuzan walked over with his characteristic lazy smile, patting Finn's shoulder companionably. "Were you blackmailed by Admiral Sengoku?"
"No." Finn waved his hand dismissively, his tone flat.
"No?" Kuzan blinked, clearly skeptical. The body language doesn't match that answer at all.
"That wasn't extortion." Finn sighed, taking another drag from his cigar. "That was outright robbery. In my opinion, even if Admiral Sengoku doesn't remain in the Marines, he could go to sea as a pirate and reach Whitebeard's level. He's incredibly talented in that particular area."
"Hahahahahaha!" Kuzan's laugh was genuine and unrestrained.
Finn's irritation spiked at his friend's obvious gloating. Just you wait. When you start riding that ridiculous bicycle across the ocean, I'll fly overhead on a griffin and deposit something unpleasant on your head.
"Could you please show a little respect to your superior officers, Vice Admiral Kuzan?" Finn glared at him.
"You also still hold the rank of Vice Admiral, but you have the honor of being an Admiral Candidate." Kuzan's smile turned knowing, his tone carrying just a hint of mockery. "In terms of military rank, we're still on the same level, Vice Admiral Finn."
"Hmph." Finn's expression shifted, a smile breaking through his annoyance. "The Golden Land is my money to buy an official position. This time, I finally heard half a sentence of truth from Admiral Sengoku's mouth."
"What exact words?" Kuzan asked, curiosity piqued.
"He said I would become an Admiral sooner or later, and told me not to be stingy with the gold." Finn's smile widened with satisfaction.
"Aren't you afraid he was deceiving you?" Kuzan leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"Then what could I do? Could I really keep the entire Golden Land in my possession?" Finn asked rhetorically, gesturing at the distant city. "The higher-ups would never allow it."
"That's true. A higher-ranking official can crush subordinates." Kuzan nodded with genuine sympathy, his expression turning thoughtful. "But objectively speaking, there's no point in keeping it all anyway. You might as well give it to headquarters. We're desperately short of money right now. With this kind of supplement, headquarters can better cope with the Great Pirate Era's pressures." He paused, then added, "And it benefits the entire Marine organization. You've earned substantial reputation this time. All the Marines will remember your contribution. When there's a chance for promotion to Admiral in the future, you'll be indispensable."
Finn had never been a pirate. He understood perfectly well that keeping all the gold for personal use was impossible from the start. Handing the bulk over to headquarters had been inevitable.
What Kuzan said made strategic sense. The gesture strengthened his position within the organization far more than hoarding wealth in G-7's vaults ever could.
After chatting for a few more moments about administrative matters, Finn shifted topics. "What about you? Don't you plan to compete for the Admiral position?"
"I'll just forget about it." Kuzan's response came after a slight hesitation, his tone casual but firm.
He wasn't a particularly ambitious person. Garp's influence had shaped his worldview to some extent, teaching him that rank mattered less than freedom to act according to one's conscience. The Admiral position didn't particularly appeal to him.
After discovering that Garp had led Kuzan somewhat astray from traditional Marine thinking, Admiral Sengoku had quickly brought the younger man to his side for training, attempting to reshape his values and groom him for leadership.
According to the original timeline, if nothing unexpected happened, Kuzan's perspective would indeed be reshaped. He'd eventually become one of the three Admirals, embodying a particular shade of justice.
But now, although Sengoku had brought Kuzan aboard as an assistant, the Admiral had developed a strong inclination to train Finn as the new generation's primary Admiral candidate instead. Otherwise, Finn wouldn't have become the first among his peers to receive the Candidate designation.
With Finn taking the lead position, Sengoku hadn't forced Kuzan to reshape his values or compete for the Admiral rank. The Fleet Admiral had even begun to feel that if Kuzan was willing to step back on this matter, it might actually benefit the entire Marine organization.
This would prevent future conflicts between Finn and his generation when they all held Admiral positions. Better to avoid potential friction at the highest command levels.
Currently, Sakazuki was definitely competing for an Admiral position. Sengoku had already confirmed this through direct observation and conversation.
The same was true of Finn, who'd never concealed his desire to become an Admiral. His ambition was practically a defining character trait.
Therefore, among the new generation, two people were absolutely determined to win Admiral positions: Sakazuki and Finn.
Only Borsalino and Kuzan hadn't expressed strong opinions. Borsalino maintained his philosophy of doing just enough to get by, coasting along with minimal effort. Kuzan had developed a similar attitude, though for different reasons.
This actually worked well. Either Borsalino or Kuzan could take the an Admiral position in the future. Whichever one didn't receive it would harbor no resentment, which was conducive to stability within the Marines' upper command structure.
Not wanting to dwell on this topic further, Kuzan sat cross-legged next to Finn on the rock. After a moment, he asked with obvious curiosity, "I heard that Gion ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?"
"Yes. We went to Sky Island specifically to find it." Finn nodded, taking another drag from his cigar.
Kuzan's expression suddenly shifted, taking on a somewhat vulgar quality. He winked at Finn with exaggerated significance. "That's amazing. You're worthy of being a man who once owned the wealth of the entire Golden Land. So generous with your resources."
"What are you talking about?" Finn asked, genuinely confused by the implication.
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit, which is universally recognized as the strongest and most invincible Devil Fruit among Logia abilities." Kuzan raised his eyebrows suggestively. "You actually gave it to Gion just like that, and you still claim you're not interested in her? Are you two already together?"
Gion was the acknowledged beauty of the Marines, a genuine military flower with countless suitors throughout headquarters and the various bases. Men lined up hoping for her attention.
Although Finn always insisted his friendship with Gion was pure comradeship, Kuzan had never believed it. Not really.
Finn seemed fine, showing no particularly abnormal behavior. But Kuzan could clearly see that Gion had developed special feelings for Finn. The way she looked at him, the way she found excuses to be near him, the subtle shifts in her demeanor when he was present.
Although Gion maintained good relationships with many officers at headquarters, including Kuzan himself, in all these years she'd never been as close with anyone else as she was with Finn. The quality of their interactions was simply different.
Kuzan had long ago recognized that Finn occupied a special place in Gion's heart.
Maybe nothing had happened between them yet. But as the saying went, when a girl chases a boy, there's only a thin veil between them. With Gion's charm, beauty, and determination, if she genuinely made up her mind to pursue Finn, there was no reason she wouldn't succeed.
If she somehow failed despite all her advantages? Kuzan would start doubting Finn's preferences entirely and would need to maintain more careful distance in the future. Just in case.
"What are you talking about?" Finn's voice carried genuine indignation. "I am Gion's direct superior. I'm training her to be my right-hand officer in the future. I can't just let the Rumble-Rumble Fruit sit unused in my possession simply because it's powerful, right?"
He gestured emphatically with his cigar. "A Devil Fruit only transforms into combat power when it's actually used. If it remains unconsumed, it's just a collection piece. I gave this ability to Gion because it represents a strength enhancement for both me personally and the Marines as an organization."
Finn's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's more, do you think I'm the kind of superior who would be jealous of talent and suppress his own subordinates? Or do you think I lack confidence? Confidence that I can remain stronger than Gion even after she obtains the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?"
His voice took on an edge. "If I didn't have this kind of spirit, how could I compete for Admiral and Fleet Admiral of the Marines? How could I challenge Whitebeard, the world's strongest man?"
"You still want to challenge Whitebeard?" Kuzan's surprise was genuine. He straightened slightly, his lazy posture shifting.
"Don't you?" Finn countered.
Kuzan pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I do. Who among us wouldn't want to challenge Whitebeard and claim the title of strongest?"
"Exactly." Finn smiled with satisfaction. "What's so strange about this ambition? Those of us who have reached this stage all want to step into the ranks of top-tier masters. And after entering that realm, who doesn't want to become the genuine strongest?"
"So you gave the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to Gion for no other reason?" Kuzan stared directly into Finn's eyes, his gaze sharp despite his relaxed posture. "It was simply out of organizational interest and strategic thinking?"
Finn nodded firmly. "Gion and I have a simple friendship..."
But as the words left his mouth, Finn's mind suddenly flashed back to that scene on Sky Island. Gion grabbing his head, pulling him down, kissing him firmly after he'd secured the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. The warmth of her lips, the spontaneous joy in her expression, the way she'd declared herself his ally.
The words caught in his throat.
His expression must have shifted, because Kuzan's face split into a wide grin. The Vice Admiral stood up, patting Finn's shoulder with exaggerated sympathy. "Hahahaha! Yes, yes, your friendship is pure comradeship. I believe you completely. Hahahaha!"
"What are you laughing at?" Finn demanded, his face heating slightly with embarrassment.
"I just remembered something funny. Is that not allowed?" Kuzan's tone dripped with mock innocence, his expression entirely too satisfied.
"You want to fight?" Finn's irritation flared again, his hand moving unconsciously toward where his sword would normally rest.
I definitely feel like this bastard is mocking me. But what's so funny about that? Even if Gion and I were involved romantically, shouldn't I be the one mocking you for being perpetually single? How does this situation warrant me being ridiculed?
"We can't fight right now. Next time." Kuzan shook his head, his smile fading into something more serious. "I came over to talk before heading out on a mission."
"Is something wrong?" Finn's curiosity overrode his annoyance. He set aside the previous topic, focusing on his friend's shift in demeanor.
"Well, the Great Pirate Era means there are always a few outstanding criminals..." Kuzan nodded but didn't elaborate further, his expression suggesting classified information.
Finn didn't press for details. He nodded understanding, and after chatting for a few more casual exchanges, Kuzan turned and departed, hands in his pockets, posture returning to his characteristic lazy slouch.
Not long after Kuzan left, Admiral Sengoku emerged from the crowd of officers examining Shandora. He walked over with a satisfied smile, patting Finn's shoulder warmly. "Well done, Finn. Very well done. I'll definitely arrange substantial credit for this contribution."
"I've surrendered so much wealth. Why don't you just promote me to Admiral directly?" Finn rolled his eyes, his tone only half-joking.
Sengoku's expression became more serious at this comment. He lowered his voice, glancing around to ensure no one was within earshot. "Speaking of which, something's been rather strange lately."
"What's wrong?" Finn stood up from his rock, facing the Admiral directly.
"Previously, the higher-ups wanted us to quickly fill the Admiral positions." Sengoku's voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "As you know, Fleet Admiral Kong had many arguments with Vice Admiral Garp about this exact issue. But recently, the higher-ups seem to have..." He paused, choosing words carefully. "Anyway, they haven't mentioned the matter again. The Fleet Admiral even tried probing them once. It's as if they want us not to rush the appointments."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Could it be they're thinking of another way to undermine the Marines' authority?"
But this was just speculation. Sengoku's tone suggested he didn't want to dwell on conspiracy theories without evidence.
Finn nodded but said nothing immediately.
According to his knowledge from the original timeline, Admiral Sengoku would be promoted to Fleet Admiral after the Fisher Tiger incident at Mary Geoise. Borsalino and the others would be successfully promoted to the three Admiral positions at that same time.
That was still more than years away. Finn had no detailed knowledge of what happened during this intermediate period or why Admiral appointments were being delayed. The manga had never explained this gap clearly.
But he could guess the reason might be related to the CP agencies.
After all, the current Commander-in-Chief of the entire military was from CP background. If Marines were promoted to Admiral now, especially given the organization's recent achievements in capturing Roger and defeating Golden Lion Shiki, there might very well be a command restructuring. Fleet Admiral Kong would likely be promoted to Commander-in-Chief of all World Government forces.
That would directly affect CP's institutional power and political influence. They'd lose their current commander's position to a Marine. Such a shift would reduce CP's authority relative to the Marines significantly.
It wasn't Finn's concern to worry about these high-level political maneuverings for now. He was still too junior to influence such decisions. So he simply stopped thinking about it.
Sengoku clearly had no intention of discussing this matter in depth with Finn either. The Admiral shifted topics smoothly. "The reason I called you back this time isn't just about the Golden Land. There's another matter I want to entrust to you and Borsalino to handle together."
"Yes, everything for justice." Finn agreed immediately, straightening to attention.
When headquarters assigned you work, refusal wasn't really an option. Especially not for someone with Finn's ambitions.
Besides, it had been quite a while since he'd worked with Borsalino. He found himself genuinely curious about what mission would require both of them.