After Sengoku announced that Chiga would be designated as a candidate for admiral, the conference room fell silent again. Everyone looked at one another, feeling they ought to say sothing—but unsure of what.
Zephyr, Tsuru, and Gion were the first to raise their hands in support. They expressed their approval without hesitation, clearly standing behind Chiga's candidacy for admiral.
Onigumo, recently returned from injury, and those seated near him shifted their gazes toward Akainu, who remained silent.
Momhonga and a few others turned their attention to Aokiji.
Given their age, Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru already had one foot out of active duty and were slowly retreating to secondary positions. anwhile, Akainu and Aokiji stood as leaders of the two largest factions within the Navy.
Akainu finally broke his silence. He knew he couldn't remain neutral on this. After a brief pause, he spoke:
"I agree to designate Uchiha Chiga as an admiral candidate. Both his strength and his sense of justice have earned my respect."
With that, he fell silent again. Onigumo and the others, seeing Akainu's stance, had no further objections. They also voiced their agreent.
Aokiji cast a brief, surprised glance at Akainu. He hadn't expected the usually hardline and unyielding Akainu to endorse Chiga so easily.
Truthfully, Akainu had always held a positive impression of Chiga. For soone to gain Akainu's approval, strength was a prerequisite. After all, how could one enforce absolute justice without power?
And Chiga's strength had long been apparent. Akainu had taken notice of him back during the year-end assessnt at the training camp.
But what truly impressed Akainu wasn't just Chiga's strength—it was his growth rate. Back when Chiga defeated Kake, his potential was undeniable, though he hadn't yet reached top-tier levels. But now, he had managed to kill Shiki outright.
Such progress made even Akainu acknowledge that Chiga's potential exceeded that of the current three admirals.
Even more than his strength, it was Chiga's uncompromising attitude toward pirates that Akainu valued most. Power without resolve was aningless.
The image of Chiga twisting Shiki's neck in that photograph was, in Akainu's eyes, exactly what a Navy admiral should represent.
There was no need to send pirates as despicable as Shiki to Impel Down. Execution on the spot—that was true justice.
As for concerns about Chiga's age and seniority, Akainu dismissed them outright. In his eyes, dignity and rank were earned through power. Anyone without strength had no right to expect a title.
The Navy didn't need more bureaucrats.
Of course, Akainu bore no ill will toward Kizaru. The two had been classmates, and Akainu acknowledged Kizaru's strength. Even after Akainu beca Fleet Admiral, Kizaru continued to step up during major incidents.
Despite his stern exterior, Akainu wasn't heartless—just extrely principled.
With Akainu having spoken, Aokiji offered no objections either. In fact, his opinion of Chiga was even more favorable.
In the incident with Zephyr, Chiga had left a strong impression. Although his style resembled Akainu's absolute justice, Aokiji recognized a fundantal difference between them.
Chiga had never hard civilians. In battle, he prioritized their safety, and the pirates he killed were all irredeemable criminals.
For those whose cris didn't warrant death, Chiga would spare their lives. What Aokiji respected most was how Chiga treated those around him.
When soone close to him was in danger, Chiga never hesitated to step in. The most prominent example was when he saved Corazon, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's adopted son, and the boy he was protecting—even though they were strangers to him.
Of course, Sengoku's influence likely played a part in that decision. But who wouldn't want soone like Chiga on their side?
Even so, Akainu's quick agreent had caught Aokiji off guard. He had actually been prepared to argue against him—only to find the usual "fire and ice" clash defused before it began.
Sengoku, too, gave Aokiji and Akainu a curious glance, noting that Chiga seed to have gained unexpected popularity. That was just as well. It saved him the trouble of stepping in.
As for Kizaru? There was no point even considering him. That guy was the very definition of two-faced. Now that both sides had agreed, he wouldn't go against the current.
Gion, seated nearby, turned curiously to Sengoku.
"So... what's Chiga's codena?"
Being nad an admiral candidate almost guaranteed Chiga's future as an admiral. And every admiral had a codena—usually a color paired with an animal. It was tradition.
Not only Gion, but also Akainu and Aokiji looked toward Sengoku, awaiting the answer. An admiral's codena carried weight and symbolism. It couldn't be chosen lightly.
Sengoku nodded solemnly.
"We'll let Chiga decide for himself once he returns to headquarters. For now—"
A sudden voice interrupted him:
"Let's call him 'Purple Kirin'!"
Crack!
Electricity buzzed through the room. In the blink of an eye, Chiga appeared in the center of the conference room, crackling with arcs of lightning. His gaze swept across everyone before finally settling on Gion, and he smiled.
"Vice Admiral Chiga!"
Everyone gasped in surprise at Chiga's dramatic entrance.
Akainu and the others stared in astonishnt at Chiga, still sparking with energy. The sa thought crossed their minds:
Lightning? Was that elentalization? Did he get the Goro Goro no Mi?
If it really was the Goro Goro no Mi...
Akainu and Aokiji imdiately beca serious. As experienced Logia users, they understood how dangerous—and powerful—that Devil Fruit truly was.
Lightning offered the speed of the Pika Pika no Mi, the destructive force of the Magu Magu no Mi, and even the environntal control of the Hie Hie no Mi. It was one of the strongest Logia fruits in existence.
With that fruit, even a weakling could wreak havoc. But Chiga wasn't weak. He was already powerful—and now he had this, too.
Sengoku and Gion had already guessed it: Chiga had indeed acquired the Goro Goro no Mi. They were aware of Chiga's unique abilities, and seeing this only confird it.
The Navy now possessed one of the best Logia fruits in the world. Sengoku felt a rush of satisfaction—and even Garp, cheerfully munching senbei beside him, seed oddly adorable at the mont.
In high spirits, Sengoku asked, "Why did you choose that codena?"
Chiga smiled and answered,
"My eyes are purple. And the Kirin is an auspicious beast from my hotown—it brings good luck to those around it. I like that. So let's go with 'Purple Kirin.'"
(Kirin is a mythical creature in case you're wondering)
Still, everyone nodded instinctively. It sounded cool. And hey—if luck ca with the na, maybe they'd get promoted, too?
Gion stepped up, gently brushed a strand of hair from Chiga's forehead, and smiled warmly.
"Then, congratulations in advance… Admiral Purple Kirin."
---
Is the nickna 'Kirin' good? Or should I change it?.
_
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