One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 123: Volume 2 – - 25: The Grumpy Strategist

"Where the hell did they all go!?"

The conference room of the Fleet Admiral's Office trembled as Admiral Sengoku's furious roar echoed out, startling the Marines on duty outside.

"This is a critical military eting!"

"Where's Sakazuki!? I haven't even settled things with him over the Bada Kingdom incident in the New World!"

"And Borsalino? There's still a pile of unfinished work for the new Marine Science Division!"

"And what about those two bastards, Dragon and Garp!? They still haven't explained the details of the operation against the Roger Pirates!"

Inside the room, Sengoku's face was dark with rage. He slamd his fist onto the conference table, glaring daggers at the staff responsible for summoning the participants.

With Fleet Admiral Kong off reporting to the Five Elders at Mary Geoise, this eting had been left in Sengoku's hands—not just as a formality, but to help him transition into the duties and responsibilities of the Fleet Admiral role.

It was his chance to prove to Kong that he was ready for the position.

It was also a vital political opportunity to show the Marine Headquarters' senior officers he could lead.

But now? The first major military eting he'd called, and besides Zephyr—an old retiree—the only one present was himself!?

If word got out... what would the rest of HQ think of him, an Admiral and future Fleet Admiral?

"The future Fleet Admiral calls a top-level military eting—no one shows up?"

What kind of joke was that!?

What about his authority? His credibility? How was he supposed to lead from now on!?

"Did you actually notify them about the eting ti and place!?"

He fixed a fierce glare on the administrative officers, still holding onto a shred of hope.

Maybe... maybe they didn't get the ssage.

Surely they wouldn't just blow him off. Not when he was representing Fleet Admiral Kong himself.

No matter how unruly they usually were, this was still a formal military eting—they had to show so respect.

Yeah... that had to be it.

The officers looked nervously at the panting, red-eyed Sengoku, not daring to breathe.

They exchanged glances, until finally, a Lieutenant Colonel stepped forward hesitantly.

"Um... Admiral Sengoku, the notices were sent out in advance. We've confird they all received them."

Zephyr's eye twitched as he turned his head, clearly fighting back laughter.

Sengoku's face darkened even further.

So those bastards... did this on purpose!?

Veins bulged on his forehead, and two puffs of white steam shot from his nostrils. His teeth ground together with a harsh crackle.

"Find them! Now! I want to know exactly where they are!"

He spat the words out through clenched teeth.

"Imdiately! Right now!!"

The admin staff bolted from the room like their lives depended on it.

Zephyr, watching Sengoku practically steaming with rage, couldn't help but chuckle.

"This isn't like you, Sengoku... It's just a eting. No need to get so worked up."

"Hey, look on the bright side—even if no one else ca, I did."

Sengoku slumped into the main seat, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, you showed up. As if you actually plan on helping. You've got nothing on your plate anyway..."

His voice dropped into a grumble.

"Zephyr, manpower at HQ is getting stretched thin. You know Fleet Admiral Kong is about to hand over the reins to ... Honestly, I don't feel ready."

Speaking to an old comrade he once trusted with his life, Sengoku didn't hold back.

"I need my old allies at my side again..."

His gaze was steady and sincere as he looked at Zephyr.

"Think about it. How long has it been since we fought shoulder to shoulder?"

Zephyr's expression flickered with nostalgia, but it quickly faded into a trace of disappointnt and detachnt.

He replied calmly.

"You've still got Garp. And the next generation—Sakazuki, Dragon, Borsalino—they're stepping up."

Sengoku sighed quietly and shook his head.

"But ti's running out for us."

"The God Valley incident may be long past, just a part of history now—but the shadow it cast is still here."

"Roger, Whitebeard, Shiki... and now Kaidou and Charlotte Linlin are rising fast."

"You know how Garp is. Orders from above go in one ear and out the other. Even Kong can't control him—what chance do I have?"

"As for Sakazuki and the others... sure, they're as monstrously strong as their reputations suggest. But they're still not at the very top of this sea."

"They'll need more ti before they can truly stand on their own."

"The Bada Kingdom incident is proof of that. If you'd been there, it never would've gotten so out of hand... In the end, the problem is that we just don't have enough top-level combat power at Marine HQ right now."

Zephyr fell silent.

"They'll grow."

A mont later, he raised his head and looked at Sengoku.

His smile was oddly calm.

"As for ... I'm just a failure who couldn't even protect his own family."

"These days, I'm just a hot-tempered instructor at HQ. Nothing more. Sengoku, leave the responsibility of being an Admiral to soone else."

Sengoku looked at that calm smile and felt a bitterness rise in his chest.

It was the smile of soone who had long since lost hope—but still bore the burden without complaint.

He knew Zephyr wouldn't be swayed.

"Alright. I understand."

Zephyr offered a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. It won't be long before our forces grow stronger."

"Sakazuki, Borsalino, Dragon... And I've heard there are so promising new faces in the current officer training camp?"

Sengoku pushed aside his frustration and nodded with a smile.

"Yeah. You know Gion and Tokikake. After that mission in the North Blue, they've co a long way. With so guidance, they'll definitely beco pillars of the Marines."

"And this year's recruits include two more who could rival Sakazuki and the others."

"One of them is Kuzan, from the South Blue. Insanely gifted—like a monster. But more importantly, his sense of justice burns with the intensity of a raging fire."

"Oh?" Zephyr's interest was finally piqued, his eyes lighting up.

...

(50 Chapters Ahead)

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