One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 486: Volume 4 – - 5: Invitation to the Training Camp

Fleet Admiral's Office.

As Momonga pushed open the door to the conference room, a solemn and oppressive atmosphere imdiately swept over him.

One by one, the high-ranking officers of Marine Headquarters sat around the round table with stern expressions. So were silently smoking cigars, while others gave him curt nods, their faces unreadable.

Nurous serious gazes fell on him, carrying a silent pressure that made Momonga's chest tighten involuntarily.

His eyes quickly and discreetly swept across the room, taking in the figures of each officer. The golden epaulettes gleaming on their wide Marine cloaks clearly marked their ranks.

"All headquarters-level officers?"

The thought flashed through Momonga's mind, but he kept a steady deanor. Stepping forward, he raised his hand in a crisp salute and declared loudly,

"Admiral of the North Blue, Base Commander of the North Blue Navy 321st Branch, Captain of Marine Headquarters—Momonga, reporting in!"

Momonga was no longer the brash rookie he once was in the North Blue.

From the ti he served as Daren's adjutant, he'd witnessed more high-level operations and major events than he could count. And since taking over as the North Blue admiral, both his administrative and political capabilities had been honed to a sharp edge.

Even after Daren's departure, Momonga had kept the North Blue firmly under control. The North Blue Fleet had continued to expand under his command, and he skillfully balanced the interests of both the mber Nations and non-mber Nations in the region—a testant to his leadership.

In handling affairs, he had long surpassed many officers of the sa rank, growing into soone fully capable of standing on his own.

So even now, facing the collective scrutiny of so many senior Marine officials, he didn't show the slightest hesitation. Instead, he carried himself with calm assurance.

Of course, the greatest source of that confidence lay in his strength.

The acquisition and developnt of the Goro Goro no Mi had given Momonga the power and composure to et the intense pressure from these top brass head-on.

While Momonga quietly observed the Marine leaders around the table, those very officers were also watching him in turn.

The na of the new North Blue admiral had long since reached their ears, sparking considerable interest and curiosity.

Among the four seas—East Blue, West Blue, South Blue, and North Blue—the North Blue was currently the Marine Headquarters' highest priority.

Especially after Daren, the so-called uncrowned king of the North Blue, had taken command and turned the once-chaotic sea into a tightly controlled region. The number of pirates and even civilian cri rates had plumted to unheard-of levels.

And now, even after Daren had stepped down, his successor hadn't let those achievents slip away. On the contrary, Momonga had brought even greater stability to the North Blue.

Everyone present understood exactly what that ant.

"Don't be so tense, Captain Momonga."

At that mont, Sengoku spoke with a smile.

"Everyone here is a fellow Marine. We summoned you from the North Blue not for any official disciplinary inquiry, but just to hear about the events during Daren's battle with Shiki—get a sense of what happened and gather relevant intel."

"Please, have a seat. This isn't a formal debriefing. It won't affect your rank or your record. We're simply here to chat a bit and check in on how Daren is doing."

Sengoku gave him an encouraging look, his tone relaxed, as if it truly were just a casual conversation.

But Momonga didn't let his guard down.

A slightly restrained smile tugged at his lips as he sat in an empty chair.

"Yes, Admiral Sengoku."

"Captain Momonga, how long have you been with the Marines?" Sengoku asked with a smile.

"Including my ti as a recruit, it's been six years, Admiral Sengoku," Momonga replied.

"Oh? That's quite so ti..."

Sengoku continued with a light smile.

"Your record is outstanding. Since your days as a recruit, you've completed over 300 missions and taken down more than 2,600 pirates. During your ti as the North Blue Admiral, you've shown exceptional administrative capabilities and military leadership."

He paused, looking at Momonga with interest.

"With talent like yours, staying in the North Blue might be holding you back."

"The next Officer Training Camp at headquarters is about to begin. Would you be interested in coming to headquarters for training?"

The mont he said that, several of the officers present exchanged surprised glances.

Normally, selection for the Marine Officer Training Camp involved a very strict screening and vetting process. Even if a candidate passed the initial talent and ability assessnt, they still had to undergo political review at headquarters.

After all, the training camp was the breeding ground for the Marine Headquarters' future core personnel. Ever since Daren's "Golden Generation" graduated, it had beco widely recognized as the "cradle of stars."

There was no exaggeration in saying that officers who graduated from the training camp would eventually beco the backbone of the Marines.

That's why political vetting was so crucial—candidates had to show alignnt with the Marines' ideals of justice, personal discipline, and character.

Yet Sengoku's offer now seed to bypass all of that. No screening, no vetting. As long as Momonga said yes, he'd be given a direct spot in the camp.

A full green light.

Sothing like this had never happened before.

Even "monsters" like Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Daren had to go through the full review before being accepted.

Daren, in particular, had to clear an unprecedented extra step—an "internal hearing" introduced specifically for his case.

Hearing Sengoku's offer, Momonga was montarily stunned.

A little sothing to smooth things over, huh...

He imdiately understood Sengoku's intent.

If this had been the old him, he might've accepted with teary-eyed gratitude on the spot.

And truthfully, who wouldn't be tempted? The training camp carried enormous prestige. If he entered, Momonga was certain his strength would grow by leaps and bounds.

Beyond that, it was a brilliant résumé booster.

He could connect with high-potential peers, expand his personal network, and build relationships that would greatly benefit his military career.

Not to ntion the fast track to promotion...

But—

Momonga was no longer the naive hothead he once was.

He'd gone through countless "officer trials" from nobles and high-ranking officials across the North Blue.

Now, when soone extended a hand, his first instinct wasn't gratitude—but vigilance.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Admiral Sengoku. Joining the training camp has always been my greatest dream and honor."

"However, the current situation in the North Blue remains unpredictable. The death of the great pirate Shiki the Golden Lion may have co at the hands of Vice Admiral Daren, but the news of Shiki's presence in the region has still caused considerable panic among both mber and non-mber Nations."

"Until the situation there is fully stabilized, I cannot give a definite answer. I ask for your understanding, Admiral Sengoku."

Momonga's tone was calm and asured.

Of course, the "instability" of the North Blue was just a cover.

What he was truly concerned about was that if he left for headquarters, the developnt of the North Blue Fleet would stall.

If HQ sent soone new to take over the North Blue Admiral position, the fleet's secrets might be exposed.

And that... would turn the entire situation on its head.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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