One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Subsequently, Sengoku turned his attention to Sakazuki.

“Sakazuki, your strength is beyond doubt, I know that very well. But you also understand that strength is not the key factor in becoming a Fleet Admiral.”

Sakazuki's expression remained completely unchanged; he even seemed about to laugh.

"Sengoku, just get to the point! Stop with the nonsense. I just want to know, who is the next Fleet Admiral?"

Sengoku frowned, slightly displeased with Sakazuki's attitude. The man hadn't even left yet! And the tea had already gone cold? But considering Sakazuki's feelings, he didn't say anything.

"The specific candidate has not yet been decided, but considering Kuzan's prestige and support within the Navy, I have already recommended him to the World Government to succeed as Fleet Admiral. Do you have any questions?"

Akainu scoffed, "Question? Do you think I'm inferior to him?"

Upon hearing this, Kuzan's gaze turned serious, and he stared intently at Sakazuki.

“I’m sorry, Sakazuki, it’s not that you’re inferior to Kuzan, but that he’s more suited to the Navy. To be honest, if Karl weren’t lacking in experience, I would have recommended him to the World Government without hesitation, bypassing you all, to become the next Fleet Admiral. For no other reason than that.”

"Simply because he is more suited to be the commander of the navy."

In short, he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.

Kuzan's reputation within the Navy is far better than Sakazuki's. It's worth noting that Sakazuki and other hawkish generals are known for killing their own people for ridiculous reasons, while spouting righteous rhetoric.

Such a philosophy is destined to fail to gain the support of the majority, which is why the vast majority of the Navy's top brass are doves rather than hawks.

Or perhaps, Sakazuki's appearance was an accident.

In the Warring States period, there was only one situation in which the navy would need a commander like Sakazuki: when the navy was the weaker party, it would need a ruthless and radical leader like Sakazuki to lead the navy out of its decline.

But since the founding of the Navy... this situation has never occurred before.

The current navy, if it only seeks stability and is too proactive, may actually be led astray.

Rub~

Sakazuki stood up from his seat and looked coldly at Sengoku: "You're wrong, Sengoku. Right now, the Navy needs me more, not Kuzan. Only I can lead the Navy to eliminate all the pirates!"

Kuzan stood up as well, radiating an icy chill: "Sakazuki, what do you mean?"

"It's meaningless. The navy needs to be tough right now, and I can make the navy tough. You can't!"

"No, you're wrong. Toughness isn't everything for the Navy! What the Navy needs even more is humanity!!!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Even Sengoku was somewhat helpless; ideological clashes weren't something he could resolve with just a few words. Left with no other option, he had to call Karl. He had just gotten through...

"Kuzan, I challenge you! Whoever wins will be the next Fleet Admiral!"

Chapter 288 Tough attitude

Sengoku's expression changed, and he was about to stop Kuzan, telling him not to agree.

Kuzan's eyes were filled with fighting spirit as he answered without hesitation, "Then come on! I will never lose to you, Sakazuki!"

Seeing this, Sengoku could only sigh...

shuh~

"Tsk tsk tsk, it's quite lively! What's up, Marshal Zhan Guo? What brings you here?"

Before Sengoku could speak, Sakazuki interjected, "Karl, you've come at the right time. I just challenged Kuzan, and whoever wins will be the next Fleet Admiral. He's already agreed, so you can be our witness."

Kuzan also looked at Karl, and although he didn't say anything, it was as if he said everything.

Upon hearing this, Karl gave Sakazuki a deep look, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Is there really such a good thing? That's great! Why don't I join in too? Whoever wins will be the next Fleet Admiral, how about it?"

Sakazuki's face darkened: "Karl, this..."

"Hey, if you could become a Fleet Admiral just by your abilities, neither of you would be qualified to compete with me, so what's the point of all this?"

"If you all feel that no one is willing to submit to the other, it's simple. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, why don't you just stop recommending Admiral Kuzan and recommend me directly to the World Government? I guarantee they won't have anything to say."

Sengoku was taken aback at first, then nodded seriously: "Given the current situation... it seems this is the only way. I'll go right now..."

"Wait a minute!" *2

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?"

Sakazuki gave Karl a deep look, then said with a dark expression, "No need."

"So, you're thinking of withdrawing from the race for Fleet Admiral?"

Sakazuki took a deep breath and stormed off.

After watching Sakazuki leave, Sengoku sighed: "Kuzan, you should also leave for a while. I have something I want to say to Karl alone."

"Yes, Marshal of the Warring States Period."

......

"What do you think?"

Karl scratched his head: "Is it about the duel?"

"if not?"

"Tch, besides those old men in Mary Geoise, who else is there? They're already panicking now, heh heh, they probably don't even know when the Navy slipped out of their control!"

“Complete separation is impossible, but the Navy must gain control of the narrative so that it can become a true force for justice, rather than a lackey of the World Government.”

"After all, the Celestial Dragons possess something that could bring down the entire world..."

"What exactly is it? An ancient weapon?"

Sengoku shook his head: "Don't ask about this anymore. If you become a naval admiral one day, you will naturally know."

Karl shrugged and didn't ask any more questions. Looking at the distant sea, he muttered, "The World Government is still up to no good! In that case, it's time for me to put some pressure on them."

"After all, these old men are used to bossing people around, and we have to take drastic measures to change them."

"Sigh~ Anyway, I'm retired now. Do whatever you want! Just take it easy. I can't control you anymore."

Karl grinned: "Don't worry! Marshal Sengoku, I'm known for my prudence!"

Warring States Period: ...

Mariejoia.

bang~

Karl kicked the door open and walked in arrogantly.

"Oh, everyone's drinking?"

The bald old man immediately stood up, holding Onikiri, and scolded, "What are you doing? Mary Geoise is not a place where you can run wild!"

"Do you even want to wear your navy uniform anymore?! Apologize to us right now!"

Karl scoffed. "Apologize? You think you're worthy?"

"Alright, I'm too lazy to argue with you all. I'll just say one thing: your recent actions have made me very unhappy. Times are changing, and circumstances are constantly evolving. Shouldn't the navy be a little simpler these days?"

"What do you mean?"

Karl smiled faintly: "Literally, the Navy's purpose is not to clean up your dirty business. The Navy's job is only to deal with pirates and maintain peace on the seas."

"That's impossible. Breaking away from the World Government isn't that easy! Do you think you can convince us with just words?"

Karl pulled a Holy Grail from his pocket: "With this, can you convince me?"

The five elders remained silent.

Karl shook his head slightly and planted the raven in the ground: "Will this work?"

The five elders remained silent.

Karl laughed, pulled the raven from the ground, held up the St. John's wort in his hand, and said with a grin, "How about this, this, and myself? What do you guys think?"

The Five Elders remained silent. Carlton, feeling somewhat bored, put away the Saint Jade and the Raven, and said indifferently.

"That's the situation, that's how it is. You should think it over carefully!"

"Once Kuzan becomes the Fleet Admiral, he will come and talk to you personally. Besides, even without the Navy, you still have the Knights of God, right?"

Carl was about to turn and leave...

"Wait a moment!"

Carl turned back to look at the five old men with some surprise, but did not rush to speak.

"What you've said is not something we can't consider, but there are still many details to discuss. Let's wait until Kuzan takes office as Fleet Admiral before we discuss anything further. What do you think?"

Carl grinned. "Just what I wanted."

After saying that, Karl turned and left, but the smile disappeared from his face.

If the Five Elders were furious, he might be able to accept it a little, but their attitude made Karl a little strange.

After all, these five old men always liked to do shady things in secret, so it didn't seem normal for them to say something like that, which sounded like they were showing weakness, in the face of someone as tough as him.

Are they going to send out Im?

Karl: "Im... doesn't seem so scary."

At least in Karl's view, that should be the case; at most, they might be a bit stronger, but certainly not excessively so.