Chapter 97: Admiral-Level Authority! Target: Impel Down!
"The sea has been turned upside down because of you, Black Judge."
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku put down the newspaper and spoke with emotion.
"Glug, glug... Hah! I'm alive! 'Upside down' is a bit of an exaggeration, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you can just call me Roy."
"And 'Black Judge' sounds kind of embarrassing."
In front of him, Roy downed a bottle of ice-cold cola in one go and exhaled deeply.
"Also, can you cancel those interviews and stuff for me? It feels more exhausting than fighting Teacher Zephyr."
He scratched his head.
"...If you stop chugging drinks in my office, I might consider it."
Sengoku's forehead twitched.
First the old one, now the young one—why did they treat his office like the official Marine cafeteria?
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
Roy apologized while casually handing the empty bottle to the goat that wandered over—Sengoku's pet.
"...Don't feed it that!"
After the usual unprofessional banter, Roy looked at Sengoku. "So... Fleet Admiral Sengoku, why did you call me here?"
"It's about Zephyr."
Sengoku didn't beat around the bush.
"Teacher Zephyr? Didn't he already leave with Binz and the others to form the Pirate Suppression Unit?"
Roy was surprised.
Shortly after the Tri-Force Demonstration, Zephyr, after a brief rest, had decisively installed the newly tested and reportedly better 'Crusher' arm—much to the doctors' despair—and left the Marines as he said he would.
"You brat—go do your own thing. Men don't need send-offs."
The old man was as free-spirited as ever.
Of course, Ain and Binz left Roy a special Transponder Snail for emergencies or intel sharing.
"Exactly. But before leaving, he left something for you."
Sengoku said deeply.
"Something? What?"
Roy frowned, curious.
" Specifically, it's a set of authority."
Sengoku said softly, picking up a document and handing it to Roy.
Roy took the document. A cursory glance made his expression change.
"This is..."
Even he was truly surprised.
Sengoku explained gravely.
"Years ago, Zephyr's family was killed by pirates, leading to his retirement from the front lines."
"That incident was entirely due to the Government's failure."
His voice turned cold.
Wasn't it?
The family of a Marine Admiral should naturally receive the utmost protection from the World Government and the Marines.
Yet Zephyr's wife and son were killed. No matter the explanation, the Government bore undeniable responsibility.
"Commander-in-Chief Kong felt extremely guilty. He specially applied for the World Government to allow Zephyr to permanently retain his Admiral rank and a unique set of authority, which remains valid to this day."
Sengoku pointed to the document. "And now, since the Pirate Suppression Unit Zephyr is forming is a 'Covert Unit' (SWORD-like), he applied to Commander-in-Chief Kong and me to transfer this authority to you."
He sighed with emotion.
"The authority includes many parts—unrestricted passage in World Government-controlled waters, full authority over Zephyr's training base, temporary command and mobilization rights over most Marine branches, discretion to leave port for missions without reporting to Headquarters (only needing a subsequent report), management and expansion rights for your own unit, and coordination and intelligence access rights with major World Government subordinate agencies and the military..."
As Sengoku listed them, Roy read the document, shocked.
He knew Sengoku wasn't exaggerating. According to the document, he gained incredible authority.
In summary...
"Except for the authority to initiate a Buster Call, this is almost equivalent to a full Admiral."
Yes—only the Admirals, the highest power of the Marines, had such high authority.
"Teacher Zephyr..."
Roy could almost hear Zephyr's voice in his ear.
"Kid—you've graduated."
"Inherit everything I have, and do what you want to do!"
Roy grinned.
"The old man really trusts me."
...
A while later, after signing the documents and leaving the office, Roy returned to the Detention Unit headquarters.
"I think Smoker is about to be discharged. Should I invite him and Hina for a party?"
It was already dark. Roy pondered as he walked.
That cigar-man had injured himself by headbutting Roy's fist just to dodge the bill last time. Truly despicable—Roy couldn't let that slide. He had to eat his fill before Smoker left for Loguetown!
But as Roy harbored such inhumane thoughts...
"One! Two! One! Two!"
Passing the Detention Unit training ground, he surprisingly heard rhythmic footsteps and shouting.
He paused, then quietly approached the fence.
The next moment, his eyes widened.
"Is it haunted?"
The training ground, usually empty at night, was full of people.
The soldiers of the Detention Unit were running in formation.
And most ridiculously, leading the formation of the 'Black Loyalty' were Fal and Hans.
"Hah... hah... hah... Brothers!"
Their stamina was clearly depleted, sweat pouring down, footsteps stumbling.
But Fal shouted, "Ten more laps!"
Beside him, Hans roared, "That bastard Roy is already an Admiral Candidate! If we stay like this, he'll definitely laugh at us when he has time!"
"We... are the direct subordinates of an Admiral Candidate!"
His eyes were bloodshot.
"Ten laps isn't enough! Twenty more!"
"OOOHHH!!!" (xN)
The unified roar and passionate atmosphere left Roy stunned.
"Those two... is it necessary?"
He shook his head with a laugh.
Just then...
"Why isn't it necessary?"
He heard a voice behind him.
Roy wasn't surprised. He turned to see Vice Admiral Viroth, holding a skewer of meatballs, smiling happily.
The Vice Admiral looked at the soldiers training on the distant field.
Even after managing the Detention Unit for years, this was the first time he had seen the soldiers like this.
And he knew the reason.
"Who told you to become a monster so quietly?"
"They... just don't want to be left too far behind. After all, you are their 'Boss'."
Viroth smiled at the young man.
This was the power of a banner.
Running toward a banner they admire, people can unleash power far beyond their past selves.
Even Viroth felt the same.
He had long believed Roy would be outstanding and eventually lead the Detention Unit, maybe even change it.
But in his plan, that would take decades.
He hadn't expected Roy to be outstanding to this extent.
"Good job, kid."
Hearing this, Roy looked at the superior who had taken care of him for years. "Thank you for the praise."
Viroth said no more, just beckoned him. "In that case, let's go."
"Go?"
Roy paused. "Where?"
"Didn't I tell you? After the Tri-Force Demonstration, I'm retiring."
Viroth smiled. "I've already submitted my report to Sengoku. The position of Detention Unit Commander will be transferred to you. But before that... I have to take you for the final handover."
Roy was stunned.
He was surprised by Viroth's decisive retirement, but thinking about it, it fit the old man's personality.
A moment later, he realized the meaning behind 'handover.'
Handover work?
Clearly—for Roy, who had been in the Detention Unit for years, he knew most internal affairs inside out.
So, the only answer was...
"Let's go."
Viroth smiled. "We're going to Impel Down."
☆☆☆
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