At this moment, it wasn't just Yamakaji; the other Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals nearby were also discussing among themselves.
"Being appointed a Vice Admiral at Headquarters… his abilities aren't in question, but he's far too young."
"No, what's needed is someone whose power can intimidate pirates. Age doesn't matter. Since Roya can defeat Momonga, he's qualified to serve as a Headquarters Vice Admiral."
The opinions among the Vice Admirals varied.
A special promotion to Headquarters Vice Admiral wasn't a small matter. Even Sengoku hesitated to make such a decision lightly.
In the original history, there were instances where two Marine Admirals, Fujitora and Aramaki, were promoted exceptionally from the world draft system—but that was during a special period when the Marine Headquarters was severely understaffed and needed strong combat power.
At present, the Marine Headquarters already had all three Admiral positions filled, with plenty of Vice Admiral positions available.
"Since he's broken records and achieved perfection in all areas, perhaps we can give him a chance," Zephyr suddenly said from the side.
Zephyr's words carried more weight than the other Vice Admirals, and Sengoku's internal scale began to tilt.
Though Garp said nothing, Sengoku knew that he also wanted his nephew Roya to hold an important position directly in the Marines.
Considering both Garp and Zephyr, Sengoku gradually made up his mind.
But almost at that moment…
A low, stern voice sounded from the other side of Sengoku.
"Impossible."
The speaker was Admiral Akainu, who had not said much since observing the third stage graduation of the elite camp.
Akainu's deep voice swept over Roya in the distance as he said to Sengoku: "The post of Headquarters Vice Admiral is no child's play. It cannot be granted so easily. Has Fleet Admiral Sengoku forgotten about Dragon?"
As soon as Dragon's name was mentioned, the atmosphere immediately grew heavy. Clearly, this wasn't a topic for casual discussion. Garp's smile stiffened, and his expression darkened.
Monkey D. Dragon.
He was Garp's son and Roya's cousin, now the leader of the Revolutionary Army attempting to overthrow 800 years of World Government rule, and labeled by the World Government as the most dangerous criminal in the world.
This was an extremely serious matter. If not for Garp being a Marine hero with deep connections to Admiral Sengoku and others, anyone related to Dragon would be treated as a criminal and imprisoned or executed—including Roya.
Just as those connected to Pirate King Roger were nearly all executed, Ace was born Roger's son and thus defined as a criminal from birth.
Because of Garp's existence, the World Government did not handle Dragon's case as extremely as they did Roger's, but they did issue a media blackout. Only officers at Vice Admiral level or higher could know Dragon was Garp's son.
Almost everyone present was a Vice Admiral, with the exception of Roya. But Roya was Garp's nephew and a central figure in this matter.
Sengoku's expression immediately became solemn.
The Headquarters Vice Admirals glanced at Garp, then at Akainu. Some swallowed nervously; in a "battle of supreme," it was wiser not to interfere.
"In that case… grant Roya the rank of Rear Admiral at Headquarters."
Sengoku paused, rejecting his earlier plan. Though he did not lower Roya to a lower officer rank, he only gave him the Rear Admiral rank, like Aokiji and Kizaru in the past.
"Rear Admiral?"
Akainu's brow furrowed. In his view, Roya was an unstable element; even appointing him a flag officer (rear admiral to admiral) could be risky. If he ever defected, it would greatly damage the Marines' reputation.
Moreover, Roya was Garp's nephew—a direct connection to the Marines' reputation and honor.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, such an unstable element—"
"That's enough, Sakazuki!"
Garp glared coldly at Akainu.
Akainu's real name was Sakazuki; Akainu was his Marine code name. Aokiji's real name was Kuzan, and Kizaru's was Borsalino. High-ranking Marines typically addressed the three Admirals by their real names.
Akainu was silenced by Garp's reprimand. He met Garp's gaze impassively. Though Garp was a Marine hero, his impulsive, sometimes law-defying personality had long annoyed Akainu.
Moreover, Garp's son Dragon had joined the Revolutionary Army, becoming the World Government's top criminal—an extreme irony for a Marine hero.
Garp was furious but had no words. Dragon's actions were a stain on his Marine career, undeniable and irrefutable.
Aokiji, Kizaru, and Zephyr all remained silent, frowning. Sengoku looked at Garp and Akainu with a troubled expression.
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.
It was Roya.
Roya had quietly approached. He looked at Garp, whose fists were clenched but who seemed unsure what to say, then at Akainu. He lightly laughed and uttered a single, profound sound:
"Heh."
That light laugh felt oddly strange to everyone present.
All eyes focused on Roya. The previously tense atmosphere shifted, replaced by an indescribable strangeness.
"Hm?"
Akainu frowned at Roya. He instinctively felt that this "heh" was not friendly and prepared to scold him.
But Roya had already turned and walked off into the distance, saying nothing further. It was as if everything he needed to express was contained in that single "heh."
To Roya, Dragon was Dragon; he was he. Marines, pirates, revolutionary armies, or none of these—it didn't matter. He never cared about allegiances; his stance was his own heart, free and unbound.
Yet, Akainu's words had changed Roya's thoughts.
If Akainu assumed he would defect from the Marines, then he would deliberately not leave—and not only would he stay, he would aim to become an Admiral and take Akainu's position!
Within the Marine Headquarters system, there are three Admiral positions. To become an Admiral, there are two ways:
1. An Admiral position is vacant and the World Government appoints someone.
2. Accumulate 200,000 military
achievements and challenge a serving Admiral. If victorious, you replace them.
[Note: There could only be three admirals at any given time]
In history, Aokiji and Akainu dueled for the Fleet Admiral position. Similarly, one could become an Admiral through a duel, though such instances were extremely rare.
If a serving Admiral is defeated, their position is replaced. The defeated Admiral would be reassigned to advisory or staff roles or could voluntarily retire.
"I wonder how long this Admiral position will last, Akainu…"
Roya smiled wryly and strode away without looking back.
---
Once Roya had walked far enough,
"Granting Roya the Rear Admiral rank—so it is decided. There will be no changes."
Sengoku watched Roya's retreating figure, took a deep breath, and spoke with unquestionable authority, then glanced at Akainu and Garp before turning away.
Akainu frowned, still dissatisfied, but Sengoku's decision was clear; he could not argue further.
As for Roya's previously displayed hostility, Akainu didn't care.
Roya's talent was extraordinary; he seemed to have the potential to surpass Admirals. Yet he hadn't grown to that level yet, and his strong ability happened to be flames.
To Akainu, Roya's flames were unusual but nothing compared to his magma. The only real threat was Roya's swordsmanship.
But…
He was an Admiral, the Marine Headquarters' top combat force. He knew his own strength well and was supremely confident. Even if Roya's swordsmanship rivaled the world's top swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, so what?
No simple effort could intimidate or defeat him; if he feared that, he wouldn't be an Admiral anymore.