The tall figure almost completely blocked everything behind the doorway. Around his broad neck, thick veins bulged clearly like coiling dragons.
A section of his full, rock-hard chest muscles was exposed, while the Marine uniform on his body looked as thin as paper, as though it would burst apart the moment he flexed.
He had a neat crew cut and a face that looked as though it had been carved by knives and axes, firm, resolute, and sharply defined.
Some people revealed confused expressions, while others' pupils trembled violently, recognizing the man who had suddenly spoken almost instantly.
"Kojin!!"
"Vice Admiral Kojin!"
"Why are you here?"
In an instant, cries of shock rang throughout the conference room. Some came from Sengoku's side, while others came from behind Jabbaal.
Some people were so stunned that they unconsciously stood up.
Kong turned his head, and when he saw Kojin, confusion appeared in his eyes as his brows furrowed even deeper.
Garp, who had been sprawled over the table snoring loudly, suddenly opened his eyes and burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha! You brat finally showed up!"
"I'll leave the rest to you. These people are driving me crazy!"
A smile appeared on Sengoku's face as he looked at Kojin and nodded, before glaring at his old friend again.
"What exactly has your presence here accomplished?"
Tsuru gave a slight nod, the corners of her lips curving faintly upward.
Zephyr stared seriously at Kojin, seemingly lost in thought.
Under everyone's gaze, Kojin walked toward the conference table.
"Vice Admiral Kojin, please sit here!"
Very quickly, a man seated near the front stood up respectfully.
The man also bore the rank of Vice Admiral on his shoulders. He looked somewhat younger, with dark skin and a muscular physique. His name seemed to be Maynard.
"No need to be so polite. I'll sit here instead."
Kojin smiled and nodded, pulling out a seat farther back before slowly sitting down.
Then, he swept his gaze across the room.
Not far away, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Sakazuki were all seated there. When they saw him, complicated and puzzled expressions appeared on their faces simultaneously.
Across from him, the Vice Admiral named Jabbaal already had a gloomy look on his face.
As for the others, some looked solemn, while others became excited and emotional upon seeing him.
After taking in everyone's reactions, Kojin finally spoke calmly.
"Before coming here, I already heard that all of you have been endlessly arguing over the candidate for the next Marine Fleet Admiral."
A mocking smile appeared on his face.
"How ridiculous."
Those words immediately caused the people on Sengoku's side to nod unconsciously. Even several people seated toward the back of Jabbaal's side nodded excitedly.
The young officers from back then had all grown over the past decade. They had long since transformed, some becoming the backbone of the new generation and rising to the rank of Vice Admiral.
Clearly, both sides had die-hard fans of Kojin.
Ordinary young Marines and officers might not know Kojin, but that certainly did not include those who had risen to Vice Admiral rank.
Many of the high-ranking officers had once been passionate youths who idolized Kojin and regarded him as their goal.
Now that their idol had appeared once again, one could easily imagine how excited they felt.
"What kind of person is Jabbaal?"
"If just any fellow transferred from the Army has the qualifications to compete for the position of Fleet Admiral…"
"Then can I also interpret that as meaning I, Kojin, possess the same qualifications?"
His words rang out powerfully, causing the expressions of everyone present to shift slightly.
Kong first frowned, then shook his head with a faint chuckle.
Sengoku and the others also revealed smiles.
But very soon, unexpected shouts rang out.
"I support Vice Admiral Kojin!!"
"I support him too!"
"If Vice Admiral Kojin wants to compete for the Fleet Admiral position, I'll support him with everything I have!"
For a moment, a third faction competing for the Fleet Admiral seat actually emerged within the conference room.
Kojin blinked in astonishment.
He looked at Maynard, who had first offered him a seat, then glanced at several Vice Admirals sitting opposite him before raising both hands slightly.
"Everyone, calm down."
"I don't currently have any intention of doing that."
Hearing this, the few men revealed regretful expressions.
If Senior Officer Kojin truly intended to compete for the Fleet Admiral position, a storm would undoubtedly sweep through the Marines, especially among the admiral-grade officers and junior-ranked Marines.
"I support Admiral Sengoku! For decades, his contributions to the Marines and his efforts to maintain world peace, his hard work, struggle, sweat, and blood, have all been witnessed by everyone! As for you, Jabbaal, I advise you to know your place. I don't care who's backing you, but the Fleet Admiral position has nothing to do with you." Kojin spoke indifferently.
"Kojin! This is Marine Headquarters. Watch your words and behavior!" Kong shouted sternly.
There was no doubt that Kojin's words had been extremely arrogant, one could even say completely impolite.
Jabbaal's expression looked ugly, but when faced with Kojin's icy gaze, he felt a trace of fear.
He had naturally heard all sorts of rumors about the man long ago. No one knew what this guy might do.
Back in Mary Geoise, he had even dared to confront those five head-on.
Moreover, the moment he sat down here, the younger officers within Jabbaal's own camp immediately began supporting him.
Their utterly decisive betrayal filled Jabbaal's heart with indescribable feelings.
Without question, Kojin's prestige within the Marines far exceeded everyone's imagination.
"And this is after his influence was deliberately downplayed for ten years."
"If he had remained stationed at Marineford during those ten years, it's hard to imagine what level this monster would have reached."
Jabbaal sighed inwardly.
He knew very well that Sengoku had found a powerful supporter. With Kojin present, the outcome was practically beyond doubt.
Compared to Garp, who spent every day taking leave, and Zephyr, who was nearing retirement, the prestige of the three Monster Vice Admirals and Kojin within the Marines in recent years was undoubtedly far greater.
However, by dragging this matter out for so long, Jabbaal had already achieved his goal.
"Perhaps Admiral Sengoku truly is more qualified than me to become the Marine Fleet Admiral."
Jabbaal sighed and spoke with a smile.
Kong was slightly startled, but quickly nodded.
"Then this matter is settled as such!"
"Sengoku will officially succeed the position of Fleet Admiral three days from now!"
Such a decisive announcement surprised everyone present.
But Sengoku understood clearly that the matter had only needed one final, powerful push to reach a conclusion.
Kong was also anxious, as he needed to assume the position of Commander-in-Chief of the entire military.
The real issue had always been the World Government.
The meeting soon dispersed.
At Sengoku's signal, Kojin followed him into his office.
"Sit."
Pointing at the sofa, Sengoku dropped heavily into his chair and let out a long sigh.
"Jabbaal is merely a puppet."
"The World Government are the true masterminds behind this. Without a doubt, they've already become dissatisfied with my attitude."
"But unfortunately for them, during this period, they couldn't find a suitable replacement for me."
A mocking smile appeared on Sengoku's face.
Hearing this, Kojin narrowed his eyes slightly.
From those simple words, he sensed a deeper meaning.
The Fleet Admiral-to-be before him had perhaps already begun drifting away from the World Government, showing signs of separation.
"Your arrival played a crucial role today."
"Only a portion of the Vice Admirals attended that meeting. There are still many others."
"And among the younger generation of Vice Admirals, many are your admirers."
Sengoku spoke with emotion.
After pausing briefly, he smiled again.
"There won't be any more surprises regarding the Fleet Admiral position."
"So now, let's get to the real topic."
His eyes sharpened, turning serious and piercing.
"Unfortunately, perhaps because of the influence of your battle at Ohara, the justice in my heart began to waver."
"For all these years, every single day, I've been recalling that day, searching for the true justice within my heart."
"I entered a long period of confusion."
"Even now, although the doubts in my heart continue to grow, I still haven't found an answer."
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku stared directly at Kojin.
"But without question, the justice I once insisted upon had serious problems."
"So, I've decided to change!"
"To change this rotten Marine institution and truly guide this giant onto the path of justice."
"And because of that, I need even greater strength."
"And even more, I need your help!"
His words shook the air and echoed throughout the office.
Kojin was somewhat stunned and surprised.
He had never expected that Sengoku had been subtly influenced by him over time.
Thinking back to Sengoku's stance during the events at Mary Geoise, as well as the series of actions he had taken recently, they were vastly different from the original Sengoku.
Just as the World Government had judged, Sengoku had indeed embarked on a path completely opposed to theirs.
And it was obvious that this new Marine Fleet Admiral genuinely wished to bring change.
"Naturally, this kind of thing will require a very long time."
"But if my time isn't enough, then you'll continue it."
"One day, we will change this world!"
Sengoku sighed, his eyes shining brightly.
Everyone should have something they strive for. He had spent his entire life as a Marine, and now that he was about to assume the office of Fleet Admiral, he naturally wanted to accomplish something great during his tenure.
"I completely agree with your words."
"And I'm honored to become comrades with Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Kojin smiled and nodded.
The seriousness on Sengoku's face faded, replaced by a smile.
The next second, he stood and extended his hand.
Kojin did the same.
The two large hands clasped tightly together.
Within a vast and deserted forest, Sakazuki sat quietly alone.
"Buru Buru Buru…"
The Den Den Mushi in his arms had been ringing for quite some time.
Yet he acted as though he hadn't heard it at all, remaining completely unmoved.
Finally, the Den Den Mushi stopped ringing.
But after only about ten seconds, it began trembling again.
Expressionless, Sakazuki took out the Den Den Mushi, placed it before him, and answered the call.
"Retreating and avoiding the issue will not allow you to move forward, Akainu!"
A deep voice came from the other end.
"Do you intend to spend your entire life running from that man? Admitting that miserable defeat of yours?"
As the words entered his ears, Sakazuki's eyes turned colder.
"Compared to your Absolute Justice, his justice is undoubtedly a misguided path!"
"That kind of justice should be eradicated!"
"And this is your only chance!"
"Otherwise, ten years, twenty years from now, when he becomes the new Marine Fleet Admiral, your dreams and ambitions will instantly turn to nothing."
"You will become a complete and utter loser!"
Sakazuki's expression became increasingly ugly. Scorching magma began bubbling from his body with gurgling sounds.
"Time. Place."
Very quickly, a short reply came from the other side of the Den Den Mushi.
Sakazuki silently memorized it, then stood up and vanished from the area.
(End of Chapter)
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