Luffy turned back to King Riku and continued, his tone calm but firm:
"You need to use your past reputation and credibility to explain to the surrounding kingdoms what has happened in Dressrosa over the years. Seek their support. Even request aid from the World Government if necessary."
He sighed, spreading his hands helplessly.
"You know, the Marines aren't a charity organization. I've already pushed the limits by mobilizing resources from nearby branches. If this keeps up, I'll have to answer to a military tribunal."
King Riku understood the difficulty of Luffy's position and deeply appreciated his efforts. But guilt and regret still weighed heavily on him.
"I can't forgive myself for what happened," King Riku said, his voice filled with sorrow. "I don't deserve to lead again."
Luffy shook his head, his patience thinning. "Think about the people of Dressrosa. They've endured enough. They need you to step up now more than ever."
Meanwhile, in Marineford, chaos erupted in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office.
"BANG!" Sengoku slammed his hand on his desk.
"That brat Luffy again!" he roared, pacing furiously. "Doesn't he know he needs my permission to mobilize branch resources?! Especially something as critical as reserve supplies!
"And don't even get me started on that Gion! Always off on some wild escapade with him, using her rank as an excuse to do whatever nonsense she pleases!"
His rant was interrupted by the sound of a teacup being placed gently on the table. Zephyr, seated leisurely on the sofa alongside Vice Admiral Tsuru, looked up from his newspaper.
"Calm down, Sengoku," Zephyr said with a faint smile. "At least that kid isn't an idiot who only thinks about women. He's doing something worthwhile."
Sengoku's face turned red with anger. "You're praising him?! That troublemaker is a Marine! He should know better than to bend the rules!"
Tsuru took a sip of her tea, her expression calm as ever. "Sengoku, what Luffy did wasn't wrong. He reported it to you afterward, didn't he? As for Gion, let her have her fun for now. Assign her a new task later if you must."
Sengoku picked up a document from his desk, holding it out dramatically. "Fun? Do you have any idea how much those supplies cost?! That was all funded by the World Government! If he'd told me earlier, I could've requested the funding myself!"
Zephyr and Tsuru exchanged knowing looks.
"That's what's bothering you?" they muttered in unison.
Despite his blustering, Sengoku's demeanor had noticeably softened over the past few months. Since his return from the G-2 branch, he had become less rigid and more prone to venting his frustrations in a way that bordered on endearing.
Tsuru studied him for a moment before speaking. "Let's set that aside for now. What are your thoughts on the Amazon Lily plan?"
Sengoku's expression grew thoughtful.
"The government wants to find promising girls from around the world, have them trained by the Kuja Warriors, and recruit them as soldiers. The idea is for Amazon Lily to eventually become a member nation of the World Government.
"It's not a bad plan on paper, but…" Sengoku trailed off, his brow furrowing. "There's something about it that feels off."
Tsuru nodded, her sharp gaze unwavering. "Little Luffy has ambitions that stretch far beyond what most people realize."
Sengoku scoffed. "Of course he does. That boy possesses Conqueror's Haki. Anyone with that kind of spirit is bound to aim high—far higher than the average Marine."
He slumped into his chair, staring at the words emblazoned on the scroll hanging on his wall: The Justice of the World.
"That brat's been eyeing this chair for a while now," Sengoku muttered. "And if those Kuja trainees grow into the force he's planning, it'll only be a matter of time before he's promoted.
"When that happens, he could use them as his trump card. Maybe, under his command, the Marines could finally bring justice the world."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Sengoku's voice softened, tinged with melancholy.
"I've chased this dream my entire career, yet it feels like Luffy might be the one to make it a reality."
Zephyr leaned back, his expression unreadable. "You don't sound as upset about that as you pretend to be."
Tsuru added quietly, "But don't get ahead of yourself, Sengoku. That kid has a long way to go before he's ready for this chair."
Her words hung in the air, their weight undeniable.
Sengoku didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at the scroll on the wall, a faint smile playing at his lips.
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