When Daren and the other three, led by a messenger, stepped into the highest conference room of the Fleet Admiral's residence, they were immediately met with dozens of sharp, piercing gazes.
Aside from Fleet Admiral Kong, who was away in Mary Geoise to report on affairs and request additional military funding, every Marine officer ranked Vice Admiral or higher from Headquarters was in attendance.
They sat around a massive oval conference table, each one dressed in a sharp black suit and draped in a broad Marine cloak, their expressions stern and unreadable. In front of each person lay a thin file—personnel dossiers for Daren, Sakazuki, and Borsalino. These files contained detailed records of their duties since enlisting, the commendations they'd earned, and notable incidents throughout their service.
This internal inquiry was focused squarely on the three of them.
Sakazuki and Borsalino needed no introduction. Both held the rank of Rear Admiral and were just a step away from being promoted to Vice Admiral. Their strength was beyond question. Even by the strictest standards, their accumulated military achievements already qualified them for promotion. The only reason it hadn't happened sooner was their age.
But after the recent Battle of Marineford—where the Headquarters' so-called "monsters" had stood face-to-face with the legendary pirate Shiki—both their reputations and accomplishments had peaked. Promoting them to Vice Admiral was now a matter of course.
Daren, though younger than Sakazuki and Borsalino, had played the most critical role in the war. His previous achievements alone were enough to warrant a promotion to Rear Admiral, but that had been delayed due to the incident involving Dragon. After this battle, his contributions had tipped the scale decisively.
The spacious room exuded authority. Flags of the World Government and the Marines' Justice Seagull hung on the walls, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and pressure.
Among the crowd, Daren recognized a few familiar faces—like Zephyr-sensei's former subordinates from the battle against Shiki—but he also noticed several unfamiliar figures. These people watched the three of them with looks of scrutiny, arrogance, and even thinly veiled disdain or mockery.
"If I'm not mistaken, these must be the ones holding real power in the Headquarters' Inspection Department..."
The thought crossed Daren's mind, and the corner of his mouth curled in mild amusement.
Beyond the combat units tasked with military operations, Marine Headquarters also included administrative, strategic advisory, and disciplinary inspection departments. These handled the Marines' internal affairs, facilitated command communication, and supported frontline missions. They weren't part of the combat ranks.
Among them, the Disciplinary Inspection Department stood out as unique.
Completely independent from other departments, it reported only to the Fleet Admiral. Its main responsibility was to oversee all Marine officers. If anyone acted beyond their authority, the department could issue warnings, push for impeachment, or even expel them from service.
It was, in essence, a "military within the military"—a self-regulating body for the Marines. Most of its members, however, were officials the World Government had embedded within the organization.
Daren was certain that if anyone were to oppose the three of them during this internal hearing, it would be one of those self-important officials who thrived on flexing power within their own ranks...
As the three entered, Admiral Sengoku, seated at the head of the table, looked up with a smile and said,
"Take your seats. No need to be nervous."
He gestured toward a long table placed in front of the main conference table, facing the gathered officers. It was set up on a raised platform, like a press conference podium, clearly arranged for the upcoming questioning.
As he spoke, he shot Daren and the others a look that said, "You brats better behave."
Sakazuki didn't hesitate. He was the first to step up onto the platform, taking the seat on the far left. Daren turned to Borsalino, who gave him a cheerful wave, motioning for him to go ahead. Daren smiled, didn't argue, and took the center seat. Borsalino followed last, settling into the spot on the far right.
The three now faced the high-ranking officers below. Some looked at them with warmth or encouragement, others with scrutiny or skepticism—each gaze different.
And then, in the middle of this serious, almost oppressive atmosphere...
All three of them did the exact same thing at the same time.
They crossed their legs.
Sengoku's smile froze in place.
Tsuru quietly covered her face in exasperation.
Zephyr's mouth twitched violently.
Garp perked up and pulled out a bag of rice crackers.
From his spot near the wall, Kuzan's eyes lit up. He murmured to himself, "So cool..."
The officers from the Marine Disciplinary Inspection Department frowned in unison, their gazes sharpening.
'So the rumors were true—these kids are just as arrogant as they say...'
'No manners at all...'
'Do they think our department can't handle them?'
The officials exchanged looks, similar thoughts flashing through their minds.
No one could deny that these three young Marines were exceptionally gifted. But the officials saw themselves as agents of the World Government—aloof, superior. To them, the so-called Marine "monsters" carried no real weight.
"Ahem... It seems our heroes who defended Marineford are still recovering from their wounds. They probably came straight from the hospital and must be tired," Sengoku said with a forced smile, trying to defuse the tension.
"Is that so? I feel completely recovered already," Borsalino replied with a grin as he took off his round black cap and lit a cigarette.
"Same here," Daren added with a bold smile. He lit a cigar without hesitation and passed another to Sakazuki.
"I'm ready to head out on a mission anytime," Sakazuki said coolly, placing the cigar in his mouth. The black leather glove on his hand emitted a burst of heat that instantly lit it.
The three sat there, smoking casually, looking down at the officers below as an ominous pressure subtly emanated from their presence. Discover more novels at NoveI(F)ire.net
The officials from the Inspection Department stiffened. They turned sharply toward Sengoku and Zephyr, their eyes filled with displeasure.
Sengoku opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Zephyr's mouth twitched. He turned his head away.
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