The outcome took Sengoku, Tsuru, and the others by surprise. Usually, in hearings for Vice Admiral promotions, there would be at least a few dissenting votes just to keep up the appearance of "fairness" and "impartiality."
But clearly, no one dared to oppose a madman like Sakazuki.
Especially after the way he stared at the World Government officials in the audience—there was genuine killing intent in his eyes, and it was no bluff.
"Next... we will begin the review and questioning for the promotion of Rear Admiral Borsalino to Vice Admiral. If anyone has questions, feel free to speak up."
Tsuru pressed on with the meeting, her expression stern as she picked up another file.
"Rear Admiral Borsalino hails from the North Blue. He has served both there and at Marine Headquarters. He was part of the first graduating class from the Marine Officer Training Camp and, as the top of his class, was assigned as an adjutant to Admiral Sengoku upon graduation."
"In addition, Rear Admiral Borsalino leads the Marine Special Science Group, which has helped develop many valuable technologies and weapons for the Marines."
"He's always been serious and responsible in his duties. To date, he's completed 513 missions and captured a total of 16,309 pirates."
As Tsuru finished, the audience of Marine officers turned their attention to the man at the inquiry table—a young man with sunglasses, stubble on his chin, and a faint, unreadable smile on his face.
Then came the collective reaction from the World Government officials...
"This guy just looks sleazy..."
"More like a pirate than a Marine..."
"That smug grin... it's so punchable."
"This is the top graduate of the first training camp?"
"Suddenly, that kid Sakazuki doesn't seem so bad..."
"At least Sakazuki looks like a soldier..."
Countless thoughts flashed through their minds as they eyed Borsalino's lazy, cigarette-smoking street punk demeanor. Their frowns only deepened.
The Inspectorate officers flipped through his file. Soon, the first question came.
"Rear Admiral Borsalino, your mission records show that in nearly every operation, you failed to kill the pirates. There are even instances where you let them escape... Can you explain why?"
At that, Daren's expression turned subtly amused.
Borsalino spread his hands with a helpless look.
"I really did try, you know. But today's pirates... they're downright terrifying. Strong as monsters, every last one of them."
Hey, come on, that's a little too half-hearted, isn't it?
Seeing that yellow monkey acting like he couldn't care less, the World Government officials finally snapped. After enduring Sakazuki's intensity, they were itching to take it out on Borsalino.
"Rear Admiral Borsalino, we have a few questions for you regarding the Marine Special Science Group you oversee." Check latest chapters at novèlfire.net
One of the chubby, big-eared officials finally spoke, smirking coldly. He seemed well-prepared.
He signaled to a subordinate, who activated a Den Den Mushi, and soon a series of images began to play before everyone.
The official pointed to the first image—it showed a flashlight.
"I'd like to know—what exactly does this flashlight do?"
Borsalino glanced at it, and his expression gradually turned serious.
"It's a remarkable flashlight."
"It absorbs light as energy and then uses it to illuminate."
"It lights up... where there's light."
The official responded coldly,
"And what about where there isn't any light?"
Borsalino's face took on the serious, professional demeanor of a scientist as he answered with a straight face,
"It absolutely won't light up!"
Sengoku and the others covered their faces in exasperation.
The official's mouth twitched before he slammed the table in fury.
"Rear Admiral Borsalino! Is this how the Special Science Group under your leadership uses the research funds allocated by the government?!"
"According to the records, just this so-called flashlight alone cost 150 million Belly in development!"
The entire room gasped.
That was a staggering sum—enough to build two warships!
If spent on military gear, it could fully outfit an elite unit of a thousand Marines.
And with that much money, Borsalino's Special Science Group had produced... a flashlight that doesn't work in the dark?
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The Inspectorate officials stared at Borsalino, convinced they'd found a fatal flaw in his defense.
But Borsalino just smiled and said cheerfully, "It's actually a truly groundbreaking invention..."
"You're joking, right?"
Borsalino suddenly raised a hand.
A brilliant golden glow began to gather at his index finger, radiating a lethal aura that locked directly onto the World Government official.
The man froze, cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.
"Wh-What are you trying to do?"
He knew full well how terrifying Borsalino's Devil Fruit power was—one casual flick could burn right through him.
With a half-smile, Borsalino said,
"The real innovation behind this invention is the energy conversion mechanism it's built on."
As the official sat there sweating bullets, Borsalino slowly withdrew his finger with a grin.
"...the Marine Special Science Group has begun to develop an automatic energy charging system for laser weapons."
Silence fell over the room.
The officials had nothing to say.
The energy supply problem had always been the greatest hurdle in deploying laser weapons. If what Borsalino said was true, it meant these weapons might actually become viable on the battlefield.
That would be a major technological breakthrough.
In that light, spending 150 million Belly on developing the flashlight... suddenly seemed like a brilliant investment.
"Then... let's proceed with the vote," Sengoku said immediately, seizing the moment.
The Inspectorate officials glanced around at each other, then all raised their hands in agreement.
While they were still voting, Daren leaned in close to Borsalino and whispered,
"So... can that tech really be put into use?"
Charging a flashlight and charging a laser cannon weren't even in the same league. The bureaucrats from the World Government might be clueless, but Daren knew exactly how hard that was.
"Who knows... Maybe in twenty years, when the tech's fully developed, it might actually work."
He gave a thumbs-up, resisting the urge to yell "Nice!"
"Next is Commodore Daren's hearing."
With Tsuru's voice signaling the final round of the meeting, everyone in the room immediately straightened up.
At the back of the room, Kuzan waved his arms excitedly and shouted,
"Go get 'em, Daren!!"