The promotion ceremony for the Navy's three Admirals was both simple and solemn.
First, Fleet Admiral Sengoku read out Sakazuki's history since joining the Navy, including his achievements after enlistment, his graduation results from the naval academy, the pirates he had captured, and the major missions he had carried out.
Next, an attendant of the Five Elders stepped forward to read the appointment decree issued by the highest authority of the World Government, officially promoting Sakazuki and the other two to the positions of the Navy's highest combat power, the Three Admirals.
Finally, the Fleet Admiral personally bestowed upon them the Admiral medals, the insignia of the Navy's supreme combat strength, the Buster Call Den Den Mushi, and a series of privileges and authority befitting their rank.
Throughout the ceremony, the journalists invited to observe never stopped recording. The Den Den Mushi cameras in their hands snapped frantically, capturing photos and footage of the three Admirals being decorated.
"The simultaneous promotion of the Navy's three Admirals, this is a once-in-a-lifetime headline. What a pity it's not an exclusive. If only it were exclusive!" Big News Morgans said as he kept shooting.
At the end, the three Admirals stepped forward one by one to deliver their speeches, swearing to strike down evil on the seas, uphold their own sense of justice, and wipe out all pirates.
After the Admirals finished their speeches, the promotion ceremony finally came to a formal close.
By then, Rosinante was already feeling drowsy, stifling yawn after yawn.
Suddenly, he noticed that all eyes around him had turned in his direction.
With a puzzled look, Rosinante raised his head and looked toward the ceremony plaza, only to see Sakazuki staring at him coldly.
"What, Dragon King Rosinante? Are you afraid to accept my challenge?" Sakazuki said, his gaze fixed on Rosinante.
So it's starting.
A faint light flashed in Rosinante's eyes as he smiled.
Earlier, during Sakazuki's speech, he had spoken with extreme severity, vowing to show no mercy to pirates on the seas. He even declared that as long as someone was wanted, he would not hesitate to act, even if they were members of a Yonko crew. In the end, he directly issued a challenge to Rosinante.
"I was honestly getting a bit sleepy listening just now. Finally, something interesting is happening," Rosinante said lazily, leaning back against the armrest of his grand chair, propping his chin up with one hand as he smiled. "Are you saying you want to challenge me, Sakazuki? You've just become an Admiral and you're already planning to throw me into Impel Down? Or was this whole thing planned by the Navy from the start, inviting me here specifically to deal with me? If so, why don't you all come at me together? You alone, a defeated subordinate of mine, don't really interest me."
"Rosinante!"
Hearing this, Sakazuki roared in fury. His clenched fist instantly turned into molten magma, his rage so intense it looked as if he might attack at any second.
"Is the Navy planning to arrest Dragon King Rosinante here?"
"How is that possible? At an Admiral promotion ceremony?"
"Could this be a Navy trap? If that's the case, why were we invited to attend? What if fighting breaks out and we get caught in it?"
"Does the Navy really have no regard for our safety at all?"
Leaders from various industries whispered in shock. Many nobles from different nations turned pale with fear.
"This trip was really worth it. Such a massive scoop," Big News Morgans said excitedly. "A Navy Admiral challenging one of the Yonko, Dragon King Rosinante. I wonder which side is stronger?"
"The Navy is a righteous military force," Sengoku stepped forward and said calmly. "Even when arresting pirates, we do so openly, not through schemes. Sakazuki merely believes that as a Navy Admiral, he must be capable of facing the majority of pirates on the seas. And you, Dragon King, stand at the pinnacle of piracy. Sakazuki wants to see whether he can withstand the power of the strongest pirate on the seas. If the Dragon King feels that a Navy Admiral is unqualified to fight you, you are free to refuse."
Hearing Sengoku's words, Rosinante could not help rolling his eyes.
At this point, did he really still have a choice?
If he refused under such circumstances, in front of so many eyes, where would his face go?
And even if he clearly refused, Sakazuki could still claim that Rosinante looked down on him and on the Navy Admirals. Given Sakazuki's temperament, it would not be surprising at all if he attacked anyway. Afterwards, no one would criticize Sakazuki, since it would be Rosinante who had first disrespected the Navy's highest combat power.
So the moment Sengoku spoke those words, there was no longer a choice between fighting or not.
At that moment, Rosinante let out a cold laugh.
"Battles are always accompanied by casualties. And provoking an Emperor means paying the price of death. I wonder if the Navy has prepared to select a new Admiral tomorrow?"
"With the strength of a Yonko like the Dragon King, dealing with a newly promoted Admiral should still be within your ability to hold back," Sengoku said calmly. "And even if you cannot, Garp and I are right here. We won't let things escalate beyond control."
In other words, if Sakazuki's life was in danger, Garp and Sengoku would intervene at any moment.
So Rosinante was not allowed to deliver a killing blow. Otherwise, it would "damage relations." And once relations were damaged, it would not be impossible for the entire Navy to swarm him.
"Interesting," Rosinante said with a cold smile. "You've covered both the black and white sides of the argument, Navy style. Sengoku, you're far better at being Fleet Admiral than that old man Kong ever was. I just hope this Admiral won't be too disappointing. Otherwise, even with the two of you present, you won't be able to change his ending."
As he spoke, Rosinante stepped forward.
With that single step, an overwhelming pressure that caused the heavens and earth to shift surged out from his body, pressing straight down toward Sakazuki.