Sabaody Archipelago, 66GR Marine Base.
After George and Mike exchanged subtle glances, they stepped forward and gave a respectful military salute.
"Admiral Issho, Lord, Vice Admiral Taro is indeed at Fish-Man Island. We just received a reply; he is already on his way back!"
The new Admiral, codenamed "Fujitora," Issho, leaned on his cane sword with a gentle smile.
"Rear Admiral George, Lord, Brigadier General Mike, Lord, there is no need to be so formal!"
"Although I was suddenly promoted to Admiral, in the end, I am still a newcomer to the Marines."
"Besides, you are currently Sherman's superiors, and I have a personal friendship with Chief Staff Officer Zhou Ze. You don't need to act like this!"
Saying this, he stood up and walked out with slow steps.
"Go about your business. My official duty on this trip was to announce the Marineford order regarding the promotion of all Marine Soldiers by one rank. That matter is settled. Seeing the Great Staff Officer is only for personal business; you don't need to follow!"
George felt it was strange and thought Fujitora was hiding something.
Logically, why would an Admiral need to personally announce such an order from Marineford?
Just as he was about to speak, Mike pulled him from the side and shook his head slightly, signaling George not to say more.
George was stunned for a moment and stepped aside to clear the way.
Once Fujitora left, George impatiently asked Mike.
"Admiral Issho's words were clearly perfunctory. Why did you...?"
Mike raised his eyebrows, having a headache over his old partner's stubbornness.
"George, since you know it's perfunctory, why bother asking further? What were you thinking?"
"This promotion was a decision made even before the World Conscription. However, our Vice Admiral is the Great Staff Officer. Don't you think it's even more suspicious that Fleet Admiral Sakazuki made the decision by bypassing our Vice Admiral?"
George's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. After thinking for a while.
"Are you saying that Admiral Issho only used this as an excuse, and his main purpose is to see our Vice Admiral?"
"Did something happen at Marineford?"
Mike nodded with a solemn expression, "Exactly!"
Then, he urged, "Let's go. Contact some old acquaintances and find out what exactly happened!"
Offshore.
A giant sea beast pulled the dragon turtle ship to the surface.
Taro smiled at Shark Star and Shirahoshi, who had given him a ride.
"Thanks! In a while, when I'm free, I'll invite you over as guests!"
"Also, regarding the establishment of a settlement in Small Garden, I have already instructed G4 Base. You can send people to inspect that island anytime!"
Shark Star nodded solemnly, "Once we select suitable candidates, we will go immediately!"
Shirahoshi looked sad at the parting.
"Lord Taro, we just met... and you're already...!"
Taro jumped onto Shirahoshi's shoulder and whispered in her ear.
"In a while, Vivi and I will invite you to see the desert scenery, okay?"
Shirahoshi's expression froze, then turned into pleasant surprise.
"Really? Lord Taro!"
She turned her head, trying to see Taro.
Taro laughed loudly and jumped down from her shoulder.
"Of course it's true!"
Then, he waved goodbye, "Wait for my good news once I'm done with this busy period!"
Shirahoshi curled her massive fish tail, lowered her body, and nodded vigorously.
"Mm-hmm!"
Taro then lightly tapped his feet and flew into the air... "Mr. Issho, why is it you?"
On the square of the Marine Base, Taro was a bit surprised to see Fujitora standing there.
After landing and saying a word, he noticed that Fujitora was already wearing an Admiral's cloak.
"Haha, congratulations, Mr. Issho!"
The corners of Fujitora's mouth curled up, and his eyes crinkled.
"Lord Taro, long time no see!"
Taro walked a few steps to Fujitora's side and spoke in a low voice.
"Yeah, long time no see. It seems these titles of ours have made us distant!"
Fujitora's smile widened, "It seems so!"
"Looking for me for something?" Taro asked with a smile.
Fujitora turned and instructed the Marine Soldiers watching from the edge of the square.
"You've all worked hard. Vice Admiral Maynard, you and the others should go rest!"
Then, he suggested to Taro, "Walk with me?"
"Sure!"
Taro glanced at the Marine Soldiers behind Fujitora.
A burly Vice Admiral with a metal mask over his face received the order and led the Marine Soldiers away.
Hmm... that's a familiar face!
I think he was beaten up by someone!
Taro felt the person looked familiar and took a few more glances.
However, people who didn't leave much of an impression were all small fry in his eyes, so he quickly retracted his gaze.
"Oh? Are you curious about Vice Admiral Maynard?"
Fujitora still noticed Taro's abnormality and asked casually.
Taro shook his head and responded with a joking tone.
"I'm curious about him only because he's a subordinate of yours, the new Admiral!"
Fujitora didn't mind Taro's harmless lie. As they walked slowly, he said,
"The World Conscription has ended. Sakazuki decided to promote all Marine Soldiers by one rank to offset the impact of newcomers like me seizing high positions!"
This had been decided long ago, so Taro wasn't surprised and nodded.
"Many Marine Soldiers in the army have served for years; promotion is only right!"
"Don't you find it strange that Sakazuki didn't consult with you, the Great Staff Officer?"
Fujitora's voice remained very calm.
Taro was stunned for a moment. What's so strange about that? I'd prefer he didn't bother me.
After thinking, he asked,
"Red..., oh, does Sakazuki have some other intention?"
Fujitora had a mysterious smile and didn't speak.
Taro was now quite familiar with the way these pirate natives spoke. He pondered for a moment.
"Is Sakazuki's position as Fleet Admiral facing a challenge? Is he trying to establish authority and stabilize military morale?"
Fujitora then nodded, "Exactly!"
Taro's mouth twitched.
"That challenge couldn't possibly be me, could it?"
"Everyone knows I'm not interested in the Admiral position, let alone Fleet Admiral!"
Fujitora's smile widened.
"Of course not you. With your prestige in the military, if Sakazuki had a conflict with you, how could he stabilize military morale?"
"It's the people above who are dissatisfied with him!"
Taro's eyes widened.
Holy crap! Have those old fellows in the World Government lost their minds?
Are they giving up on treatment by moving against Red Doggy's Fleet Admiral position now?
"Uh..., Issho, what exactly happened during this time?"
Taro was very bewildered!
Fujitora's smile gradually faded, and the wrinkles on his forehead tightened.
"They feel that under Sakazuki's leadership, Marineford has become so tough that it's slipping out of the World Government's control. They want to give Sakazuki a warning!"
"Whether it was the appointment of newcomers like me or the order to promote Marine Soldiers, Sakazuki didn't consult with anyone!"
"By doing this, he is responding to those people, showing that he has the ability and has already taken control of the entire Marine force!"
Taro was shocked!
Holy crap!
Is Red Doggy planning to rebel?
Even more impatient than me?
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