After handling matters related to Shadow Garden, the emergency meeting was already nearing its end.
Marshal Sengoku was about to announce the adjournment when Onigumo suddenly tilted his head slightly, his gaze subtly shifting toward Admiral Akainu, who was seated among the attendees.
Sensing Onigumo's look, Akainu gave an almost imperceptible nod.
With Akainu's signal, Onigumo no longer hesitated. He abruptly stood up from his seat, the chair scraping against the floor with a sharp sound that shattered the brief silence in the hall.
His chest held straight, he looked directly at Marshal Sengoku at the head of the table and reported in a deep voice:
"Marshal, there is a matter I must report to you today!"
Sengoku frowned slightly, halting his movement to rise, and replied in a measured tone:
"Speak."
Onigumo took a deep breath and said:
"During the operation to capture Fox of Shadow Garden, we were fully confident of apprehending him!
At the time, several vice admirals had formed an encirclement, and Mr. Garp had personally intervened. The outcome was practically decided.
However, it was precisely because Ivan deliberately held back and gave up blocking Tanuki that Tanuki seized the opportunity. He used Wind Evasion to scatter the Seastone Powder, ultimately allowing Fox to escape successfully!
It can be said that Fox's escape was largely due to the mistake made by Vice Admiral Ivan. I request that the Marshal severely punish Ivan!"
As soon as Onigumo finished speaking, the conference hall fell completely silent.
All the vice admirals looked at Sengoku, waiting for his response.
Hearing this, Sengoku did not speak immediately but instead glanced at Garp beside him.
Even before the meeting began, Garp had already informed him of the complete details of that day's operation and had openly expressed his approval of Ivan.
Without hesitation, Sengoku directly refused:
"That won't be necessary, Vice Admiral Onigumo. Garp has already informed me of the entire sequence of events from that day. Ivan was not negligent in his duty.
At the time, he temporarily gave up blocking Tanuki to save Vice Admiral Gumir. While this action had its flaws, it also saved a comrade. The merits and faults offset each other, so how can we speak of severe punishment?"
Upon hearing this, Onigumo's expression changed drastically. "Marshal, but—"
Before he could finish, Sengoku raised his hand to cut him off:
"This matter is settled. No further discussion is allowed.
As a junior in the Navy, Ivan may have shortcomings, but he has also demonstrated exceptional combat prowess and a sincere heart. He is worthy of cultivation, not harsh criticism."
With that, Sengoku slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over all the vice admirals present as he solemnly declared, "Today's emergency meeting is hereby adjourned!"
Having spoken, Sengoku did not linger. He turned and walked toward the restroom behind the conference hall.
Seeing this, Garp also stood up with a smile, patted Ivan on the shoulder, and quickly followed Sengoku.
The other vice admirals, seeing the situation, rose one after another to salute before dispersing.
Only Onigumo, Akainu, and a few others remained frozen in place, their faces ashen.
As Ivan walked out of the conference hall, his expression remained completely unperturbed, as if the accusation against him had never happened.
He nodded slightly to his colleagues, calmly bidding farewell to each one.
Then, he turned and walked alone toward his small courtyard.
As soon as Ivan pushed open the courtyard gate, Tashigi and Nami, hearing the sound of the door, immediately ran over to him.
The two rushed to him one after the other, their eyes anxiously scanning him up and down, carefully checking every inch.
Only after confirming he had no wounds and his complexion remained stable did they both let out a sigh of relief.
"Ivan, Vice Admiral!" Tashigi couldn't hold back first, her tone full of concern. "We heard you were injured—is it true?"
Nami chimed in, "Yeah, if you're hurt, we'll take care of you. Don't push yourself too hard."
Seeing their worried expressions, Ivan smiled gently. "Don't worry, I'm already healed."
"That's good, that's good." The two beautiful girls patted their chests, causing visible ripples, finally relaxing completely.
With her worries completely gone, Nami's expression shifted from concern to slight displeasure.
Hands on her hips, she said somewhat angrily:
"Ivan, from now on, if there are dangerous missions like this, you're not allowed to go alone!
We're coming with you—no more leaving us behind!"
Beside her, Tashigi immediately nodded in agreement:
"That's right, Nami is correct.
We have enough strength now. There's no need for you to face danger alone anymore. Acting together can also help share some of the burden."
Looking at the two girls before him, Ivan shook his head helplessly.
Fortunately, after their enhancements, Nami and Tashigi's strength was far beyond what it used to be, both having reached vice admiral level.
Even if they encountered an admiral-level battle, they would be capable of protecting themselves.
Thus, Ivan smiled and conceded. "Alright, alright. From now on, if there are missions, I'll definitely bring you along—no more solo actions. Is that okay?"
Seeing Ivan agree, Nami instantly beamed with joy, her displeasure vanishing.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, she asked curiously:
"By the way, where's Robin? Why haven't we seen her?"
Ivan explained, "She's at Rain Dinners in Alabasta. In a few days, we'll be stationed there regularly.
After all, I'm a vice admiral now, so I have a lot of freedom. I don't need to stay at Marine Headquarters all the time. As long as I follow Headquarters' orders during critical moments, I can arrange my own time the rest of the way."
However, before heading to Alabasta, Ivan needed to review the gains from this mission.
This operation had also drawn the world's attention, with several Templates receiving significant boosts in recognition.
[Your Wind Evasion was used with divine skill, [Minato Namikaze] Recognition +25%]
[Template: Minato Namikaze (Recognition: 65%)]
[Congratulations! You have acquired the skill: Sage Mode!]
[Sage Mode: Consumes a large amount of stamina to temporarily enhance your physical abilities, boosting strength, speed, and recovery in all aspects!]
[Shadow Garden's fame has increased worldwide, [Homelander] Recognition +32%]
[Template: Homelander (Recognition: 100%)]
[Congratulations! You have acquired the skill: Super Physique!]
[Super Physique: Greatly enhances physical fitness and stamina, elevating your physique to a monstrous level, surpassing the limits of ordinary humans!]
[Due to your perfect use of the Sandification Ability, [Sandman] Recognition +29%]
[Template: Sandman (Recognition: 30%)]
[Congratulations! You have acquired the skill: Mind Sand Control!]
[Mind Sand Control: Using mental power and will to directly command sand particles, no physical contact or touching the ground required, freely manipulating all sand, dust, and sandy structures!]
The next moment, the system's power surged into Ivan's mind and body.
The level of the system's power exceeded Ivan's imagination. That force washed over him from the inside out, from his soul to his bones, a comprehensive baptism.
In this process, mind and physique were no longer two parallel lines; under the system's guidance, they perfectly merged, resonated, and sublimated.
With a single thought, power obeyed like his own limbs; wherever his body reached, his will became indestructible.
After a long while, Ivan reopened his eyes.
Now, he had finally made up for his shortcomings, and his strength had completely reached the level of a top general!
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