Seeing Kuzan's speechless expression, Ezra D. Vale shrugged.
"You asked me yourself. Now you're the one feeling bad about it."
Kuzan quickly waved his hands.
"Alright, alright, Admiral. My mistake."
After a moment of silence, he spoke again, more seriously.
"Admiral… does that mean I really can't beat him?"
Ezra shook his head.
"It's not that you're weaker than Sakazuki. Your conviction just isn't as strong as his. Do you understand what I mean?"
Kuzan fell into deep thought.
Ezra did not continue explaining. If Kuzan could not grasp it from that much, there was nothing more to say.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
At last, the warship Pluto arrived at G-1 Headquarters.
The soldiers guarding the harbor froze when they saw the massive vessel approaching.
They were just about to sound the alarm when they noticed Kuzan standing on the deck, waving toward them.
"Wait… isn't that Vice Admiral Kuzan?"
"So this ship belongs to Admiral Vale?!"
"That thing is enormous!"
Pluto's arrival created an immediate problem.
There was no docking space big enough for it.
All Navy warships were built according to strict standardized dimensions, but the colossal vessel before them was on an entirely different scale.
Where were they supposed to put it?
Everyone was at a loss.
In the end, a soldier hurried to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office.
Sengoku, who had been reviewing documents, heard urgent knocking.
"Come in."
"Fleet Admiral! There's a situation at the harbor. Admiral Vale brought back a gigantic battleship!"
Sengoku frowned.
"So?"
"Well… there's no space to dock it."
"That's nonsense! Our harbor is huge. How could it not fit one ship?"
Clearly, Sengoku had not imagined just how massive the vessel actually was.
"Let's go. I want to see how big this ship really is."
"Yes, sir!"
Sengoku threw his coat over his shoulders and headed toward the harbor.
Moments later, he arrived.
Then he saw Pluto.
His eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"What in the world is that?!"
He swore he had never seen a warship this large in his entire life.
Even the legendary Rocks Pirates' flagship had not been this absurd.
"Sengoku, you're here."
Several figures stood on the deck in the distance. Ezra, Kuzan, and Rosinante.
After calling out, Ezra told Kuzan and the others to stay put before stepping down to Sengoku's side.
"Ezra… where did you even get that ship?"
Sengoku still looked stunned.
"We can talk about that later. First we need to figure out how to dock it."
Sengoku nodded.
Yes, that kind of confidential matter could wait.
He fell into thought.
"Any ideas?"
"It may be big, but it's absolutely worth it. I already tested the firepower. It's basically an island-destroying weapon."
Ezra kept enthusiastically explaining.
Sengoku finally snapped.
"Could you be quiet for just a moment?"
"…Oh."
Silence returned.
Soon, Sengoku came up with a solution.
"Move all the smaller ships on the left side to the right docks."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
With one order, the ships were relocated within minutes, clearing the entire left side.
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"But each docking spot over there is blocked by stone barriers."
Sengoku waved his hand.
"I know. That's where you come in."
Ezra blinked.
"How am I supposed to help?"
Sengoku adjusted his glasses.
"It's your ship. You can handle clearing the obstacles."
He had a point.
Ezra rolled his eyes and raised his right hand.
"Hey, take it easy. Don't overdo it."
"I know."
"Hadō Number One: Thrust."
Boom.
A stream of scorching spiritual pressure shot from Ezra's fingertip, instantly reducing every stone barrier along the path to ash.
The docking area meant for small ships was instantly transformed into a berth suitable for a super battleship.
Both Ezra and Sengoku looked satisfied.
"Alright. Have Kuzan dock the ship, then come to my office."
Sengoku turned and left, still muttering in amazement.
Ezra nodded.
After working together with Kuzan and the others, they finally managed to secure the ship at the harbor.
"Alright. Everyone is dismissed. Take some leave."
"Kuzan, meet me at the training grounds later."
"Yes, Admiral!"
"Understood, Admiral."
Ezra then headed toward Sengoku's office.
Soon, he arrived.
Sengoku looked at him curiously.
"Now can you explain? What exactly is that battleship?"
Ezra answered casually.
"One of the Ancient Weapons. Pluto."
Sengoku's expression changed instantly.
"Ezra! Do you even realize what you've done? If the Five Elders find out…"
Before he could finish, Ezra interrupted him.
"Relax. I already informed them."
Sengoku froze.
"And they agreed?"
Ezra shrugged.
"I suppose when the strongest man in the world asks for something, refusing isn't really an option."
He did not tell Sengoku the full truth. The man might not take it well.
Better to let him learn later from Kong after retirement.
Sengoku sighed.
"Ezra, you need to remember. You're the next Fleet Admiral. Confronting the Five Elders directly is not something you should make a habit of. I'll contact them again later."
Ezra did not refuse.
"Alright. But there's no need to call. I'll speak with them myself later."
Sengoku paused, then nodded.
"That works too. You should practice your diplomacy skills anyway."
Ezra twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth.
My social skills are perfectly fine.
"By the way, is Sakazuki at G-1 right now?"
Sengoku shook his head.
"He just took a mission. He'll be back in a few days. For now, let Kuzan stay here. I'll notify you once Sakazuki returns."
"Got it. Then I'm going to get some rest."