After all, Enchi wasn't wrong.
In the West Blue, which was full of mafias, like weeds in the forest, being as clean as this guy, only taking a bit of wine from his former subordinates and keeping a small portion of loot after arresting pirates, already qualified him for a model of integrity medal.
"Come on, tell me what happened. Why are you suddenly leaving West Blue?"
"I got promoted!"
"Promoted?"
Hearing Enchi's proud tone, Ian raised an eyelid, seeming to understand.
"The Marine Headquarters is transferring you out of the 315 branch's jurisdiction?"
"I really can't hide anything from you!"
Enchi didn't mind Ian's words and continued cheerfully: "But overall, you could call it a promotion. Starting today, I'm officially promoted by headquarters to Rear-Admiral and transferred to the New World's G-5 branch. Hahaha, not bad, right? I didn't expect that after all these years in West Blue, I could still make it to Rear-Admiral rank!"
"G-5 branch..."
"That's right. And it seems it has something to do with you."
Enchi continued laughing through the Den Den Mushi. "That incident had a huge impact. Who would've thought that Vergo, someone so famous in Marine Headquarters, was actually a spy? So the G-5 branch conducted a massive purge, and combined with everything that's happened lately, they still haven't filled all positions. Perfect timing for me to slip in."
"The New World isn't a good place!"
Although Enchi said all this, Ian, who was once Enchi's indispensable right-hand man, knew exactly what was going on. "With your level of strength, you will be fish food before long!"
He knew well.
Enchi indeed was a genius dispatched from headquarters, and his assignment had somewhat been a punishment from offended superiors.
But the bigger issue was... his talent had already hit its limit. Without miracles or absurd perseverance, he would likely stay at his current level of strength his entire life.
This kind of situation was very common inside Marine Headquarters. A Captain rank might not seem like much, almost disposable, but just reaching the rank of Captain at the headquarters already made someone a genius level on the seas.
That was also why his application to enter Marine Headquarters years ago was rejected.
He's a genius, but not enough of a genius!
His younger years were his best chance to enter headquarters, but thanks to his previous bastard superior, he was delayed past twenty.
At that age, they no longer looked at potential; they looked at strength.
But after more than a decade stuck in the 315 branch, with all achievements swallowed by his former superior, who would believe someone suddenly calling him a genius?
Of course, if someone had given him a push, he might still have had a chance to train at headquarters. But he gave up himself, nearly thirty at the time.
He chose to retire and go home!
Struggle? He couldn't. At that age already… The waters of this sea are far too deep!
But who would've thought that after retiring, he'd encounter a Devil Fruit perfect for him?
Truly confusing, why not sooner, why not later, but exactly at that moment? Could it be that the devil inside the Light-Light Fruit prefers an honest host?
Ian stood on Ohara's dock.
After handing his ship over to others, he stared at the sea expressionlessly.
"Or you could apply to go to East Blue. With your strength, no matter how much you embezzle there, no one would dare to catch you!"
"Hey, hey, hey, no matter what, I was once your superior!"
Enchi protested loudly, then sighed with helplessness. "The order has already been issued. What would it look like if I tried to change it now? And also..."
He grinned. "Don't underestimate me, kid. I don't need you worrying about me. I don't know where you're hiding these days, but take care of yourself first. You're already a father, you need to pay more attention to your safety!"
Ian: "..."
Hearing this, Ian fell silent.
The corner of his mouth slightly lifted, and he said with a smile: "Then I wish you luck. If you run into danger, you can come find me!"
"Got it. And I told you, I'm your superior!"
Enchi burst into laughter, then said with a nostalgic sigh: "If only I had shamelessly used Zephyr-sensei's connections back then, would things be different now?"
"Forget it! Your Zephyr-sensei is working under me now!"
"You little bastard!"
Enchi cursed with a laugh, but soon spoke with more seriousness. "About that matter... Thank you. And the new base commander may have a bad temper, a stubborn brain, and be a bit slow, but he's a good guy."
"You don't have to worry about the Sibia River Archipelago. Speaking of which, he was also once Zephyr-sensei's student, technically my junior. I'll say a few words to him when I arrive."
"Thank you, Captain Enchi!"
"Hahaha, I haven't heard that title from you in ages. Makes me want to go have a good drink! Too bad all the green grape wine in the Sibia River Archipelago is gone, everything sold now is fake, none as good as yours!"
After laughing heartily, Enchi's tone shifted to seriousness. "Alright, that's it then. See you in the New World. Next time we meet, you'd better call me Rear-Admiral!"
"See you in the New World. Say hello to my sister-in-law and Elsa for me!"
"Get lost! You've got your own wife and kid, stop eyeing mine."
With Enchi's cursing fading out, the call ended.
Ian stared speechlessly at the Den Den Mushi in his hand. It was just a simple greeting. What was he so nervous about?
But he still put away the Den Den Mushi, shook his head, and didn't think more of it.
Then he muttered softly: "The new 315th Branch base commander, huh?"
Without realizing it, he had already been in this world for so many years.
And he really was almost thirty now. Unfortunately, his system still hadn't arrived, or perhaps he never had a system at all!
Being able to face an Admiral head-on at thirty and actually defeat one wasn't bad at all.
In some sense, he could be called one of the monsters of the sea. But still... This sea has never lacked so-called monsters.
Sighing softly, Ian looked at the sky growing dark, then he picked up the axe by his feet. "Forget it, none of this concerns me. Time to go home and keep my wife company."