Chapter 4: The Reluctant Power
"Huh? I became a Marine Admiral? Mr. Sengoku, are you confused?" The words burst from Levi's lips before he could stop them. It wasn't out of malice, but pure, startled reflex.
His relationship with Sengoku was… complicated. The Marshal had essentially drafted him, cutting short his plans for a quiet, wealthy retirement. While Levi understood the protective intent, he couldn't muster any gratitude for it. His knowledge of coming events painted a stark picture: Luffy was already making waves, Enies Lobby was a recent memory, and Ace's capture was likely imminent. The supposedly safe Marine headquarters was about to become the most dangerous battlefield in the world. Sengoku's "good intentions" felt like a trap. Without the recent cheat, he'd have been a powerless bystander in a war of titans, clinging to Sengoku's side—a place the Marshal would deem safe, but where no safety truly existed.
Levi's blunt question hung in the stunned silence of the conference room. Every Marine present, including Gion, gaped at him. The sheer audacity to ask the Fleet Admiral if he was senile to his face… It was unthinkable. Many of them had entertained the thought privately over the years, but voicing it? Only a fool or someone with unimaginable leverage would dare.
"Hahaha… now that's a good one!" The bellowing laugh came from Garp, who was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. He saw the look on Sengoku's face—not anger, but a familiar, exasperated frustration. It piqued his interest. Is this kid Sengoku's secret son or something? he wondered. The indulgence was palpable. But even if he were, Sengoku would never hand the Admiral title to an unqualified heir. Strength was the non-negotiable currency here.
"Old and confused, am I?" Sengoku replied, his voice dry. "Don't you have any self-awareness? I just told everyone that old veteran was shrewd. How could he have a son who 'can't fight'? You hid your true self from me, kid!"
"…" Levi was at a loss. Hide it? He hadn't been hiding; he simply hadn't possessed any power to hide until a few hours ago. The misunderstanding was complete and impossible to correct.
"But this Marine Admiral position… I really can't accept it," Levi backtracked quickly, grasping for any excuse. "I have no command experience. Strategic planning? Tactical deployment? I'm a complete novice. If you want someone to manage funds or investments, I could help. But leading Marines? I'm just a recruit, a rookie, a complete outsider. I'm not Admiral material."
His refusal sent another ripple of disbelief through the room. Gion, in particular, felt a complex twist in her gut. The Admiral position was the culmination of a lifetime of brutal effort, discipline, and sacrifice—a goal she was within reach of. Yet here was this boy, offered the pinnacle on a silver platter, and he was pushing it away as if it were an inconvenience. The disparity was both galling and incomprehensible.
"You possess strength that rivals an Admiral's. What's the problem with taking the title?" Sengoku pressed, his tone edged with frustration. "With that power, there are very few in this world who could even threaten you, let alone kill you!"
Levi's reluctance only confirmed Sengoku's private fears. The boy had concealed such monumental ability; it meant he desired no part of the Marines' burdens. Perhaps it was bitterness over his parents' fate. But if he left now, with this kind of power untethered… the potential fallout was a risk Sengoku could not take. Protecting a weak orphan was one thing. Allowing a potential powerhouse to walk away, possibly to become an enemy one day, was a failure he would never forgive himself. He had to secure Levi for the Marines.
"There being 'few' people who can do it still means there are people who can," Levi countered, shifting to a more negotiating tone. "How about I just… stay on as a special guest for a while longer? No title needed." Sengoku's earnestness made a flat refusal feel rude.
"Command ability can be learned, or delegated," Sengoku said, waving a dismissive hand. "An Admiral is often a symbol, a deterrent. They don't need to act in peacetime. Look at Aokiji—he spends half his time riding that bicycle of his around the world. What does he actually do day-to-day?" In his mission to persuade, Sengoku didn't hesitate to use his usually-lazy subordinate as a positive example.
Out on the calm sea, Admiral Aokiji, cruising on his bicycle, suddenly sneezed. "Achoo! Ah la la la… I'm made of ice. I shouldn't get colds," he mumbled to himself, rubbing his nose. "Maybe some lovely lady is thinking of me…"
Levi considered it. "That… does sound reasonable." The idea of having the authority and freedom without constant responsibility was appealing. With his new strength, his perspective had to evolve. Even if war came, surviving and navigating it would be far easier from a position of acknowledged power.
"And haven't you been wanting to go home and manage your inheritance?" Sengoku pressed his advantage, his voice taking on a coaxing, almost wheedling tone. "As an Admiral, you get extensive leave. You could request time off tomorrow and go check on your businesses. The freedom is substantial. Not to mention the salary and benefits—hundreds of times a recruit's pay. Private quarters, the best amenities, whatever you need…"
Garp couldn't watch anymore. Damn it! he thought, scowling. Sengoku has never been this soft with me! He's never coaxed me like a child! A spike of irrational jealousy shot through him.
Kizaru sipped his tea slowly, his eyes hidden behind his orange sunglasses, pretending to be utterly absorbed in the beverage. The sight of the formidable Fleet Admiral bargaining so transparently was… unusual. But his mind was working. Is this young man truly that powerful? he pondered. I can't sense a thing from him now… A faint, speculative golden light flickered behind his lenses, a silent decision forming. Perhaps a more direct… test was in order.
(End of Chapter)
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