"Silence!" echoed the quiet.
Even if Hibari filled the empty glass with wine, uncertainty would still remain on Sakazuki's face, as if he were caught in a dilemma. Since he joined the Marine , he most often heard one thing: if you insult the Heavenly Dragons, the Marines or CP0 must be dispatched for their protection. This is the Marine's code of conduct and a necessary condition of its existence.
Now, Tengen's rebellious words clearly challenged his principles. A conflict with the Heavenly Dragons meant a conflict with the World Government, and consequently, with the Five Elders. Not to mention, even a Marine admiral probably couldn't salvage the situation.
"If that day comes, I think I'll choose your side!" Sakazuki finally said, taking a deep breath and draining his glass. "If I can't protect my daughter and son-in-law, I'm no Admiral of the Marines!"
In the Marines, he had always adhered to the idea of "absolute justice," rather than the blind protection of the Heavenly Dragons. One day, if a serious conflict occurs with them, as someone who has always protected his loved ones, he could never destroy his own family. How can he expect Tengen, a son-in-law with monstrous strength, to live peacefully?
Moreover, the grandson of Marine Hero Garp is a great pirate, and his son is the leader of the Revolutionary Army. And isn't Garp still living happily in the Marines?
With Tengen's power, if he joins the Marines and they join forces, even if one day Tengen does indeed find himself in conflict with the Heavenly Dragons, Sakazuki believes that the Five Elders, after weighing everything, won't push too hard.
In an instant, Sakazuki reconsidered many things. He grew more sympathetic towards Tengen as his son-in-law. He decided to change his rigid demeanor and show his determination.
"Alright!" Upon hearing this, Tengen couldn't suppress a smile. He also raised his glass and drank it in one gulp. "With such words, I can join the Marines at any moment."
He knew that after the end of the Great War on the Peak, the current Fleet Admiral of the Marine Watch, Sengoku, was planning to retire due to age. Most of the senior officials of the World Government recommended Akainu for the position of Fleet Admiral. However, this decision sparked a conflict with the recommendations of Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru, who proposed Aokiji for the role. Ultimately, Aokiji and Akainu engaged in a ten-day duel on Punk Hazard.
In the end, Akainu won and became the new Fleet Admiral, showing mercy to his former colleague.
More importantly, after Akainu took office, he initiated a global recruitment drive to fill two admiral vacancies. With Tengen's current strength, he might not immediately become an admiral, but with the support of Sakazuki, who is now the Fleet Admiral, he has a chance.
Tengen wanted Sakazuki to show his position, not only because he was getting stronger every day, but also because if one day the World Government feels he is too powerful and poses a threat, they might force him to do things he doesn't agree with, such as defending the Heavenly Dragons.
But if he becomes strong enough, it would be enough to raise a hand, and Akainu would support him. The Marines could become independent!
For now, all this was merely plans. He needed to remain calm, continue training, and become stronger.
"Then come with me to the Marines Headquarters this time!" Sakazuki said with a confident smile. "With your strength, you'll start as a commodore. Don't worry... With my promotion, you could become a vice admiral at headquarters in just a year.
"Commodore... and vice admiral in a year?" Tengen hadn't even reacted yet when Hibari looked at her father in astonishment. "That's simply incredible!"
She had been serving in the Marine Corps for a long time, and even with her father Sakazuki's support, she had only recently achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. And now Tengen, just joining, immediately becomes a commodore and is promised to become a vice admiral in a year? Did her father forget about his own daughter?
"Father," she quietly murmured, "have you really forgotten that I'm your own daughter?"
Thinking about Tengen's terrifying strength, Hibari felt relieved, and a subtle sense of pride was reflected in her eyes. Yes, he was indeed her person, but he was different.
"Now is not the best time to join the Marines," Tengen calmly shook his head, slowly gestured for Hibari to pour some wine, and said in a startling tone, "I want to immediately become an admiral of the Marines."
Starting as a Marine commodore, achieving the rank of vice admiral at Marine Corps headquarters in a year—that speed of promotion would shock the entire world, but Tengen felt no excitement.
If his ability hadn't awakened, he would have completely submitted to Sakazuki's plans and firmly held on to his support.
But now?
Since he decided to join the Marines, it was better to do it with a decisive step.
"What? A loud slap rang out before Sakazuki's ears even registered the words. He jumped from his chair, looking at Tengen in disbelief.
Damn it!
I just wanted you to take care of me in my old age,
and now it turns out you're aiming for my admiral position?
Impossible!
"Um..." Hibari's expression froze too,
and silence settled over the deck.
"Leto, don't worry so much. After the war at the top, there will surely be some instability within the Marines, right?" Tengen glanced at the astonished Sakazuki and Hibari, pondered for a moment, then said meaningfully, "There's a possibility that the World Government will authorize the Marines to conduct a global mobilization to increase their overall strength."
"Global mobilization?" Doubt flickered across Hibari's face as she looked at her father, Sakazuki, waiting for confirmation.
"Could it be?"
"You managed to guess even this?" Uncertainty flashed in Sakazuki's eyes. Although his face remained calm, inside, he was in complete turmoil.
At this stage,
things within the Marines are not so smooth.
And if Sengoku really retires, then...
to fill the vacancy,
the World Government may indeed conduct a global mobilization.
Even if the World Government does not have such intentions, once he becomes the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he will be able to request a global mobilization to strengthen the overall power of the Marines and address the worsening situation at sea.
By that time,
with Tengen's current strength,
becoming a Marine Admiral through global mobilization will be a natural step.
Of course,
all this is possible only if Fleet Admiral Sengoku truly retires and he becomes the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines.