Five minutes later,
Open sea.
A sharp sound echoed on the deck of a small military ship, as if something had sliced through the air.
Tengen appeared on the deck, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Hibari, who was still slightly confused.
"Everything's fine!"
The first woman in this world left a deep impression on his memory.
Sometimes, fate is remarkably surprising.
Once, Hibari, dressed in a Marine Corps sergeant's uniform, pursued him.
He couldn't withstand her persistence, succumbed to his feelings, and now it turned out he was with the daughter of one of the three Fleet Admirals—Sakazuki.
"Ah!"
Hibari, coming to her senses, saw Tengen up close and couldn't hold back a loud cry. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement and joy. She rushed forward, wrapped her arms around him, and hugged him tightly.
"Wow!"
Happiness came so unexpectedly.
After her father opposed their marriage, knowing Sakazuki's character, she was constantly on edge. Deep down, she was ready to do anything, even face death.
But now everything had changed.
Tengen, without uttering a word, became a true sensation.
With his incredible strength, he completely won over Sakazuki.
"Haha, I didn't disappoint you, did I?"
Tengen smiled as he looked at Hibari in his embrace. With his right hand, he gently scratched her nose.
"Uh-uh..."
Hibari's eyes turned slightly red. She hugged him tightly, as if she wanted to merge with his body.
She didn't need words.
Hadn't Tengen proven he wouldn't let her down? She was so happy that she even began to doubt the reality of what was happening.
"Don't cry."
Tengen smiled, feeling the softness of her body against his chest. He couldn't help but joke:
"We haven't seen each other for over half a year, and you've grown so much?"
"Eh?"
Still joyful, Hibari suddenly blushed. She immediately let go of him and looked at Tengen, embarrassed.
"What nonsense?"
We haven't seen each other for more than half a year, and that's all you can say?
Ah, men!
"Are you angry?"
Tengen was not embarrassed in the slightest. On the contrary, he embraced Hibari with both arms and suddenly leaned closer to her.
"Wow!"
Hibari gritted her teeth, preparing to scold him loudly.
But in the next moment, her eyes widened in surprise.
She tried to resist, but for some reason, she lost all strength, and her thoughts went completely blank.
One second,
three seconds,
five seconds...
...
After three minutes, a light cough was heard.
"Ahem!"
Hibari, thoroughly weakened, broke free from Tengen's embrace like a startled bird and took a deep breath.
"What?"
She felt as if she were suffocating.
Wait, that familiar cough... It seemed to be deliberately made by her father, Sakazuki.
Remembering this, Hibari blushed even more. She clenched her fists and cautiously glanced at the deck.
Sure enough.
At the edge of the deck stood Sakazuki, having returned to his usual state after transforming from magma. He was holding a cigar and gazing towards the island, which had turned into a sea of lava.
The falling water caused him some inconvenience, but what truly hurt his heart was the scene he witnessed upon returning to the ship.
Although he was already prepared for this and had acknowledged Tengen as his son-in-law, seeing the "little cabbage" he had raised for eighteen years being "plucked" was quite unpleasant for him.
"Well then!"
Hibari had found a good home where she would be protected and cared for. Now he was at peace.
Now... he could fully concentrate on his ideals and ambitions, to restore the marines's glory.
Suddenly, the corners of Sakazuki's lips lifted, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"The recent war revealed many serious problems. On the surface, it was a great victory, but in reality, things were not so simple."
Moreover, the current Fleet Admiral Sengoku seems to be planning to retire.
If that happens,
the position of Fleet Admiral
I must secure at any cost.
Thinking about this, Sakazuki turned to Tengen. Exhaling a puff of smoke, he smirked:
"Can you drink? Care to have a drink?"
"Of course!"
Tengen wiped his lips and nodded.
"Hibari, bring my finest wine."
Sakazuki addressed his daughter, who was still in a state of confusion.
"Alright."
Hibari grumbled, giving Tengen a resentful look before turning and heading to the cabin.
"Well..."
Tengen just shrugged.
Women – they say one thing but do another. Who was it just now that was so proactive?
Soon, Hibari returned with a pitcher of wine. She approached the table and poured a glass for both Tengen and Sakazuki.
"Well then..."
Sakazuki took a deep breath, preparing for the conversation.
Sakazuki raised his cup, took a sip of wine, and sighed with regret:
"I never thought Hibari would find such a promising talent in the West Blue like you."
"It's all destiny," Tengen replied with a slight smile, sipping from his own cup. "I also didn't expect Hibari to be the daughter of a Admiral."
"Now that you know, what do you think?" Sakazuki paused for a moment before asking this question.
"Nothing special," Tengen calmly shook his head. "I just want to train hard and become stronger."
"Do you want to join the Marines?" Sakazuki, looking at Tengen, who pretended not to understand, drank all the wine from his cup and firmly said, "With your abilities, being a bounty hunter in the West Blue is too trivial. The Marines needs talents like you."
He paused here, waiting for a response, but Tengen remained silent. Sakazuki took the wine pitcher, filled his cup, and added:
"With my protection and support... in the future, you're sure to hold a place among the upper ranks of the Marines."
"Not interested," Tengen placed his cup on the table and smirked. "The duties of the Marines are too vast, and there are too many restrictions. I'm afraid that one day I won't be able to withstand it."
Since he gained the ability to grow stronger thanks to the system, Tengen stopped valuing roles like marine, pirate, bounty hunter, or member of the Revolutionary Army.
If power is great enough,
then, in a sense, status doesn't matter anymore—people will respect you regardless.
As for joining the Marine Corps?
Actually... it's not out of the question.
It all depends on the position of Sakazuki, the future Fleet Admiral of the Marine Corps.
If he remains steadfastly loyal to the Celestial Dragons and the World Government,
forget it!
"Hm?" Sakazuki didn't catch the hint. He frowned and asked, "If you have doubts, speak directly."
"Alright, I will," Tengen thought for a moment before saying with a meaningful smile, "If one day I come into conflict with the Heavenly Dragons, would you choose to kill your own kin for the sake of justice?"
"Well…" Sakazuki's face suddenly froze.
The Heavenly Dragons are descendants of 19 kings who established the World Government 800 years ago. They call themselves the "descendants of the Creator" and enjoy all privileges. If they are offended, a Fleet Admiral or CP0 agents are obliged to come to their defense.
Tengen's words were simple:
If a conflict arises with the Heavenly Dragons, whose side will you take?
There's no need to explain
that as a Fleet Admiral, he is obligated to side with the Heavenly Dragons.
But,
the person before him is his beloved son-in-law.
This choice is too difficult…
In reality,
he always adhered to the concept of "absolute justice".
To the Heavenly Dragons
he also harbors no warm feelings.
Simply put, being in a high position often requires compromises on many issues.
Now, hearing Tengen's words,
he didn't know how to respond.
Moreover, the true strength and foundation of the World Government are not as simple as they appear at first glance. Otherwise, it would have been overthrown long ago and wouldn't have been able to rule the seas so firmly for more than 800 years.
Furthermore,
the existence of the Marine Corps depends on the support of the World Government. Without it, it would eventually fall apart.
"How is that possible?" Sakazuki tried to find a way out. "If you hold a high position in the Marines and don't provoke the Heavenly Dragons, they won't come into conflict with you."
"So, are you completely…?" Sakazuki pondered before continuing seriously, but looking at Tengen, who watched him with a slight smile, his voice grew quieter until he fell silent.
The Heavenly Dragons
have no doubts when it comes to the Marine Corps. They do not regard its authority or dignity.
Even he himself
sometimes has to listen to reprimands from the Heavenly Dragons and the Five Elders.
"Is this truly worth the life of Sakazuki's father?"
At this moment, Hibari, struggling to hold back laughter, took a pitcher of wine and filled the glasses of Tengen and Sakazuki.
If someone else had said such a thing,
Admiral Sakazuki would likely have exploded with rage.
To dare defy those insane Heavenly Dragons?
Isn't that reckless?
Fortunately, Tengen had demonstrated his strength; otherwise, the consequences could have been severe.
At the same time,
Hibari also became somewhat intrigued.
What choice would her father make?
What is more important—the protection of the Heavenly Dragons, the nobility of the world, or supporting his own son-in-law?