Chapter 81: Candidate
In the Marine Headquarters not far from Sabaody Archipelago.
"Puru puru! Puru puru!"
A Den Den Mushi on the Office desk suddenly rang. Kong frowned and picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"I am Kong."
"Fleet Admiral Kong, I am the head of the Material Management Office under the World Government. Three Devil Fruits allocated by the World Government are now being transported to Marine Headquarters by CP0. We hope you are prepared to receive them."
A serious voice came from the other end, making Kong's expression serious as well. Obviously, the Five Elders had also informed him about the Devil Fruit matter.
Kong nodded. "Alright, understood. The Navy will be prepared!"
After the Den Den Mushi hung up, Kong pondered for a moment, then picked up another Den Den Mushi and dialed out.
"It's me, Sengoku. Notify Zephyr, Garp, and Tsuru to come to my Office."
"Yes."
The Office fell silent again as the Den Den Mushi was hung up. Kong looked out the window at the Marine Port, frowned and pondered some questions, then a smile gradually appeared on his face.
Soon, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru appeared together in Kong's Office. Looking at the group of disciples standing in front of him, Kong felt very gratified.
"I called you here today just to get your advice on something." Kong looked at them and said directly.
"Old man, what is it? So mysterious?" Garp asked casually when he heard Kong's words. He didn't know why Kong had called him here. Usually, Kong and the others would formulate action plans, and he would just go in with his fists.
Kong directly ignored Garp's words. Sengoku, Tsuru, and Zephyr looked at Kong curiously, wanting to know what Kong was talking about.
"Actually, there are two things. The first thing is about the next Admiral of the Navy. The World Government has sent news that my Navy Marshal position will soon be officially confirmed, and the other two will soon step down from the Admiral position due to age. So, I have nominated Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr to the World Government."
After speaking, Kong's gaze swept across the faces of Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr. Sengoku remained calm upon hearing this news, as if such news was not enough to cause any ripples in his state of mind. Zephyr's face showed some surprise followed by excitement, after all, the position of Admiral represented too much significance.
As for Garp, seeing Garp standing there asleep and snoring, Kong immediately felt his blood pressure rise.
Bang! Accompanied by Kong directly getting up and leaping over the Office desk, he punched Garp directly on the head, knocking Garp to the ground.
"Can you be serious when I'm talking to you!!!"
After a moment, Kong sat back in his seat, picked up his teacup, calmed his mood, and continued, "Of course, the Admiral appointments won't come down so quickly. As the Navy's strongest Combat Power and top figures, you must not only have sufficient Strength, but also sufficient military achievements."
"Oh, that kind of thing. Whoever wants to be an Admiral can be one, I'm not interested." Saying this, Garp looked at Tsuru next to him and jokingly said, "I say, how about letting Tsuru be an Admiral? A beautiful Admiral?"
"Garp, be serious! In addition to the Admiral matter, the World Government will send three Devil Fruits, and Dorag will receive one of them."
Hearing Dorag, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru all looked at Garp. Sure enough, with Kong's words, Garp's face also became serious.
"Old man, you really are..." Garp couldn't help but smile wryly. After all, he was his son, and because of his mother, Garp had always felt somewhat indebted to Dorag.
Now that Kong had said so, it would be unreasonable for him not to put in some effort on the Grand Line next.
"This time, the work of coordinating with the World Government will be your responsibility, Garp. Although it's not far from Mary Geoise to Marineford, it is a major matter after all. To prevent accidents, Garp, please be careful."
After returning to his Office, Garp pondered for a long time, and finally dialed the Den Den Mushi.
"Dorag, it's Garp."
"Old man, what is it?" Dorag, wearing a Navy uniform and a Justice Coat, stood on the Deck looking at the Pirate Ship fleeing in the distance, holding a Den Den Mushi, and asked.
Since joining the Navy, he had seen the good side of the Navy, and also the dark side of the Navy and even the world. Especially as his Strength increased and his position rose, the things he came into contact with also increased.
After God Valley, he realized that the relationship between the Navy and the World Government was not a simple superior-subordinate department. Even more so, the Navy's compromises were changing his mentality and style of handling things.
"Nothing major, just telling you to come to Headquarters when you're done with your current business." Garp was not too worried about Dorag's safety while pursuing Pirates in the chaotic New World. Although Dorag's current Strength was not comparable to those Monsters, he was completely on a different level compared to ordinary Pirates.
Moreover, how could one become a Strongest on this Grand Line without undergoing the test of Blood and Fire.
"Understood, I'll get back to work." After speaking, Dorag directly hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Captain, we have locked onto the target and can fire Cannons at any time. However, in addition to the Pirates on the Pirate Ship ahead, there are also a large number of Female they Plunder from the Town earlier."
Seeing Dorag hang up the Den Den Mushi, the adjutant beside him stepped forward and said.
"Accelerate and move closer!"
"Yes!"
Rumble rumble rumble!
Hearing the Rumbling Sound in the distance, a figure suddenly appeared on the Deck of a cargo Ship.
Looking at the Navy Warship closely following the Pirate Ship, and the explosions and Firelight constantly erupting on the Pirate Ship, Nicholas suddenly became interested.
"Are these Elites from Marine Headquarters? Just wondering who it is? Never mind, let's go take a look, maybe I can hitch a Ship to Sabaody Archipelago." After speaking, he took out a Spiral Mask that only revealed one eye and put it on his face, and with a Cloak, the sense of mystery was instantly maximized.
"Have the situation statistics been compiled?" Standing in the middle of a pile of Pirate Corpses, Dorag opened his mouth and asked the adjutant beside him.
"There are a total of seventy-three Pirate Corpses, one hundred and twenty Captives, and thirty-four Female Plunder by these Pirates. They are from several different Islands nearby. There are twenty Slaves on the Ship, and the Supplies seized..." Listening to the adjutant's voice, Dorag nodded.
"I understand. Take these Pirates to the Prison below the Warship and guard them carefully. Send those Female back to their hometowns later. As for those Slaves, give them some Money later, issue a Marine Certificate, and put them on the nearest Island. By the way, see if you can sell this Pirate Ship for a good price nearby." Dorag said to the adjutant as he walked towards his Warship. For the Navy, selling the Pirate Ship after defeating Pirates was also considered extra income.
"That Captain..." Hearing Dorag's words, the adjutant looked a little embarrassed.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Other things are easy to solve, but those Slaves have already been branded with Slave Marks. According to the relevant Article promulgated by the World Government, anyone who encounters such people can capture them and exchange them for Rewards with the merchant corresponding to the Slave Mark." The adjutant explained.
"Then ask them if they are willing to join the Navy."
"Captain, I'm afraid that won't work either." Hearing this, Dorag stopped in his tracks.
"According to Navy regulations, these Slaves cannot join the Navy."
"Okay, I understand. Let them stay on the Ship, I'll arrange it later." After speaking, Dorag directly returned to his Ship.
(End of Chapter)