Chapter 357: The Unexpected Meeting of the Admirals

Kizaru was actually very confused; he had simply taken advantage of a rare holiday to return from Punk Hazard to the mansion Saint Saint Saiwen had prepared for him in Flower Capital.

Upon arriving in the Bai Wu region, he had intended to buy some small gifts for the female housekeeper responsible for watching the mansion.

Who could have imagined encountering a Navy colleague in Bai Wu, and moreover, another Navy Admiral.

"It's Kuzan."

Kizaru recalled the many countermeasures Saint Saint Saiwen had previously devised for him: "Just taking a day off; I heard a Sancai Dango shop in Inazuma tastes excellent."

"I came over to taste it and bring some back for Vegapunk and the others."

Kuzan adjusted his eyepatch.

"I happen to be a bit hungry as well; do you mind if I join you? We have worked together for many years, yet it seems we have never eaten out alone together."

I don't believe your nonsense, keep making it up.

I want to see how you continue to make it up.

Since Kuzan had spoken to this extent, Kizaru naturally could not refuse.

"Very well, let us go now."

The two walked side by side to the Sancai Dango shop located in the Bai Wu city district; Kizaru introduced in a low voice.

"I heard this shop was opened by Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's eldest disciple; the taste is extremely good, making it almost a must-visit famous shop for the immigration inspection team."

Kuzan had actually noticed this as well.

The wealthy who wished to immigrate to Inazuma were simply absurdly numerous; he had entered Inazuma by blending in with the immigration inspection team.

"Inazuma is truly different from the outside world; it is normal for wealthy people to wish to immigrate."

Compared to the chaos outside, especially the nations on the Grand Line, which constantly face the risk of pirate invasion.

Having money does not guarantee one has the life to spend it.

Inazuma is different; even the Four Emperors must give advance notice before arriving, let alone other pirate crews.

Except for the Celestial Dragons residing steadily in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, nobles and wealthy merchants of the allied nations all seem to be secretly transferring assets to Inazuma.

It is true that Inazuma's commercial taxes are high, but the safety is genuinely secure; most importantly, one need not worry about guarding one's wealth in fear day after day as in the outside world.

"Two customers, here are the Sancai Dangos."

The waiter brought four portions of Sancai Dango.

"This is my General's exclusive secret recipe; apart from all of Inazuma and Housha Town in the East Blue, it cannot be tasted anywhere else."

Kizaru instinctively pulled out an Inazuma Gold Card.

"Th-th-thank..."

The waiter's stunned gaze and Kuzan's slightly narrowed eyes made Kizaru silently cry out that things were bad.

It was ruined; he had become accustomed to paying in Inazuma in the past, using the Gold Card Saint Saint Saiwen gave him every time, and had actually forgotten Kuzan was still present.

"A friend gave it to me," Kizaru explained with a grimace.

"Your friend is quite generous; introduce me to him another day."

While tasting the Sancai Dango, Kuzan complained: "With my years of savings, if I wished to immigrate, I would instantly become a penniless pauper."

One can imagine how incredibly wealthy Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen truly is; no wonder he could provide military funds for the Revolutionary Army.

The world of the wealthy is detestable!

If he were as wealthy as Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, he could surely grant the Navy financial freedom, never again needing to be controlled by the World Government.

At that time, the Navy would be able to execute true justice, rather than becoming the Celestial Dragons' hounds to execute the Celestial Dragons' justice.

Kizaru looked at the waiter to change the subject.

"Pack ten portions for me."

"Alright, customer."

Acting requires acting the whole role; since he used the excuse of taking food away to fool Kuzan, he would have to return to Punk Hazard later and give the gifts to the female housekeeper on his next visit.

"The taste is indeed excellent," Kuzan commented.

"No wonder rumors on the Grand Sea say Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen conquered Luo Jie with his cooking skills and gained the qualification to board his ship."

Having spoken, Kuzan could not help but complain once more.

"The Navy's 16th Branch is truly a bunch of bastards; such excellent talent was actually discovered by pirates."

Kizaru silently ordered four more portions of fish balls.

Once upon a time, his old friend Sakazuki had also complained that if Saint Saint Saiwen had not been taken away by Luo Jie back then, but instead recruited by the Navy.

With Saint Saint Saiwen's strength alone, he could have suppressed the entire Great Pirate Era.

Now that Kuzan complains similarly, it is not difficult to see that Saint Saint Saiwen is truly the most excellent talent on the Grand Sea in hundreds of years.

Without exception.

Pity the Navy did not have that fate.

Even if Saint Saint Saiwen had joined the Navy as Kuzan wished, he might not necessarily have achieved the brilliant accomplishments of today.

"Who can truly explain the thing called fate?"

Kuzan took the fish balls from Kizaru's hand.

"Borsalino, sometimes I envy you; you do not have to be permanently stationed at Headquarters, watching the internal factions of the Navy engage in intrigue and conflict."

Kizaru was stunned for a few seconds.

"Is it already this serious?"

"A few days ago," Kuzan explained helplessly, "the Fleet Admiral and Teacher Zephyr argued over the year-end promotion of flag officers."

"This training camp is nearing graduation,"

"Teacher Zephyr believes that with Enel's strength, he is fully qualified to be promoted to Headquarters Colonel, while the Fleet Admiral refuted this citing Enel's insufficient military merit."

Had not Mr. Koby and Ms. Tsuru intervened, the two would most likely have fought a battle at Navy Headquarters.

Kizaru sat online, munching on the drama.

"Just because of that?"

Aokiji rubbed the center of his brow: "It's mainly Smoker's issue. The Fleet Admiral assigned Smoker the rank of Chief Petty Officer at Headquarters, but the World Government... didn't approve it."

Kizaru, now thoroughly enjoying the drama: "Impossible. By all rights, it's just a Chief Petty Officer at Headquarters; the World Government rarely interferes with such appointments."

Servant < Recruit < Private Second Class < Private First Class

Corporal < Sergeant < Staff Sergeant

Chief Petty Officer < Ensign < Lieutenant < Lieutenant Commander

Lieutenant Junior Grade / Lieutenant Junior < Lieutenant Commander < Commander

Rear Admiral < Vice Admiral < Admiral < Fleet Admiral

Aokiji spread his hands.

"The Fleet Admiral only revealed this while drunk: the Five Elders believe Smoker is a spy sent by the Sihuang Sect to the Marines. They didn't even bother finding a decent excuse."

"On the contrary, that guy Aramaki, for his merit in escorting the Celestial Dragons, was directly promoted to Rear Admiral at Headquarters."

Kizaru had to admit: if this trend continues, the Marines are truly done for.

It wasn't that the Marines were suffering internal personnel loss, but that the Marines were truly becoming the Celestial Dragons' lackeys.

Why, then, did he feel inexplicably relieved?

Was it because he had already joined the Morning Star Group?

"The time for Marine reform has not yet come. I believe that one day, the Marines will return to the right path."

Hearing this, Aokiji took it as Kizaru merely comforting himself.

In reality, only Kizaru understood that with Saint Saint Saiwen's wealth and his ability to sway hearts, the Marines would sooner or later fall into Saint Saint Saiwen's hands.

Perhaps only then would the Marines truly welcome the opportunity for reform.

Moments later, Kizaru picked up the lunch box.

"I'm returning to Punk Hazard; if this gets cold, it loses its original flavor."

"Thank you for the treat; next time, I'll treat you."

"See you later."

Watching Kizaru leave, Aokiji let out a long sigh: Something is wrong, terribly wrong.

That guy Borsalino, could he already be corrupted by Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen?

Aokiji did not intend to go to Punk Hazard personally to verify whether Kizaru had simply come to pick up takeout.

Whether Kizaru had defected was no longer important.

What mattered was that the journey to Inazuma had made Aokiji resolutely determined: when turmoil comes in the future, he will lead the Marines to the Four Seas to suppress the rebellion.

As for whether Inazuma or the World Government will achieve ultimate victory, he would simply watch from the sidelines.

But for some reason, Aokiji inexplicably hoped that Inazuma would achieve ultimate victory.

"That guy Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen is truly sinister!"