Chapter 430

"What? You're going back to the Navy?!"

Originally, Saint Saint Saiwen was chatting with users from Green Grass and Dragon Ball on the trading platform when he suddenly received a call from Vegapunk, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

Could an undercover agent… become addicted?

Counting Vegapunk's experiences over the years: from the Donquixote Family to the Navy, from the Navy to the Morning Star Corps, from the Morning Star Corps to the Beasts Pirates.

Now, after all this circling, he's returning to the Navy again.

Truly a legend among legends.

Moreover, Admiral Sakazuki has never known: Vegapunk is actually a spy sent by the Langmingge Sect to the Navy.

Sakazuki still believes Vegapunk defected from the Navy because he was charmed by Saint Saint Saiwen's charisma.

"Does Sakazuki know?"

The Den Den Mushi mimicked Vegapunk's tone.

"Captain, Admiral Sakazuki is still unaware—it was Mr. Kuzan who invited me to serve as his aide, and just as Rosinante has returned to the Navy, the two of us will remain inside to watch over it for you."

"Alright." Saint Saint Saiwen nodded: "When you're done in the North Blue, come back and hand over duties. Make sure Kuzan submits an application to the Interior Ministry—I'll approve it personally."

"Thank you, Captain."

If Saint Saint Saiwen intended to remain permanently in the Pirate World, he wouldn't need to worry about the Navy turning against him.

With his strength, there was no one on this sea who could match him.

But recently, the invitation sent by Hammer Girl via the trading platform made Saint Saint Saiwen realize: he might one day travel to other worlds.

Even if he hadn't yet made up his mind, and even planned to sell pure gold for another few decades until he amassed a full set of divine gear before continuing his exploration of unknown paths.

At least now there was a possibility—and a thought—of leaving, so he must prepare in advance.

So the United Kingdom wouldn't collapse by the second generation.

Throughout human history, examples of empires collapsing by the second generation were far too numerous.

After all the effort it took to overthrow the World Government and establish the United Kingdom, how could he let others profit from it?

Whether Navy, Army, or the Air Force still being organized, every senior officer across the three branches must be replaced with his own people.

Of course, all this is still far off.

First and foremost, he must deal with Imu the Old Bastard, then father a healthy son with Yamato.

Meanwhile, in the North Blue's Lubnil Province.

The first round of the Wu Dou Tournament's North Blue regional qualifiers had just reached its final stage, which was when Vegapunk finally found time to report to Saint Saint Saiwen about returning to the Navy.

As soon as Vegapunk hung up the Den Den Mushi, Kuzan came over—again—to ask.

"Has Saint Saint Saint Saiwen agreed?"

Ever since he conceived the idea of making Vegapunk his aide, Kuzan had grown increasingly satisfied with him.

First, Vegapunk had experience managing internal affairs—he'd kept both the Beasts Pirates and Dressrosa running smoothly.

Second, Vegapunk could speak with anyone from the Morning Star Corps, the Navy, the Army, and even the Four Emperors' factions.

In short, there was no high-ranking official in the United Kingdom whom Vegapunk didn't know.

With such connections, not only would Vegapunk find it easier to handle affairs at the Sacred Land, but whenever Kuzan needed something, having Vegapunk on his side would be more useful than anything else.

He was far more suitable as an aide than Enel or Smoker, whom Kuzan had previously favored.

Under Kuzan's expectant gaze, Vegapunk slowly nodded.

"The Captain always understands us. Just submit an application to the Interior Ministry—you'll get his personal approval."

"Perfect! I'll submit the application right away."

Kuzan couldn't hide his joy, already picturing his peaceful, leisurely semi-retired life once Vegapunk became his aide.

Among the Navy's current three admirals, Akainu had long ago pledged allegiance to Saint Saint Saint Saiwen.

He was the purest of the United Kingdom's loyalists.

Aokiji, though he'd had some disputes with Saint Saint Saint Saiwen, had amassed countless victories for the United Kingdom since its founding.

His achievements ranked second only to the founding heroes.

Only Kuzan, despite his significant role in pacifying the South Blue, paled in comparison to Aokiji's deeds—it was like comparing a speck of dust to a mountain.

Recall that during the Ohara Massacre, Aokiji dared order the bombardment of refugee ships, fearing survivors might escape and cause greater chaos.

And after the United Kingdom's establishment,

with Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's unwavering resolve to uphold justice, Aokiji had simply gone berserk, slaughtering every rebel who dared try to exploit the chaos.

Kuzan had also considered leaving the Navy once the Four Seas were fully stabilized, but he couldn't decide what else to do.

In fact, Kuzan had also considered leaving the Navy once the four seas were completely at peace, but he couldn't figure out what he should do instead.

Retirement?

Kuzan was only thirty-three—the youngest of the three admirals, still in his prime—and he felt too embarrassed to even mention retirement.

That's why he'd begun seeking an aide and handling administrative duties—to free up more time and energy to find his own path forward.

Now that Vegapunk was appointed as his aide, Kuzan could finally focus on discovering his future path.

"Vegapunk, when you're out in public, I'm the Admiral. But inside the office, you're the Navy Admiral—decide all military affairs yourself."

"If you have questions, ask Rosinante."

Kuzan knew that Admiral Sakazuki intended to groom Rosinante as the next Chief of Staff, always bringing his beloved son along during military deliberations.

Now Sakazuki was merely a rubber stamp; the real decisions came from Rosinante.

And since Rosinante and Vegapunk were both members of the Langmingge Sect and trusted confidants of Saint Saint Saint Saiwen, they could naturally exchange insights and experience.

"Mr. Kuzan…" Vegapunk's face fell. "You can't just leave everything to me—can't you at least give me one day off a month?!"

"Mr. Kuzan..." Virgo pleaded, his face gloomy. "You can't just ignore everything—let me have at least one day off a month?!"

"No problem, no problem."

Just as the two were chatting idly, a black-and-chubby figure materialized in Kuzan's line of sight.

"Blackbeard? Why has he come?"

Vergo followed Kuzan's gaze and saw the black-and-chubby Blackbeard standing before the crowd, examining the fighting arena with great interest.

"Could he be here to participate in the fighting tournament?"

Kuzan slowly shook his head.

"Blackbeard is ambitious; a mere fighting tournament is far beneath his notice. He must have some unknown purpose."

Kuzan would never have imagined that Blackbeard had come specifically to challenge him.

Lafitte's proposal had sounded utterly absurd and was, in fact, highly unreliable, yet Blackbeard ultimately decided to adopt this method.

That is, to win attention by challenging a Navy Admiral, thereby securing more sponsorship funds from the North Blue Noble Alliance.

The sponsorship funds were simply too tempting, leaving Blackbeard unable to resist.

Just then, the victor in the fighting arena was decided.

The announcer held up a microphone and shouted.

"I declare the champion of the North Blue venue of the First Fighting Tournament to be Avalo Pizarro! Let us cheer for the man from the North Blue!"

At the very front of the onlooking crowd, Blackbeard grinned, scanning the arena with utter disdain.

"Zehahaha~"

"What's so interesting about children playing house? Navy Admiral, I formally challenge you to a duel between true men."

Hearing this, the onlooking crowd, eager for trouble, immediately erupted into even more enthusiastic cheers.

"Accept it! Accept it!"