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Chapter 530: Three Big Golden Question Marks!
August 12th.
After nearly a week of Elimination Rounds, the 'Top 100 Contestants' of the first Myriad Worlds Combat Power Tournament were finally selected and announced to the hundreds of millions of Audience across the Four Worlds through a Public Broadcast handled by the Media Division.
Muzan Kibutsuji, Benn Beckman, Yasopp, Mima Amatori, Levi Ackerman, Mekko, Tengen Uzui, Muichiro Tokito, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and others were, without surprise, on the list.
However.
That Bastard Krieg, as well as Arlong's two Partners, Kuroobi and Chew, also luckily defeated their respective Opponents, narrowly becoming members of the 'Top 100'.
As for Arlong himself, Hachi, and several other Fish-men, they could only return home.
The hundred or so subordinates Krieg had brought with him earlier had already died in the previous Selection Trial.
Next, they will travel by Air Force Flying Warship to 'Elbaf' in the New World.
Then, in that legendary Giant Tribe Kingdom, the final 'one-on-one ranking matches' will be held to determine everyone's final ranking!
The few days during the journey are allocated for them to rest and recuperate.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
[Knock knock knock]
When the knocking sound rang out, Sengoku withdrew his Gaze from the 'Top 100 Contestants list' on the Virtual Screen, and casually pressed the button on the back of the Visual Den Den Mushi, causing it to retract the light projected from its eye.
"Come in."
"Excuse me, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
A rugged man, wearing a purple Kimono, with short black hair, a mustache around his mouth, and an exceptionally tall and sturdy build, stepped in, wearing wooden clogs and carrying a cane-Blade at his waist, gently pushing open the Door.
Sengoku looked at the other party with a gentle Attitude and smiled.
"This Old Man invited you, how could it be an interruption? Please have a seat, Lord Issho."
"Then, please excuse my intrusion."
Issho replied politely, then sat down on the wide chair opposite the Office Desk. However, his appearance was very different from the 'Canon'.
Firstly, he looked much younger. Secondly, his Expression had no 'X'-shaped scar, and his eyes were not blind; instead, they were bright and sharp.
"The main reason I invited you for this meeting is because I heard you wish to remain at Marine Headquarters and not join other branches of the Military. Could you tell me why?"
As Sengoku spoke, his Gaze and Tone became increasingly amiable, and the Smile on his face couldn't be suppressed. He felt the other party looked so pleasing to the eye.
Regardless of whether it worked out in the end, just based on Issho's Attitude, Sengoku was willing to give him extra care.
"Because based on my prior understanding, during the World Government's conquest of Otherworlds, the primary Duty of the Marines, compared to the Army and Air Force, is to remain in the Homeland and be responsible for maintaining the Safety and Maritime Order of this World."
"..."
As soon as Issho finished speaking, the Smile on Sengoku's face froze. He subconsciously thought the other party was mocking him and the Marines.
Fortunately, he wasn't impulsive by nature.
Sengoku immediately noticed that Issho's Attitude was very serious, and there was no hint of joking or any other malicious Expression on his face. He then asked somewhat puzzled, "Is it because you don't want to participate in the War against Otherworlds, which is why you don't want to join the Army or Air Force?"
"Precisely."
Issho nodded with a calm Gaze.
"This humble one originally did not wish to join the military, but after seeing the Screen Feed of the Giant Unit from an Otherworld pouring into our World through the Star Gate that day, I realized that in the Future, it's not just the World Government that will invade other Worlds; other Worlds could also potentially invade our World."
"After much thought, I feel that I do not have the Ability to stop the World Government from ceasing its conquest of Otherworlds, and I also do not Hope for our World to be invaded by other Worlds. Therefore, I will try my best to use my Strength to protect the Homeland."
After hearing these two paragraphs, Sengoku's feelings were complex.
He doesn't want to invade other Worlds, only wants to protect his own World, so he chooses to join Marine Headquarters. This is Issho's idea.
To be honest.
Sengoku thought Issho was very naive, very idealistic.
Does joining the Marines mean he won't have to participate in Wars against Otherworlds?
How could that be? How many Otherworlds have no Ocean?
After Issho joins the Marines, as long as he doesn't want to disobey orders, he will eventually become an Otherworld invader, because he has become a Soldier!
However...
Sengoku didn't dislike Issho's naivety, his Reason. On the contrary, he somewhat admired it, admiring it because he himself couldn't do it. For so many years, he had long ago carved the words 'obeying orders' into the depths of his Soul.
That's why in the 'Future' of the Canon, he would personally issue the Buster Call on Ohara for the Five Elders' Order, and also for the Five Elders' Order, agree to conceal the great prison break incident at Impel Down.
In fact, compared to Sakazuki, Sengoku was the true Government Dog. At least the former dared to go directly in front of the Five Elders and curse and question them.
At the same time.
Perhaps because he had the opportunity to directly face the high-ranking and powerful Fleet Admiral, Issho couldn't help but pour out the thoughts he had accumulated for a long time.
"Two years ago, because I saw many filthy and despicable people, I once had the thought of destroying my own eyes, thinking that not seeing such a World full of Crime would be a rare blessing."
"Until Marine Calendar 1498, September 15th. This humble one feels he will never forget this day, because it was not only the day the previous Reverie was held, but also the statutory holiday for Liberation Day."
"On that day, the World Government at the Reverie not only passed the 'Equal and Friendly Relations Communiqué between Humans, Merfolk Tribe, and Fish-Man Tribe', but also passed the even greater proposal for the 'complete prohibition of the slave trade and complete liberation of the world's slaves'!"
Speaking up to this point, Issho's emotions were clearly somewhat Excited.
"This humble one actually suspected that it was just a mere formality or Propaganda."
"But when I visited Kingdoms and Islands one after another with my own feet, and witnessed with my own eyes countless Slaves having their chains and Collars removed by the Marines, I finally confirmed that the World Government has truly changed!"
"And after I arrived at Sabaody Archipelago again and saw the beautiful sight there, I decided to keep these eyes, because I want to see more changes and a better World!"
Sengoku did not interrupt him, but listened patiently, and at the same time felt with his Heart the sincerity in his words, until Issho finished speaking before opening his mouth again.
"This Old Man will report your thoughts upwards and fully Support you staying in the Marines, but I cannot guarantee the outcome, because your Gravity-Gravity Fruit Ability can make objects fly, which is more suitable for the Air Force."
Upon hearing this, Issho frowned, his face full of self-reproach.
"This humble one was negligent. It was mainly because when I was Sparring with Vice Admiral Onigumo that day, Admiral Garp suddenly punched me, making me feel a Strong sense of danger. Subconsciously, I Control the Stone Slab under my feet to fly into the air to dodge..."
"???"
Three big golden question marks popped up above Sengoku's Head.
August 12th.
After nearly a week of Elimination Rounds, the 'Top 100 Contestants' of the first Myriad Worlds Combat Power Tournament were finally selected and announced to the hundreds of millions of Audience across the Four Worlds through a Public Broadcast handled by the Media Division.
Muzan Kibutsuji, Benn Beckman, Yasopp, Mima Amatori, Levi Ackerman, Mekko, Tengen Uzui, Muichiro Tokito, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and others were, without surprise, on the list.
However.
That Bastard Krieg, as well as Arlong's two Partners, Kuroobi and Chew, also luckily defeated their respective Opponents, narrowly becoming members of the 'Top 100'.
As for Arlong himself, Hachi, and several other Fish-men, they could only return home.
The hundred or so subordinates Krieg had brought with him earlier had already died in the previous Selection Trial.
Next, they will travel by Air Force Flying Warship to 'Elbaf' in the New World.
Then, in that legendary Giant Tribe Kingdom, the final 'one-on-one ranking matches' will be held to determine everyone's final ranking!
The few days during the journey are allocated for them to rest and recuperate.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
[Knock knock knock]
When the knocking sound rang out, Sengoku withdrew his Gaze from the 'Top 100 Contestants list' on the Virtual Screen, and casually pressed the button on the back of the Visual Den Den Mushi, causing it to retract the light projected from its eye.
"Come in."
"Excuse me, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
A rugged man, wearing a purple Kimono, with short black hair, a mustache around his mouth, and an exceptionally tall and sturdy build, stepped in, wearing wooden clogs and carrying a cane-Blade at his waist, gently pushing open the Door.
Sengoku looked at the other party with a gentle Attitude and smiled.
"This Old Man invited you, how could it be an interruption? Please have a seat, Lord Issho."
"Then, please excuse my intrusion."
Issho replied politely, then sat down on the wide chair opposite the Office Desk. However, his appearance was very different from the 'Canon'.
Firstly, he looked much younger. Secondly, his Expression had no 'X'-shaped scar, and his eyes were not blind; instead, they were bright and sharp.
"The main reason I invited you for this meeting is because I heard you wish to remain at Marine Headquarters and not join other branches of the Military. Could you tell me why?"
As Sengoku spoke, his Gaze and Tone became increasingly amiable, and the Smile on his face couldn't be suppressed. He felt the other party looked so pleasing to the eye.
Regardless of whether it worked out in the end, just based on Issho's Attitude, Sengoku was willing to give him extra care.
"Because based on my prior understanding, during the World Government's conquest of Otherworlds, the primary Duty of the Marines, compared to the Army and Air Force, is to remain in the Homeland and be responsible for maintaining the Safety and Maritime Order of this World."
"..."
As soon as Issho finished speaking, the Smile on Sengoku's face froze. He subconsciously thought the other party was mocking him and the Marines.
Fortunately, he wasn't impulsive by nature.
Sengoku immediately noticed that Issho's Attitude was very serious, and there was no hint of joking or any other malicious Expression on his face. He then asked somewhat puzzled, "Is it because you don't want to participate in the War against Otherworlds, which is why you don't want to join the Army or Air Force?"
"Precisely."
Issho nodded with a calm Gaze.
"This humble one originally did not wish to join the military, but after seeing the Screen Feed of the Giant Unit from an Otherworld pouring into our World through the Star Gate that day, I realized that in the Future, it's not just the World Government that will invade other Worlds; other Worlds could also potentially invade our World."
"After much thought, I feel that I do not have the Ability to stop the World Government from ceasing its conquest of Otherworlds, and I also do not Hope for our World to be invaded by other Worlds. Therefore, I will try my best to use my Strength to protect the Homeland."
After hearing these two paragraphs, Sengoku's feelings were complex.
He doesn't want to invade other Worlds, only wants to protect his own World, so he chooses to join Marine Headquarters. This is Issho's idea.
To be honest.
Sengoku thought Issho was very naive, very idealistic.
Does joining the Marines mean he won't have to participate in Wars against Otherworlds?
How could that be? How many Otherworlds have no Ocean?
After Issho joins the Marines, as long as he doesn't want to disobey orders, he will eventually become an Otherworld invader, because he has become a Soldier!
However...
Sengoku didn't dislike Issho's naivety, his Reason. On the contrary, he somewhat admired it, admiring it because he himself couldn't do it. For so many years, he had long ago carved the words 'obeying orders' into the depths of his Soul.
That's why in the 'Future' of the Canon, he would personally issue the Buster Call on Ohara for the Five Elders' Order, and also for the Five Elders' Order, agree to conceal the great prison break incident at Impel Down.
In fact, compared to Sakazuki, Sengoku was the true Government Dog. At least the former dared to go directly in front of the Five Elders and curse and question them.
At the same time.
Perhaps because he had the opportunity to directly face the high-ranking and powerful Fleet Admiral, Issho couldn't help but pour out the thoughts he had accumulated for a long time.
"Two years ago, because I saw many filthy and despicable people, I once had the thought of destroying my own eyes, thinking that not seeing such a World full of Crime would be a rare blessing."
"Until Marine Calendar 1498, September 15th. This humble one feels he will never forget this day, because it was not only the day the previous Reverie was held, but also the statutory holiday for Liberation Day."
"On that day, the World Government at the Reverie not only passed the 'Equal and Friendly Relations Communiqué between Humans, Merfolk Tribe, and Fish-Man Tribe', but also passed the even greater proposal for the 'complete prohibition of the slave trade and complete liberation of the world's slaves'!"
Speaking up to this point, Issho's emotions were clearly somewhat Excited.
"This humble one actually suspected that it was just a mere formality or Propaganda."
"But when I visited Kingdoms and Islands one after another with my own feet, and witnessed with my own eyes countless Slaves having their chains and Collars removed by the Marines, I finally confirmed that the World Government has truly changed!"
"And after I arrived at Sabaody Archipelago again and saw the beautiful sight there, I decided to keep these eyes, because I want to see more changes and a better World!"
Sengoku did not interrupt him, but listened patiently, and at the same time felt with his Heart the sincerity in his words, until Issho finished speaking before opening his mouth again.
"This Old Man will report your thoughts upwards and fully Support you staying in the Marines, but I cannot guarantee the outcome, because your Gravity-Gravity Fruit Ability can make objects fly, which is more suitable for the Air Force."
Upon hearing this, Issho frowned, his face full of self-reproach.
"This humble one was negligent. It was mainly because when I was Sparring with Vice Admiral Onigumo that day, Admiral Garp suddenly punched me, making me feel a Strong sense of danger. Subconsciously, I Control the Stone Slab under my feet to fly into the air to dodge..."
"???"
Three big golden question marks popped up above Sengoku's Head.
