Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Admiral's Astonishment
In the Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, also known as Sengoku the Buddha, looked at the Pirate Empress, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, with anger and exhaustion etched on his face.
Being the Fleet Admiral of the Navy was incredibly demanding, especially with the constant threat of the Whitebeard Pirates looming. Incidents were occurring frequently, and just recently, he had received a report that the Pirate Empress had suddenly and forcibly left the exclusive lounge designated for the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Sengoku smashed his desk in frustration. Blackbeard, another member of the Seven Warlords, had defected not long ago. If the Pirate Empress caused problems, it would be a huge blow to the Navy, further diminishing morale, which had already been affected by the Shiro's incident.
Fortunately, nothing major had happened.
"Fleet Admiral, what do you mean by this? I came all the way to the Navy Headquarters to assist you in the fight, and yet you restrict my movements?!"
To cover Shiro as much as possible, the Pirate Empress spoke assertively to Sengoku, making it seem like the Navy was in the wrong.
"And this abominable guy dared to speak rudely to me. What? Does your Navy's sense of justice not extend to women like me?!"
"Hyena?"
Only then did Sengoku notice the nearly lifeless body of Hyena not far away. He frowned deeply.
Did Hyena actually have the audacity to provoke the Pirate Empress? Or was she fabricating the incident?
Amidst his thoughts, Sengoku finally noticed Shiro's presence.
"Warrant Officer, were you present? What exactly happened here?!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked, his gaze narrowing upon seeing Shiro wearing a mask. A sense of foreboding washed over him.
"Reporting to the Fleet Admiral, it was Hyena who... insulted the Pirate Empress, claiming that as a dignified Rear Admiral, he wouldn't take orders from a pirate. So..."
Shiro faltered deliberately, stating the 'truth' as he saw fit. In any case, Hyena wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. For now, Sengoku could only believe what Shiro said.
As expected, Sengoku was furious. He immediately ordered the Marines to carry away the unconscious Hyena, ensuring he wasn't seen by others to avoid further demoralizing the troops.
"Pirate Empress, please return to the lounge and wait. If you have any needs, inform the guard. This is a critical period, and we can't afford any disturbances. Soon, you will be called to the port for defense. This war concerns the fate of the entire sea, so please, take it seriously!"
After dealing with Hyena, Sengoku addressed the Pirate Empress in a serious tone. Blackbeard's defection had caught him off guard, and although the Navy needed the power of the Seven Warlords, they were also unstable time bombs, with the exception of Bartholomew Kuma. Sengoku had to be cautious.
"Sengoku, are you instructing me on what to do?!"
The beautiful face of the Pirate Empress darkened. She had finally met Shiro again but hadn't even had the chance to exchange a few words. Now, Sengoku wanted her to return to that wretched lounge?!
"Boa Hancock, the situation is dire. One of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard, may strike at any moment. I hope you can focus on the bigger picture!"
Veins bulged on Sengoku's forehead as he spoke, his frustration evident. Since the Shiro's incident and the decision to publicly execute Fire Fist Ace, he had hardly rested. But now, facing the arrogant Pirate Empress, he was at his wit's end. He couldn't use force against her, especially with the war about to begin.
"Damn it. Why did Hyena have to provoke this woman?!"
The most beautiful woman in the world, and the more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she can be!
"One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Boa Hancock, please listen to the Fleet Admiral. The war is about to break out. You should rest and prepare for the upcoming unprecedented battle."
Seeing that the situation was about to escalate, Shiro stepped forward to persuade Hancock. He understood her feelings, as he also wanted to meet her openly, but now was not the time.
"Hey, who gave you the right to speak?!"
Sengoku reprimanded Shiro sharply, his body tensing as he prepared to intervene. He knew Hancock well enough to expect that she wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking out of turn. A mere Warrant Officer could easily provoke her wrath.
However, to Sengoku's astonishment, the Pirate Empress did not retaliate. Instead, she nodded gently, her demeanor unexpectedly calm.
The haughty Pirate Empress was acting gentle! And it was all because of a Warrant Officer's words?
While Sengoku was still processing this surprising turn of events, Hancock turned and returned to the lounge reserved for the Seven Warlords.
Watching the retreating figure of the world's most beautiful woman, Sengoku finally turned his attention to Shiro and Tashigi, the latter still unconscious. In his eyes, Shiro was an unfamiliar, masked naval Warrant Officer. As for Tashigi, he assumed her collapse was due to exhaustion from the intense preparations for the imminent battle.
"Warrant Officer, do you and Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, know each other?!"
"Report to the Fleet Admiral, I do not."
Shiro replied calmly, knowing that the more straightforward his answers, the less suspicion he would arouse.
"Then why does she listen to you?!"
Sengoku asked, genuinely puzzled. It was highly unusual for the Pirate Empress to back down so easily.
"Reporting to the Fleet Admiral, I don't believe she was listening to me specifically. I think her pride wouldn't allow her to bow to you directly, so she used me as an excuse to leave."
Shiro explained, offering a plausible reason.
Admiral Sengoku nodded, finding the explanation satisfactory. After all, it was the only logical explanation. He couldn't imagine the Pirate Empress having any real connection to a mere Warrant Officer.
"Warrant Officer, take Ensign Tashigi to the lounge and then report to my office immediately!"
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