บท 107: Chapter 107: Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away
Sengoku's tone was filled with bitterness and helplessness. It was only natural; he believed he had done nothing to betray the Navy. It was merely fate and timing. With a visibly desolate expression, Sengoku's throat moved a few times, but he ultimately remained silent, letting out a long sigh. It was as if he had suddenly aged a lot.
On the other side, Garp looked at his old friend, his eyes filled with complex emotions. That earlier remark was essentially a final request. Garp was silent for a moment, unable to bear looking directly at Sengoku, and shifted his gaze.
"So... what about the next candidate?"
For Sengoku, this might be a rather harsh question. But after all, he was the man known as Sengoku the Buddha, who had led the Navy through many tribulations. After only a slight pause, Sengoku's face quickly returned to calmness.
"I will do my best to recommend Kuzan. Whether it will succeed or not is beyond my control."
Sengoku's expression became slightly calmer as he spoke rationally. If he had to choose one of the three Admirals as his successor, Sengoku would undoubtedly choose Kuzan. Although the Navy ostensibly stands for justice, the personalities of its top brass differ.
Kizaru was too lazy. He was ruled out from the start. Between Akainu and Kuzan, Akainu's personality was too extreme and he was too ruthless. Although adhering to absolute justice seemed fine, Akainu's actions over the years had not gone unnoticed by Sengoku. Most of the time, Sengoku had turned a blind eye. Allowing such an aggressive and black-and-white person to become Fleet Admiral was not a good idea. After the battle with the Whitebeard Pirates, the Navy needed to recuperate. So the only choice left was Kuzan. Sengoku couldn't comment on Kuzan's laid-back sense of justice, but compared to Akainu, Kuzan had a stable personality and could serve as a rock to stabilize the Navy. Given the current state of the Navy, he was the most suitable candidate.
"Kuzan... I have no objections."
Listening to Sengoku, Garp stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before nodding in agreement. As an old Navy hero, Garp was also somewhat uncomfortable with Akainu's overly harsh style. Nicely put, it was filled with a sense of justice, intolerant of any flaws. But to put it bluntly... that guy was like a mad dog.
"I've prepared the recommendation letter. I'll hand it over before my official retirement. Let's hope my choice is right."
Sengoku sighed, looking at his old friend. They had once roamed the seas together, having their own golden era. But now, it seemed, it was time to end. There's a saying that goes, old soldiers never die; they just fade away. Perhaps this was their destiny.
"I'll keep an eye on things for you."
Garp responded sullenly. He knew this was his old friend's farewell.
"With you here, I feel reassured. But... never mind, it's not something I should worry about now. I'm old, and it's time to retire."
Sengoku laughed heartily, seemingly wanting to say more, but after a moment, he just shook his head with a bitter smile. What use was it to speak now? Ultimately, the decision lay with the Five Elders. Though he still sat in this office, he was already a powerless old man.
"After retiring, I plan to hide away in the Sabaody Archipelago for a while, maybe meet some old friends. If you're free, come join me for tea."
Sengoku smiled at Garp, then slowly stood up.
"Alright, I've said enough. I think I'll go buy some fishing gear. Come to think of it, a more fulfilling life might be nice."
With that, Sengoku stepped past Garp, casually tossing the Fleet Admiral's cloak over a chair by the door, then walked out confidently. He never looked back, nor did he say goodbye. From today onwards, he was no longer the Fleet Admiral. Just another fisherman on the beaches of the Sabaody Archipelago. A life that might still hold its own expectations.
Garp silently watched his old friend leave, not saying anything sentimental. They were old, but not dead. Garp understood clearly that with Sengoku's departure, this era of the Navy... was nearly over.
The news of Fleet Admiral Sengoku's resignation and departure from Marineford spread rapidly across the world. Like a virus, it reached every important person's desk with astonishing speed. Casual observers were shocked.
"He really resigned? But he's Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"What now for the Navy?"
"Aren't there still the three Admirals? It should be fine, right?"
"The Navy has really changed!"
There was shock, confusion, and some even sparked with hope. But compared to the casual observers, the reactions of the major powers were more nuanced.
Take Kaido, for example. Insiders reported that Kaido's palace had been echoing with wild laughter these days. Everyone understood—after all, he and Sengoku had always been at odds. He was enjoying their misfortune.
But more of the major powers remained calm. Everyone was waiting. Sengoku's resignation meant a power shift in the Navy, and as top forces on the sea, the new Fleet Admiral would dictate the Navy's direction for at least the next decade. Based on the new leader's personality and approach, they would need to adjust their strategies. This was no joke.
So, despite this major event, the New World seemed eerily calm. Beneath the surface, however, currents were shifting. Among the closely watching yet inactive forces was the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Everyone's read the newspaper, let's hear it. What are your thoughts?"
Lin Yan slapped the newly bought newspaper on the table, his gaze sweeping over the assembled people.
The crowd was silent, their expressions serious and calm. Then, all eyes turned to Lin Yan. Lin Yan felt helpless.
"I asked for your thoughts, why are you looking at me?"
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