A Marine Admiral, an existence standing solely beneath the Fleet Admiral within the Marines, possessed absolute authority.
Although subject to the Fleet Admiral and required to obey their orders, that was their only restriction.
Let alone Elliot, even personnel from other units could be dispatched at will, provided there was a reasonable justification.
Of course, even without a reasonable justification, one could easily make the justification reasonable.
And right now…
Hearing Sakazuki’s words, everyone turned their gazes toward Elliot.
Recruitment?
No!
Absolutely not!
If the other two Admirals said this, it might indeed be an attempt to recruit Elliot!
But Admiral Sakazuki genuinely wanted to “educate” this new recruit.
As for how he planned to educate him, no one dared to imagine.
Especially since Elliot had acted so casually ever since he arrived.
Zephyr furrowed his brows tightly.
“Sakazuki, he is already a cadet of the Marine Academy!
Even if you want him to join your unit, you have to wait until he graduates!”
Sakazuki looked at Zephyr.
“Instructor, I am merely helping you educate him a little.”
Zephyr refused to yield a single inch.
“I do not agree!”
Sakazuki spoke coldly, “I have the authority to transfer him.”
A former Admiral!
A current Admiral!
Suddenly clashing head-on over a single person!
Moreover, the atmosphere between the two was completely explosive, ready to detonate at any moment.
The surrounding Marines and cadets, who hadn’t even dared to breathe loudly since Sakazuki’s arrival, grew even more tense.
Many turned their heads to look at Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the others in the distance.
They were the only ones who could stop this now!
The cries of seagulls and the sound of the not-yet-calmed ocean waves echoed in the air.
“Please don’t fight over me.
Furthermore…” Elliot stepped forward, breaking the silence as he looked at the two of them.
Seeing Elliot speak up at a time like this…
The surrounding Marines immediately held their breath for him.
Many looked at Elliot, shaking their heads and waving their hands frantically, as if anxious on his behalf.
*Don’t speak!
You monster!*
*Especially saying things like ‘don’t fight over me’—do you have a death wish?!*
Elliot looked at Sakazuki with a calm expression.
“Furthermore…
I’d like to confirm something.
It sounds like you want to transfer me, which is to say…
you want to poach me for your unit, correct?
If that’s the case, I’d like to ask what the salary is, and since I’m currently an Ensign, what my position would be in your unit, as well as the prospects for future promotions.”
After finishing, Elliot looked at Sakazuki and specifically added, “Also, I refuse to work overtime.”
The surrounding people, including Sakazuki and Zephyr: “…”
*This guy…*
*What is he…
saying!?*
*What does he mean by ‘poach’…*
*And what’s all this about salary and positions?*
*What kind of nonsense is he spouting to Admiral Sakazuki!*
*Does he have a death wish?!*
Everyone stared at Elliot’s serious and earnest face.
It was obvious—this guy was completely serious!
Sakazuki furrowed his brows.
“Why would the Marines have such things!”
“So there wouldn’t be any changes?” Elliot looked at Sakazuki.
“Then allow me to refuse your invitation.”
Everyone: “?”
Elliot continued, “I chose the Marine Academy because, in my current career plan, the Academy is my best option.
I specifically asked Vice Admiral Garp; after I safely graduate from the Academy, I’ll be promoted to Lieutenant, and my salary will at least double.
Although I don’t know where I’ll be transferred after that, I plan to go to that place called the [New World], because the salary there triples.
Plus, Vice Admiral Garp said it’s easier to get promoted there, and it’s very free, with absolutely no overtime.”
“But if I just follow you now, I have no idea when I’ll be able to get promoted, so I refuse.
If you appreciate my abilities, please transfer me when the time comes.
Now then, I will take my leave.”
With that said, Elliot looked at the dumbfounded Ain.
“Instructor Ain, please take me to my dorm.”
Ain blinked, momentarily at a loss for how to answer Elliot.
Mainly because…
*What on earth was he saying!*
The surrounding Marines shared Ain’s sentiment.
They all just stared at the new recruit with dark circles under his eyes, their minds buzzing.
Not only did he reject Admiral Sakazuki, but he also spouted a bunch of incomprehensible nonsense!
But…
*Can you really do whatever you want just because you’re strong!?*
*But the person you’re facing is Sakazuki!*
Naturally, many people turned their heads to look at Vice Admiral Garp.
Garp pointed at himself with a feigned look of ignorance.
“Huh?”
*Is he even more of a headache than expected?* Sengoku couldn’t help but take a deep breath as he recalled Elliot’s words over the Den Den Mushi.
The next moment, he glared fiercely at Garp.
But right at this moment…
Black smoke appeared!
Sakazuki’s entire arm suddenly transformed into churning magma.
Seeing this scene, all the Marines jumped in fright.
Elliot took a step back, afraid of singeing his clothes, because he really didn’t have many spare outfits left.
Sakazuki stared coldly at Elliot.
“Do you know who you are talking to?”
“Sakazuki!” Zephyr stepped in front of Elliot, raising his eyes to look at Sakazuki.
“That’s enough!
And you should know, I will never hand him over to you!”
Sakazuki clenched his fist, the thick smoke growing even denser.
“Everyone, return to your posts immediately!”
But right at this moment…
The voice of Marine Headquarters Fleet Admiral Sengoku rang in everyone’s ears.
Everyone immediately turned around to see Sengoku walking toward Zephyr and Sakazuki with his hands behind his back, followed by Garp, Kuzan, and the others.
Seeing Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and especially upon hearing his order, not a single Marine hesitated.
They saluted and hurriedly turned to return to their posts, though they kept stealing glances at Elliot from the corners of their eyes.
*This new recruit is way too bold!*
Approaching them, Sengoku looked at Zephyr.
“That’s enough, Zephyr!
I agreed to let you use the port, but I didn’t agree to you turning it into this state.
The Marine Academy will be responsible for the port’s repairs.”
Zephyr answered readily, “Fine!”
Sengoku then looked at Ain.
“Ain, take Elliot to his dorm.”
Ain immediately saluted Sengoku, glanced at Zephyr, and seeing him nod, turned to Elliot.
Elliot wasn’t one to dawdle, so he naturally followed Ain away.
Before leaving, however, Elliot noticed Garp giving him a thumbs-up.
Elliot didn’t respond to it, instead asking Ain in a low voice, “Instructor Ain, could you take me to a flower shop first?”
Ain turned her head to look at Elliot.
For some reason, she really wanted to ask, *’Do you even know what you just did?’* but she held it back and nodded.
“Okay.”
Watching Elliot’s retreating back, and especially after hearing what he just said, Sengoku felt his headache worsen.
He turned his head to Sakazuki.
“Sakazuki, regarding the matter of the Warlord of the Sea Hanafuda and the Beast Pirates, I’d like to hear your opinion.
His recent movements in particular have been somewhat suspicious.”
Sakazuki’s magma arm had already vanished.
He merely cast a glance at Elliot’s back before looking at Sengoku.
“Understood.”
“I’d actually quite like to have him in my un—” Kuzan began, watching Elliot’s back with a look of great interest and amusement.
But before he could finish his sentence, he noticed Sengoku glaring at him and immediately shut his mouth.
Garp immediately laughed and patted Kuzan on the shoulder.
Sengoku looked at the people around him, then glanced at Elliot’s back again.
*Every last one of them!*