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How were the current Marine bases established? Were they all handed down through 800 years of history?
**Of course not.
In fact, every century the Marine branches undergo significant restructuring.
Some branches, like the old G-5 base, were destroyed in wars. Others were abandoned due to changing island climates, outdated facilities, and structural decay that made repairs impossible.
Finally, there are bases whose locations were completely exposed to the enemy, forcing the Marines to relocate.
Marineford's unparalleled status stems from the fact that the Great Whirlpool Triangle has never been breached and has remained unchanged, standing firm in the middle of the sea day after day, year after year.
So it's not surprising that the Marines plan to establish the G-11 branch. Before the era of rampant piracy, the number of Marine branches in the New World was much greater than it is now.
This is the best of times and the worst of times.
For the present era, the G-11 is a "newly formed" branch, but looking back on Marine history, there have been as many as twenty G-20 branches in the past.
But what does this have to do with Smoker?
Storno Belly was also a bit confused.
Right now, Smoker is just a Marine Branch Colonel, with no clear path back to the Marine Headquarters. Even if the G-11 is going to be a big project that will require a lot of investment over time, Smoker isn't exactly in line for a promotion, is he?
"Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), what are you trying to say?"
Smoker considered the implications.
Could Rowen promote him to a higher position?
What does he want from me?
How could this affect my future?
Smoker used to be someone who let his fists do the thinking, which made him a thorn in the side of the higher-ups, known as the Marine Rogue. But now Smoker understands that one's position determines one's decisions.
He had gained a new perspective!
"The G-11 branch is expected to be completed early next year. The Fleet Admiral has yet to disclose any information regarding the candidate for the position of Base Head. Of course, it's not because he doesn't trust any of the Vice Admirals present."
That much is clear.
With the exception of Garp and Tsuru, who hold senior positions, the average age of the current Headquarters Vice Admirals is around 40. These individuals are the backbone of the Marines, largely hand-picked by Sengoku.
Sengoku has complete faith in these people.
Despite his anger over the Vergo incident, Sengoku isn't the type to become paranoid about every Vice Admiral as a result.
"What does Vice Admiral Storno Belly think is the reason why the Fleet Admiral hasn't announced a candidate yet?"
"Probably... it's about maintaining balance, right?"
Storno Belly, having become a Vice Admiral himself, has a certain amount of political acumen: "The War and Peace Faction officers are evenly matched, making it difficult to choose between them. Normally, if Garp's faction remained neutral, the Fleet Admiral would choose one of us. But..."
"But then you came along, Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)."
With his dual role as dictator, Rowen's influence in the Marines is at an all-time high, second only to the older generation of Admirals and figures like Garp, making him a Marine general with considerable real power!
Though the Assassination Force has suffered setbacks and gone through a period of correction, everyone can see its immense potential for growth.
Their independence puts them in an inherently unbeatable position!
Even Sengoku can't force them to follow the orders of a particular Admiral; they recognize authority, not individuals.
In the future, it may even grow to overshadow the War Faction and the Peace Faction, becoming a colossal entity second only to the Fleet Admiral's position.
Such a small group of Headquarters Vice Admirals splits into different factions with different views of justice. This, in turn, involves thousands of junior and mid-level officers. Managing their disputes is a considerable challenge for Sengoku, so his hesitation is understandable.
"You're half right."
Rowen smiled and said, "As long as the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, the Fleet Admiral is not the type to miss opportunities because of concerns. Issuing a direct order and using his authority to suppress any dissent is more his style."
"Then..."
Storno Belly frowned silently.
That's true.
Sengoku doesn't come across as overly assertive, but his unwavering convictions are undeniable.
If necessary, would he care about factional conflicts among the officers?
As the Fleet Admiral, who would dare to defy him and covertly undermine his orders?
In Sengoku's mind, it didn't matter what others thought, as long as he believed it was the right thing to do.
In the past, in order to maintain the balance between the three major factions, he would give orders that made the soldiers feel ashamed for that very reason.
As for the other half, Storno Belly had a faint idea.
"I think I understand!"
He chuckled bitterly and shook his head, "It seems that the Fleet Admiral doesn't consider any of us suitable to be the Base Head in the New World.
The New World is a sea filled with chaos, a stark contrast to the "Paradise" of the First Half.
In the past, large-scale battles involving top-level forces were common. During the decade in which the Yonko solidified their positions, skirmishes occurred every three days, each lasting three days, creating chaos more complicated than your cat knocking over a row of dominoes.
The Marines have extremely high expectations for the combat skills of both officers and enlisted men!
When the old G-5 was still operational, Vergo's subordinates were often referred to as "pirates in marines' clothing," sometimes ignoring orders from headquarters and acting on their own whims.
War Faction officers are overly aggressive but lack the ability to hold their own. Peace Faction officers focus on defense, but a slip-up can lead to disaster. The most suitable candidates from Garp's faction, who were originally the perfect fit, cannot be mobilized due to Rowen's sudden rise. As a result...
Sengoku is in a real predicament!
Only when these two factors are combined can we understand why Sengoku is so indecisive.
"So, let me ask you hypothetically, if I were already a Headquarters Vice Admiral, what advantages would I have to secure the position of G-11 Base Head?"
Smoker asked with a burning intensity in his eyes.
This is a rare opportunity to rise through the ranks quickly!
Because Sengoku believes that none of the current Vice Admirals can gain a foothold in the New World to manage a base as large as G-11 or the old Totto Land.
"That's simple: because you're tough enough!"
Rowen answered with a playful smile.
Smoker's enthusiasm was instantly doused like a bucket of cold water, leaving him staring blankly at Rowen, stunned.
Am I tough enough?
Is that supposed to be a compliment?!
"I see what you mean."
Storno Belly's eyes suddenly lit up as he watched from the sidelines.
"This is indeed Smoker's advantage!"
Youth is Smoker's greatest advantage!
Because he is young, his development potential is much greater than the other Vice Admirals.
And being young means that he has enough room to make mistakes.
What the New World needs is not a Vice Admiral with overwhelming power to garrison, but rather a dynamic and courageous young officer who can take responsibility, act independently, and maintain a balance between offense and defense.
Simply put, it's about having vitality!
An old, lifeless veteran might keep G-11 running smoothly, but that doesn't fit with the Marines' current urgent need to break through the status quo and move forward.
With the end of the New World War, not only have the Marines faced their greatest test of the pirate era, but the New World itself is undergoing a significant transformation.
Smoker is the most suitable candidate to meet all of the above requirements.
Of course, there's another equally suitable candidate.
Storno Belly looked at Rowen.
That would be Marine's Soryu (Azure Dragon)!
However, he is already the Base Head of the G-10 branch. As independent as he is, even Sengoku wouldn't dare let him take on the role of Base Head for two different branches while already holding two positions of authority.
"I'm getting old!"
He silently lamented, "The era belongs to the younger generation."
"You are too modest, Vice Admiral Storno Belly. You're not even fifty, and there are still plenty of opportunities for you to advance."
"I hope so."
Shaking his head, Storno Belly knew that Rowen's words were more of a consolation.
Becoming a Marine Admiral required more than just a little strength, and he lacked the confidence to take on such a role.
"But the only issue is that you're currently just a Colonel in Loguetown."
Rowen turned to Smoker, who seemed unsure but also a bit bewildered, and said, "Once I've finished dealing with things in the East Blue, head off to the Grand Line."
Regardless of whether Luffy, the fated enemy, existed or not, Rowen couldn't let this potential talent, Smoker, stay in East Blue to develop freely.
If you don't fight for it, how can you challenge the authority of those in power?
Bam!
Just as Rowen finished speaking, the office door suddenly burst open with a "bang. A young boy with light pink hair stumbled in, fell to the ground, yelped in pain, then looked up and scratched his face awkwardly.
"Uh, I didn't hear anything, alright? Can you believe me?"
Smoker: "..."
"Koby!!!"
Boom!!
The dragon of smoke roared out, forming a long, white smoke fist as tenacious as beef tendon. Koby was wrapped up in the fist and sent flying into the sky.
(End of Chapter)