Marineford.
After arriving at headquarters, out of respect for Sakazuki and his position, Dylan didn't fly in directly. He landed in the square and followed the regular entry process to report to Sakazuki.
"What a rare visitor, little Dylan."
A voice came from behind.
A tall, attractive woman walked up to Dylan from the wing: "Come to see Sakazuki? Seems like something big is about to happen."
Since the Summit War, Dylan visited Marineford less frequently. Although Sakazuki, whose style aligned more with his, was now in charge, Dylan still felt a certain degree of resistance and boredom with this department. Over the past year, including the previous one, Dylan had only been to headquarters twice.
"Sister Gion, if you speak so loudly, my battle plan will be exposed."
Intelligence organizations... The entire sea is almost transparent, and no one can completely tell if there are spies around. Marine's SWORD, the World Government's CP, the Linlin family's network, Morgans' influence, and many others were impossible to guard against. Unless... it was like his East Blue intelligence organization!
Dylan noticed a change in someone's heart rate around him but didn't point it out. Since Morgans gave his guarantee, it shouldn't be a big problem. And that guy... not everyone can mess with him.
Gion and Dylan walked side by side to the lift platform, and Dylan looked at the "Konpira" on her waist.
"Sister Gion, I heard you're also a world-famous swordsman. Why don't you go and compete with Hawkeye?"
Hearing Dylan call her "big sister," Gion finally couldn't bear it anymore.
"Hey, hey! Little Dylan, you can't always call me big sister. I'm still a young woman. It's hard for me to carry out my missions with you calling me that!"
With her beauty, she could always complete her tasks easily. If Dylan called her by that name, pirates all over the sea would know she's an older woman. It's really troublesome to fight all day long!
Seeing the smile on Dylan's lips, Gion realized he was deliberately teasing her.
"Hmph, I'm a Marine, and it's my duty to protect the sea. The title of Great Swordsman means nothing to me. And..."
Gion glanced at the "Shura" on Dylan's waist: "I didn't see you going to compete with Mihawk."
Although Dylan wasn't a pure swordsman, his swordsmanship was renowned throughout the sea. There was constant debate over who was the better swordsman between him and Hawkeye.
Hearing Gion's answer, Dylan nodded.
Many in the Marines were masters of swordsmanship, but no one engaged in meaningless competitions or battles over such titles. For example, Kizaru's swordsmanship was at least on par with Rayleigh's. And it was said that when Sakazuki was young, he was a famous swordsman before obtaining the Magma-Magma Fruit.
The two chatted incessantly. After reaching the top floor, Dylan waved to Gion and walked to Sakazuki's office.
Gion watched him for a few moments before turning towards Vice Admiral Tsuru's office.
When Dylan approached, the guard at the door saluted him and entered the Fleet Admial's office through the side door. He quickly returned and opened the main door.
"Vice Admiral Dylan, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki will see you now!"
Entering Sakazuki's office, he found him chewing a cigar and holding a stack of documents. After looking up at Dylan, Sakazuki put down the document.
"What's up?"
In his view, he and Dylan were both hawkish "hard-working soldiers," unlike some old men who spent their days drinking tea and eating senbei. They didn't run around just for leisure.
"It seems like being a Fleet Admiral is hard work, Sakazuki."
Sakazuki glanced at Dylan in surprise: "Why do you sound like Sengoku? This is not a good habit."
Dylan laughed, settled into a comfortable position, and said, "I'm here to apply for an order."
"Order?"
Sakazuki frowned. Normally, orders didn't require direct communication between them. It was enough for the subordinates to handle.
Moreover, G-5's autonomy has reached its peak since he took office, almost equivalent to an independent existence.
It must be an extraordinary event for him to come in person instead of reporting through a Den Den Mushi.
"War?"
Seeing that lava was about to burst from Sakazuki's hand, Dylan quickly waved his own.
"No, it's a special... um... recruitment application. I've already cleared it with the higher-ups, but I also have to respect your position as the Fleet Admiral, so I came to you to apply."
When Sakazuki heard this, the magma slowly receded.
"Let me guess, why are you always thinking about fighting? If we really want to kill all the pirates, maybe we'll end up imprisoned or killed on some charges ourselves, right?"
Impel Down has plenty of cells, more than enough to lock up 180 disobedient Marine generals.
"That's what a soldier does."
Sakazuki lit a cigar with his finger and sat down across from Dylan.
Sometimes Dylan couldn't understand why Sakazuki was so stubborn.
During the Summit War, Garp should have had the strength to take him down, but he refused to give up, instead spraying Ace back and sending a wave of kills. He was even prepared to directly liberate the Sun God. He couldn't fail to see Kizaru shooting the key but not the head.
He couldn't fail to see Sengoku hitting others with fists and punches but sparing the Sun God. As for Garp being punched off the execution platform by the Sun God, it was even more outrageous.
The whole world knew how high the risk of killing the Sun God was for the Marines at that time, but it was him who just pushed forward, giving no time for development.
"You're thinking about the Summit War, right?"
Sakazuki puffed out a cloud of smoke, not paying much attention to the question mark popping up on Dylan's head.
"Something had to be done."
Sakazuki shook his head.
"Kuzan... He had always been at odds with me because of the Ohara incident, but I am a soldier. Soldiers should completely and unconditionally execute official orders. Isn't this the same in your G-5?"
"Too many 'positions' and 'hesitations' will completely degenerate the Marines, and it's already very dangerous now, Dylan!"
The air around Sakazuki began to heat up, and his emotions began to fluctuate. "Perhaps this is the difference between them and us... because our families were all killed by pirates, and their guys are different, so they have more space to think about how to maintain the so-called 'balance' and 'their own justice.'
And…"
Sakazuki smiled. "You underestimate Garp's endurance, Dylan. If he was really so angry, why didn't he take action directly when Red-Haired Shanks appeared? Is he incompetent? No. Doesn't he have a position? He has all these!"
"Wasn't his grandson lured into the pirate's path by Red-Haired Shanks? As a Marine and an elder, he had enough reasons to take action, which neither violated justice nor morality! But he didn't!"
At this point, Dylan's eyes narrowed slightly.
It seemed that his judgment at that time was not accurate.
And Sakazuki... is not a reckless and mindless soldier!
"This is Garp... I have worked with him for decades. I know his character very well. And even if he really wants to attack me, will Sengoku let Marine's morale collapse?"
Seeing Dylan deep in thought, Sakazuki didn't disturb him but sat across from him and smoked quietly.
He was almost at the peak of his age and would start to decline in a few years, while the young man opposite him had power, means, and a close relationship with Mariejois. Such a person had a peak period that could last for decades.
Perfect to be the leader of the Marines for decades to come!
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