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Sea Circle Calendar 1500.
Grand Line, Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Vice Admiral Akira, in two months, I will be promoted to [World Government Commander-in-Chief]."
"I plan to make you the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines. What do you think?"
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Akira had just walked in from outside and was caught off guard by the words of the current Fleet Admiral, Kong, nearly stumbling in shock.
What the hell?
Let me be the next Fleet Admiral?
So suddenly, so casually?
Being Fleet Admiral isn't some small-time position; it's the role of the 'king' who commands the entire Marine force across the seas.
The news was so shocking that he couldn't immediately tell if Kong was joking, seriously considering it, or... testing him?
But...
"It's true that Kong is planning to step down soon."
Akira composed himself and adjusted his expression.
He raised a hand to adjust his glasses, studying Kong, who was sitting confidently in his office chair.
Although Kong's hair had turned grey, his vitality was nothing like that of a man his age.
His tawny skin was as tough as a mountain, and he wore a sleeveless black shirt decorated with medals, his muscular arms exposed. Anyone seeing him for the first time would have one word come to mind—powerful.
However, at this moment, his condition wasn't great. His broad chest was wrapped in thick bandages, and dark red blood was still slowly seeping through.
Yes, as the "king" of the Marines, who should have been sipping tea every day, Kong was now injured right here in Marineford.
Just a few days ago, he personally went with Garp to track down "Patrick Redfield," and they had a battle on an unknown island in the sea.
Akira wasn't present, so he didn't know how the battle played out.
According to the newspaper, Kong fought the Red Earl alone, with both sides clashing for days and nights, ultimately exhausting each other.
But from the mouths of returning soldiers, it seemed the facts were quite different from what the papers reported.
Well... it didn't really matter. Akira remained indifferent.
He didn't care about the details, and neither did the rest of the Marines or the world.
Everyone just needed to know that the powerful Redfield, who could rival Roger and Whitebeard's crews on his own...
Was ultimately subdued and sent to Impel Down by the even more powerful Fleet Admiral Kong.
In the eyes of the world, the victor writes the story. No one would question why the confident Kong felt the need to bring along "Marine Hero" Garp, one of the strongest fighters.
Nor would they question how the unfortunate Redfield was pushed into first fighting Garp, and then a "one-on-one" with Kong.
Fleet Admirals need to play their cards right, after all.
The disobedient newsman Morgans hadn't yet risen to prominence, and the Marine still controlled the voice of public opinion...
So why not spin the story however they liked?
"Hmm hmm..."
Kong flipped through the documents on his desk, his deep voice echoing in the office. "You joined the Marines six years ago, and since then, you've started down the path of 'Legend.'"
"In March of Sea Circle Calendar 1495, Marine G-8 base was suddenly attacked by two notorious pirates.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel was killed in battle.
You were just a recruit at the time, but you stepped up, commanded the panicked soldiers, and used the terrain to drag the pirates into a battle at sea.
Inside the base, you held out until Garp arrived."
"After those two pirates were executed, a thousand of their crew scattered across the sea, and you..."
"The 'Hero of G-8,' took a warship and fifteen soldiers, and you took care of that entire crew in just half a month, without a single casualty."
"The report shows you didn't fire a single shot; you relied entirely on strategy.
In the absence of their captain, you manipulated them into killing each other over who would take command, then crafted a fake hidden treasure map, causing the already fragile alliance of the two pirate fleets to destroy itself..."
At this point, Kong paused, looking up with a sigh of approval: "Your first battle was so remarkable that pirates began calling you 'Shinma Akira,' the one best at manipulating people's hearts."
"You have a knack for identifying and exploiting the greed and desires in people's hearts, achieving your goals without shedding blood."
"In 1496, during a vacation in the Kingdom of Furbez, you encountered a pirate invasion. Ordered to defend, you commanded unarmed civilians and miraculously repelled the invaders, safeguarding the kingdom's property."
"With two flawless victories under your belt, you came to our attention and were transferred to headquarters for further training."
"In October of 1496, you identified the shortcomings in the Marine Academy's education system and the recklessness of some commanders in naval battles. You personally authored a book that Zephyr deemed a classic, and it became a required text at the Marine Academy. 'Sixteen Strategies'..."
"..."
Akira listened with a slightly dazed expression.
Bits and pieces of the past six years flashed before his eyes like scenes from a fast-paced movie.
He wasn't originally from this world, but a traveler from Blue Star. Back then, he had just passed the civil service exam on Blue Star, only to find himself suddenly and inexplicably transported here.
Good news: He had transmigrated to the familiar world of One Piece, with both his soul and body intact.
Bad news: Growing up on a technological planet, he was limited by the natural constraints of human physiology. No matter how hard he trained, he couldn't surpass those limits.
He watched as a ten-year-old local boy who trained alongside him for fun became strong enough within two months to easily defeat a giant tiger.
Meanwhile, Akira himself had only managed to gain a bit more muscle and slightly increase his strength.
At that moment, he realized that no matter how much he trained or how much pain he endured, he would always remain just an ordinary person.
But fortunately, as an adult, he wasn't easily defeated by setbacks.
"A true warrior is one who loves reality after seeing it for what it is." — Michelangelo
Since his natural abilities weren't enough, he turned to external sources of power.
In search of strength, he set his sights on the Devil Fruits, the fruits that could grant unimaginable power.
That's why he joined the Marines. He plans to climb step by step to gain autonomy and then align himself with a powerful force to find the Devil Fruit that suits him the best.
Nearly 20 years of education and training on Blue Star, along with the constant bombardment of diverse information in modern society, have equipped him to thrive in this pirate world where literacy is rare, talents are extraordinary, and logic often defies expectations.
In just six years, he rose from a low-ranking soldier to a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, all thanks to his intelligence.
He has also earned a rather villainous title: Shinma Akira.
Unlike the straightforward titles of Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, Onigumo, and others, his is different.
The reason? Over the past six years, he has adhered to three core principles in his quest for military achievements:
1. Never get involved personally if you can strategize, manipulate, and outsmart your opponent;
2. Always opt for group battles over solo fights;
3. If it becomes clear you can't win, retreat immediately without hesitation.
Because of this approach, none of the pirates have truly fought against him directly, and it's impossible to find a fighting style comparable to his.
The reality of this world is harsh; the weak can be incredibly weak, while the strong are unimaginably powerful.
He is fully aware of his own limits. Though strategy is valuable, it's only a tool—not a cure-all.
Could anyone really devise a strategy against someone like Whitebeard? It would be absurd not to be shaken to death in an instant.
In this world, power is the most crucial element, the foundation that determines everything.
Originally, he had a plan to seek out a powerful Devil Fruit that met his standards,
But he didn't expect to be summoned by Kong today.
"Among all the Vice Admirals right now, the only ones who can match your rapid rise are Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan," Kong said.
"You flatter me, Fleet Admiral Kong," Akira responded, quickly waving his hands.
Wow, that's some serious praise.
Do you know who Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan are?
They're recognized as monsters within the Marines, three Logia-type Devil Fruit users with powers akin to natural disasters. Any one of them could easily destroy a country, making them terrifying forces to be reckoned with.
To be compared to them is quite a high evaluation.
"No need to be modest."
Kong closed the file, folded his arms across his chest, and stared at Akira with sharp eyes.
"Now, Vice Admiral Akira!"
"Please answer my earlier question: I intend to make you the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines. Do you accept this opportunity?"The office fell into a heavy silence.
Seeing that Kong wasn't joking, Akira licked his lips, feeling the weight of the moment.
He knew that his next words would shape his entire future.
Who wouldn't want to be the Fleet Admiral?
Of course, he wanted it too!
Sitting in that position, as long as you had a level head and didn't rely solely on personal strength, it was a job that offered both prestige and safety.
Every day, he could sit in the office, sip tea, stamp documents brought by the staff, and send out a few Admirals to take down some Supernovas to maintain public order...
If you were shrewd enough and had a thick skin, you could also use the perks of the position to secure a few benefits for yourself.
For instance, he could find a Logia Devil Fruit,
Or have the scientific division develop something to enhance his physique,
Or even recruit masters of martial arts, swordsmanship, and the Rokuogan to personally train him,
He could even charm the princesses and queens of kingdoms seeking Marine protection into his bed... and so on.
But if he didn't take the position, he'd remain a Vice Admiral.
In this era of rampant piracy sparked by Roger, he could die at any time on a mission, at the hands of some pirate who might become infamous later.
The choice was clear.
Akira made up his mind: "Thank you, Fleet Admiral Kong, for your trust. I will do everything in my power to live up to your expectations."
Kong, pleased with Akira's firm response, nodded in satisfaction.
He pulled a cigar from his drawer, lit it, and continued, "There's no rush. You'll still need to convince someone to support you."
Akira thought for a moment: "Admiral Sengoku!"
"Exactly! Stop lurking by the door. Come in, Sengoku."