I?

I'm going to be a marshal?

Kuro was stunned for a long time, shaking his head like a rattle-drum. "Stop joking, Tina! This is impossible. How could I possibly become a marshal?"

Snap!

As he spoke, he slammed his hand on the table and declared with righteous indignation:

"Replacing generals on the battlefield is a major taboo. It's impossible to replace someone before the war is over. And now that the war is over, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki has the merit of ending the pirate era. Why should he be forced to resign? I, Kuro, will be the first to disagree! In short, I don't agree!"

He won't agree!

He disagrees!

"Hey, Kuro, why are you so excited? What if... what if it's not you who gets to be in it?" Lida asked curiously.

"How could that be?"

Kuro rolled his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and looked down at everyone present, saying, "I'm not looking down on anyone. What I mean is, everyone here, no, the entire Navy, is trash."

"Hey!" Smoker's temples bulged with veins. "Aren't you going too far?!"

"Then why don't you fucking be the one?"

Kuro said irritably, "Even if you used your ass, you'd know I'm next."

This is a consensus within the Navy, and it's something Kuro is aware of.

In the entire navy, besides Kuro, there's no one else who can succeed Sakazuki.

Everyone here is a traditionalist; they didn't come from the world's recruitment drive. They're all veterans of the navy, and each has their own traditional faction.

The moderate faction produced a marshal, who was from the Warring States period.

The radical faction also produced a marshal, Sakazuki.

It's time for the neutrals to take their turn.

Furthermore, there was no one else from other factions, a fact that Kuro was very clear about.

“Hey, but as for generals, there are two besides you,” Lida asked.

"Ha!" Kuro burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Lida asked.

"I laugh at Fujitora's lack of wisdom, I laugh at Green Bull's lack of strategy!"

Brother Yixiao?

If you don't have the qualifications, no one will respect you.

Green Bull?

Most of the navy had never seen this person before. He moved to Mary Geoise as soon as he was elected admiral. Even if he came to Mary Geoise, he wouldn't come out to greet him. He was incredibly lazy and had no qualifications whatsoever.

As for the remaining two general candidates...

To become a marshal, one must first be a general; a general candidate is not the same as a general.

Looking at the Navy, regardless of whether it's a matter of factionalism, strength, seniority, or prestige, after Sakazuki steps down, there's no one else besides Kuro who can succeed him.

Therefore, Kuro would never allow Sakazuki to step down.

The old man retired without saying a word back then; it was due to his personality. He was unambitious and didn't compete for anything. Once a successor was available, he simply stepped down and went to enjoy his retirement.

Sakazuki isn't that kind of person. He's ambitious—no, he's a man with dreams and ideals, a man who transcends base desires.

He himself is unwilling to step down, so how could he possibly step down obediently? Once he wins and defeats the Straw Hats and Teach, suppressing the arrogance of the pirate era to its lowest point, he can be said to have ended the pirate era. With this prestige, Sakazuki can continue working until he is eighty years old!

No, ninety years old!

In short, the longer the better.

As for taking over, if things are peaceful then, he can take over without much problem. He can stay in power for a few years, find a successor, and then immediately step down. He can then retire with his vast wealth and find a suitable base to live out the rest of his life comfortably. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

"Is that what you think? That's possible..."

Tina pondered for a moment, then suddenly frowned: "But the opinions from above are growing stronger. If the roles are reversed, Kuro, you'll continue fighting, right?"

She was actually a little worried that if the World Government decided to let Sakazuki step down and let Kuro take over, she wondered if he would be able to continue leading the Navy.

It is widely known that he has a good relationship with his superiors and may retreat to deal with the revolutionary army. However, given how far things have progressed, it would be a great pity to retreat now.

"First of all, there's no way we can switch places. I will support Marshal Sakazuki to the very end. I've already taken down two, and two more and it'll be over!"

Kuro clenched his fists, his expression turning grim. "Even if the King of Heaven himself came, we're going to win this war no matter what!"

"Bolo bolo bolo..."

The Den Den Mushi on his wrist suddenly rang, attracting everyone's attention with its loud ringing.

"Who would call at a time like this?"

Kuro frowned and answered the Den Den Mushi on his wristwatch, "Moshi Moshi, this is Kuro."

"Kuro! Go to Harbor Harbor and meet Sakazuki!" A serious voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi; judging from the voice, it seemed to be one of the Five Elders...

"ah?"

Kuro paused for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Marshal... what's wrong?"

"Fujitora sent a message: the Straw Hats have clashed with them, and Teach has also appeared. The two of them have joined forces to defeat...Sakazuki!"

Wow!

Not only Kuro heard this, but all the Marines at the table stood up, looking shocked.

"What a joke!" Smoker roared. "This can't be real!"

"Tina...is very surprised." Tina's pupils dilated in disbelief.

As for Kuro, he was stunned on the spot, his pupils filled with disbelief.

"You're kidding me, right?" Kuro blinked and smiled. "I mean, what's so fun about the World Conference that it's made all five of you learn to joke around?"

"I'm not kidding, Kuro, Sakazuki... has lost. Now Fujitora is holding on alone. If they don't get help in time, I'm afraid both of them will..."

Snap!

Kuro hung up the phone and strode out.

"What the hell?! How could that bastard Teach team up with the Straw Hats... No, a forced team up is possible, but this is just too absurd! The Fleet Admiral was actually..."

Kuro gritted his teeth and roared, "Move out! Move them all out! Target: Harbor Harbor. Hey you, give me the Permanent Pose. Smoker, Tina, you two are in charge of coordination and command. Kuro, you plan it out and mobilize all the troops in Red Harbor as quickly as possible, no, as fast as you can!"

Sakazuki lost?!

This sounds like something out of a fairy tale.

That's a naval admiral!

They're on the same level as the Four Emperors...

Same level...

Suddenly, Kuro understood. He hadn't felt anything when Kaido was defeated by Luffy, since he was there to pick up the scraps. But now, he saw that a few small-time pirates who had only been in the industry for a short time had defeated Sakazuki.

During the Marineford War, Sakazuki almost killed the Straw Hat!

He suddenly understood the mentality of Kaido's subordinates.

Kaido knocked the Straw Hats unconscious with a single blow, but not long after, they were able to fight Kaido one-on-one.

It's unbelievable, but we have to accept it, because that's the reality!

Sakazuki has lost, and the situation... is completely out of control!