What do I have to do to be good?

Kuro pursed his lips and said, "I just went to Wano Country to support the old man, it's nothing special."

Without any hesitation, he sat down in the seat under Sakazuki's desk and lit a cigar.

The old man sat down opposite him and said to Sakazuki, "Well, it's not bad. At least it confirms that Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are indeed forming an alliance."

"Will Lox make a comeback?"

Sakazuki nodded and said, "But there's no need to worry about that. Pirates are pirates after all. Their era has long passed since Whitebeard. Our Navy will surely win!"

At this, Kizaru shrugged, while Kuro tilted his head back, puffing out his cigar, without saying a word.

They're all veteran naval officers, high-ranking and powerful, so it's not very meaningful for them to say such things; they're better at doing.

Sakazuki himself is the same in this respect.

"Kuro, you did a great job with Blackbeard. G-3 is destroyed. How about you recuperate at headquarters for a while?" Sakazuki asked.

"I have no objection!"

That's what he's been waiting for!

"My injury won't heal anytime soon, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea haven't been assembled yet, so I'll take this opportunity to visit them and take a long vacation."

Kuro spoke these words with feigned nonchalance, but one of his hands was already bulging with veins as he gripped the armrest tightly.

It was as if he was casually recounting his plans, but inside he was incredibly excited!

We must not expose ourselves!

Don't get excited!

Be careful not to give yourself away!

“Okay, that’s settled then. You can go out now,” Sakazuki nodded.

"Then I'll be going, Marshal Sakazuki, old man."

Kuro stood up, greeted the two of them, and walked straight out.

That speed was at least three times faster than when it came in.

Only after Kuro disappeared did Sakazuki look at Borsalino, and after a long while, he said in a deep voice, "Have you made up your mind?"

Kizaru shrugged. "It's time to hand it over to the younger generation. Kuro needs this position more than I do; he has his own ambitions."

"I can tell."

Sakazuki closed his eyes and said, "When I told him to rest for a while, his actions gave him away. He was very agitated, which means he understands that there really isn't a place for him now."

What position could he possibly hold besides the rank of general?

Blackbeard's victory was already a great achievement. His solo incursion into Wano Country to meet Kizaru and his fierce battle with Kaido and Charlotte Linlin also proved his strength.

Although he is young, he is qualified for this position.

But he was Borsalino's subordinate, a member of Borsalino's faction.

Borsalino can't get up unless he goes down.

“My original intention was to wait a while longer. Kuro is still very young, and it wouldn’t be good for him to be in contact with the higher-ups right now. But G-3 has been destroyed, and this matter can’t be delayed any longer. Even if we find an island to rebuild the base as quickly as possible, it will take more than a year. But if we leave Kuro idle for more than a year, he won’t agree to that, will he?”

Sakazuki said, "He didn't get agitated immediately just now because he was considerate of our feelings, but we can't treat him like that in private. You know best, Borsalino, he's your prized subordinate. But it won't be that quick; the higher-ups won't agree so easily."

Kizaru nodded: "We need a transition... Let's give Sword his authority for now, and then gradually transition him over."

“Okay, this is an internal matter for our navy and doesn’t need to be reported to higher-ups. Command of Sword will be handed over to Kuro.”

Sakazuki nodded: "Also, it's time to move his men. Blackbeard's contributions are enough."

Kizaru nodded and said, "I have no objection."

These words made Sakazuki look at Kizaru and sigh, "As a colleague and old friend of many years, you still insist on stepping down..."

Kuzan wasn't in the same cohort as them; he was their junior. Even if their relationship wasn't that close, as longtime colleagues, they still felt compassion for each other.

Otherwise, Kuzan's injuries from Punk Hazard wouldn't have been so minor.

But Borusalino is different.

Sakazuki's personality and style actually made him incompatible with many naval personnel, and he was only supported by his own faction.

But there is only one, and that is Borsalino.

They were contemporaries, of similar age, and, given Borsalino's personality, were not only related by position in the Navy but were also longtime friends.

Now that Kuzan is gone and Borsalino also wants to retire, this generation of people, starting from Sengoku, has been undergoing generational changes. The era of the three admirals of the Navy, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, seems to be gone forever.

Kizaru leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, hands clasped on his thighs, head slightly tilted back, his sunglasses gleaming, and slowly said, "Times are moving forward, Sakazuki. We can't stay in this position forever. Young people want to move up, but do they even have the qualifications..."

He paused, recalling the conversation he had overheard between Cass and Wilbur, and chuckled as he said:

"Then make way. Young people are much more energetic and daring than us."

He pouted at Sakazuki: "Well, I'm not out of the Navy now that I've retired, so don't make that face, it's scary, Sakazuki."

"Do as you please, after all, you're making way for your own subordinate."

Sakazuki exhaled and said, "Kuro is qualified. In that case, I will find an opportunity to go to Mary Geoise and speak with the Five Elders in person."

Kizaru smiled but said nothing.

Some things...

Kuro wouldn't tell him, and he couldn't ask.

This matter cannot even be discussed openly, for fear of scaring Kuro away.

That kind of ambition is truly remarkable.

Others may not know, but Kizaru certainly does.

That was something that was completely opposed by those above. Once exposed, it would be a fight to the death.

Kizaru loves reading; he has enjoyed reading and writing since he was a child.

Therefore, he understands many principles.

But the more he learns, the more he becomes like this.

He blends in with the world and doesn't concern himself with anything; that's his nature.

But it's impossible to say that I wasn't moved.

Everyone has been young.

He's too old, and time is running out, but Kuro has the chance to realize his terrible ambition.

Isn't everything he's doing now preparing for this?

If he steps down now and Kuro takes over, even if something unexpected happens and the World Government interferes and he can't become Fleet Admiral, he will still have the power of an Admiral for at least thirty or forty years.

General and General Candidate are completely different concepts. They represent two different power classes, allowing Kuro to learn more and access more secrets.

He had enough power, enough time, and enough opportunity to do what he wanted.

As Kuro's direct superior, he will pave the way for Kuro in this matter.

Kizaru smiled, his eyes narrowing, looking kind and gentle.

He'd been called "Old Master" for so long; he couldn't let Kuro down.