One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I would like to adopt a child in a private capacity and have her join the Navy." Sakazuki carefully organized his words as he reported to Sengoku.

How astute was Sengoku? For Sakazuki to adopt an orphan as a vice admiral, there was no need to formally report this to him. As for joining the Navy, all Sakazuki needed to do was follow the proper recruitment procedures with the child.

"I suppose this child's identity is somewhat special, isn't it?" A sharp glint flashed in Sengoku's eyes. Adopting a child was a personal matter, and subordinates' private lives certainly didn't need to be brought to his attention.

However, the fact that both Sakazuki and Kuzan had come together to formally consult him about the issue of fostering a child right after the Ohara Buster Call suggested that this matter involved official business—important enough for him as a fleet admiral to be informed.

Surely, it wasn't because Sakazuki and Kuzan suddenly decided to get married and wanted to adopt a child, right?

Sakazuki had hesitated for a long time about whether to report the matter of adopting Robin.

If he had taken Robin in and placed her in Marineford without Sengoku's knowledge, no matter how low-key little Robin was, the fact that someone as famously strict and ruthless as Sakazuki had suddenly adopted a child would definitely sparked curiosity among others: after the Buster Call on Ohara shattered so many families, why had Sakazuki chosen this particular child?

What's more, in Marine Headquarters, Robin would inevitably cross paths with some of the Navy's veteran officers. Observant individuals would naturally take notice.

And with a large number of Ohara residents having survived, should the Navy decide to investigate Robin's identity later on, no matter how hard Sakazuki tried to cover it up, Robin's background would inevitably be exposed.

If, at that point, Sakazuki stuck to the explanation that Robin was merely a refugee, it wouldn't hold water. With Sengoku's reputation as a strategist, he would undoubtedly become suspicious.

The worst-case scenario would be Sakazuki being accused of deliberately hiding a government-designated criminal, leading to his imprisonment in Impel Down, with Robin sharing the same fate.

Sakazuki's response was slightly hesitant: "Yes, she is the daughter of the criminal Olvia, eight years old, still just a child. However... she is, after all, the child of a criminal. Considering her unique situation, it would be more prudent to keep her under our direct watch."

As soon as Sakazuki finished speaking, Kuzan immediately refuted: "While she may carry Olvia's bloodline, she is, in essence, still an orphaned refugee. To ensure accuracy, I even inquired with the refugees on the evacuation ship and confirmed that while this child is indeed Olvia's daughter, Olvia left her with relatives to raise when she was only two years old and went off to sea herself.

This child doesn't even remember what her mother looks like! An innocent eight-year-old child has nothing to do with the scholars."

Sakazuki coldly interrupted Kuzan's argument: "Which is precisely why I said we must exercise caution..."

"Your idea of exercising caution is treating her as a criminal!" Kuzan insisted on his stance.

"Enough! Stop arguing!" Fleet Admiral Sengoku suddenly interjected, cutting off their quarrel and making a decisive judgment: "Kuzan is right. Although this child is the daughter of the major criminal Olvia, she has been raised by relatives since birth and has no real connection to Olvia. An eight-year-old child hasn't even developed her own ideology yet. There's no need for us to label her as a criminal. Children are innocent, Sakazuki!"

Sakazuki frowned, clearly displeased and unconvinced, but he ultimately replied to Sengoku: "Yes, I understand. My apologies, Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."

Sengoku waved his hand and said, "No need to apologize, Sakazuki. I'm not blaming you. Your intentions were not wrong, and your caution was not misplaced.

But even if it's the bloodline of a criminal if that girl grows up in the environment and atmosphere of Marine Headquarters, can't we, as her elders, properly guide and educate a child?"

He seemed quite confident. The girl suddenly reminded him of his adopted son, Donquixote Rosinante, who was also an orphan. Rosinante's growth made him feel exceptionally proud. He was confident that this girl could also grow to become an excellent marine.

As a Fleet Admiral, Sengoku was naturally aware of Sakazuki's methods. He had always been somewhat resistant to Sakazuki's overly absolute way of thinking. However, Sakazuki's careful consideration and cautious handling of the Buster Call mission had given Sengoku a different perspective on him.

The Navy needed to cultivate more than just cold-blooded executioners. The ability of officers to handle various emergencies had always been one of Sengoku's main training priorities since assuming the position of Fleet Admiral.

Sengoku didn't mind using this opportunity of adopting a child as a way to help modify Sakazuki's overly absolute character. He looked at Sakazuki and gently said, "Your concerns are not unfounded, but while the child is in Marineford, the person who will influence her the most won't be her biological parent, but you, as a marine. You must be mindful of your words and actions and lead by example.

"At the same time, as her adoptive father, you also have responsibilities and obligations to fulfill. Raising a child isn't the same as leading troops into battle. There's a lot to learn, and you'll need to seek advice from others on these matters."

"Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission!" Sakazuki saluted again in response.

"By the way, you haven't mentioned the child's true identity in front of your subordinates, have you?" Sengoku suddenly thought of something.

"No, I only said she's an ordinary refugee child. Since the matter hasn't been officially classified, I wouldn't make a rash conclusion."

Sengoku's expression grew even more satisfied. "It's best to publicly state that she's a refugee child. If there are doubts among senior officers, I'll help suppress them. The fewer people who know about this, the better. Excessive rumors won't be good for the child's growth. Go and get some rest."

Kuzan and Sakazuki bid farewell to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and turned to head toward their respective quarters. However, Sengoku didn't see, in that brief moment when the two of them stepped out of the room and went their separate ways, that their eyes met, and they exchanged knowing subtle smirks.