One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine

The selection of the Shichibukai...

On his way to the Fleet Admiral's office, Daren was lost in thought.

Although he had already made the necessary arrangements in advance, he couldn't be completely certain whether his selected candidates would make it onto the government's final list.

After all, the final decision for the Shichibukai lay with the World Government.

"I wonder how Fisher Tiger is doing..."

Daren frowned slightly and casually lit a cigar.

"How's Magellan doing now?"

Zephyr, walking ahead, suddenly asked.

Daren snapped out of his thoughts, smiled, and replied,

"He's doing quite well. The kid's just a little eccentric, but considering the Doku Doku no Mi's special and bizarre nature, it's understandable."

"In terms of talent and potential, Magellan is definitely on par with Kuzan and me."

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction.

"That kid Kuzan has grown up fast... In the blink of an eye, he's become a pillar of our Marines. Feels like it was only yesterday he joined the training camp."

As he said this, a trace of sentimentality flashed in Zephyr's eyes, and a gentle, mellow smile spread across his face.

He had long given up the dream of hunting down pirates, dedicating himself instead to training outstanding students.

For Zephyr, the chief instructor of the military academy, nothing was more fulfilling and pride-inducing than seeing the students he personally nurtured grow into fine Marines.

"But Daren, are you really sure that... inhaling large amounts of Magellan's poisonous gas won't cause any problems for your body?"

Zephyr seemed to remember something. He turned his head, glanced at Daren, and asked somewhat worriedly,

"If you're not sure, you should get checked out at the military hospital or the Special Science Group."

"Borsalino has already made some progress in breaking down Magellan's toxins and has developed a special antidote. Even if something goes wrong, it can be dealt with in time."

He pursed his lips.

"Don't push yourself too hard and end up with permanent damage."

Hearing the concern in Zephyr's voice, a wave of warmth welled up in Daren's heart. He smiled and said,

"Don't worry, Zephyr-sensei, there's no problem."

He definitely didn't want to end up lying on a lab table while that sleazy Borsalino stroked his chin and pretended to be surprised, saying, "How scary."

Just picturing it gave him a chill and made his skin crawl.

"I'll keep an eye on Magellan, but I have a feeling that kid is still holding something back."

"Oh?" Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Daren pondered for a moment and frowned.

"How should I put it? With his talent and ability, his progress in developing his Devil Fruit powers shouldn't be this slow."

Zephyr: ...

He was momentarily speechless, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

This is slow?

After just two months of special training, Magellan's poison had already reached a level where even Zephyr himself, a former Marine Admiral, wouldn't dare carelessly touch it.

Judging by the corrosion of the quarantine zone's walls, Magellan's poison was already starting to condense from gas into mist. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before it compressed further into liquid.

Looking at Daren's serious face, Zephyr couldn't bring himself to complain. He could only sigh silently in his heart:

Sure enough, monsters view the world differently from ordinary people.

You really can't lump all physiques together.

Thinking about the brat Daren in front of him, who at just 22 years old already possessed combat strength on par with a Marine Admiral, while he himself had only achieved that rank at 38, Zephyr couldn't help but feel a little discouraged.

Chapter 124: The Final List?

"So, Daren, what you're saying is..."

Daren exhaled a stream of smoke, paused, and said,

"I feel that Magellan is holding back his potential."

Hearing this, Zephyr fell silent.

After a moment, he shook his head with a bitter smile and sighed,

"...What a kind-hearted kid."

No one wants to stay weak.

It's a basic instinct of life.

Especially for natural "monsters" like Magellan, Kuzan, and Sakazuki, that instinct, etched into their very genes, burns even stronger.

But Magellan was trying hard to suppress that drive to grow stronger, and there could only be one reason for it.

He was afraid that if his powers grew too much, he wouldn't be able to control them—afraid that one day, he might hurt or even kill the people around him.

"I'll have a talk with him later," Daren said, coming to a stop.

Before them, the central military fortress loomed, solemn and imposing.

Across its towering gray-black walls, the bold, sweeping characters for "Justice" were emblazoned in deep black, exuding a heavy and oppressive aura.

They had arrived at the Fleet Admiral's residence.

Led by the guards, Daren and Zephyr climbed the steps and soon reached the top-level military conference room.

"Reporting, Fleet Admiral Kong—Zephyr-san and Vice Admiral Daren have arrived."

The guards knocked lightly and entered after receiving a response.

"Come in."

At the head of the oval conference table sat Fleet Admiral Kong, his massive, bronze-toned upper body exposed, muscles coiled with explosive strength.

He wore a Fleet Admiral's cloak draped over his shoulders, his aura steady and unyielding like a mountain.

When he saw Daren and Zephyr enter, a faint smile crossed his face, and he gestured for them to take their seats.

Daren saluted sharply, his eyes sweeping the room, noting that all the high-ranking officers were already assembled.

Admiral Sengoku, Staff Officer Tsuru, and Garp—who was absentmindedly picking his nose—were all naturally present.

Sakazuki sat with his arms crossed, face cold and stern.

Borsalino lounged lazily, cleaning his nails as if oblivious to everyone around him.

Kuzan was the only one waving at him enthusiastically...

Among the attendees were many Vice Admirals, and in the observers' section, Daren also spotted Gion, Tokikake, Yamakaji, Doberman, Onigumo, and others from the "Golden Generation," all seated with solemn expressions.

It was probably their first time attending a meeting of such high level and importance, and none dared to lose focus—every one of them sat stiff and upright, their gazes fixed downward in disciplined attention.

"As for the main agenda of today's meeting, I believe most of you already have a general understanding,"

Kong said, clearing his throat, his voice deep and commanding.

"The concept of the Shichibukai system... has sparked considerable debate, both within the Marines and around the world, ever since it was proposed."

"Some believe that establishing the Shichibukai can help ease the pressure on our Marines when it comes to dealing with pirates, allowing us to recruit powerful pirates as a countermeasure to deter and weaken other major pirate forces."

"But others argue that the existence of the Shichibukai represents a betrayal of justice—a retreat, a compromise. That it seriously damages the reputation and authority of our Marines."

As Kong's words fell, Daren noticed the various expressions on the generals' faces.

"But!"

Kong's tone sharpened suddenly.

"From this day forward, I don't want to hear any more of these debates!"

As he spoke, he nodded toward Sengoku.

Sengoku responded by pulling out a thick stack of documents and handing them to the messengers, who began distributing them among the officers.

"The establishment of the Shichibukai is imperative.

As the World Government's law enforcement arm, the Marines' duty is to fully support the government's decisions, not to question or challenge them."

Kong's voice grew even heavier.

"Although the process has been full of twists and turns—there was even a disgraceful incident where Shichibukai candidates were targeted and killed—"

He glanced meaningfully at Daren and said,

"Here, I would like to commend Vice Admiral Daren for his outstanding investigative work."

Daren nodded in response with a small smile.

"But after a series of investigations and screenings, the core candidates for the Shichibukai have now been finalized."

As each officer received a sealed document, Kong interlaced his fingers and said solemnly,

"What you hold in your hands is the final list of the Shichibukai."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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