One Piece: Adopting Sakazuki and Taking Douglas Bullet as My Godson

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Meetings, Meetings



Chapter 24: Meetings, Meetings

The next day.

At precisely ten in the morning, in the meeting hall of Marine Headquarters, the air was tense.

The spacious chamber held all high-ranking Marine officers, seated cross-legged in orderly rows according to rank. Each sat before a low wooden table, with a steaming teacup and a delicate porcelain cup for drinking.

At the center, at the far end of the room, sat Fleet Admiral Kong. With a wave of his hand, a nameless vice admiral stepped forward, carrying a stack of neatly arranged documents.

The vice admiral approached a wooden lectern at the front, beside a row of formally seated commodores.

"Clack!"

A single report was slapped onto the blackboard with practiced force—it stuck like it had glue. The vice admiral began his briefing, setting the tone for the meeting:

"This is an official directive from the World Government. Originally intended for internal discussion among the Fleet Admiral and vice admirals, due to certain exceptional circumstances, it is now being publicly disclosed."

He paused, letting his words settle.

"This directive was prompted by intelligence from an undercover agent placed near the pirate Rocks. The agent has confirmed: Rocks intends to strike a certain event orchestrated by the Celestial Dragons.

In response, the World Government plans to use this opportunity to turn the tables—setting a trap. A joint operation between government special intelligence and the Marines will aim to bury Rocks and his crew, once and for all."

With that, he began pinning bounty posters onto the board—each name like thunder:

Rocks D. Xebec, Wang Zhi(Ochoku), Silver Axe, Captain John, Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, Shiki, and the monstrous newcomer—Kaido.

Bounties ranged from three hundred million to over two billion, all marked "Dead or Alive."

"Knock knock!"

He tapped the board to regain focus.

"This mission is critical. However, the Marine contribution will be limited to three vice admirals, plus selected officers and soldiers.

Your only task: help contain these pirates and follow the World Government's orders—no matter what happens.

I repeat—no matter what happens."

"This operation's reward will be ten times the standard amount. The three vice admirals have been chosen. Any other officers wishing to participate may apply to the Fleet Admiral after the meeting."

He then flipped the blackboard like a giant page, revealing another panel behind it. A new sheet was pinned up—a list of thirty-eight names.

"This next item is also of importance. These are thirty-seven young recruits from the East Blue's Nasdaq Family, and one exceptional talent—Sakazuki, already qualified to serve as a field or even flag officer."

Another list followed, each name accompanied by a number—clearly a score of some kind.

"After yesterday's assessment, these youths showed base Combat Power (Douryoku) between 70 and 240—each possessing officer-level potential."

"What?!"

A wave of gasps and murmurs surged through the room. While the vice admirals and some rear admirals remained composed, most were visibly stunned.

A few individuals with high Douryoku were impressive—but thirty-seven eighteen-year-olds, each with such potential?

The room was rocked. Among the assembled commanders—only about thirty-some in number, excluding those out on assignment—this level of collective talent was unheard of.

Combat Power (Douryoku) was the standardized metric of strength below vice admiral rank. A score of 10 was average for an adult male; 20 marked officer-level talent, 30 for captains, and 50+ could warrant a promotion to commodore.

And yet, these recruits—some reaching 240—were still in their teens.

If nothing went wrong, they were practically guaranteed to become the backbone of the next Marine generation.

More incredibly—they all came from a single place.

"Silence!"

Fleet Admiral Kong's voice cut through the noise. The room instantly fell quiet.

The vice admiral continued:

"This is the reason we've called this emergency meeting. Fleet Admiral Kong intends for you to take in these young recruits—mentor them as your successors.

Of course, it's not mandatory.

After this meeting, copies of the list and their personal files will be sent to your offices. You'll be free to make your own arrangements."

"As for Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Zephyr, the Fleet Admiral hopes you'll personally oversee his training."

He then handed over a special folder to Zephyr, who accepted it with a salute and a calm nod.

"Leave him to me."

---

Time passed, and by around one in the afternoon, the meeting finally ended. The Fleet Admiral and a few others stayed behind for follow-up discussion, while the rest of the officers dispersed.

Back in their offices, each found a document and a stack of printed files neatly arranged on their desks.

One by one, they picked up the folders, hunger forgotten. Curiosity and anticipation gripped them.

They wanted—needed—to understand what made these children so extraordinary.

---

Sample File:

Name: Carol Paige

Birthplace: West Blue – Krupp Village

Relatives: Deceased

Summary:

One of the earliest orphans taken in by Nasdaq Ross. A normal child until age ten, when pirates razed his village and slaughtered his family. Only one-third of the villagers survived.

After being rescued, he joined the Nasdaq Family as a combat trainee, undergoing escort training and limited combat operations.

Combat Experience:

Seventeen minor naval skirmishes (vs pirates)

Four armed conflicts (vs criminal syndicates)

Over forty confirmed kills

Estimated Douryoku: 100–120

Talent Rating: Excellent

Recommended Supervision Rank: Rear Admiral or higher

Sources: Bounty claims, witness reports, Nasdaq family records, intelligence dossiers, Marine HQ

---

First file.

Second file.

Third file...

Each file only took a few minutes to read, but with every one, the officers would light a cigar, exhale a cloud of smoke, and sit—stunned into silence.


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