Chapter 39: Chapter 39: A New Warlord of the Sea?
"What's your reputation worth? Nothing is more important than maintaining stability in this world!
And don't you forget—it's the World Government that grants all authority to the Navy.
Even your rank as Fleet Admiral was approved by us. So you have no right to bargain—just follow orders."
One of the Five Elders immediately reprimanded Sengoku after his objection.
"If that's how it is, then why bother calling me here at all?
Why not just release a public statement yourselves?"
Although Sengoku's temper wasn't as volatile as Garp's, he was still the Fleet Admiral.
Being scolded so bluntly angered him, and he turned to leave.
"This is a warning: make sure your subordinates don't provoke that man.
If a Navy admiral gets defeated by a pirate, it won't just be your Navy that's humiliated—we, the World Government, will be shamed as well.
And when that time comes, you can forget about keeping your position as Fleet Admiral!"
Sengoku paused briefly, then said nothing and silently left Mary Geoise.
Just as the World Government was scrambling to make contact with Rikuya Kazama and negotiate with him to become a new Warlord of the Sea,
his ship had already quietly arrived at Loguetown.
This town, once the site of the Pirate King's execution, had long been under Navy control.
So the moment the Red Force pirate ship docked in port, the local Navy forces were immediately alerted.
Stationed there was Captain Smoker of the Navy's East Blue branch—coincidentally, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user who had consumed the Plume-Plume Fruit (Smoke Fruit).
But in Rikuya's memory, Smoker's abilities weren't impressive.
Aside from briefly overwhelming rookie pirate Luffy early on, he had no real feats to his name.
Of course, Rikuya hadn't come for him.
At that moment, Smoker sat behind his desk, frowning as he listened to the soldier's report.
"Report this immediately to Admiral Sakazuki at HQ.
Tell him to get here as soon as possible.
And summon all Navy personnel to the plaza—now," Smoker ordered in a stern tone.
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier saluted and quickly ran off.
When Rikuya and his crew stepped into Loguetown, they found it as lively as ever.
Various shops lined the streets, each with shaded verandas extending out front.
The three walked under the awnings, heading deeper into town.
Meanwhile, at the plaza, dozens of Navy soldiers had already gathered.
For Smoker, holding assembly here carried symbolic meaning—this was, after all, the site where Gol D. Roger was executed.
Before every major battle, Smoker would come to this spot, as if drawing strength from the ground that once ended the Pirate King.
In his eyes, this place was where the world's most dangerous pirate met his end.
So no pirate could possibly triumph here.
Locals soon gathered to watch, curious about the unusually large military presence.
Little did they know… Loguetown was about to witness a major battle.
Soon, over a hundred Navy troops filled the square.
Then, a three-wheeled amphibious motorbike, propelled by smoke, sped onto the scene.
Just before it crashed into the crowd, Smoker slammed on the brakes.
The soldiers in front, soaked in cold sweat, had nearly been flattened.
"What kind of cowardice is this? You call yourselves Navy?"
Smoker barked as he dismounted, glaring at the trembling soldiers.
They immediately bowed their heads in shame.
Even toward high-ranking officers, Smoker was known for being blunt and rebellious.
This attitude had greatly hindered his promotion.
Despite possessing a Logia-type Devil Fruit, he remained only a Captain,
while others with similar powers had long since risen to the rank of Admiral.
That alone spoke volumes of his defiance and nonconformity.
Just then, Rikuya and his crew arrived at the plaza.
For Douglas Bullet, the return to this place stirred deep emotions.
He had been present the day Roger was executed—
witnessing that moment left a mark on his soul.
Now, returning to this familiar place weighed heavily on his heart.
As they noticed the assembled Navy soldiers, they paused momentarily.
"Captain, can you finally tell us what we're doing here?"
Crocodile grumbled. "Far as I know, there's no one here stronger than me!"
He'd long been annoyed by Rikuya's constant jabs about his lack of strength.
So hearing about recruiting another crewmate only added salt to the wound.
"Hmph. See that guy up front?" Rikuya pointed.
"Silver short hair, white coat with 'Justice' on the back, windproof goggles around his neck?
That's Captain Smoker—a Logia-type user like you.
Go take him down. If you can do that, maybe I'll start recognizing your strength."
At that moment, Smoker also noticed Rikuya pointing at him.
Their eyes met—tension rising instantly.
"A Logia-type user… and still just a Captain?"
Douglas Bullet raised a brow, intrigued.
"Is the value of Logia Fruits dropping these days?"
After all, Devil Fruits were already rare,
and among them, Logia types were the most precious—even he hadn't acquired one himself.
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