Vice Admiral Tsuru may not have the same level of fame as Garp, but as the Marine's chief strategist, her influence far surpasses his when it comes to rallying support within the organization. Her status within the Marines is almost untouchable.
Moreover, Tsuru's strength is formidable, though her exact capabilities remain a mystery. However, it's widely believed she possesses at least quasi-Admiral-level power. Now, with access to Chiba's Qi training exercises and the body-building liquid he promised to prepare personally for her, her strength is sure to grow even further. Underestimating her would be a mistake.
Despite her power, Tsuru is not primarily known for her combat abilities. She embodies the classic strategic genius, always cool and composed. Even someone as cunning as Doflamingo has been outmaneuvered by her multiple times. In fact, Doflamingo has taken to fleeing whenever he sees Tsuru approaching.
She also holds great sway among the female Marines, many of whom see her as a role model.
Furthermore, Tsuru's influence is bolstered by her younger sister, a Marine with Admiral-level combat abilities. This only increases her status and authority within the organization.
Thus, when Tsuru speaks, her words carry immense weight.
"That old woman must be conspiring with Garp," Sakazuki muttered inwardly. The more support Chiba received, the more determined he became to stand his ground.
"Akainu," Tsuru said calmly, addressing him directly, "I'm offering to support Chiba's promotion to Vice Admiral as a gesture of goodwill. This won't harm your interests."
Sakazuki sneered. "The Marines have rules, and they cannot be broken for anyone."
"The word justice behind us must never be compromised by anyone or anything."
"I stand by my statement: as long as Chiba Rear Admiral can withstand ten of my attacks and prove his strength, I will agree to his promotion."
"Hehe, alright. It seems I truly am an old woman," Tsuru remarked, her eyes narrowing. "Sakazuki, you are indeed firm in your adherence to Marine regulations. Not bad—very admirable."
Tsuru's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and the five Vice Admirals standing with her fixed Sakazuki with cold stares. It was clear they would no longer support him in the future.
Sakazuki's mouth twitched as he cursed Tsuru and her ancestors silently.
Sengoku sighed. "Chiba, it seems I cannot fulfill our agreement. However, out of respect for your grandfather, Garp, a Marine hero, would you be willing to sell some of your body-building potion to the Marines?"
Chiba caught on immediately. Sengoku was urging him to use the energy training liquid as leverage against Sakazuki.
Though Chiba didn't care much about the Vice Admiral position, he couldn't resist the opportunity to irritate Sakazuki.
Chiba sighed. "My grandfather always told me that the Marines were the most just and honorable organization in the world, where merits are rewarded, and faults are punished fairly."
"But now, it seems that is truly disappointing."
"Marshal Sengoku, Grandpa Garp, Grandma Tsuru, I'm sorry, but I can't provide this body-training energy medicine to the Marines."
"Furthermore, Marshal Sengoku, I request to resign from my position as Rear Admiral."
Hearing this, Sengoku, though aware that Chiba was putting on an act, felt a wave of anxiety. Worried that Chiba might actually be serious, he quickly intervened. "Rear Admiral Chiba, this matter is still open for discussion. Please do not rush to resign."
Sengoku then shot a sharp look at Sakazuki. "Akainu, Rear Admiral Chiba is an invaluable asset to the Marines. I have already reported his contributions to the World Government."
"The World Government has expressed high regard for Rear Admiral Chiba. His value far surpasses yours."
"If you refuse to support Chiba's promotion, then I propose, as commander-in-chief, that we remove you from your position as Admiral. All those in favor, please raise your hands."
Vice Admiral Tsuru was the first to raise her hand, followed by the five Vice Admirals by her side. Sengoku, Garp, and Aokiji also raised their hands.
The Vice Admirals who had been wavering earlier, now enticed by the benefits of the body-training liquid, raised their hands as well.
"You… you…!" Sakazuki's face contorted, and his confidence wavered. This fool on the verge of retirement is willing to go this far for that kid, even threatening to remove me, an Admiral?
Sakazuki glanced at Kizaru, hoping for some support.
Kizaru yawned, resting his head on his hand, appearing indifferent. But in reality, he was closely observing the situation. He thought to himself, This Akainu is being foolish—why take this so seriously? He's only embarrassing himself.
Sakazuki's expression grew darker. At such a critical moment, his allies were failing him.
One of Sakazuki's subordinates sent a telepathic message, "Admiral, we should agree."
"If we escalate things with Garp's faction, it'll be tough for us moving forward. Plus, that Chiba kid still has the body-building potion. If we drive him away, we'll lose access to the liquid entirely."
Sakazuki shot his subordinate a withering glare. These fools—getting swayed by a mere potion!
The two Vice Admirals averted their gazes, unable to meet Sakazuki's eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Sakazuki realized he had no choice. Kizaru was unreliable, his subordinates were wavering, and he was up against Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Aokiji, and Chiba alone. He couldn't win.
"I… agree." Sakazuki forced the words out through gritted teeth.
---
𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:
• 𝘽𝙤𝙜𝙙𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪
• 𝙅𝙘𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟮
• 𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙝
• 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗼𝗲𝗲
𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟴𝟱+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!
👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧