Chapter 9: Marine's Youngest Vice Admiral

Hearing Sengoku praise Chiba so highly, Garp beamed with pride. Among his four grandchildren, Chiba was the most promising. However, remembering how Sengoku had just scolded him like a child earlier, he felt a bit indignant—he needed to get back at him somehow.

Garp cleared his throat, patted Chiba on the shoulder, and said loudly, "As expected of my grandson, you did an outstanding job." He emphasized my grandson, directing the words pointedly at Sengoku.

"Chiba, just a moment ago, someone said your grandfather wasn't capable of raising his children or grandchildren properly." Garp gave Sengoku a knowing look. "Isn't that indirectly calling you incompetent?"

Garp continued, "But don't worry, my good grandson. If the Marines aren't suitable for you, Grandpa will send you to the CP organization."

Sengoku's face darkened. This stubborn old man, Garp, is so petty! he thought. All I did was scold him a little, and I wasn't wrong, either.

After all, Garp's son, Dragon, was the leader of the Revolutionary Army and a sworn enemy of the World Government. Ace had joined the Whitebeard Pirates, creating all sorts of trouble, and even the youngest, Luffy, was quickly becoming a problem with his rapid rise. Sengoku had every right to complain—being the marshal, his responsibility was to maintain Marine order.

But Sengoku knew he had to keep his cool and secure Chiba's loyalty. For the sake of the Marines, Chiba's talents were invaluable.

With a forced smile, Sengoku said, "Garp, my old friend, I apologize. You've raised such an exceptional grandson in Chiba. I envy you, and I admit I was a bit harsh before—my words may have sounded bitter."

"You're the hero of the Marines, and I know you're magnanimous enough not to hold it against me."

Garp, who had no intention of letting Chiba leave the Marines, just wanted to vent his frustration. Now that Sengoku had apologized, Garp's mood brightened, and he laughed heartily, slapping Sengoku on the shoulder. "Well, seeing how sincere you are, I've decided—my grandson stays in the Marines!"

Sengoku sighed internally, thinking, This old man… even at this age, he's so childish. I really have to humor him.

Chiba watched the exchange, a smile forming on his lips. It was amusing to see the two old friends bicker like this. Garp, Sengoku, and Vice Admiral Tsuru had been in the same Marine generation, and in their prime, they had been the legends of their era. Sengoku and Garp, in particular, had been fierce rivals as well as comrades.

Back then, they had worked together to capture countless pirates. The most famous of their collaborations was the capture of the Golden Lion, a feat equivalent to Aokiji and Akainu teaming up to defeat Whitebeard today. It had shocked the world and solidified their reputations.

But now, looking at Aokiji and Akainu, it was clear they couldn't match the strength of Sengoku and Garp in their prime. Garp, in particular, had repeatedly pushed the Pirate King, Roger, to the brink. He had once been one of the strongest men in the world.

But age had caught up to him. Chiba knew this better than anyone. Garp's physical state had declined significantly, and he rarely fought anymore.

But that will change soon, Chiba thought. He had already made up his mind to help Garp regain his strength by practicing the Giant Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength. By awakening Garp's cells and forming the mammoth placenta, he could restore Garp's youth and strength, making him even more powerful than he had been at his peak.

Sengoku then turned to Chiba. "Chiba, with the great contributions you've made, I've decided to nominate you for a promotion to Marine Vice Admiral. Based on your merits, there shouldn't be any issue with your promotion."

"You're only seventeen. A Marine Vice Admiral at seventeen is rare in Marine history. You and I, along with your Grandpa Garp, are incredibly proud of you!"

Chiba smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa Sengoku, but it's not all about the promotion."

"I haven't been in the Marines for long, and I've already risen from a civilian to Rear Admiral. A promotion to Vice Admiral so quickly might create problems for you, Grandpa Sengoku."

"I'm fine staying as a Rear Admiral. I don't mind becoming a Vice Admiral, but if you really want to reward me, please provide me with all the Marine's knowledge and personnel related to medicines that enhance physical strength. Additionally, I'll need a large supply of medicinal herbs."

"This Qi training method takes too long to cultivate. I want to see if I can develop some potions or medicines to reduce the difficulty and duration of the training, further enhancing its effectiveness."

Sengoku felt a wave of relief and admiration. "What a remarkable young man you are, Chiba!"

"I agree to your request. However, I am still nominating you for Vice Admiral."

Chiba tried to refuse. "Grandpa Sengoku, whether I'm a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral doesn't matter to me."

Sengoku's face grew stern. "No, merits must be rewarded. You must become Vice Admiral. If I, as the Marshal, don't reward accomplishments, it undermines my authority. Chiba, you don't want to see your grandpa's authority diminish, do you?"

"Well, then, I'll accept the promotion to Vice Admiral," Chiba said with a slight smile. It made no difference to him, but he agreed for Sengoku's sake.

Sengoku nodded in satisfaction. "Good. But that's not enough. Do you have any other requests, like money?"

Chiba shook his head. "No need for money. I live and eat at Marine Headquarters, so I don't need it. However, there is one favor I'd like to ask."

Sengoku's eyes brightened. Finally, he's asking me for something. This is a good start. Sengoku leaned forward eagerly. "Name it, anything. As long as it's within my power, I'll do everything I can to help you."

---

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

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