The next day, at noon.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in his office, his face as dark as storm clouds.
His figure seemed particularly weighed down in the large office.
Sunlight streamed through the windows and onto the floor, but it seemed unable to brighten his mood.
Recalling the conversation in Mary Geoise, he couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and helplessness.
He had failed.
The Five Elders' response remained cold and resolute, citing that the world was on the brink of war and resources must be prioritized for war preparations, thus rejecting Sengoku's proposal.
Worse, they didn't give the Navy any room for respite, even explicitly stating that the Navy participating in this war would not receive any form of compensation, and everything would be borne by the Navy Headquarters itself.
This news was like another heavy bomb dropped in Sengoku's heart.
The already stretched thin Navy budget would not only receive no relief but would also have to bear all war expenses.
Sengoku felt a surge of anger rising from his chest, straight to the top of his head.
He glared at the desk in front of him, his fists clenched tightly.
"Bang!"
With a muffled sound, Sengoku slammed his fist on the desk.
Although he tried to control his anger, the vibration from his fist still caused the papers on the desk to shake, and the teacup almost fell over.
The desk wasn't broken, Sengoku was still able to control himself, but the sense of powerlessness and anger was like an overwhelming wave, almost drowning him.
"Damn it..."
He gritted his teeth, cursing in a low voice, his eyes burning with anger.
Sitting beside him, Tsuru quietly watched everything, sighing softly.
She knew how much pressure Sengoku was under and understood what the World Government's decision meant for the Navy.
As the world became more volatile, the Navy not only had to face intense battles on the front lines but also had to bear the financial burden, almost being roasted on a fire.
"Sengoku, calm down."
Tsuru's voice was gentle but also mixed with a hint of exhaustion.
As the Navy HQ Staff Officer, she also felt helpless and couldn't understand the World Government's decision.
But they had no way.
It was clearly a war caused by the World Government, but the most severe consequences had to be borne by the Navy.
She gently pushed the files on the desk and continued, "We knew long ago that the World Government wouldn't easily give any compensation. They have always treated the military as tools, but this time... the situation is worse than we expected."
Sengoku was silent, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
The files on the desk were piled up like a mountain, all requests for compensation, bereavement pay, and follow-up supplies after the war, but at this moment, he couldn't do anything.
The resources of the Navy Headquarters were almost exhausted, and even the capital to fight another tough battle was almost used up.
He lowered his head, supporting himself on the edge of the desk with both hands, the muscles in his back tensed.
Sengoku's mind kept flashing with the faces of the soldiers who were about to be thrown into battle. How many casualties would the war bring, and how many families would be broken because of it?
And he was powerless to fight for even a trace of compensation.
"Our Navy is ultimately fighting for the interests of the World Government," he said in a low voice, with deep helplessness and sorrow in his tone.
Tsuru looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
She stood up, walked to Sengoku's side, and gently patted him on the shoulder.
"What we can do is minimize losses," she whispered. "Don't let these soldiers die in vain."
Sengoku gave a wry smile, a bitter look in his eyes, "Easier said than done... but now, we don't even have enough resources, how can we reduce losses?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into silence for a while.
Tsuru didn't answer immediately because she knew that in this situation, any words of comfort seemed pale and weak.
But she still said calmly, "No matter what, we have to hold on. This is our responsibility as Navy."
Sengoku closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and finally nodded.
He knew he had no choice.
Since the World Government had thrown all the responsibility to them, then as the Fleet Admiral, the only thing he could do was to do his best to keep this Navy going, even if every step was extremely difficult.
"......"
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Soft but forceful knocks broke the silence in the office, the sound echoing in the quiet space.
Sengoku looked up slightly, frowning, his thoughts still immersed in the frustrating negotiation results.
The door opened, and Jin An walked in, his face as calm as ever.
"Do you need me to go to the front line?" Jin An cut to the chase, his voice without much emotional fluctuation.
Although he was not interested in this war, he didn't want to watch those Navy soldiers die innocently. After all, it was very likely that some Navy would join their ranks in the future to resist the World Government.
Sengoku looked up at Jin An, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Jin An was one of the strongest combat forces in their Navy, and his ability was enough to greatly change the situation.
However, Sengoku understood that Jin An was not just a Navy Admiral, but also a chess piece that those higher-ups wanted to firmly control.
In fact, the World Government had offered a condition that Sengoku almost couldn't refuse—as long as Jin An stayed in Mary Geoise and became a "Holy Land Guardian" like Kong for the rest of his life, they were willing to bear all the Navy's expenses for this war.
But Sengoku refused this condition without hesitation.
Jin An was recognized by all of their Navy as the next Fleet Admiral. Even if the Navy didn't want anything, it was impossible to hand Jin An over.
Jin An's gaze swept across the subtle changes on Sengoku's face, as if he could see through his thoughts.
"You don't want me to go to the front line because you're afraid I'll fall into the World Government's trap?" He smiled faintly, seeming to have guessed something.
Sengoku nodded heavily, feeling a dull pain in his heart.
The Jin An in front of him was young and powerful, and should have been free to gallop across the sea, instead of being trapped in the Holy Land, becoming a soulless fighting machine.
He said in a deep voice, "No need to go to the front line. If even you are sent out, then the headquarters will really have no one available."
Sengoku's tone was a bit tired and helpless.
He understood that Borsalino and Sakazuki had already been sent to the battlefield, and now Jin An was the only remaining top combat force of the Navy.
If he left again, the Navy Headquarters would be in an extremely vulnerable state.
Jin An was silent for a moment, putting his hands in his pockets, looking at the distance outside the window.
The smoke of gunpowder on the battlefield seemed to appear in his eyes one by one, but he didn't rush to answer, just said softly, "You rejected the World Government's conditions, right?"
Sengoku's body shook slightly, then he gave a wry smile, "Yes, I refused. I can't let you become their tool, and like Kong-sensei, be trapped in Mary Geoise, losing all freedom."
The corners of Jin An's mouth rose slightly, with a bit of playfulness and helplessness.
"You care about me quite a bit, Fleet Admiral."
He turned around, looking directly into Sengoku's eyes, those sharp eyes revealing a tenacious light.
"But don't worry about me, I won't be trapped so easily."
Sengoku looked at Jin An's expression, and the complex emotions in his heart became more intense.
He knew that Jin An was not an ordinary Navy Admiral, his strength, thoughts, and will had already surpassed most people, even surpassing the shackles that this world had given him.
But because of this, Sengoku was even more unwilling to let him get involved in that vortex of power.
"Jin An, you must remember, no matter which side you stand on, the Navy will always be your home," Sengoku's voice was low, but with an undeniable force.
He knew he couldn't stop Jin An, but at least, he could give him some advice and hope.
Jin An chuckled, his tone with a bit of teasing, "Don't worry, I don't plan to leave you old guys yet."
After a brief eye contact between the two, Jin An slowly walked towards the door, his back still so calm.
However, Sengoku knew that the young Admiral was carrying far more in his heart than he showed.
Just as Jin An's hand touched the doorknob, Sengoku suddenly opened his mouth, "Jin An."
Jin An stopped, tilting his head slightly.
"Thank you," Sengoku said in a low voice, a rare hint of gratitude and helplessness appearing in his eyes.
He knew that Jin An understood him, and even shouldered many things for him that he shouldn't have.
Jin An waved his hand lightly as a response, then disappeared outside the door.
Sengoku stared at the closed door, the suppressed emotions in his heart gradually surging up.
The situation was becoming more and more complex, and as the Fleet Admiral, his decisions and choices were increasingly constrained by various powers.
Whether it was the World Government or the Five Elders, the gears of war had already started to turn, and all he could do was to try his best to protect this increasingly fragile Navy.
He sighed, a bitter feeling rising in his heart.
The position of Fleet Admiral was never an easy job.
...
