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Chapter 688: Sakazuki's Resolve and the North Blue Operation
Whether it was the world conscription, the suppression of North Blue pirates, the protection of member nations' interests, or the overall stability of the North Blue.
Sakazuki had to do it perfectly.
Becoming a Marine Admiral was a sure thing for Sakazuki.
So his goal wasn't just that.
He needed even more outstanding performance and greater merit to prove his ability.
To establish a leading position among future Marine Admirals and build absolute advantage in all aspects.
To become the undisputed first candidate for the Fleet Admiral after the next one.
When others hadn't even conceived of this idea, Sakazuki had already decided to start planning and strategizing.
He possessed firm conviction and target.
With Shirek's assistance, he would cultivate strength within the Marines that belonged to him and was close to him.
Marines who, like him, held firm conviction in justice.
All of this would begin in the North Blue.
Similarly, the strength within Marine Headquarters would also develop.
Subduing the Hawk Faction and winning over the Neutral Faction.
And gaining the support of the World Government High Command.
For all of this, Shirek already had a complete plan.
When all of this was laid out, some so-called difficulties would be easier than imagined.
With Shirek, a Staff Officer with powerful comprehensive ability, by his side, Sakazuki had a complete blueprint in his heart.
He knew what his next target was.
To turn the North Blue Navy into his own strength.
To possess his own military, giving him the confidence to do anything.
To have the Inspection Department of Marine Headquarters controlled by the Hawk Faction, led by him.
The Inspection Department could maximize its effect only in the hands of the Hawk Faction.
To clear out the corrupt atmosphere within, to deal with those fallen Marines, instead of letting those parasites constantly suck blood and collude everywhere, leading to greater chaos in the Great Sea and threatening more civilians.
To let power truly be implemented.
Not just be a mere decoration.
Step by step, strengthen his own power and advance towards higher power.
He wanted to transform the advantage he had built within the Marines into an unstoppable great power.
If he truly failed, he would still have the confidence to stand on his own.
He possessed such resolve, Shirek's support, and the data from the North Blue Marine Governor's Office, leaving him with no worries.
In recent years, especially during the time working with Shirek, Sakazuki had come to understand that what obstructed him might not only be the World Government, but also potentially come from within Marine Headquarters.
Therefore, he tacitly allowed some of Shirek's secret actions, building the North Blue Navy into a foundation for himself within the Marines.
In Shirek's eyes, Sakazuki was becoming increasingly well-rounded.
His shortcomings in various aspects were being rapidly filled, growing at an astonishing speed.
To others, Sakazuki was a loyal hyena.
But this hyena was becoming increasingly fierce.
Although he still wore a collar around his neck, its restraint upon him was growing weaker.
Sakazuki could even break free from the restraint and remove the collar at any time.
All of this depended on Sakazuki's own thoughts.
Top Tier Combatants, no matter where they were, were extremely important existences.
They were an indispensable core in any powerful force.
Especially a Young Monster like Sakazuki, who possessed the potential of an Admiral.
If he truly left the Marines through proper procedures, what could the Marines and the World Government do?
No one would easily offend such a terrifying combatant strength.
In the future, "Black Arm" Zephyr left the Marines to stand on his own.
Before Zephyr took actions that threatened the World, the World Government and the Marines did not take any action to capture him.
Admiral Kuzan, after losing the competition for the Fleet Admiral position against Sakazuki, also left the Marines.
So-called rules could hardly restrain these top-tier monsters.
However, currently, Sakazuki did not have much dissatisfaction with the World Government and the Marines.
He believed he could change the current state of the Great Sea with his own strength.
When he found it difficult to change and his dissatisfaction with Marine Headquarters, or even the World Government, reached its peak.
He would likely make a decision that would shock the Great Sea.
Although some things had not yet happened, Shirek and Sakazuki already had contingency plans in their hearts.
The current Marine High Command was not on the same path as him.
There were three Admiral seats.
Besides Borsalino, Sakazuki would prefer Kyle to become the third Marine Admiral.
Not Kuzan.
Considering everything, Kyle was also more outstanding.
Unfortunately, the decision-making power was not in his hands.
The Marines needed balance.
The Neutral Faction already had Borsalino and Kyle, two powerful combatants.
Even Shirek, who now followed him, was a member of the Neutral Faction.
Marine Headquarters could not allow the Neutral Faction to hold two Admiral seats.
After Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral in the future.
The two newly recruited Monster Combatants, Fujitora and Ryokugyu, represented the Dove Faction and the Hawk Faction respectively.
The balance was not broken by Sakazuki's promotion and Kuzan's departure.
Furthermore, the main Marine High Command were members of the Dove Faction.
Although Kuzan was young, he had the support of the Dove Faction.
Kuzan was even "Iron Fist" Garp's Disciple.
Coupled with Kyle's own government background.
Kyle had already proven his ability.
And was not rejected by Marine Headquarters.
If he had the support of the World Government, it might have been possible.
However, for some reason, the World Government did not do so.
Of course, that was the worst-case plan.
Under normal circumstances, such a thing would not happen.
After all, Marine Headquarters had the support of the World Government.
The strength it possessed was far beyond what the Navy in one Sea Area could compare to.
"Meteor Volcano!"
The North Blue Navy's operation was fast and secret.
Even if something felt wrong, there was no concrete evidence.
Warships disguised as patrol ships headed straight for their target under the cover of night.
Informants from various factions within the North Blue Navy found it difficult to obtain the North Blue Navy's specific action plan.
But for truly powerful forces, it was also difficult to conceal.
The infiltration of the North Blue Navy had been ongoing for nearly twenty years since the decline of the Four Seas Faction during the Rocks Era.
The collusion between the Marines and various factions was simply countless.
Far from the Emperor's Reach, some Branch Base Commanders even secretly sold precious military supplies.
The data Shirek secretly investigated was shocking.
Sakazuki himself didn't realize how many rats were hidden under his rule.
Only the Sea Area Shirek had previously patrolled looked relatively clean.
When everything was laid out, Sakazuki naturally valued Shirek even more.
Because he needed Shirek's assistance, not the other way around.
With Shirek's ability, becoming a core high-command member in the Marines was only a matter of time.
If the North Blue was like this, the other three Sea Areas would only be more corrupt.
It was precisely because of this that Sakazuki strengthened his resolve to control the Marine Inspection Department.
Currently, Sakazuki had established his absolute authority in the North Blue.
His fearsome reputation was directed not only at Pirates but also at Marines.
It was just not publicly announced.
In the secret anti-corruption operation alone, hundreds of Marines were arrested.
Among them were Base Commanders of Marine Bases, and individuals holding the military rank of Colonel or even higher.
For these fallen Marines, falling into Sakazuki's hands meant absolutely no leniency.
Even if they were so-called persons with connections, it had no effect on him.
The number of Marines who truly needed to be arrested was actually higher.
The World Conscription was underway.
To prevent the World Conscription from being affected and to avoid chaos within the North Blue Navy, this was not done.
But that didn't mean Shirek would overlook it.
Shirek's approach was to gather them together and then have them die gloriously on the battlefield.
This approach was naturally with Sakazuki's tacit approval; at the very least, he did not refuse.
The atmosphere within the North Blue Navy had significantly changed under the governance of Sakazuki and Shirek.
Various factions treated Sakazuki with great caution.
Even if they obtained intelligence, they would not easily leak it.
If they angered Sakazuki, they would definitely face severe consequences.
The Marines' target was Pirates.
Clearing out Pirates was beneficial for the stability of the North Blue, which was a good thing for most factions.
Even those Underworld Forces would not act rashly.
They wouldn't realize that they were also the Marines' target.
Those who felt danger would only secretly prepare for evacuation.
(end of chapter)
Whether it was the world conscription, the suppression of North Blue pirates, the protection of member nations' interests, or the overall stability of the North Blue.
Sakazuki had to do it perfectly.
Becoming a Marine Admiral was a sure thing for Sakazuki.
So his goal wasn't just that.
He needed even more outstanding performance and greater merit to prove his ability.
To establish a leading position among future Marine Admirals and build absolute advantage in all aspects.
To become the undisputed first candidate for the Fleet Admiral after the next one.
When others hadn't even conceived of this idea, Sakazuki had already decided to start planning and strategizing.
He possessed firm conviction and target.
With Shirek's assistance, he would cultivate strength within the Marines that belonged to him and was close to him.
Marines who, like him, held firm conviction in justice.
All of this would begin in the North Blue.
Similarly, the strength within Marine Headquarters would also develop.
Subduing the Hawk Faction and winning over the Neutral Faction.
And gaining the support of the World Government High Command.
For all of this, Shirek already had a complete plan.
When all of this was laid out, some so-called difficulties would be easier than imagined.
With Shirek, a Staff Officer with powerful comprehensive ability, by his side, Sakazuki had a complete blueprint in his heart.
He knew what his next target was.
To turn the North Blue Navy into his own strength.
To possess his own military, giving him the confidence to do anything.
To have the Inspection Department of Marine Headquarters controlled by the Hawk Faction, led by him.
The Inspection Department could maximize its effect only in the hands of the Hawk Faction.
To clear out the corrupt atmosphere within, to deal with those fallen Marines, instead of letting those parasites constantly suck blood and collude everywhere, leading to greater chaos in the Great Sea and threatening more civilians.
To let power truly be implemented.
Not just be a mere decoration.
Step by step, strengthen his own power and advance towards higher power.
He wanted to transform the advantage he had built within the Marines into an unstoppable great power.
If he truly failed, he would still have the confidence to stand on his own.
He possessed such resolve, Shirek's support, and the data from the North Blue Marine Governor's Office, leaving him with no worries.
In recent years, especially during the time working with Shirek, Sakazuki had come to understand that what obstructed him might not only be the World Government, but also potentially come from within Marine Headquarters.
Therefore, he tacitly allowed some of Shirek's secret actions, building the North Blue Navy into a foundation for himself within the Marines.
In Shirek's eyes, Sakazuki was becoming increasingly well-rounded.
His shortcomings in various aspects were being rapidly filled, growing at an astonishing speed.
To others, Sakazuki was a loyal hyena.
But this hyena was becoming increasingly fierce.
Although he still wore a collar around his neck, its restraint upon him was growing weaker.
Sakazuki could even break free from the restraint and remove the collar at any time.
All of this depended on Sakazuki's own thoughts.
Top Tier Combatants, no matter where they were, were extremely important existences.
They were an indispensable core in any powerful force.
Especially a Young Monster like Sakazuki, who possessed the potential of an Admiral.
If he truly left the Marines through proper procedures, what could the Marines and the World Government do?
No one would easily offend such a terrifying combatant strength.
In the future, "Black Arm" Zephyr left the Marines to stand on his own.
Before Zephyr took actions that threatened the World, the World Government and the Marines did not take any action to capture him.
Admiral Kuzan, after losing the competition for the Fleet Admiral position against Sakazuki, also left the Marines.
So-called rules could hardly restrain these top-tier monsters.
However, currently, Sakazuki did not have much dissatisfaction with the World Government and the Marines.
He believed he could change the current state of the Great Sea with his own strength.
When he found it difficult to change and his dissatisfaction with Marine Headquarters, or even the World Government, reached its peak.
He would likely make a decision that would shock the Great Sea.
Although some things had not yet happened, Shirek and Sakazuki already had contingency plans in their hearts.
The current Marine High Command was not on the same path as him.
There were three Admiral seats.
Besides Borsalino, Sakazuki would prefer Kyle to become the third Marine Admiral.
Not Kuzan.
Considering everything, Kyle was also more outstanding.
Unfortunately, the decision-making power was not in his hands.
The Marines needed balance.
The Neutral Faction already had Borsalino and Kyle, two powerful combatants.
Even Shirek, who now followed him, was a member of the Neutral Faction.
Marine Headquarters could not allow the Neutral Faction to hold two Admiral seats.
After Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral in the future.
The two newly recruited Monster Combatants, Fujitora and Ryokugyu, represented the Dove Faction and the Hawk Faction respectively.
The balance was not broken by Sakazuki's promotion and Kuzan's departure.
Furthermore, the main Marine High Command were members of the Dove Faction.
Although Kuzan was young, he had the support of the Dove Faction.
Kuzan was even "Iron Fist" Garp's Disciple.
Coupled with Kyle's own government background.
Kyle had already proven his ability.
And was not rejected by Marine Headquarters.
If he had the support of the World Government, it might have been possible.
However, for some reason, the World Government did not do so.
Of course, that was the worst-case plan.
Under normal circumstances, such a thing would not happen.
After all, Marine Headquarters had the support of the World Government.
The strength it possessed was far beyond what the Navy in one Sea Area could compare to.
"Meteor Volcano!"
The North Blue Navy's operation was fast and secret.
Even if something felt wrong, there was no concrete evidence.
Warships disguised as patrol ships headed straight for their target under the cover of night.
Informants from various factions within the North Blue Navy found it difficult to obtain the North Blue Navy's specific action plan.
But for truly powerful forces, it was also difficult to conceal.
The infiltration of the North Blue Navy had been ongoing for nearly twenty years since the decline of the Four Seas Faction during the Rocks Era.
The collusion between the Marines and various factions was simply countless.
Far from the Emperor's Reach, some Branch Base Commanders even secretly sold precious military supplies.
The data Shirek secretly investigated was shocking.
Sakazuki himself didn't realize how many rats were hidden under his rule.
Only the Sea Area Shirek had previously patrolled looked relatively clean.
When everything was laid out, Sakazuki naturally valued Shirek even more.
Because he needed Shirek's assistance, not the other way around.
With Shirek's ability, becoming a core high-command member in the Marines was only a matter of time.
If the North Blue was like this, the other three Sea Areas would only be more corrupt.
It was precisely because of this that Sakazuki strengthened his resolve to control the Marine Inspection Department.
Currently, Sakazuki had established his absolute authority in the North Blue.
His fearsome reputation was directed not only at Pirates but also at Marines.
It was just not publicly announced.
In the secret anti-corruption operation alone, hundreds of Marines were arrested.
Among them were Base Commanders of Marine Bases, and individuals holding the military rank of Colonel or even higher.
For these fallen Marines, falling into Sakazuki's hands meant absolutely no leniency.
Even if they were so-called persons with connections, it had no effect on him.
The number of Marines who truly needed to be arrested was actually higher.
The World Conscription was underway.
To prevent the World Conscription from being affected and to avoid chaos within the North Blue Navy, this was not done.
But that didn't mean Shirek would overlook it.
Shirek's approach was to gather them together and then have them die gloriously on the battlefield.
This approach was naturally with Sakazuki's tacit approval; at the very least, he did not refuse.
The atmosphere within the North Blue Navy had significantly changed under the governance of Sakazuki and Shirek.
Various factions treated Sakazuki with great caution.
Even if they obtained intelligence, they would not easily leak it.
If they angered Sakazuki, they would definitely face severe consequences.
The Marines' target was Pirates.
Clearing out Pirates was beneficial for the stability of the North Blue, which was a good thing for most factions.
Even those Underworld Forces would not act rashly.
They wouldn't realize that they were also the Marines' target.
Those who felt danger would only secretly prepare for evacuation.
(end of chapter)
