Chapter 28 Welcome
"Carl, Carl—I'm well aware you've poured your heart into rebuilding the naval base on Sabaody Archipelago in just five days.
But you must also realize your current rank of colonel isn't enough to permanently oversee a strategic base like the one in Shabaody.
That's why I've already dispatched an official appointment order—she should be arriving shortly. Once she gets there, you'll complete the formal handover with her and from then on, you'll follow her lead and carry out your duties accordingly.
Your performance has been outstanding, but it's still a bit shy of earning you a promotion to rear admiral. So you need to keep working don't slack off!"
"I understand, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Thank you for your continued trust I'll absolutely live up to your expectations! I will aim to reach the rank of Rear Admiral as soon as possible!"
"Hahahaha! That's the kind of attitude I want to see! Keep that drive alive, Carl you'd better not disappoint me!"
Sengoku laughed heartily as he hung up the Den Den Mushi, then turned to face Admiral Borsalino and Vice Admiral Pizza, who were seated at the table.
"After monitoring Carl over the past five days, I can confidently say he's given it everything he's got. He not only led the reconstruction of the destroyed Marine base himself but he even expanded patrol routes, intercepted human traffickers in Grove 1 and Grove 13, and captured over a dozen pirates with active bounties.
It's hard to believe those accomplishments came from a mere colonel.
This boy… he's got the makings of a future Admiral. He's exactly the kind of rare talent the Marines need right now."
"Hahahaha!"
During those five days and nights, Sengoku had not been idle either.
He had authorized full surveillance of Carl's command, letting him operate with the maximum scope permitted to a colonel observing how he handled pressure, coordination, logistics, and leadership.
But five days was the limit according to Marine protocol, a base like the one in Sabaody Archipelago could only be commanded by an officer of Rear Admiral rank or higher.
So a new appointment had to be made and that change was coming today.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku… from the moment I first saw that kid, I had a hunch about his potential.
After our second encounter, I found out he actually fought off Donquixote Doflamingo—that's not something just anyone can do. And this kid… he's only twenty years old. The room he has to grow is enormous."
Although Polusalino usually gave the impression of being lazy and indifferent punching in and out of duties with his casual "Yare yare" he had always cared deeply about the well-being of the Navy.
"Yes, I fully agree with Admiral Polusalino. Carl's raw talent is undeniable but more importantly, he's still young. Time is on his side."
"You've been around a long time, Pizza you've seen many powerful figures rise through the ranks.
Now that your five-day assignment at Sabaody is done do you have any thoughts about your future?
If you're interested, I can reassign you permanently to that post. However, due to staffing structure, your rank would be adjusted to Rear Admiral, and you'd serve directly under Vice Admiral Tsuru's protégé, Vice Admiral Momousagi (Gion).
But if you'd prefer not to be demoted, there's another option I can send you to join Instructor Z's division, helping to train the next generation of Marine recruits.
Those are the two paths open to you.
I won't assign you to the New World again your body wouldn't survive the frontline combat there anymore."
"I understand… in that case, I'll focus on training the next wave of soldiers…"
Pizza gave a small sigh of relief as he made his choice, nodding with quiet resolution while Sengoku gave a slow nod in approval, then waved his hand and began writing the official transfer orders.
"By the way, when you leave help me inform Gion to set out immediately. I don't want her showing up late. Ever since she started tagging along with Tsuru, she's gotten a little too unruly and complacent."
"Yes sir, I'll pass the message now…"
Pizza smiled helplessly, then turned and walked out of the Fleet Admiral's office.
After Pizza left, Sengoku shifted his focus to Borsalino, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Now then has Ace been successfully transferred to the secure location?"
"Kuzan's handling it he's already en route with the transport unit. As for Whitebeard, there's no sign he intends to intercept.
But strangely, there's another pirate group completely separate from Whitebeard's crew who seem to be stirring things up. Word is they've declared an intent to invade Impel Down and tear the place apart…"
At that point, Borsalino's tone turned a bit more serious, his usual slouch replaced by subtle tension.
"What crew would be reckless enough to announce something like that? It's outright madness."
Sengoku furrowed his brows, clearly disturbed few had ever dared challenge Impel Down, let alone make such a public threat.
Polusalino gave a heavy sigh and replied calmly: "They're remnants of the Straw Hat Pirates…"
---
At that same moment
Carl stood in the office he'd called his own for the past five days, gazing around with reluctant eyes.
Since the official commissioning order hadn't arrived immediately after the battle with Doflamingo, he had remained in charge temporarily and for those five days, he had commanded the Sabaody base.
It had been five days filled with purpose far more fulfilling than the drifting days he had before joining the Navy. For the first time in a long while, he hadn't even thought about going to Shakky's Rip-off Bar for a drink.
"What a shame just when life starts feeling productive and meaningful, it always ends too quickly. Now I have to step aside again. I can't help but feel a little reluctant…"
Since his position was only ever provisional, he had expected to be replaced. That much didn't bother him.
What mattered more was that the soldiers respected him now even if the new appointee tried to push him aside, he wouldn't be shaken.
Still, he had no desire to start a political struggle. Sabaody wasn't worth fighting over.
As long as the new superior didn't deliberately target him, Carl had no intention of making trouble.
"Captain Carl do you think the incoming commander will be a man or a woman? Are they a Vice Admiral or a Rear Admiral?"
"You think I know who's coming? The Fleet Admiral just said someone was on the way, but he didn't say who. For all we know, it could be a gorilla in uniform.
Either way, we're Marines we stand ready. When they arrive, we line up and give a proper welcome. We can't afford to be seen as disrespectful."
"Yes, sir!"
"No need to call me 'sir' now just call me Carl. Let's go get everything ready for the arrival."
Carl gave the major a casual glance and headed out the door.
The major followed with a grin, keeping pace.
---
Time ticked on slowly
Carl led the Navy personnel to the dock to prepare for the arrival of the new commanding officer.
But from late afternoon into dusk, nearly four hours passed and there was still no sign of a ship.
Sengoku's Den Den Mushi call had come early in the morning, stating the appointment order had already been dispatched.
Even accounting for delays at sea or unexpected detours, the appointed officer should have arrived by now.
Yet the harbor remained empty no ship on the horizon, no figure on the gangplank.
Frustration began bubbling among the sailors.
"What the hell by normal travel time, they should have been here ages ago! We could've already welcomed them and eaten dinner by now!
But nooo, the newbie wants to act like some big shot. Thinks they're an Admiral or something!"
"Exactly! Even an actual Admiral wouldn't be four hours late without contact. This is ridiculous!"
"I'm starving can we at least eat while waiting? Who the hell is this person?!"
"Tch! With this kind of first impression? Forget it. I'm not listening to a damn thing they say. They tell me to scrub the deck I'll mop the walls instead. I'm not showing them any respect!"
More and more Marines began to grumble, and a few even sat down in protest.
Carl, however, said nothing.
Instead, he raised a pair of standard-issue binoculars and scanned the sea with steady focus.
He hadn't moved much in four hours his discipline and patience caught the attention of the others.
They realized they couldn't do the same—standing at attention that long with zero complaint wasn't easy.
His silent example inspired their respect even if no words were spoken.
Then suddenly Carl squinted toward the far end of the horizon.
A marine warship was approaching barely a speck at first, but unmistakably headed for Sabaody.
"Everyone—stand up!"
"Prepare to welcome our new commanding officer!"
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