In the Marine Admiral's office, Sengoku sat in a chair, with dark circles under his eyes, and looked at the new, yet old, photograph on the table with a thoughtful expression. Why was it both new and old? Because the photograph itself was recently taken, but the man in it had already changed.
That year, he was talented, charming, brave and determined. His movements were as fast as lightning, and his punch was as powerful as a dragon. His fists conquered the world. That year, he was heroic and courageous, a true legend among women.
Now he was almost fifty. Although he still retained his charm, the fine wrinkles around her eyes gave away hir age...
Looking at himself in the photograph, Sengoku felt how time flies. It seemed like only yesterday he was a young Marine, and today he was an admiral. The future of the Marine Corps, of course, is in the hands of the young.
After the battle in the Valley of the Gods, the Marines' strength was seriously weakened. The core of the Marine Corps was lost, and control over the sea was becoming weaker. It seemed that the hard times were over, and he saw hope in the new generation. Three elemental power wielders, the talented Dragon who was not like Garp's son, little Curry who was so good that he could not even be compared to his old Curry, and a whole group of promising future leaders of the Marine Corps - this generation could be called golden. When they grow up, it will be the pinnacle of the Marine Corps era.
However... there are many talented people among them, but also many strange personalities. The most normal of them is Dragon, Garp's son. The rest stand out in one way or another for their strangeness. Sakazuki is ruthless. It's good that he adheres to absolute justice, but his desire to destroy pirates goes so far that he is ready to sacrifice even his own people. It is unknown what this guy went through in his early years that made him so hateful towards pirates.
Borsalino is talented in every way. At the naval academy, he showed excellent results in both theory and practice. But his character... While Sakazuki is ruthless and strives to eradicate all pirates, Borsalino does not care about anything at all. He only does what he is ordered to do, carries out tasks perfectly, but never shows initiative. He is like an employee who does exactly as much as he is paid. Although such subordinates are liked by their superiors, there is something depressing about them. In the end, Borsalino's entire life has been too smooth.
It seems that he has always been lucky. Although his family was not rich since childhood, he never knew hunger or deprivation, was able to study and had a rather happy childhood. Then he got really lucky: he found a Devil Fruit that enhanced his abilities. Even before joining the Marines, he was already known as a monster at sea. His life was so smooth that even joining the Marines was a coincidence for him. It is because of this that his concept of justice is blurred.
As for Kuzan... He's said to be lazy. Sengoku hasn't personally interacted with him, but Zephyr hasn't found any bad habits. However, his past experience with the club remains an uncertain factor.
Of course, although these three have their flaws, they are still relatively normal. At least their life values are in order, so there is nothing to worry about.
But the elder brother's son, little Curry... Although he doesn't have the same quirks as the others, he inherited the best from his elder brother. This guy hasn't even finished his studies yet, but he's already started building his future: he's made good relations with Kuzan, and then with Gion.
And only yesterday Zephyr told him that little Curry would be sent to the New World for early practice. And in the evening Tsuru came to Sengoku and asked him to look after her future brother in the New World...
Sengoku couldn't help but be amazed at how good this guy was at talking to girls. Sengoku himself had once given several months of his salary to Garp to help him, in order to win Tsuru's attention. But it was no use - she remained as cold as a mountain. And Gion's character was even more complex than Tsuru's. And yet, it took little Curry less than a year to win her over. You have to admit, this guy is a real talent.
Leonardo: - This bastard took care of me... (?_?)?
If little Curry's talents were the same as his father's, then there was nothing to say. Even if Tsuru didn't look for him, he would take care of the boy himself out of affection for his older brother. Let him stay around for a couple of years, gain experience. If he turned out to be worthy enough, he could be trusted to take the place of his older brother, to guard Eastern Blue, like he once did. In short, let him do whatever he wants. Even without Kuzan, Sengoku would be able to ensure this boy's safety for life.
But this boy's potential is astounding. His Devil Fruit ability can rival Kuzan's strength, and his swordsmanship is already one step ahead of Gion. To prepare him for the future, we must first get rid of the idea that he is the one who depends on his older brother the most and has not a single birthmark on his body. The best way is to let him feel the cruelty of the sea and awaken his sense of justice. Then give him some training and, if he does not die, send him to the most dangerous places. Under the cover of Polsarino, as long as he does not encounter pirates like Whitebeard, Golden Lion and others, there will be no problem with safety. And according to Zephyr, the boy's ability gives him tremendous vitality, so it will not be so easy for him to die.
But now there's a problem. Tsuru had been talking to him all evening, and if things went according to plan, wouldn't it be disrespectful to her?
Although he is getting on in years, he still has authority, and Xiaohe has retained her attractiveness. He is not married, she is not married - who knows, maybe they have a chance. If Xiaohe finds out that he does not help take care of her future son-in-law, but instead sends him and Polsarino to hunt pirates all over the sea, she will definitely not remain indifferent. Maybe it will destroy their friendship.
But if he gave in to Tsuru and left the boy by his side to simply gain experience like his older brother, wouldn't that be a waste of his talent? After all, the potential of a future admiral was rare.
Because of this guy, he stayed up all night, torn between love and the future of the Marines. On one side, feelings, on the other, duty. Even for an experienced man like him, this choice was too difficult.
He wanted to have both, but he couldn't come up with a suitable solution. Sengoku, sitting in his chair, was simply dying of anxiety.
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