In Sengoku's office.
Garp's words were obviously not as sharp as Yakushi Kabuto's.
Yakushi Kabuto, always renowned for his intelligence and information, was well aware of Vice Admiral Garp's weaknesses, and every word he said hit straight to them.
Seeing a dispute was about to arise, Vice Admiral Tsuru looked up at Yakushi Kabuto and advised, "Kabuto, we're here to discuss the Akatsuki... Let's set aside the matter of that rookie pirate, Straw Hat Luffy, for now!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru and Yakushi Kabuto had maintained a good relationship, with Tsuru always taking care of the young strategist. However, over the past two years, Kabuto's rapid promotions made him reveal his intent to leave the Navy for a higher position, causing a slight rift between them.
Among those present, only Vice Admiral Tsuru, due to her status and relationship with Yakushi Kabuto and Garp, could mediate their sharp conflict.
If Vice Admiral Tsuru was qualified to persuade Yakushi Kabuto...
Then Uehara Naraku undoubtedly had the ability to stop him.
"Vice Admiral Kabuto."
Uehara Naraku slowly clasped his hands together, lowered his head, and spoke: "When I saved Mr. Luffy back then, I knew he would certainly set out to become a pirate...
And it was Mr. Luffy's persuasion that gave me the courage to face my past, making me realize that as long as I have the dream of joining the Navy to enact justice, no matter how many hardships lie ahead, I must persevere."
Uehara Naraku raised his head again, his eyes determined, his expression becoming more animated: "That's why I dared to accept your invitation in Alabasta, and join the Navy SWORD Squad to overthrow the evil pirate Crocodile!"
"..."
The entire office was silent.
Everyone present was dumbfounded by Uehara's words!
The Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters looked as if they had been struck by lightning; this guy... what kind of nonsense was this!
Encouraged by a pirate to join the Navy?
This guy's acting is just too outrageous!
If Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru didn't actually know Uehara Naraku's identity, they might have thought his story sounded quite plausible...
It sounded almost real.
Unfortunately, this story didn't fit his true identity at all.
The Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters quickly regained their composure, their expressions souring—was Uehara Naraku pretending again?
Unfortunately...
The three elderly figures in the office didn't see through it.
"Hahahaha..."
Vice Admiral Garp looked at Uehara Naraku and couldn't help but laugh heartily: "Uehara, kid, I really like you more and more! Once this matter is settled, I have two promising new recruits by my side. If you chat with them, I'm sure you'll have plenty in common!"
In fact.
Colonel Morgan from the East Sea Branch 153 and the Old Rat from East Sea were not the first incidents Luffy caused; it was Colonel Morgan who was the first Navy officer Luffy defeated.
However, the Navy there, grateful that Luffy defeated the tyrannical Colonel Morgan, did not report it to Marinford. Garp learned of the incident when he went to the East Sea and brought back two Navy recruits.
One of the recruits was named Coby.
This recruit named Coby seemed to have also joined the Navy under Luffy's encouragement.
Just as Garp was laughing heartily, Uehara Naraku shook his head and said softly, "Of course, since I joined the Navy, I must deliver justice, so I won't spare Mr. Luffy, that pirate..."
At this point, Uehara Naraku slowly turned his head to look at Navy Admiral Sengoku: "Admiral, I request to be transferred from the SWORD Squad to the East Sea to capture Luffy!
Because I believe in Monkey D. Luffy's strength, he won't be a simple pirate and poses a potential threat to justice!"
"Hahahahaha..."
Listening to Uehara Naraku speak, Garp chuckled and nodded, even looking at him full of encouragement: "Alright, alright, Uehara Naraku, kid, then hurry up and bring that brat Luffy to Marinford for me!"
"..."
Sengoku the Buddha fell into silence.
To be honest, Sengoku didn't want to agree to this.
Because after proving the feasibility of the Navy SWORD Squad, Uehara Naraku was considered a scarce spy talent, and Sengoku intended to have other significant plans for him.
"I understand, the Navy cannot challenge the hierarchy."
Uehara Naraku slowly lowered his head and continued softly, "But I don't want to keep hiding my identity, executing justice in the shadows... because I fear I might blend with the darkness at any moment..."
Uehara Naraku clenched his fists tightly, whispering, "I saw the darkness in Wano Country, but to avoid exposing my identity, I could only hide... Every day, I worried about whether I would truly become that cold-blooded."
As Uehara Naraku's voice grew softer, the atmosphere in the office became more somber under his words: "I once secretly tried to help those trapped in darkness, but the CP0 members stopped me...
They killed, they personally killed those I wanted to help, just to stop me from going out, risking exposure!"
"..."
Everyone present fell into silence.
Even Aokiji couldn't help but tilt his head, wondering if what Uehara Naraku said was true, as it seemed increasingly believable?