Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 170 The Grand Admiral of the Navy Announces His Resignation!

As the intensity of the battle between Kuzan and Sakazuki gradually dissipated, the other generals who had been arguing fiercely also gradually calmed down.

Seeing this, Bane's eyes showed a hint of regret. Tsk. They didn't fight!

I was hoping to broaden my horizons and brag about it to Tina later, but it seems I won't have that chance.

"I guess it's because today is a special day," Bane thought to himself.

Today's meeting is different from the past. The real main course hasn't been served yet. Marshal Sengoku is going to announce his resignation at this meeting. I suppose Sakazuki and Kuzan have taken this into consideration. If things really get out of hand here, it will definitely affect Marshal Sengoku's next steps. So they both kept their composure, right?

Just as Bane was thinking about these things, Marshal Sengoku spoke again.

"Since the end of the Marineford War, the Whitebeard Pirates have been wiped out. This is a rare achievement for our Navy in nearly twenty years. It has also successfully dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of the so-called 'Great Pirate Era,' allowing the Navy's power to be demonstrated. Now, everyone says that this new era is about to arrive." Sengoku said to the many Navy admirals with some emotion.

As soon as he said this, the navy personnel in the conference room all sighed with emotion, seemingly reflecting on the hardships they had endured over the years.

At the same time, the words of the Warring States Marshal made everyone realize that the main course was about to be served!

Sure enough, after a slight pause, Sengoku sighed softly and said, "Looking back, I joined the Navy at the age of nineteen, and in just over three months, I will be seventy-eight. I have spent most of my life in the Navy, fighting and killing my whole life. Now that I think about it, it really is a bit..."

There was something he didn't say aloud; the words stopped there.

It was at this moment that Borsalino, who had barely spoken since the start of the meeting, picked up his teacup and said with emotion, "Marshal, you have dedicated your life to our navy. Your hard work and great achievements are truly admirable. Our navy's achievements today are inseparable from your leadership."

Once Borsalino spoke, the other generals followed suit and began to say the same thing.

"Yes, Marshal, it was because of your speech in the newspaper that I made up my mind to join the navy. In the blink of an eye, almost thirty years have passed."

"You look so energetic, you could definitely lead our navy in battle for another twenty years!"

"Defeating the Whitebeard Pirates is just the first step. We're all looking forward to you leading us to completely wipe out those bastards in the New World!"

As Bane watched these naval officers speak these words with reluctance in their expressions, he felt that they were really hypocritical. They all clearly understood what Sengoku meant by these words, and they all knew that Sengoku could no longer continue to serve as Fleet Admiral. They had already made a huge fuss over supporting their own admiral, yet they could still say such things!

Thinking of this, Bane chimed in, "Yes, Marshal, we can't do without you!"

Listening to the sounds in the conference room, even though he knew what was going on, a gentle smile gradually appeared on Sengoku's face.

He waved his hand with a wry smile, patted the table, and said, "Alright, alright, you lot, I wonder who you're putting on this for?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the generals, who might have just been talking to gauge the atmosphere, all showed signs of reluctance on their faces. Bane could really feel that they were somewhat reluctant and even uneasy.

From his time as a general to his time as a marshal, Sengoku spent nearly forty years at the highest level of the navy. It can be said that every one of these generals grew up under his watchful eye, and every one of them was a soldier he trained!

They may have had various ideas about the competition for the marshalship, but when it really comes down to it, everyone is still a little hesitant.

After all, he was a marshal of the Warring States period!

Who hasn't received his kindness?

Even Sakazuki's cold expression seemed to soften at this moment, and his eyes flickered with a complex light.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, Sengoku took a sip of tea and continued with a smile, "Didn't Bane say before that there's no ship that can carry us old folks in this new era? I've thought about this for a long time and finally realized that's true."

These words immediately made Bane uneasy, and he quickly said, "Marshal, I don't think of you as an old man. Look at your handsome black hair and energetic appearance, where can't you sit on a boat? Tell me where you want to go, and I'll personally steer the ship for you!"

"Hahahaha." Sengoku shook his head with a laugh when he saw Bane's appearance, and then said, "My hair is all dyed. Alright, stop joking around here."

After gesturing for Bane to be quiet, Sengoku continued, "These days, I always feel that my energy isn't as abundant as it used to be. Come to think of it, I've fought Whitebeard and that guy on the high seas my whole life. Now that he's been taken down by our navy, looking back, it feels like I've accomplished some great goal. My life is complete. But this heavy burden on my shoulders, at times like these, is actually making it hard for me to breathe."

"Especially lately, you've all been restless, causing quite a commotion. Sometimes I'm so angry I want to strip you out of your clothes right now. But then I think about it, you don't really have any bad intentions. Who among you sitting here isn't a pillar of our navy? Who hasn't made great contributions to our navy? Who hasn't crawled out of mountains of knives and seas of fire? Over the years, others may not understand you, but do you think I don't understand you?" Sengoku said with a slightly moved expression and a little agitated.

His words were truly moving, and many naval officers couldn't help but wipe away tears as they listened.

"Ultimately, it's nothing more than a struggle of personal beliefs and stances. But when it comes to justice, I think you should have a clear conscience. So when I think of this, I can understand you again. There is nothing wrong with being able to steadfastly uphold your ideals and justice. On the contrary, it is something worthy of respect!" Zhan Guo said in a strong and resounding tone.

After he finished speaking, Bane could clearly feel that the previously somewhat divided atmosphere in the conference room, the stiffness, and even the slightly hostile confrontational spirit, had dissipated!

Therefore, Ben felt a renewed sense of respect for Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

His words were enough to reunite the navy into a cohesive force!

He truly lives up to his title of Grand Marshal!

"I am old, and continuing to sit in this position will only bring inconvenience to our navy. The future of this sea will ultimately be handed over to you, and the future of our navy will ultimately be written by you. These past few days, although I have felt reluctant, fearful, and uneasy, today, as soon as I walked into this conference room, as soon as I saw all of you, and as I thought of everything that happened in the past, I suddenly felt at ease. Why? Because you are all pillars of our navy that I can trust. It is at this moment that I suddenly understand what it meant when Admiral Steelbone patted my shoulder and said those words when he handed this position to me!" Sengoku said, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

After a slight pause, he said in a deep voice, "Commander Steelbone told me back then, 'Go for it, Sengoku. Look behind you, our navy is invincible!'"

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

As soon as he finished speaking, Sengoku stood up abruptly, clenched his fist, and said, "Looking at you all today, I know I have nothing to worry about, nothing to hesitate about, and no need for any reluctance. I have completed the mission the Navy gave me. Now, it's up to you. Justice will prevail!!!"

The next second, Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, along with Bane and all the marines in the conference room, as well as the admirals on the screen, all stood up in unison, raised their arms, and chanted in unison: "Justice will prevail!!!"

Before anyone could sit down, everyone stood at attention in the conference room. Sengoku's gaze swept across the room, and then he said in a deep voice, "Today, in the name of the Fleet Admiral, I hereby announce that I will officially step down from the position of Fleet Admiral one week from now!"

Without a sound, everyone simultaneously saluted.

This pleased Sengoku considerably. He then looked at Sakazuki and said, "From today onwards, I will no longer interfere in any matters concerning the next Marshal, Sakazuki."

"I understand, Marshal," Sakazuki replied immediately in a deep voice.

Sengoku nodded in satisfaction, then continued, "I will step down in a week and assume the position of Grand Inspector. However, the position of Marshal cannot remain vacant for too long. Within a month, the two of you must decide who will serve as the new Marshal. Do you understand?"

Kuzan and Sakazuki exchanged a glance, and after a moment, they silently nodded, agreeing to the request.

Without a doubt, if Sengoku clearly states that he will no longer get involved in this matter, then Sakazuki will never again use the power from Mary Geoise.

After that, the struggle for the position of Marshal will be a problem that the Navy must resolve internally.

(End of this chapter)