One Piece: King of the World-Chapter 298: Sakazuki—You May Not Believe It, but I Have a Very Good Relationship with the Celestial Dragons!

The benefits of Marine Headquarters are quite generous, especially for high-ranking officers. After all, Admirals and Vice Admirals are the backbone of the Marines, constantly on the front lines facing the monsters of the sea.

Even Zephyr, despite retiring, still lost an arm due to the dangers of battle.

This alone demonstrates the high risks they bear. Take Sakazuki, for example he fought fiercely on Whole Cake Island, and while others might cough up blood from the ordeal, he only spat out seawater instead.

Though top-ranking Marines rarely die in battle due to their immense strength, their chances of suffering serious injuries are extremely high.

Given that these men risk their lives upholding justice, it's only reasonable for Marine Headquarters to provide them with excellent treatment.

After all, with their strength, they could easily leave the Marines and carve out a life of wealth and prosperity elsewhere on the seas.

As one of Marine's highest combat forces and a sitting Admiral, Sakazuki naturally enjoys significant privileges.

His personal estate in Marineford is quite large.

Although Sakazuki is known for his cold and iron-blooded demeanor, his courtyard has a refreshingly vibrant feel to it.

Lush greenery flourishes, with neatly pruned trees and carefully cultivated plants filling the space.

Perhaps due to his rigid personality, every tree in his yard is meticulously trimmed not a single stray branch sticks out, all of them towering straight toward the sky.

Maybe this reflects his unyielding mindset as well?

At nearly fifty years old, Sakazuki remains unmarried and childless, still a lone wolf.

Perhaps his "Akainu" moniker has something to do with it, he might be destined to bear the title of a lone dog for life.

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At this moment, he was shirtless, sitting before a bonsai tree, holding a large pair of shears in his hands. He carefully snipped away excess branches, leaving only the main trunk, standing tall and rigid.

A cherry blossom tattoo stretched across his left chest, partially obscured by the numerous battle scars covering his torso. His shaved head and solid muscles made his imposing presence all the more clear and commanding.

The severed branches burned to ash in his hand, the residual magma-like heat reducing them instantly. A gentle breeze carried the ashes away, letting them fall as fertilizer onto the grass below.

As Sakazuki meticulously pruned his bonsai, three Vice Admirals approached, Onigumo, Doberman, and Dalmatian.

"Heh, I knew the Admiral would be tending to his plants," Doberman chuckled.

Dalmatian grinned as well. "It's his hobby, after all."

Onigumo, however, said nothing. Instead, he skillfully walked into the inner hall, retrieved a teapot and several cups, and set them down on a nearby table. After pouring the tea, he finally broke the silence.

Meanwhile, Sakazuki remained indifferent, continuing to carefully prune his bonsai. Only after removing the last unsatisfactory branch did he put away his shears and turn to his three subordinates.

"That tea you're drinking is made from the tea leaves that Saint Claudius gifted me. Make sure you don't waste it," Sakazuki said calmly.

Though his face remained stoic, his voice carried a rare trace of warmth, it seemed that even someone as harsh as him could relax around like-minded comrades.

Doberman took another sip, then smirked. "Your Highness even sends gifts to the Admiral?"

Sakazuki adjusted the placement of his bonsai and replied without turning back, "You may not believe it, but I actually have a very good relationship with Claudius."

"The camaraderie from fighting together on Whole Cake Island?" Dalmatian asked, grinning.

After a moment of thought, Sakazuki shook his head. "That was just my duty. I believe it's because that Highness sees potential in me."

At this, Onigumo twitched his lips slightly and said, "I don't know what gave you that illusion, Admiral. If I recall correctly, Saint Claudius has always had a close relationship with Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Isn't he more inclined toward the moderate faction?"

Sakazuki shot Onigumo a glance before responding, "Onigumo, do you know why I became Admiral, while you didn't?"

After thinking for a moment, Onigumo replied seriously, "Because you're stronger than me?"

Sakazuki shook his head. "No. Because I understand people better than you."

"What do you mean?" Onigumo frowned, confused.

"The world is changing."

"In the past, Saint Claudius aligned himself with Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the moderates because that was what he needed at the time."

"But soon, the world will undergo drastic changes and when that happens, the people he relies on will change as well."

"And at that time… he'll need someone like me."

Sakazuki's gaze drifted back to his bonsai tree.

"A drastic change? Someone like you?" Doberman muttered, still not fully understanding.

However, Dalmatian caught on. "Admiral, are you saying… Saint Claudius will shift his stance?"

"He's already gathered enough power. I don't know exactly what he intends to do, but I'm certain that he'll be shaking things up and these changes will benefit us. That's all that matters," Sakazuki replied evenly.

Though many saw Sakazuki as nothing more than a battle-hardened brute, underestimating his intellect would be a grave mistake. Otherwise, he wouldn't have reached the rank of Admiral.

Sakazuki was sharp he had sensed the shifting tides within the World Government and realized that Claudius' focus was changing.

Previously, while consolidating power, Claudius needed the stability provided by the moderates.

But soon, when he made his move, he would require the strength and decisiveness of the hawks those who dared to fight and conquer.

This was why Sakazuki was convinced that Claudius would turn to him next.

"So… what are you implying?" Doberman asked, still piecing things together.

Sakazuki no longer kept them in suspense.

"I believe that Saint Claudius intends to nominate me as the next Fleet Admiral. And I believe my chances are very high."

At those words, Doberman, Onigumo, and Dalmatian were stunned.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku was still in power and widely respected even Sakazuki admired him.

So why bring up the next Fleet Admiral so suddenly?

Was Fleet Admiral Sengoku planning to step down? That made no sense, he was still doing an excellent job!

Before the three of them could voice their confusion, Sakazuki continued:

"The selection of a new Fleet Admiral isn't a sudden event. It takes years for the signs to emerge."

"After all, the Marine system is massive and requires stability."

"While it won't happen immediately, I've noticed the early signs."

"That's why I need to be prepared. If the Fleet Admiral's position does open up… I intend to take it!"

Sakazuki knew that Fleet Admiral Sengoku wouldn't be stepping down anytime soon.

But the signs of change were there.

And to strengthen his claim, he needed the backing of someone influential someone like Saint Claudius.

Yes, Sakazuki had already made up his mind.

He would secure Claudius' support just as Sengoku had once done.

But this time, unlike back then, Claudius had options.

And Sakazuki intended to make sure he was the only choice.