One Piece: King of the World-Chapter 302: Borsalino – What Am I Working For? Not Just the Perks?

The island of Punk Hazard, once devastated by Caesar Clown's experiments, was not in great shape. The toxic gas leak had covered the entire island, contaminating a large portion of the research equipment and materials.

At the time, the gas was so deadly that evacuation had been the only option, prioritizing lives over assets.

As a result, Dr. Vegapunk had ultimately pinned the blame on Caesar Clown, leading to the scientist's imprisonment in Impel Down.

Of course, Caesar wasn't actually rotting in prison right now, he had been temporarily "loaned" by Crocodile from Doflamingo to work on military projects in Alabasta.

Now, however, Punk Hazard had begun to recover.

The once-lethal gas had mostly dissipated, though the air still carried traces of toxicity.

On the island, a large number of Marine soldiers, clad in protective suits, were conducting searches.

They were pulling out scientific research materials from the abandoned facility, salvaging equipment contaminated by the gas, and assessing whether any of it could be cleaned and reused.

After all, this was cutting-edge scientific gear, expensive stuff.

Some of the precision instruments, barely the size of a palm, were worth more than an entire warship.

It would have been painful to just abandon them.

Meanwhile, just off the coast, several Marine warships remained anchored in the waters near Punk Hazard.

Because the toxic concentration had decreased, the crews on these warships didn't need to wear protective gear like those on the island.

This fleet belonged to Marine's Scientific Division, and the commander in charge was none other than one of Marine Headquarters' highest combat forces—Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.

In Claudius's mind, Borsalino was the strongest Admiral.

Not just one of the three top Marine officers, the strongest in actual combat ability.

Though Sakazuki and Kuzan were technically on the same level as Borsalino, Claudius couldn't help but feel that both of them were still just a bit behind him.

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Among the Marines, the only person who could truly surpass Borsalino was Garp but Garp was an anomaly, so Claudius never even counted him as human.

And today, Borsalino was just as laid-back as ever.

He wore his signature yellow-striped suit, along with the Marine justice cape draped over his shoulders.

His orange sunglasses sat comfortably on his nose, adding to his signature look.

By all appearances, he should have looked dashing but his usual sluggish, sleazy demeanor ruined the effect.

With a small pipe resting between his lips, he took slow, deliberate breaths through his nose.

For a moment, it was unclear whether he had a cold or if he was just being lazy as usual.

Bzzt… Bzzt… Bzzt…

The sound of a Den Den Mushi buzzing snapped Borsalino from his daze.

He lazily patted himself down, searching for the transponder snail.

Finally locating it, he answered in an unbothered tone.

"Moshi moshi~? Oh Sentomaru, what's the situation on the island?"

"Boss, no signs of life. We've moved everything worth salvaging to the shore. You can send the warships to retrieve the cargo," came the immediate response from Sentomaru.

"Ohhh? Is that so~?" Borsalino drawled.

"Then, anything that needs to be destroyed… be sure to handle it properly."

"No worries, I've already rigged everything with explosives."

After a few more casual words, the call ended.

With that, Borsalino retrieved a gas mask, strapped it over his face, and ordered the warships to begin transporting the recovered materials.

As a Logia-type Glint-Glint Fruit user, Borsalino wasn't worried about the toxins, as long as he didn't breathe them in, he'd be fine.

So while his subordinates were clad in full protective suits, he was just wearing a face mask.

After a long day of work, the Marines had finally cleaned up the mess left behind from the Punk Hazard incident.

As their warships began departing from the island, Sentomaru pulled out a remote detonator.

With a simple press of a button, massive explosions engulfed the island.

The old research facility, once a proud Marine installation was now reduced to rubble.

Borsalino, however, didn't even glance at the destruction.

Casually pulling off his gas mask, he tossed it aside, checked his wristwatch, and muttered,

"Sentomaru, once you leave this sea area, take the fleet back to Marineford."

Sentomaru blinked. "Boss, are you heading to G-1?"

Borsalino took another puff from his pipe before replying, "Mmm, that's right. Kuzan said this morning that he's already arrived."

"As for His Highness Claudius… he's probably still on Fish-Man Island."

"But the Prometheus is fast, if I take my time, I'll be the last one to show up. Wouldn't that be terrible?"

"Yeah, it'd look like you think you're more important than a Celestial Dragon," Sentomaru teased.

Borsalino smirked.

After a brief pause, Sentomaru checked his surroundings to make sure no one else was listening.

Then, lowering his voice, he said, "Boss… I already know about the War at the Summit."

Borsalino raised an eyebrow.

"Ohhh? And who told you that?"

"I got a special assignment, so I found out. Don't worry—I've got the tightest lips in the world. No one will know I know," Sentomaru declared, patting his chest.

Borsalino sighed.

"Well, now I know you know…"

Honestly, Sentomaru wasn't the most discreet person.

Still, Borsalino didn't doubt his loyalty.

With a more serious tone, he warned, "Sentomaru, this is serious. Don't slip up, even a minor leak could get you court-martialed."

"Relax, Boss. My mission is just to construct the Seastone-Alloy Defensive Wall at headquarters. I'm not leaving Marineford, so there's no chance of leaks."

Hearing that, Borsalino relaxed a little.

Sentomaru was his protégé, he had always taken good care of the kid.

In the future, he planned to let Sentomaru gradually take control of Marine's Scientific Division.

"By the way, Boss," Sentomaru said, rubbing his chin. "No matter how this war ends, it'll change the Marines, right?"

Borsalino took a long drag from his pipe, exhaled a plume of smoke, and replied,

"Ohhh, definitely. I know what you're asking… but don't get involved. Just do your job. Don't meddle in these political games."

"Boss… you really don't have any ambition?" Sentomaru asked.

"None," Borsalino answered immediately.

Frankly, he had zero interest in anything beyond Marine Admiral.

It was already exhausting enough.

The only reason he hadn't retired was because of the five insurances, housing fund, high-level commercial insurance, pension benefits, and retirement subsidies.

Becoming Fleet Admiral? No way.

He refused.

Being an Admiral was already tiring why give up the simple joys of life?

Fishing, kicking back, and collecting a paycheck?

Now that was the dream.

Sentomaru wasn't surprised by the answer, he had expected it.

Still, his curiosity wasn't satisfied.

"Okay then… between Kuzan and Sakazuki, who do you think will win?"

Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses and gazed at the sea.

Then, in an uncharacteristically serious tone, he said,

"Sakazuki. It has to be Sakazuki."

"What do you mean?" Sentomaru frowned.

Borsalino exhaled slowly and said,

"I believe in Sakazuki, and I know that he's the only one who will succeed. Simple as that."

Sentomaru wanted to ask why, but Borsalino just waved him off.

"Go. If you don't hurry, you'll miss the return fleet to Marineford."

Seeing that his boss clearly wasn't in the mood to elaborate, Sentomaru gave up.

"Alright then, Boss. Take care, I'm heading back."

The island of Punk Hazard, once devastated by Caesar Clown's experiments, was not in great shape. The toxic gas leak had covered the entire island, contaminating a large portion of the research equipment and materials.

At the time, the gas was so deadly that evacuation had been the only option, prioritizing lives over assets.

As a result, Dr. Vegapunk had ultimately pinned the blame on Caesar Clown, leading to the scientist's imprisonment in Impel Down.

Of course, Caesar wasn't actually rotting in prison right now, he had been temporarily "loaned" by Crocodile from Doflamingo to work on military projects in Alabasta.

Now, however, Punk Hazard had begun to recover.

The once-lethal gas had mostly dissipated, though the air still carried traces of toxicity.

On the island, a large number of Marine soldiers, clad in protective suits, were conducting searches.

They were pulling out scientific research materials from the abandoned facility, salvaging equipment contaminated by the gas, and assessing whether any of it could be cleaned and reused.

After all, this was cutting-edge scientific gear, expensive stuff.

Some of the precision instruments, barely the size of a palm, were worth more than an entire warship.

It would have been painful to just abandon them.

Meanwhile, just off the coast, several Marine warships remained anchored in the waters near Punk Hazard.

Because the toxic concentration had decreased, the crews on these warships didn't need to wear protective gear like those on the island.

This fleet belonged to Marine's Scientific Division, and the commander in charge was none other than one of Marine Headquarters' highest combat forces—Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.

In Claudius's mind, Borsalino was the strongest Admiral.

Not just one of the three top Marine officers, the strongest in actual combat ability.

Though Sakazuki and Kuzan were technically on the same level as Borsalino, Claudius couldn't help but feel that both of them were still just a bit behind him.

Among the Marines, the only person who could truly surpass Borsalino was Garp but Garp was an anomaly, so Claudius never even counted him as human.

And today, Borsalino was just as laid-back as ever.

He wore his signature yellow-striped suit, along with the Marine justice cape draped over his shoulders.

His orange sunglasses sat comfortably on his nose, adding to his signature look.

By all appearances, he should have looked dashing but his usual sluggish, sleazy demeanor ruined the effect.

With a small pipe resting between his lips, he took slow, deliberate breaths through his nose.

For a moment, it was unclear whether he had a cold or if he was just being lazy as usual.

Bzzt… Bzzt… Bzzt…

The sound of a Den Den Mushi buzzing snapped Borsalino from his daze.

He lazily patted himself down, searching for the transponder snail.

Finally locating it, he answered in an unbothered tone.

"Moshi moshi~? Oh Sentomaru, what's the situation on the island?"

"Boss, no signs of life. We've moved everything worth salvaging to the shore. You can send the warships to retrieve the cargo," came the immediate response from Sentomaru.

"Ohhh? Is that so~?" Borsalino drawled.

"Then, anything that needs to be destroyed… be sure to handle it properly."

"No worries, I've already rigged everything with explosives."

After a few more casual words, the call ended.

With that, Borsalino retrieved a gas mask, strapped it over his face, and ordered the warships to begin transporting the recovered materials.

As a Logia-type Glint-Glint Fruit user, Borsalino wasn't worried about the toxins, as long as he didn't breathe them in, he'd be fine.

So while his subordinates were clad in full protective suits, he was just wearing a face mask.

After a long day of work, the Marines had finally cleaned up the mess left behind from the Punk Hazard incident.

As their warships began departing from the island, Sentomaru pulled out a remote detonator.

With a simple press of a button, massive explosions engulfed the island.

The old research facility, once a proud Marine installation was now reduced to rubble.

Borsalino, however, didn't even glance at the destruction.

Casually pulling off his gas mask, he tossed it aside, checked his wristwatch, and muttered,

"Sentomaru, once you leave this sea area, take the fleet back to Marineford."

Sentomaru blinked. "Boss, are you heading to G-1?"

Borsalino took another puff from his pipe before replying, "Mmm, that's right. Kuzan said this morning that he's already arrived."

"As for His Highness Claudius… he's probably still on Fish-Man Island."

"But the Prometheus is fast, if I take my time, I'll be the last one to show up. Wouldn't that be terrible?"

"Yeah, it'd look like you think you're more important than a Celestial Dragon," Sentomaru teased.

Borsalino smirked.

After a brief pause, Sentomaru checked his surroundings to make sure no one else was listening.

Then, lowering his voice, he said, "Boss… I already know about the War at the Summit."

Borsalino raised an eyebrow.

"Ohhh? And who told you that?"

"I got a special assignment, so I found out. Don't worry—I've got the tightest lips in the world. No one will know I know," Sentomaru declared, patting his chest.

Borsalino sighed.

"Well, now I know you know…"

Honestly, Sentomaru wasn't the most discreet person.

Still, Borsalino didn't doubt his loyalty.

With a more serious tone, he warned, "Sentomaru, this is serious. Don't slip up, even a minor leak could get you court-martialed."

"Relax, Boss. My mission is just to construct the Seastone-Alloy Defensive Wall at headquarters. I'm not leaving Marineford, so there's no chance of leaks."

Hearing that, Borsalino relaxed a little.

Sentomaru was his protégé, he had always taken good care of the kid.

In the future, he planned to let Sentomaru gradually take control of Marine's Scientific Division.

"By the way, Boss," Sentomaru said, rubbing his chin. "No matter how this war ends, it'll change the Marines, right?"

Borsalino took a long drag from his pipe, exhaled a plume of smoke, and replied,

"Ohhh, definitely. I know what you're asking… but don't get involved. Just do your job. Don't meddle in these political games."

"Boss… you really don't have any ambition?" Sentomaru asked.

"None," Borsalino answered immediately.

Frankly, he had zero interest in anything beyond Marine Admiral.

It was already exhausting enough.

The only reason he hadn't retired was because of the five insurances, housing fund, high-level commercial insurance, pension benefits, and retirement subsidies.

Becoming Fleet Admiral? No way.

He refused.

Being an Admiral was already tiring why give up the simple joys of life?

Fishing, kicking back, and collecting a paycheck?

Now that was the dream.

Sentomaru wasn't surprised by the answer, he had expected it.

Still, his curiosity wasn't satisfied.

"Okay then… between Kuzan and Sakazuki, who do you think will win?"

Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses and gazed at the sea.

Then, in an uncharacteristically serious tone, he said,

"Sakazuki. It has to be Sakazuki."

"What do you mean?" Sentomaru frowned.

Borsalino exhaled slowly and said,

"I believe in Sakazuki, and I know that he's the only one who will succeed. Simple as that."

Sentomaru wanted to ask why, but Borsalino just waved him off.

"Go. If you don't hurry, you'll miss the return fleet to Marineford."

Seeing that his boss clearly wasn't in the mood to elaborate, Sentomaru gave up.

"Alright then, Boss. Take care, I'm heading back."

As Sentomaru left, Borsalino's warship set sail, heading straight for the G-1 Marine Branch.

***

This book is completed so you can read all chapters on: /Blownleaves.

As Sentomaru left, Borsalino's warship set sail, heading straight for the G-1 Marine Branch.

***

This book is completed so you can read all chapters on: /Blownleaves.