One Piece: Almost Exposed That I Am Stronger Than Roger - Chapter 282

Chapter 282: Finale

“Rebuilding Toguetown? What a joke!”

Sengoku couldn’t help but have a perplexed expression on his face. His gaze was fixed on Solo, finding it hard to believe that Solo wanted to take responsibility for the reconstruction of Loguetown.

Could it be that Solo was using this as a way to express his dissatisfaction? However, Sengoku observed Solo’s reaction and it didn’t seem like he was expressing any dissatisfaction.

Even with his Observation Haki, Sengoku didn’t sense anything unusual. Solo really wanted to return to Loguetown to oversee its reconstruction.

“If I have to explain, it would be because of my attachment.” Solo noticed Sengoku’s reaction and began to explain simply.

“No matter how you look at it, I became a marine in Loguetown and I lived there for ten years.”

Solo’s reasoning was simple and sincere. He had an emotional connection to Loguetown. Furthermore, he was present when Golden Lion Shiki destroyed Loguetown.

Although the civilians in Loguetown were mostly unharmed, the destruction of the town displaced many people. This incident had always weighed on Solo’s mind.

“During the war, when I saw so many people rushing to protect Ace and Luffy. I felt something. Family is the most important thing. The people of Loguetown are my family, that’s my home.”

Solo spoke with a serious expression. In truth, Solo didn’t feel like he was lying. Loguetown was indeed a warm place, like a home to him. The two of them locked eyes. No matter how Sengoku looked at it, he felt that Solo’s eyes were extremely sincere.

Initially, Sengoku wanted Solo to go to the New World to capture Buggy since he was formerly Roger’s right-hand man and possessed great strength. As a teenager, he had the terrifying power to destroy a country.

Buggy, the criminal who escaped from Impel Down this time, was undoubtedly one of the most dangerous and elusive individuals. The average marine, even if willing, would be powerless to deal with someone as strong as Buggy.

Therefore, Sengoku had the intention to give it a try. He shared the entire story about Buggy with Solo, expecting that Solo would arrest Buggy out of a strong sense of justice.

However…

“Buggy? Can’t you hand him over to Admiral Aokiji? If not, then Admiral Akainu,” Solo replied without hesitation.

Given the various relationships, Sengoku had now become the revered Fleet Admiral leading the Summit War. In the New World, there were two major threats: Kaido and Big Mom.

The World Government wouldn’t accept Sengoku’s resignation at this time. Moreover, Sengoku had no reason to resign. As long as Sengoku didn’t abdicate, Aokiji and Akainu wouldn’t contend for the position of Fleet Admiral.

As for Buggy, Aokiji should easily be able to handle him. Upon hearing Solo’s answer, Sengoku furrowed his brows, his expression becoming more serious. He proceeded to present several enticing conditions, but Solo rejected each one.

“Do you really want to return to Loguetown that much?” Sengoku couldn’t help but ask again.

“Yes.” Solo nodded. “And there’s another reason. I have always respected Vice Admiral Garp and once regarded him as my role model. The reason I joined the Marines was influenced by Garp. However, this time, not only did I kill his grandson, Ace, with my own hands. But I also nearly killed Luffy.”

Solo straightforwardly mentioned the fact that he killed Garp’s grandson

“Although I know I did nothing wrong in that matter and was simply fulfilling my duty as a marine. When I think about Vice Admiral Garp’s resentful expression, I can’t just let it go. It’s a kind of grudge. So I plan to take this opportunity to return to Loguetown and take charge of the reconstruction work there while easing my mind.”

Solo paused for a moment.

“And with my strength, if I truly wanted to become a Vice Admiral or even an Admiral, it would only be a matter of time.”

After hearing Solo’s words, Sengoku found it difficult to refuse once again. Moreover, the Marine Headquarters wasn’t solely dependent on Solo’s strength.

Although his combat power was truly monstrous, people like Aokiji and Akainu were no pushovers either. More importantly, the Marine Headquarters had just engaged in a battle with the Whitebeard Pirates.

Marineford was mostly destroyed, and the Marines suffered heavy casualties. Regardless, they needed time to rest and recuperate.

Within the next two years, they wouldn’t be able to venture into the New World and engage in a decisive battle with Kaido and Big Mom. After all, it was their home turf.

At the very least, they needed complete confidence to initiate another war. With these thoughts in mind, Sengoku no longer discouraged Solo.

Instead, he promoted him to Commodore and assigned him to Rogue Town to oversee its reconstruction. Seeing that Sengoku finally agreed, Solo felt a sense of relief.

Finally, he could return to Loguetown and live a peaceful life.

“Thank you, Fleet Admiral Sengoku.”

The corners of Solo’s mouth curled up, revealing a smile. After expressing his gratitude, Solo turned around and left Sengoku’s office without looking back.

Watching Solo’s departing figure, Sengoku narrowed his eyes slightly and finally relaxed his tone.

“Solo… Forget it, it’s fine. At least it shows that Solo isn’t someone like Akainu. In the future, he will undoubtedly take my place and completely eradicate all the sea’s scoundrels,” Sengoku muttered to himself.

Meanwhile…

Solo pushed open the door to Sengoku’s office, preparing to leave and return to Rogue Town directly. But to his surprise, Robin was standing alone in the hallway.

It seemed like she had been waiting for a while.

“Why are you here?” Solo couldn’t help but ask as he walked toward Robin.

“I heard that you were summoned by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, so I came to see.”

Robin raised the corner of her mouth, displaying a faint smile. “You should be promoted to Vice Admiral now, right?”

There were only three Admirals in the Marines, so Robin speculated that Solo had likely been promoted to Vice Admiral at Marine Headquarters this time, getting one step closer to his ambitions.

However, this time, Solo smiled and shook his head.

“Sengoku actually said that. He wanted me to become Vice Admiral at the headquarters. But I chose to refuse and asked to return to Loguetown to oversee the reconstruction work there. Although it may seem unexpected, Sengoku agreed to my request.”

As soon as the words left Solo’s mouth, Robin froze in place. “Oversee the reconstruction work of Loguetown? Why?”

Wasn’t Solo’s ambition to eliminate the Four Emperors and abolish the Warlord system?

“Because right now, I simply want to live a peaceful life,” Solo replied without hesitation.

Ratoon’s Note:
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