One Piece: King of the World

Chapter 306 – Borsalino: What? Am I Not Worthy of Being Fleet Admiral?

For a moment, Claudius didn't understand what Kuzan meant, so he instinctively replied, "I just have something to talk to you about. This actually works out."

As soon as Claudius finished speaking, Gion snorted heavily, clearly displeased.

Nia smiled, and Kuina, standing near the doorway, shook her head at Claudius in exasperation.

This left Claudius confused, but it didn't take him long to realize what was happening. After all, he wasn't an idiot. He glanced at Gion, feeling a little awkward.

But since he had already said it, taking it back now would only make things more embarrassing.

So, he had no choice but to push forward. He looked at Kuzan and said, "You know the G-1 branch well. You lead the way."

Kuzan gave Claudius a look full of disappointment, as if scolding him for wasting an opportunity.

"I'm not familiar with it," Kuzan replied.

"No, you are," Claudius insisted.

"I'm really not..." Kuzan sighed. He used to be familiar with it, but after the major renovations, he hadn't been back.

"Alright, alright, I'll lead the way," Borsalino cut in, not wanting to watch them bicker any longer.

Claudius shot Kuzan a glare. Kuzan rolled his eyes in response, thinking, How is this my fault? I gave you a chance, and you wasted it.

In the end, Claudius followed Borsalino out, looking somewhat defeated, while Nia and Kuina stayed behind, smiling knowingly.

Gion, meanwhile, turned her attention to Nia.

"It's been a while, Gion. You've become even more beautiful," Nia said with a warm smile.

Gion had a good impression of Nia, even though she was well aware that someone as stunning as Nia likely had a not-so-innocent relationship with Claudius.

Gion smiled and said, "Nia, you have to share Stussy's secret skincare formula with me this time."

"I want in on this too! I've always heard that Stussy has eternal youth. People say she found the Fountain of Youth as a child true or false?" Kuina chimed in with curiosity.

With that, the group split up.

Meanwhile, Claudius quickly realized that Borsalino had no idea where to find a decent bar in the G-1 Marine base. He had just been pretending to act knowledgeable.

"Well, I was the first one to meet you on that island, wasn't I?" Kuzan grumbled.

Claudius cringed at his tone and said, "I haven't even had that much to drink yet, and you're already making me nauseous. Cut it out."

"Hahahaha," Kuzan laughed, dropping the act. "But honestly, Sakazuki might be more suited for the position than I am."

"What made you think I picked him?" Claudius asked curiously.

"If you had chosen me, you wouldn't be bringing this up," Kuzan replied matter-of-factly.

He knew that if he became Fleet Admiral, Claudius wouldn't even need to consult Sakazuki. Sakazuki would have no choice but to accept it and keep doing his job, even if it meant swallowing his pride.

But for Kuzan, it was different. It wasn't about pride.

If he stayed in the Marines under Sakazuki's leadership, it wouldn't just be difficult, it would create problems.

That was the real reason Kuzan was considering leaving. It wasn't that he was petty or unwilling to lose; it was that his ideology simply clashed with Sakazuki's.

At that moment, Borsalino, who had been sipping his drink quietly, suddenly spoke up.

"You guys never considered me?"

Both Claudius and Kuzan froze.

Claudius, especially, looked genuinely surprised. "Wait... Borsalino, you wanted to be Fleet Admiral?"

Borsalino's expression darkened. "I wasn't planning to fight for it, but the fact that you both completely ignored me kinda stings, you know."

Kuzan hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly muttered, "Uh... sorry?"

"You picking a fight with me, old man?" Borsalino's face twitched.

But the tension quickly dissolved into laughter.

Claudius took another sip of his drink and smiled. "You know, upholding justice and maintaining peace aren't things that can only be done in the Marines. Sometimes, a change of scenery, a fresh perspective can be a good thing. You might even find new opportunities, Kuzan."

Kuzan smirked. "Why do I feel like you're trying to push me into retirement?"

He clicked his tongue, shaking his head with a wry smile.