Chapter 23: Oh, I Have Admired Your Name For So Long, Vice Admiral Kizaru
In the office, Sengoku patiently persuaded Kizaru to accept the mission and escort the Celestial Dragon named 'Lakeman.' Although Kizaru agreed, he remained melancholy and depressed.
"My vacation is ruined..." he muttered as he returned to his dormitory dejectedly to pack his luggage.
While packing, Kizaru thought about the situation. He didn't understand why the Celestial Dragon insisted on having him as an escort. Was he, Kizaru, very strong? Akainu and Aokiji, with their Lava-Lava Fruit and Frozen Fruit, were both formidable. If Lakeman liked, he could nominate both of them at the same time. Wouldn't it be interesting to have two worlds of ice and fire?
"So, why me!!" Kizaru became more and more depressed as he thought about it, scratching his head hard. His expression was not as frivolous and casual as usual. He was still in his late thirties, young and less slick than in the future.
"He actually asked the Five Elders to force me to escort him. Is this Celestial Dragon targeting me?" Kizaru scratched his head in confusion. "Why? I've never met this Celestial Dragon! Did I offend him somehow?"
Kizaru thought for a long time but couldn't find an answer. Helplessly, he could only give up thinking. There were too few clues, and thinking was useless. He decided to wait for the day of the meeting; the truth would come out naturally then.
"I almost forgot, I have to tell the people below before leaving," Kizaru said, packing his luggage and setting off for the military camp.
Many in the Marines held resentment towards the Celestial Dragons. This was a manifestation of their sense of justice.
Normally, it wouldn't matter, as long as they didn't publicly publish remarks attacking the World Government. But now, with the task of escorting a Celestial Dragon, they had to be careful with their words and actions. Any emotional outburst that angered the Celestial Dragons could be fatal.
A Warship Departs.
Not long after, a warship departed from the headquarters, heading for the Celestial Dragons' holy land, Mariejois. Kizaru stood on the deck with a rare serious expression. He glanced at the Marines standing in front of him and asked in a deep voice, "Do you understand what I just told you?"