NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: 7
https://www.patreon.com/c/AugustineRubert
Original world.
Sengoku stared at the screen in disbelief.
"The person who scared Shanks and his crew so much that they couldn't even move… is the same person standing on the execution platform—no, the one standing at the podium?"
Garp frowned, carefully comparing the two.
It wasn't exactly the same, but it was close.
A gap of more than ten years had passed.
Yet, the man's appearance hadn't changed at all.
Staff Officer Tsuru stroked her chin, analyzing the scene.
"Look at where he's standing. He's in front of Sengoku. From what I know, Sengoku, you wouldn't allow that."
"I can only assume that in that world, you must admire and respect him greatly."
Sengoku's sense of hierarchy was strict. Especially on grand occasions like this, the Fleet Admiral was always the central figure.
Yet, in the other world, he stood slightly behind that man, positioned on the left.
Sengoku didn't want to admit it, but he had to nod.
If it wasn't someone he deeply respected, he wouldn't have allowed it.
But was there really such a person in the Marines whom he could admire?
Meanwhile, in the present world, the celebration continued.
"(Current) Momousagi: Oh, it was Commissar Robert! Now I remember—I used to be his assistant. I really miss those days."
"(Current) Tashigi: Haven't you all noticed? Commissar Robert hasn't aged at all over the years! And that thermos cup has been with him for more than a decade."
"(Current) Sengoku: Now that you mention it, I never realized. Commissar Robert, how do you do it? Tsuru told me to ask you for the method."
Every time Sengoku from the present world referred to Tsuru publicly, the Sengoku from the original world twitched.
He gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath.
"That old fool… Why can't he ask privately? Why does he have to post it on the public screen just to provoke me?"
"(Current) Kizaru: Luffy met Commissar Robert at such a young age. How lucky. If I had met Commissar Robert back then, I would have been a model worker for 40 years! It's a shame I took so many detours."
"(Original) Kizaru: Eh? If you're being held hostage over there, just blink twice."
The Kizaru from the original world watched in horror.
His counterpart wanted to be a model worker for 40 years?
His already wrinkled face scrunched up further.
That was not the real him!
Was he insane?
A model worker meant doing extra work. Working overtime.
Who in their right mind would willingly want that?
Only someone mentally unstable would want to be re-elected for 40 consecutive years.
And yet, that was exactly what the other Kizaru had said.
Kizaru from the original world wanted to cry.
Working 9 to 5 while slacking off was already exhausting.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to just retire early, bask in the sun, and collect a pension?
What exactly had he gone through in that world?
"(Current) Kizaru: Kidnapped? That's impossible. If I were kidnapped, that would mean I'd have to work fewer days. And wouldn't my Model Worker Award go to Aokiji?"
"(Original) Kizaru: What the hell are you talking about? Do you have lasers for brains?"
The reason he didn't want to be kidnapped… was because he'd miss work?
Even Sengoku from the original world was speechless.
Having such subordinates…
He was so envious.
Looking at his own Kizaru, lazy and nonchalant, only made things worse.
And from what the Kizaru over there said, Aokiji was also competing for the Model Worker Award.
Something was definitely wrong.
Aokiji from this world was constantly drowsy, carried an eye mask with him, and slept wherever he went.
There was no comparison.
The pain in Sengoku's heart grew.
Looking at the team he led… compared to the team Robert led…
There was no contest.
Wait.
Because of all the bizarre information, he had overlooked something crucial.
He finally realized it.
They had just mentioned the man's name.
Robert.
The man with the thermos cup.
The one who had changed Luffy's fate.
The one who had likely caused the massive difference between the two worlds.
His name was Robert, and he was a Marine.
If the two worlds were supposed to be identical…
Then there should be a Marine named Robert in his world too.
"(Original) Sengoku: Who is Robert? What is his position in your world? When did he join the Marines?"
Sengoku from the original world asked urgently.
The people from the present world looked confused.
"(Current) Sengoku: You don't even know Robert? What's the point of you being a Marine Fleet Admiral?"
Sengoku from the original world clenched his fists.
For the first time, he felt an overwhelming urge to punch himself in the face.
"(Current) Garp: Robert? Of course, he's the Marine Commissar, responsible for ideological work. You don't have a position like that? I love talking to Commissar Robert."
Political Commissar? Ideological work?
Sengoku from the original world froze.
No.
He had never heard of that.
As the Marine Fleet Admiral, if such a position existed, he would know.
Yet, it didn't.
He had no clue about any Marine named Robert.
No record. No memory.
But if he really was a political commissar…
Could that be the reason why Kizaru, Garp, and the entire Marine force were so different in that world?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Sengoku knew exactly what kind of person Kizaru was.
Changing him into a workaholic model worker through mere ideological education?
Ridiculous.
"(Current) Akainu: No way. You don't have Commissar Robert? No wonder your world is so weak. You still haven't dealt with Whitebeard, and pirates are attacking you at home. It's embarrassing to call yourself Marines."
Sengoku's face darkened.
The comparison hurt.
Being attacked at home was humiliating.
And if Akainu was right—
If Marine strength in the other world had improved because of Robert—
Then his absence in this world was a massive loss.
Sengoku turned to Tsuru.
"Check if there's anyone named Robert in our Marine records. Immediately."
End of the Chapter.
Update Schedule: 7 Chapter/week.
Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.