User blog comment:DancePowderer/Where Monarchs Dream, Part 1/@comment-9022101-20140511221525/@comment-3425840-20140513203912

The 16 VA deal was never confirmed unlike three Admirals. Furthermore, Sakazuki strengthened the Marine ranks - he might have increased the number of VA in the process. I mean finding Admiral level people is tough as hell but VA is not so difficult.

On another note - death in flashback is more common than in present timeline.