Sengoku spoke in a low, steady voice.
"When I report back to Mary Geoise this time, I'll most likely be stepping down as Fleet Admiral."
They had killed Whitebeard—that much was true.
But Ace's escape was also an undeniable fact.
Worse still, the execution had been broadcast live to the entire world, and they had publicly revealed Ace's lineage.
That kind of fallout wasn't something just anyone could shoulder.
Only the Fleet Admiral could take that hit.
"When the time comes, I'll recommend Aokiji to succeed me," Sengoku continued. "You two should start looking for a new Admiral candidate immediately."
Tsuru's eyes flickered with insight, and she gave a faint smile.
"Sounds like you already have someone in mind."
Sengoku chuckled.
Old comrades really did understand each other at a glance.
Both he and Tsuru turned their gazes toward Garp.
Garp had been half-asleep, barely listening. The moment he noticed their eyes on him, he jolted upright and began waving his hands frantically.
"Whoa, whoa! Not me! I didn't become an Admiral back then—no way I'm doing it now!"
Sengoku rolled his eyes so hard it almost hurt.
For a second, he genuinely felt like punching this old fool.
"I'm not talking about you," Sengoku snapped. "I mean that subordinate of yours—Sōsuke Aizen."
Why else do you think you're even here?
When have we ever relied on you for brain work?
The only reason he'd called Garp in was because Aizen technically served under him.
Powerful. Calm. During his battle with Soifon, he had clearly displayed Admiral-level combat ability.
On top of that, his day-to-day performance was exemplary.
Unlike the current three Admirals—two slackers and one hotheaded fanatic.
Aizen was practically tailor-made for the position.
"Ahahaha! You mean him?" Garp scratched his head awkwardly.
"Strength-wise, sure, he qualifies. But with his background… I doubt the Five Elders would approve."
No matter how you looked at it, Aizen had once been a high-ranking figure within Sith Oguro's Holy Spirit Empire.
The Five Elders wouldn't trust that easily.
"I'll handle that," Sengoku replied. "You don't need to worry."
He already had a rough plan forming in his mind.
"Fine by me," Garp said, waving casually as he stood up. "As long as you two are okay with it, I've got no objections."
He left the office humming cheerfully.
Both his grandsons had survived the battlefield. Garp was in the best mood he'd been in for ages.
Though he couldn't help but wonder… where exactly had Kuma sent Luffy flying?
—
As Marines cleaned up the battlefield, Sengoku headed straight to Mary Geoise to meet the Five Elders.
The transition of power within the Navy had to be settled quickly.
If another tidal wave of chaos hit before they were ready, the Marines would pay dearly.
The moment he stepped into the Room of Authority within Pangaea Castle, he was met with sharp rebuke.
"Sengoku! You bear full responsibility for the failure at the Summit War!"
Sengoku had expected as much.
"I will resign to take responsibility," he said calmly. "However, before I step down, I hope you will hear my recommendation for the next Fleet Admiral."
Because Sengoku had always been relatively compliant, the Five Elders were willing to grant him that courtesy.
"Very well. Who do you propose?"
"I recommend Aokiji as Fleet Admiral," Sengoku replied. "And that Sōsuke Aizen succeed him as Admiral."
Aokiji?
The Five Elders' expressions didn't change, but inwardly, they weren't convinced.
To them, the Marines were merely a tool for maintaining world rule.
The Fleet Admiral should be a loyal instrument.
From that perspective, Akainu was far more suitable than Aokiji.
"We will consider the Fleet Admiral appointment," said Topman Warcury evenly. "As for Aizen inheriting the Admiral position—that will not be approved."
"He was once a senior member of the Holy Spirit Empire. We cannot allow someone like that into the upper ranks of the Navy so hastily."
Sengoku had anticipated this objection.
"Before coming here, I spoke with Aizen," he said. "He is willing to cooperate with the World Government's research into the Holy Spirit Empire's powers. All he asks is to be genuinely accepted."
"Oh?"
The Five Elders exchanged glances, surprised.
Truth be told, they had long wanted to detain Aizen for research.
The strange powers wielded by Sith Oguro's empire had tempted them greatly.
But given Aizen's Admiral-level strength, forcibly detaining him would have been risky.
They hadn't wanted to escalate things unnecessarily.
Now the man was offering his loyalty outright?
Jaygarcia Saturn stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"If Aizen is truly loyal to the World Government, let him serve as Vice Admiral for now. As for Admiral… we shall evaluate him based on his future performance."
Sengoku understood. This wasn't something he could push too far.
He nodded and took his leave.
—
The moment Sengoku exited, the Five Elders' expressions darkened.
Jaygarcia Saturn slammed his hand against the table.
"Hmph! That Aizen dares to covet the position of Admiral? Delusional."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke coldly.
"He is rebellious by nature. On the battlefield, he publicly declared that no one is born to stand above others. What does that make the Celestial Dragons?"
"Because of those words, dissatisfaction toward the World Nobles has begun resurfacing."
"If he becomes an Admiral, who's to say he won't betray us again?"
Shepherd Ju Peter added coolly,
"Everyone in this world has their place. When someone oversteps their station, chaos follows. A man like Aizen—who dreams of soaring above his rank—should be eliminated immediately."
"For Sengoku to advocate for him… perhaps the Navy needs a reminder of its place."
Warcury glanced over.
"And how do you propose we do that?"
Ju Peter's tone was indifferent.
"They want Aokiji as Fleet Admiral? Then we appoint Akainu."
"The Navy does not need independent thought. It needs obedience."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
—
"As for Aizen," Saturn concluded, "transfer him to Vegapunk. Once we fully understand the essence of the Holy Spirit Empire's power, dispose of him."
"Brainwash him into a weapon or erase him entirely—it makes no difference."
—
Not long after, the official appointment was issued.
When Sengoku saw the bold name Sakazuki printed on the Fleet Admiral decree, he slammed his palm down, shattering the desk in his temporary office.
"Those old bastards… What are they playing at? Are they trying to spark a civil war within the Navy?!"
Aokiji was widely respected within the Marines and had Sengoku's open support. Most of the Navy had expected him to take the position.
Instead, the Five Elders chose the more obedient Akainu.
In an instant, the two became the center of a storm.
Their factions began clashing almost immediately. Friction between supporters grew worse by the day.
—
At the same time, Sōsuke Aizen received his own documents.
Promotion to Vice Admiral.
Transfer orders to the Navy's Science Unit to assist the World Government's chief scientist, Vegapunk, in researching the power of the Shinigami.
Watching the growing unrest outside, Aizen's lips curled into a faint, meaningful smile.
Why had he deliberately engaged Sith Oguro in that ideological debate during the Summit War?
Did people really think it was just to polish his "traitor" persona?
How shallow.
He had been planting seeds.
Seeds that, one day, would completely overturn the Celestial Dragon system.
For now…
Let the bullet fly a little longer.