Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
The room, usually quiet and spacious with only one person working, was now crowded with people.
At the center, around a large table and sofas, sat Kong, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, Tsuru, and Morris, chatting casually.
Around them, on nearby sofas, Bullet, Borsalino, Kuzan, Doberman, Gion, and several other vice admirals were gathered in small groups, talking among themselves.
In the corner, Enel, Rosinante, Soter, and Law sat together on a row of sofas.
Bored, Enel reached out and snatched Law's brand-new spotted hat, holding it high. He turned it over in his hands, inspecting it. "Yo, this is new. Who bought it for you, brat?"
Law glared at him furiously. "Give it back!"
Enel gave a mischievous grin. "If you can take it, it's yours."
He started tossing the hat back and forth between his hands.
Law let out a short snort.
"Room!"
He stretched out his hand toward Enel. A translucent sphere expanded, surrounding the few of them on the sofas
Enel clicked his tongue. "This circle looks a lot like yours, Rosinante."
Swish.
The golden ring around his ankle appeared in the air, while the hat dropped neatly into Law's waiting hand near his leg.
"Hmm… this circle is way stronger than yours," Enel muttered. "What is this, teleportation?"
His interest was piqued. "What else can it do, brat?"
Law raised an eyebrow. "Then don't move."
Enel leaned back on the sofa, arms resting on the back as he looked at the boy with playful curiosity. "Go on."
In his heart, Law was thrilled. The provocation had worked. He pressed his thumb against Enel's leg, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.
Zzzzt!
A flash of electricity shot from his fingertip and coursed through Enel's entire body in an instant.
Enel flinched. He hadn't used Haki or his Devil Fruit, so his body felt the electric jolt clearly. A second later, his Logia powers automatically absorbed the charge.
He straightened up, watching Law with sudden seriousness. "Electricity… interesting. Inside this circle, what abilities can you use?"
The boy met his gaze. "Uh… I can freely cut through objects. I can also mimic the effects of any medical device in the world through my power. For example, that shock just now was a simulation of a high-frequency surgical knife. Anesthesia, noise suppression, a whole bunch of things. Why?"
Enel's lips twitched. "Well damn, that's a lot. It'd be wasted if you stayed at HQ. How about you go to Punk Hazard?"
Rosinante gave him a helpless look. "Didn't you say Punk Hazard is full of government people? How would that work?"
Enel thought for a moment. "Here's what we'll do. I'll send him there personally, and have Teacher run a full test on him. Classify and organize all the abilities he can use, then prepare some teaching materials and send him back. Only by training at Punk Hazard can this power reach its full potential."
Rosinante nodded. "Got it… that works too. Law, no objections?"
Law's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yeah!"
Enel turned toward Soter, who had been smiling silently the whole time. "You coming too, Soter? You've learned quite a bit by now, haven't you?"
The purple-haired youth shook his head. "Ah… not yet. Ever since I got my Devil Fruit, I've had even more to learn. Naval warfare, command, coordination, development of abilities… there's hardly any free time. But I'm close. Father said I'll be leading next year's cadet training. If I pass, then I'll be ready."
Enel chuckled. "I see. Then you're almost there."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward the door.
Clatter.
The sound of the wooden door opening echoed through the room as Sakazuki walked in. Seeing the crowd of high-ranking officers gathered together, he showed a smile. "Everyone's here for once."
Several vice admirals stood up to greet him, followed by the younger ones.
"Admiral Sakazuki."
"Admiral Sakazuki."
"Admiral Sakazuki…"
He raised his hand to stop the repeated greetings with a light wave, then walked toward the center with a smile, sparing everyone the awkwardness.
Kong spotted him and gestured. "Sit here, Sakazuki. We were just talking about you."
He walked toward them and sat down on the seat. "Oh? What were you talking about?"
Kong explained, "After Sengoku takes office, most of the regulations and procedures will be set. The only thing left now is picking the new admiral. Originally, Bullet and Enel were both among the strongest choices. But to avoid any uncomfortable situations… Sengoku didn't want to bring it up himself, so I'll be the bad guy here."
Sakazuki shook his head with a faint smile. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm not that kind of person. It's nothing serious. Enel's personality is too unruly for an admiral, and Bullet follows orders well but lacks initiative, so he's not ideal either. There won't be any awkwardness. Don't worry."
Kong glanced at Sengoku with a grin. "In that case, the admiral positions are settled. Let's appoint Bullet and Enel as admiral candidates."
Sengoku agreed. "No objections."
He smiled at Sakazuki as well.
Kong laughed at that. "Alright, everything's decided. Let's celebrate today. The promotion ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow."
* * *
New World, Whole Cake Island.
Big Mom sat on her throne eating cake while reading an intelligence report. "Mamamamama~ How amusing. That old geezer Sengoku has become Fleet Admiral, and not that little brat Sakazuki. What do you all think they're planning?"
Perospero replied, "This might be for the best. With Sakazuki's personality, if he took the position, he'd probably start a war with us right away."
Katakuri nodded in agreement. "True."
Big Mom laughed. "And so what if there's a war? We'll just crush them all. Mamamamama~"
Her children around her joined in the laughter. But when she noticed Chiffon laughing as well, her expression twisted with rage.
"Get lost!"
She threw a punch, sending out an invisible burst of Armament Haki.
Boom!
Chiffon was blasted away on the spot.
"Katakuri! Have you found her yet? I'll kill her!"
Not long ago, Big Mom, who had always wanted to mend her ties with the Giants, finally found an opportunity.
Prince Loki of Elbaf had fallen in love with her daughter at first sight. But just before the arranged marriage, Lola ran away, leaving her twin sister Chiffon in her place. The deception was discovered, worsening the already fragile relationship, and Big Mom abandoned all thoughts of reconciliation.
* * *
New World, Wano Country, Onigashima.
Kaido drank heavily as he read the report stating Sengoku had become the new Fleet Admiral.
"Wororororo. Sengoku…"
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