"Got it."
"Five Elders sama, this is Sengoku speaking. Have you reached a decision regarding my proposal?"
"Aokiji is too calm. In this era of rampant piracy, with Kaito standing at the forefront, the seas are already in chaos. The Marines need a more radical Fleet Admiral."
"Even so, we will not deny your recommendation of Aokiji. Very well. Let Aokiji and Akainu fight. Whoever wins will become the next Fleet Admiral of the Marines."
There was a brief silence on the line.
"…Understood," Sengoku replied at last, his voice steady. "So be it."
The call ended.
Sengoku lowered the Den Den Mushi and turned to look at the two men standing nearby.
"You both heard everything," he said solemnly. "Do either of you intend to withdraw from the position of Fleet Admiral? If not, then you will follow the orders of the Five Elders."
Aokiji and Akainu exchanged a glance.
Neither spoke.
Both shook their heads.
Akainu's eyes burned as he looked at Aokiji, the faint heat in his gaze carrying unmistakable hostility.
"Good," Sengoku said. "In the coming days, the Marines will locate a deserted island in the surrounding seas. The two of you will duel there. Whoever wins will become the next Fleet Admiral of the Marines."
"Understood," Aokiji replied calmly.
"Fine," Akainu said at the same time, his voice cold and resolute.
...…
Island of Nations
The vast conference hall was filled with familiar faces.
Kaito sat at the head of the table, a faint smile in his eyes. Around him were the core officers of his pirate force.
"Smile, report," Kaito said casually.
"All regions of the New World have already been planted with our flag," Smile replied. "Most of the work is complete."
"However, the forty thousand Marine captives need to be dealt with as soon as possible. Otherwise, our food reserves will not last long."
"I understand," Kaito nodded. "I will handle that shortly."
"I have also identified a suitable location for our headquarters," Smile continued. "Near Berenhalt Island."
"Do as you see fit," Kaito said indifferently.
"There is one more matter," Smile added. "Tesoro previously agreed to cooperate with us. Someone will need to take charge of that."
Kaito glanced around the room with a smile. "Who will go?"
"I will," Katakuri said as he stood.
"Good," Kaito replied. "I will leave it to you."
With Katakuri handling the matter, Kaito felt at ease.
Once the discussions settled, Kaito straightened slightly.
"Now that business is done, I will announce a few rules."
"The first order. No one in our crew is allowed to plunder ordinary islands. Threats are also forbidden. However, if you encounter vicious pirate groups in the New World, deal with them without hesitation."
"Boss," Bullet asked impatiently, "then what are we supposed to eat and drink?"
"That brings me to the second order," Kaito said calmly.
"Payment."
"…Payment?" confusion spread across the room.
"Yes, money," Kaito explained. "Anyone who joins our crew will receive a monthly salary of thirty thousand Berries."
Murmurs instantly erupted.
"That is for ordinary members," Kaito continued. "Cadres will start at a minimum of three million Berries per month."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"On ordinary islands, most people earn barely ten thousand Berries a month. With this system, countless people will rush to join us."
"As far as I know, neither pirates nor Marines receive fixed salaries. Only high ranking officers and top cadres are paid."
"If word of this spreads, the entire sea will be shaken."
"That is exactly what we want," Kaito said calmly. "Pirates and Marines alike live on the edge of death year round. If people are willing to follow us, they deserve proper security. Our people risk their lives for us. We cannot let their hearts grow cold."
"This is only a preliminary announcement," he added. "Later, I will bring in professionals to refine the system and establish proper benefits for our crew."
The cadres present all nodded in agreement. Each of them commanded subordinates of their own. Improving 待遇 for their people was something none of them opposed.
Suddenly, Kaito's expression shifted slightly.
"Oh? He actually came here," he said softly. "That is unexpected."
"Captain?" Redfield asked. "Is someone outside?"
"Yes."
Almost immediately, a subordinate rushed in, panic written across his face.
"Boss Kaito. The Revolutionary Army. Their leader. Dragon is outside. He says he has an appointment with you."
"That is correct," Kaito replied calmly. "Bring him in."
"Yes, Boss."
Moments later, Dragon walked into the hall. His gaze swept across the gathered figures before finally settling on Kaito.
"I never imagined that what I once thought was a joke would become reality," Dragon said with a sigh.
"I did not expect it either," Kaito replied. "What I did not expect was for you to seek me out personally."
"I keep my word," Dragon said. "And our goals align. I am willing to work with you."
"And Sabo and the others?" Kaito asked.
"I have already informed the Revolutionary Army headquarters," Dragon replied. "All senior cadres will arrive within a few days."
"Very good," Kaito said.
He stepped forward and addressed the room.
"Everyone here knows who this man is. From today onward, the Revolutionary Army officially joins our ranks."
"Our next goal," Kaito continued calmly, "some of you have already realized it. We will overthrow the World Government."
A wave of unrest spread through the crowd.
The World Government had ruled the seas for eight hundred years. Fear of it was ingrained deep within people's hearts, especially fear of the Celestial Dragons.
Many had assumed that after taking the New World, Kaito would consolidate power like Whitebeard once did. None expected such ambition.
Yet those present were all pirates, rebels by nature. The shock passed quickly.
To them, the World Government was no different from the Marines. The Marines had already been beaten into retreat. The World Government was merely the next enemy.
"Next," Kaito said, "I will discuss pension systems and further improvements with Dragon. For now, pass down the two orders I mentioned."
"Captain," Smile asked, "what about the forty thousand Marines?"
Kaito nodded. "We will go see them now. We will convince them. Come along. Some of them may become our people in the future."
With that, Kaito stood. Led by Smile, the group headed toward the holding area.
Forty thousand captives were no small matter. Issho had taken half of Cake Island and completely sealed it off to contain them.
When Kaito and the others arrived, fear spread across the Marines' faces.
As the defeated side, they understood all too well what usually awaited them.
"Dragon…" one Marine whispered in disbelief when he saw the man beside Kaito. "Even Dragon was brought under him…"
Kaito glanced at him calmly.
"Do not worry," Kaito said. "We are not here to kill you. We are here to offer you a choice."
"Impossible," a Marine shouted. "We are Marines. We will never join pirates."
Kaito's expression remained calm.
"We are no longer pirates," he said. "The New World already belongs to us. What we intend to do next is overthrow the World Government itself."
___
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