Fortunately, Zephyr was nearby at the time—otherwise, Ain would've probably spilled even the embarrassing details like how she used to wet the bed as a child.
"To meet Vegapunk isn't out of the question, but now's not the time."
Kizaru stroked his chin thoughtfully as he spoke. Although Vegapunk was technically under the Navy's control, even a fool could guess the World Government must've left itself a backup plan.
Unfortunately, he'd transmigrated too early—same with the random guy from the chat group—so neither of them yet knew exactly what the World Government had planned.
Fortunately, Kizaru had proactively requested "control rights" over Vegapunk from the Five Elders, and as Fleet Admiral and the newly crowned "World's Strongest," they more or less had to show him some respect.
At least until they found a way to restrain Kizaru, the Five Elders and the World Government wouldn't lay hands on Vegapunk.
"Hm? Looks like you're planning something big," Haibara Ai raised an eyebrow slightly. Having been in the One Piece world for a good while, she had a solid grasp of the global landscape.
On the surface, the World Government resembled the United Nations from her own world, but in truth, it was nothing of the sort.
It stood above all nations, ruling the world through sheer force and absolute power.
Even the Navy, which bore the banner of justice, was essentially just one of the World Government's enforcers.
Abilities like Devil Fruits and Haki made sheer numbers meaningless. Even if lucky individuals among the common people obtained Devil Fruit powers, they still stood no chance against the might of the World Government.
In a world where strength reigned supreme, top-tier powerhouses could crush entire countries single-handedly—and just within the Navy alone, Haibara Ai could name six or seven such individuals.
Below them were secondary powerhouses who could still stand against nations—for instance, Vivian, who had defeated two giant heroes simultaneously on Little Garden.
These secondary-tier elites were even more numerous than the top-tier ones—and that was just the Navy's publicly known strength. Who knew how many hidden trump cards the World Government had?
To start a grassroots revolution in a world like this? In Haibara Ai's view, it was practically impossible.
"You'll find out in due time. Now's just not the right moment," Kizaru said with ease. He wasn't worried about Haibara Ai leaking anything—he just wanted to be absolutely safe.
After all, unlike him, Haibara Ai didn't possess powerful Observation Haki or malice-detection abilities. If someone with a mind-reading fruit like the Glare-Glare Fruit appeared, she wouldn't stand a chance.
"Is that so? Well then, I'm looking forward to it…" Haibara Ai chuckled softly. She seemed to have guessed what Kizaru was thinking, but she didn't mind. Patience was, after all, a core trait for any true researcher.
Knock knock knock…
Before Kizaru could say anything more, they heard knocking at the door to the lounge.
Wearing a white female marine uniform and draped in a Justice coat, Nami stepped inside. Her large eyes first swept over Haibara Ai warily, then turned toward Kizaru.
Due to Kizaru's promotion to Fleet Admiral, his adjutant Nami had also been promoted to the rank of Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander.
If it weren't for her young age, she might've even broken Kizaru's own record for the fastest promotion to full Colonel in HQ.
"Fleet Admiral Kizaru, it's nearly time for your inaugural speech. Please begin your final preparations!"
Nami, expressionless, spoke in a formal and measured tone, as if her relationship with Kizaru was strictly professional.
Ever since she personally witnessed Ain reverse Ai Haibara from a little girl into a beautiful young woman, Nami had become hyper-vigilant.
It wasn't because she wanted to compete for Kizaru's affection—but because she was worried that Ai Haibara was after Gion's position as his fiancée.
Kizaru had many women around him, and even Nami hadn't escaped his "clutches."
But most of the women who stayed by Kizaru's side were simply lovers. There was also someone like Esdeath, who walked her own path. Only Gion held the status of "main wife."
That's exactly why Nami felt such intense hostility and wariness toward Ai Haibara—because Ai definitely wouldn't settle for being just another woman like Nami or Hancock. In other words, she was a potential rival to Gion.
"All right, got it," Kizaru said with a smile as he stood up. Taking advantage of Nami's distracted stare at Ai Haibara, he playfully smacked her on the butt, startling her.
But before Nami could get angry, Kizaru had already stepped out of the lounge and was heading toward the stage in the plaza.
Seeing this, Nami didn't have time to warn Ai Haibara and had no choice but to quickly follow after him.
"What a flirt…"
Back in the lounge, Ai Haibara rubbed her forehead and casually opened the Dimensional Chat Group. Just as expected, she saw that Kizaru had started a livestream.
She didn't need to follow him around like that silly Nami. She could enjoy a VIP-level experience of the ceremony from right here.
---
[Ding! Ai Haibara has entered Kizaru's livestream room!]
[Fubuki]: Ai-chan, you're finally online! I thought Kizaru locked you up and… did those things to you~
[Ai Haibara]: I have no interest in fighting over a playboy with other women! Romance is stupid!
[Random Person Trying to Cling to Luo Feng's Leg]: Watch your mouth, sharp-tongue! Lord Kizaru isn't some playboy—he's compassionate!
[Ai Haibara]: Shut up, you pathetic simp!
[Random Person Trying to Cling to Luo Feng's Leg]: Hmph! A real man doesn't argue with a venomous woman! It's starting! Look! Lord Kizaru is finally taking the stage!
[Kobayashi]: So many marines and giants… it looks incredible!
[Esdeath]: So this is the Navy, huh? Seems interesting. I wonder how they compare to the Empire's naval forces…
[Hermione Granger]: Oh! My! She's at least sixty feet tall! Is that a giant?!
[Xiao Mei]: Sooo many people… it's like the entire Wu Tan City gathered in one place!
[Tony Stark]: Hey! I'm not late, am I? Whoa, now this is a proper event!
[Orochimaru]: Hmm, to gather tens of thousands of people for just a promotion ceremony… the Navy's influence is quite something…
[Jotaro Kujo]: Justice, huh… looks pretty cool…
[Tanjiro Kamado]: Wow! So many people!
[Random Person Trying to Cling to Luo Feng's Leg]: Tanjiro, didn't you have sword training today?
[Tanjiro Kamado]: Ah! Yes! I'm waiting for Master Urokodaki to teach me!
[Random Person Trying to Cling to Luo Feng's Leg]: Then keep at it! Even though Lord Kizaru said he'd help, you still need to be able to protect yourself.
[Tony Stark]: C'mon, it's the modern age—why are you still swinging swords around? Save up some Dimensional Coins and I'll give you a discount on an Iron Man suit.
[Random Person Trying to Cling to Luo Feng's Leg]: For real?! I want one too!
[Kobayashi]: Eh, exercising is still good. Otherwise, you end up like me—random back pain from aging… ugh, so painful~
[Ai Haibara]: …Kobayashi, aren't you in your twenties?
[Kobayashi: Ah! A girl's age is a secret!]
[Ai Haibara: …So you do remember you're a girl, huh?]
[Tony Stark: Amazing… So, now that Borsalino is the Fleet Admiral, think there's a chance he might order more weapons from Stark Industries to re-equip the Navy?]
[Orochimaru: Unfortunately, from what I know, Borsalino-kun seems to prefer importing technology over buying finished products.]
[Tony Stark: Oh, now that's unfortunate news!]
---
While the group in the livestream chat continued their banter, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku's retirement speech had just ended. Amid thunderous applause and cheers, he stepped down from the podium and went to change out of his admiral uniform.
From this day forward, the Navy would no longer have a Fleet Admiral Sengoku—
But it would gain a Chief Inspector Sengoku.
At the same time, under the eager gazes of the masses, Borsalino stepped up to the podium—dressed in his admiral uniform, cloaked in the coat of justice.
"Before we begin today's inauguration address, I would first like to express, on behalf of the entire Navy and the countless people protected under its banner, our highest respect to Fleet Admiral Sengoku…"
For once, Borsalino abandoned his usual lazy, laid-back demeanor. At least to the vast majority of the marines who weren't especially familiar with him, the new Fleet Admiral appeared sufficiently dignified.
The only small flaw was that Borsalino's face—young, and almost excessively handsome—seemed slightly out of place in such a solemn setting.
"Salute!"
With that single command, tens of thousands of marines moved in perfect unison, delivering a crisp salute to Sengoku as he stepped down from the podium.
All of Marineford fell into total silence. Clearly, this wasn't part of the scheduled ceremony.
This was something Borsalino decided on his own:
To have the entire Navy salute the former Fleet Admiral—now the Chief Inspector—because in his eyes, Sengoku deserved that honor.
"This guy, Borsalino…"
Sengoku's shoulders trembled slightly as he walked down the steps.
Seeing the respect and admiration on the faces of countless marines, whatever lingering disappointment he felt vanished, replaced by a deep sense of fulfillment.
To have earned the Navy's full approval by the end of his term—
That, to Sengoku, meant everything.
Meanwhile, former Admiral Zephyr stood beside Vice Admiral Garp, fuming as he stared at Borsalino.
He'd trained that brat with full dedication back in the day, yet when he retired, Borsalino didn't arrange anything even remotely close to this spectacle!
Sure, he had refused the idea of a retirement ceremony back then, but seeing Sengoku trembling with emotion now… Zephyr suddenly felt a twinge of regret.
His own achievements and credentials weren't much less than Sengoku's. Even if he hadn't reached the rank of Fleet Admiral, wouldn't a send-off half this size have been justified?
"Wahaha! I want the same kind of send-off when I retire! Tsuru, remind Borsalino later!"
While Zephyr was still silently regretting, Vice Admiral Garp was already shouting his request, impatiently claiming his future farewell tribute.
Back in their day, the older generation of marines retired with barely any fuss—
Maybe a farewell dinner with a few old comrades at most.
None of them imagined retirement could come with such flair.
°°°
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