Being an Admiral wasn't just a step up from Vice Admiral—it came with privileges that set you apart from nearly everyone in the Navy. If it weren't for those powers, the World Government would never have capped the number of Admirals.
Take, for example—the Buster Call.
Authorized by the World Government and executed by Navy Headquarters, the Buster Call was a tool of pure destruction. Once triggered, it unleashed indiscriminate annihilation on any region deemed a threat to the Government's rule. The operation used a pair of Den Den Mushi—one gold, one silver. The gold was used to order the strike, the silver to receive the signal. Only the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals themselves held the authority to use the golden Den Den Mushi.
When a Buster Call was launched, at least ten warships would set sail, backed by five Vice Admirals or higher, ten thousand elite marines, and ships forged in Water 7 tough enough to battle Sea Kings. It was enough force to wipe out any country off the map.
And then there was—the Summons Order.
Unlike the Buster Call, which was a World Government privilege, the Summons Order was a right granted by the Fleet Admiral to the Admirals. For a short window, an Admiral could wield the same authority as the Fleet Admiral, summoning Navy forces from across the globe.
The Fleet Admiral's office was just a short walk from the Admirals' own. Kai didn't bother knocking—he pushed the door open and strolled in.
Inside, three people were already waiting. Sengoku sat at his desk, Tsuru sipped her tea quietly, and Garp was devouring donuts with zero shame.
"Kai, my boy! You're just in time—try Sengoku's donuts, they're top notch!" Garp's eyes lit up when he saw Kai, completely ignoring Sengoku's face, which had darkened to the color of storm clouds.
"Garp, get out of my sight!" Sengoku thundered. His roar echoed so loudly that even marines training hundreds of meters away paused—but nobody seemed surprised; this was routine.
Garp just scratched his head and laughed, utterly unfazed.
Kai accepted a donut from Garp, took a bite, and found it surprisingly good. He settled onto the sofa, then glanced at Sengoku. "So, Fleet Admiral, what's up?"
Sengoku glared, veins pulsing in his forehead as he fought to keep his temper in check. "Kai, you're the one who issued the Summons Order to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, aren't you?"
"Yeah, that was me," Kai replied, completely casual.
That easy tone was too much for Sengoku. He finally snapped, slamming his fist onto the desk. "Kai! Do you even know what you've done? The Seven Warlords of the Sea are notorious pirates, officially recognized by the World Government! Unless it's a direct order from the Government, those bastards won't even show up. What you've done is a direct challenge to the Government's authority! And if they ignore you, what happens to the Navy's reputation?"
Kai just shrugged. "Relax, Fleet Admiral. You don't have to worry about them not showing up…"
Sengoku stared, baffled. Kai continued, "Because I summoned them in the name of the World Government."
"What!?" Sengoku's eyes bulged. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. This wasn't just a challenge to authority—it was outright rebellion. If the Five Elders caught wind of this, Kai's short-lived Admiral career would be over before it began. He'd be demoted straight to Seaman Recruit—if he was lucky. If not, he'd end up rotting in Impel Down.
Even Tsuru was stunned, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. Garp paused mid-bite, donut forgotten—both of them clearly shocked by Kai's boldness.
Kai, meanwhile, looked unconcerned. "Don't worry, Fleet Admiral. I know exactly what I'm doing."
But Sengoku was already set off like a powder keg. "You know what you're doing!? You call this knowing what you're doing!? Summoning seven lawless pirates to Navy Headquarters without a word—that's your idea of restraint?"
And to think, if Boa Hancock hadn't personally requested passage through the Gates of Justice, Sengoku would still be in the dark. The thought made him even angrier.
Kai remained unfazed. "Then, Fleet Admiral, can you tell me what the Seven Warlords of the Sea are actually for? Jinbe, Boa Hancock, Mihawk, and Kuma—sure, they haven't done much for the Navy, but at least they haven't caused trouble. But look at Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Moria—they're out there using the Warlord title to run wild!"
Kai's gaze was sharp. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I warned you five years ago—if you didn't put them in check, the Warlord plan would become a disaster. And now, that's exactly what's happened. So let me fix it."
Sengoku fell silent, mouth working but no words coming out. He knew exactly what kind of mess the Warlords had become, but he had no idea how to fix it. If he just revoked their titles, he'd risk a violent backlash—not to mention the Navy's own reputation. Only now did Sengoku realize: the Seven Warlords plan was the biggest failure and shame of his entire career.
"So… Kai, what do you plan to do with the Seven Warlords?" Sengoku finally asked, voice dry and defeated.
"It's simple," Kai replied, cool as ever.
"Hm?" "What's your plan?" Sengoku and Tsuru spoke up together, both eager for an answer. After all, the Warlord system was their joint project.
Kai's response was blunt, almost casual. "Beat them. Beat them into submission, beat them until they change. Once they know who's in charge, they'll fall in line."
He said it as if he was talking about seven small-time pirates with million-berry bounties, not the most infamous criminals on the seas.
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