"Don't worry, BIG MOM will only go crazy for a few days at most. After a few days, there should be no problem..." After relaying the message to Katakuri, Ichiji didn't continue to sleep, but instead comforted a troubled Stussy.
Undoubtedly, Charlotte Linlin, that hot-tempered woman, would definitely go crazy, possibly even attacking her own son.
But how long would her rage last? Ichiji didn't know. He just hoped Perospero and the others ran fast enough.
He immediately came to Rusukaina Island and focused on Isabella's training.
Sitting on a tree trunk, he carefully pondered his next plans and preparations, ensuring they were as comprehensive and flawless as possible. If he had the chance, Germa would definitely continue to hunt down the World Government's strong individuals, constantly weakening them.
Combining the information secretly transmitted from "Charloss" and "Fighter," a single CP0 agent's strength was far from simple.
As the only official force of the World Nobles, the monsters within CP0 were not necessarily fewer than those in Marine Headquarters. They were merely a covert organization, and in terms of military strength, they were far from exaggerated.
Apart from the overt CP0 members responsible for handling various matters and the highest officer, codenamed "Zero," who personally took action, a small number of true monsters became the Celestial Dragons' strongest protectors.
And the truly qualified Celestial Dragon families who protected these monsters were undoubtedly among the top few in the Holy Land, possessing immense influence and holding true core power.
Although the Five Elders could command CP0, their actual authority was beneath the Celestial Dragons.
There was also the "Holy Land Guard" above Marijoa.
Holding the position of Marine Fleet Admiral, yet also the position of World Government Fleet Admiral, and judging by the World Government's attitude towards high-ranking Marines, it was sufficient to prove that Marine strength was not merely the World Government's superficial military power; it was also the largest military force in the dark.
According to Figarland Garling's revelation, the World Government had gradually developed distrust and caution towards the Marines in recent years due to their inefficiency, inadvertently expanding the establishment of the Holy Land Guard.
Hundreds of years ago, after the World Government was established, along with those ancient royal families, the Guard was stationed above Marijoa. It was composed of elite ninjas from various Celestial Dragon families, and it silently became the World Government's second largest military force.
The World Government began to guard against and suppress the Marines. This point was not surprising to the rulers.
As the wielders of power, wasn't it their duty to find ways to limit the power of the Marines? Would they just stand by and watch them become a true army? Or wait until they lost control before thinking of how to deal with them?
Under the baptism of time, after generations of transformation, evolution, and perfection, the Marines gradually developed their own ideas and principles. They were no longer the ignorant fools they were when the World Government was first established hundreds of years ago.
The slogan of "Justice" had been shouted for too long, and it would lead to brainwashing!
Many Marines themselves, including high-ranking Marines, joined the Marines precisely for justice, to maintain peace on the great sea.
Just like Sengoku and others, they might not be able to directly defy the World Government's orders, but how much leeway they had in the execution process was hard to say.
Even if it completely went against their ideals and beliefs, the possibility of defecting with their subordinates became somewhat significant.
More importantly, they adhered to the "Justice" in their hearts.
Even when facing some of the World Government's extremely evil and perverse actions, they chose to endure, tacitly approve, and pretend not to see, but their hearts still maintained a bottom line.
Whether it was Sengoku, Marine Hero Garp, former Marine Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr, or "Aokiji" Kuzan, most of them were like this.
"Hundreds of years of foundation, it's really not easy to shake, is it?"
Leaning against a tree trunk, Ichiji narrowed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
For many years, the World Government had spared no resources to support the Holy Land. Its power, even if it couldn't compare to the Marines, was quite strong.
Conspiracy was only a temporary measure. Once the World Government had defenses, trying to scheme again would become increasingly difficult.
Eventually, Germa would have to directly confront this behemoth. To say that Ichiji felt no pressure at all was false.
But under pressure, he would strive harder!
"I'm increasingly looking forward to it. Where will the world's future go? Heh heh heh heh~~~"
At this moment.
The summit of the Red Line Continent.
Within the World Government's vast and magnificent building, the Marshal's private office.
The decoration was somewhat luxurious. On the walls hung two famous paintings. On one side, a shelf displayed ancient artifacts and luxurious ornaments. There was even a giant fish tank, with swimming fish, miniature mountains, and seaweed inside, looking like an aquarium. It was hard to imagine this was just an office; it could be said to be incredibly spacious.
"After my utmost persuasion, he ultimately didn't directly remove you from your Fleet Admiral position. And the public reports left you some dignity. It won't be as if the responsibility was completely pushed onto you..."
Fleet Admiral Kong, with his arms crossed, sat on a chair, looking directly at the calm Sengoku in front of him.
Kong's tall and burly physique, and his imposing aura, were not to be underestimated. He instinctively ignored Sengoku's age, as he was a strong old man who possessed some arrogance.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, I am very sorry to trouble you!"
"Whether I can continue to serve as Fleet Admiral, I don't really care. It's just that at the moment, no one in the Marines can preside over the big picture..."
Kong shook his head helplessly. Sengoku said in a deep voice: "Aokiji's personality is too lazy, and too emotional. He still needs to be tempered for several years. It's even harder to rely on that guy Kizaru. If we suddenly give the Marines to them, I'm a bit uneasy!"
"I understand your concerns. Currently, Aokiji is indeed the most suitable candidate, but the timing is not yet right." Kong nodded. He knew very well who this old subordinate he valued was. He was definitely not someone who coveted power.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have debated too much, or pushed away responsibility. He would have directly accepted the punishment from above and then tried to secure his hard-won position by all means.
But after this incident, although Sengoku's Fleet Admiral position would not be directly removed, his path to advancement could be said to be completely cut off.
"Then, has 'Chaman' filled the vacancy for the Admiral position? Has the above approved it?" Sengoku didn't care about his own future. Remembering his original intention, he asked directly: "Currently, the Marines have formed a hundred-thousand-strong fleet,
led personally by Aokiji to the South Blue. Kizaru needs to monitor the movements of the 'Four Emperors' in the New World. We must quickly find a new Admiral who can strongly suppress the negative impact caused by the fall of Sakazuki, an Admiral representing the Marines' highest combat power, and the great sea that is about to stir..."
"The Five Elders refused!"
Looking at the somewhat emaciated Sengoku, Kong sighed. "The reason is that this incident severely affected the prestige of the World Government and the Marines. It wasn't just Sakazuki himself. There was also the 'incompetence' of the Marines' internal affairs. They decided to recruit a new Admiral from outside."
In recent years, the World Government no longer completely trusted the Marines as before. They were full of doubts about the Marines' capabilities. Moreover, the Marines, as a huge organization, truly showed a subtle tendency to exceed the World Government's control. If this continued, problems would arise soon.
In fact, this had nothing to do with Sengoku and these leaders. It was fundamentally the inevitable product of the Marines having matured thoughts and complete principles. The World Government's actions were meant to uphold the justice they proclaimed, and their sudden suppression caused dissatisfaction among the Marines' commanders, although it was unavoidable.
The World Government only needed obedient instruments of violence, not Marines with independent thoughts, or even ones that might escape their control.
As Fleet Admiral, Kong, who was qualified to access higher secrets, naturally knew very well. In fact, there had been more than one incident of this kind in Marine history, where potential threats were nipped in the bud. However, it was just history repeating itself.
To maintain its own rule, the World Government needed the power of the Marines; it couldn't completely abandon them.
At the same time, to attract more strong individuals and ensure a continuous supply of new forces joining the Marines, they also had to hold onto the banner of "Justice" or, in other words, conceal it.
This was just a cycle. It was the Marines' unavoidable "fate"!
Every now and then, under the insidious influence of the "Justice slogan," Marines who showed tendencies to break away from the World Government's control would undergo a massive purge to ensure the World Government's ideological purity!
When the World Government first purged the Marines in history, they acted too hastily and violently, causing strong backlash and resistance from the Marines, leading to considerable turmoil and almost shaking the World Government's rule.
And from that moment on, the World Government gradually learned.
They chose the method of "boiling a frog in warm water" instead of rushing things.
In the subsequent purges, this relatively gentle approach proved surprisingly successful, accumulating considerable experience. Every official involved in the World Government bore the consequences within acceptable limits.
But knowing was one thing. Even if he was a former Marine Fleet Admiral, and still had feelings for the Marines, Kong couldn't reveal anything.
Even revealing it wouldn't help. This was a necessary measure to protect the World Government's rule. The Five Elders, and even the Celestial Dragons, would absolutely not tolerate any betrayal or disobedience. It would create a huge problem that couldn't be controlled.
His position as World Government Fleet Admiral made it impossible for him to contend with Sengoku and the others in finding a way to resist the World Government.
An Admiral's position was vacant. It was likely that the Five Elders were dissatisfied with not finding a suitable candidate and couldn't accept the widespread resistance from the Marines. How could they give up such an opportunity?
"The higher-ups have already selected a candidate. He is a monster from the civilian world, incredibly strong!"
Hearing this, Sengoku's face couldn't help but turn grim.
After all, he was a Marine Fleet Admiral. How could his political mind be lacking? Even if Kong didn't say it, he could still guess a thing or two.
They didn't directly arrange for strong individuals from within the World Government. He was probably still being slowly tested, not wanting the Marines to have an excessive backlash or dissatisfaction.
Boiling a frog in warm water!
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).