Chapter 8: The World Government's Big Move!
Following Roger's death, Im's thoughts shifted to the agenda of this year's Reverie. In his view, this was the top priority.
Although what he was about to do would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar and even lead to many objectors, he believed there would definitely be more supporters. Moreover, this matter had to be done; if not, other things would lose much of their significance.
To a certain extent, its impact would be no less significant than the public execution of the Pirate King.
Besides, would opposition even matter?
Who was he?
Im!
Not to mention, the Marines would be 100% in favor of this matter. With that, no one on this planet could stop its progress.
However, the plan still needed more deliberation, so these past few days, he often sat on the Empty Throne with the Five Elders for 'meetings' late at night when everything was quiet.
Initially, the five of them were startled by his various ideas, but they quickly got used to it.
Ultimately, the Five Elders' stance was consistent with Im's: to ensure the Celestial Dragons' rule over the World Government.
With this premise and bottom line, no matter how astonishing things seemed, they could accept them.
Simply because Im could see the future, and the Five Elders deeply believed this!
In the Southern Sea Area of Route 5, midway through the first half of the Grand Line, lay a small island hidden away, specifically serving the Underworld. It had no formal name, so the Pirates who frequented it called it Black Island.
Here, as long as you had enough Berry and Treasure, you could buy everything you needed.
Alcoholic beverages, food, Weapons, women, even Doctors, Shipwrights, and Intelligence. However, there were only two rules here: no attacking the service personnel, and no damaging the island's buildings. Other than that, robbery or murder, feel free.
This Black Island hadn't actually been around for long, less than two years. At first, these lawless Pirates, gangsters, and slave traders completely disregarded the island's only two rules.
But about six months later, after a dozen groups paid the price of bloody annihilation, everyone became obedient.
The name of a family and a smiley face symbol were deeply imprinted in their minds.
Donquixote!
At this moment, although it was late at night, the island was still brightly lit. Cheers, screams, and the occasional screams and wild laughter interspersed made the atmosphere here extremely lively. At the Port, more than a dozen pirate ships flying various flags were anchored.
However, the regulars here knew very well that compared to a few months ago, there were actually far fewer ships here.
Needless to say, it must be related to the public execution of the Pirate King Roger. Oh, and also the capture of Golden Lion Shiki. It's said that many Pirates chose to go ashore and return to ordinary life.
"Hey, everyone, have you heard about the Great Treasure?"
Inside a lively Tavern, a clearly drunk man, holding a beer mug in his right hand, shouted loudly to the crowd with a flushed face.
As soon as the words "Great Treasure" appeared, everyone in the Tavern subconsciously pricked up their ears. Even the volume of conversations dropped by a few decibels, and some people's gazes focused on him, which brought a smug smile to the drunkard's face.
"What Great Treasure?" a Pirate sitting at a table on the right side tried asking.
"Of course, it's the treasure of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger! Wouldn't you say it's great?"
"What?!"
This sentence immediately startled everyone, and the entire atmosphere instantly fell silent.
At this moment, a burly man over two meters tall, bare-chested with a sword strapped to his back, slammed the empty wooden mug in his hand heavily back onto the table with a bang. At the same time, he sneered, "Kid, tell us properly. If you tell us well, I'll cover your drinks tonight! But if you talk a bunch of nonsense, hmph, be careful when you go out!"
"Hahaha, that's great! Another drink for me!"
Seeing such a threatening remark, the drunkard showed no fear. Instead, he excitedly shouted towards the bartender behind the counter.
"Don't forget to put it on his tab!"
"Alright," the bartender nodded expressionlessly.
"Now tell us, hurry up! Hurry up!" The other Pirates started to jeer, but the same fierce-looking strong man from before slammed the table again and roared, "All of you shut up!"
Indeed, all the noise was suppressed for a moment, which made the drunkard nod with satisfaction. Then he coughed twice to clear his throat.
"Ahem, here's the thing. Recently, a very interesting piece of Intelligence has suddenly spread across the seas. It's said that the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, who completed a circumnavigation of the Grand Line, put all his immense Treasure on the Final Island, 'Laugh Tale', and even gave this treasure a name..."
Speaking of this, a hint of sobriety flashed in the drunkard's eyes.
"Namely, ONE PIECE!"
Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
[Thump, thump, thump]
"Come in."
Sengoku pushed open the door and walked in, asking, "Fleet Admiral, you called for me?"
"Yes, take a look at this. It's an order just relayed from the Five Elders," Fleet Admiral Kong said with a smile, handing over a piece of paper.
"Okay, please wait."
Sengoku nodded, took it, and sat on the sofa, reading it calmly. The content on the paper wasn't much, so he finished reading it quickly. However, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he looked up at Fleet Admiral Kong.
"Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan are promoted to Admiral Candidate? But Borsalino is currently only a Rear Admiral, isn't that inappropriate?"
"That kid will be promoted to Vice Admiral at the same time this time, after all, he went along for the arrest of Roger," Fleet Admiral Kong explained with a smile, then asked a question.
"How is it? Any thoughts?"
Sengoku pondered for a moment and replied, "Unexpected, yet reasonable. As for their strength, except for Kuzan who is still somewhat lacking, the other two have surpassed most Vice Admirals. There's no problem with them being Admiral Candidates, it's just..."
"It's just that we didn't expect the World Government to promote them so easily, right?"
"Yes, I originally thought it would take a few more years. After all, with Roger's execution, the situation at sea has greatly improved, and the demand for Marine Admirals isn't as great."
But as soon as Sengoku finished speaking, he suddenly connected some things and continued, "Before, I was wondering why the Five Elders specifically requested those three to be taken along for the mission to capture Roger. It turns out they were preparing them for their upcoming promotion to Admiral. But..."
He hesitated again, feeling that something wasn't quite right.
"But why has the Five Elders' attitude towards us changed so much, becoming so friendly, right?" Fleet Admiral Kong said.
"Yes."
Sengoku admitted this point. Having been a Marine Admiral for so many years, and also having the nickname Tactician, he had long since noticed the World Government's deliberate suppression of the Marines.
Many times, the promotion of a Marine Admiral wasn't just about reaching the required strength. The most important factor was the World Government's needs in this regard. Otherwise, there were various ways to keep you at the Vice Admiral or even Admiral Candidate level, unless you achieved a great merit.
"Hmm, I was also very strange about this at first, but through talking with the Five Elders, I've roughly guessed something," Fleet Admiral Kong said while thinking.
"Please tell me."
"I heard that at this year's Reverie, the World Government will have a big move. Perhaps they are preparing for this, after all, currently, there is only you as an Admiral on the surface..." Fleet Admiral Kong looked at Sengoku meaningfully.