The waves of praise around them showed no sign of subsiding.
Warlord of the Navy—Sengoku—wore a smile so wide it nearly bloomed into a flower.
"Hahaha! With results like these, I can finally present them to the Five Elders!"
"The matter of funding is no longer a problem at all!"
"This kind of marvel must be mass-produced without hesitation! This is the future of our Navy! To hell with the so-called 'New Era of Pirates'—the future belongs to the Navy! Hahaha!" Sengoku was in the highest of spirits.
Oh?
Heading to the Five Elders?
Those men held supreme authority. The resources and wealth they could mobilize far surpassed Sengoku's by dozens of times.
Such a golden opportunity for funding—he had to seize it tightly!
Natsuha's heart leapt with delight. Then, in his childish yet clear voice, he spoke:
"Uncle Sengoku, these Seraphim aren't the strongest yet. I've already cracked most of the technology for Admiral-level Seraphim!"
"I think… within one week, I can complete them ahead of schedule!"
The reason Natsuha had said "half a month" before was only because he lacked funding.
But now—he had fifty billion in funds. [The System] not only unlocked stronger technologies but also drastically accelerated his research speed!
Admiral-level Seraphim, completed in just one week!
Oh?
Sengoku's heart leapt again at Natsuha's words.
The Warlord-class Seraphim alone were already formidable enough.
And now, even Admiral-class Seraphim could be produced ahead of schedule!
If a few Admiral-class Seraphim could be mass-produced…
Even one of the world's three great powers—the Four Emperors—could be shaken by the Navy!
This was no trivial matter.
For centuries, the balance of power had seesawed between the Navy and the pirates.
Neither side had been able to annihilate the other completely. That was why the seas were defined by three forces—Navy, Four Emperors, and Warlords—whose friction preserved the fragile equilibrium.
But… Sengoku now felt like scoffing. "Balance" was nothing more than a pretense born of the Navy's lack of strength!
The future… it wouldn't be long.
The Navy would uproot the other two forces completely, restoring true peace to the seas!
And when that day came, the entire world would be transformed beyond recognition!
To bear witness to such an era of greatness—what an honor it was to be Fleet Admiral of the Navy!
And yet… the one who brought about this seismic change was none other than an eight-year-old boy!
Even if it were written in the history books, the generations to come would never believe it.
But then again, even having witnessed this terrifying eight-year-old himself, Sengoku still found it hard to believe. Future disbelief was only natural.
Looking at Natsuha before him, Sengoku was overcome with emotion.
The other high-ranking officers of the Navy were equally unable to contain their excitement.
Admiral-level Seraphim—the impact they would have on the world went without saying.
Tsuru, Aokiji, and Garp looked on with gratified expressions.
With Natsuha as their trump card, how could pirates ever hope to contend with the Navy again?
Kizaru's excitement was plain on his face.
Even Admiral-class Seraphim were about to be mass-produced…
As expected of my younger brother, Natsuha!
And besides, Natsuha had already mass-produced Warlord-class Seraphim. His contribution to the Navy was monumental.
As Natsuha's elder brother—and the one who personally recommended him to the Navy's Science Division—Kizaru figured… didn't that mean he deserved some credit too?
No, he absolutely had to speak with Sengoku afterward. At the very least, he ought to receive a hefty "recommendation bonus."
Thinking this, Kizaru's grin grew broader.
Red Line, Holy Land Mariejois.
Within a mysterious office villa, five aged men sat gathered in austere silence.
Their appearances varied: a slightly plump elder with curly white hair and a scar on his left cheek, another with long, straight white hair, a blond elder bearing a scar across his chest, a mustachioed elder, and finally, a glasses-wearing elder in a white kimono, sword resting at his side.
Do not underestimate these five men.
Even the Fleet Admiral of the Navy had to bow and obey before them.
They were the men standing at the pinnacle of world power—the Five Elders.
At that moment, an intelligence officer knelt before them, scarcely daring to breathe.
"Speak. What is it?" asked the sword-bearing elder, eyes narrowed.
The officer, as if granted amnesty, hurried to reply:
"Reporting, honored Five Elders! Fleet Admiral Sengoku has arrived with ten children, requesting to present his report!"
Hm?
At those words, the eyes of the five elders flickered briefly, but their faces quickly returned to their usual calm.
"Let them in," one of them said coolly.
"Yes!"
The officer withdrew. The Five Elders exchanged glances, each catching a hint of surprise in the others' eyes.
As the supreme authorities of the Navy, they were already aware of Natsuha.
Sengoku had previously hinted at requesting funds from them—but they had brushed him off.
If they were to release funds, they first needed proof of the Seraphim's effectiveness.
And now, barely three days later, Sengoku was already arriving with ten "children"? The elders murmured among themselves.
"If he says children… he must be referring to the Seraphim, no?" said the long-bearded elder.
"Highly likely. Sengoku did tell us before—the Seraphim take the form of children. Ten of them. By that reasoning, they must be Seraphim without a doubt," the curly-haired elder affirmed.
"But… so soon? Sengoku guaranteed that these machines would far surpass the Pacifistas in combat strength."
"That an eight-year-old brat could create machines stronger than Vegapunk's masterpieces? I still find that hard to believe," muttered the sword-bearing elder, shaking his head.
"Indeed. It sounds far too fantastical. Vegapunk is five hundred years ahead of the world in science. To be surpassed by a child? I refuse to believe it," the blond elder sneered.
"Even so, I know Sengoku's character. If he weren't absolutely certain, he'd never dare show his face before us," said the mustached elder gravely.
"We'll know soon enough once Sengoku arrives," he concluded.
And as they were still in discussion, Sengoku entered with measured steps.
Behind him, lined in neat formation—stood ten Seraphim.
"Honored Five Elders, I greet you!"
"These ten child-form machines behind me are the Seraphim I spoke of before!"
"Please, examine them for yourselves," Sengoku declared, his face radiant with confidence.
It was clear—he was utterly certain of the power of the ten weapons he had brought.