Part 1
The room fell into a heavy silence after Fleet Admiral Sengoku spoke. His stern expression softened just a little as he nodded at Ezra.
"Since you have already made your decision," Sengoku said, "your admiral codename will be… Scarlet Ember."
Ezra raised an eyebrow, amused by the name. Scarlet Ember. It carried weight, dignity, and danger. Not bad at all.
Sengoku continued, "The matter of your promotion will be handled officially after Roger's execution. For now, our top priority is ensuring that no pirate has the chance to interfere."
A chorus of firm voices echoed.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
Sengoku's gaze swept across every high-ranking officer in the room. "Good. I want every one of you at your best."
His tone grew sharper as he continued, "Let me assign your positions for the operation."
But before he could speak further, a familiar chime exploded inside Ezra's mind.
A crisp sound echoed through his consciousness.
Ding.
A notification screen unfurled before him like a glowing ribbon.
[System Notice: Temporary Mission Issued!]
[Mission Objective: Execute Gol D. Roger personally!]
[Additional Requirement: After his death, fulfill his final wish and perform a Soul Burial.]
[Note: As the Captain-Commander of the Shinigami, a soul you personally escort must be handled with style and dignity.]
[Reward: Inheritance Progress +10%]
Inheritance progress increased by ten percent.
Ezra's eyes glimmered. That was not a small number. That was massive.
This mission was as good as his.
Sengoku's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Ezra," the Fleet Admiral asked, "as for who will carry out the execution, do you have someone you would recommend?"
Ezra chuckled and lifted a finger, pointing at himself. "Uncle Sengoku, leave it to me."
Every officer in the room froze.
"You… want to be the executioner?" someone asked with disbelief.
Ezra nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Why not?"
Sengoku pressed his fingers against his chin and narrowed his eyes in thought. After a moment, he exhaled slowly.
"Actually… that might not be a bad idea."
He nodded decisively. "Very well. I entrust this to you. Ensure Roger dies without fail."
There was no hatred in his voice. Only the heavy burden of duty. Sengoku could not risk another era of chaos. The last thing he wanted was to hear someday that Roger had miraculously returned to the seas.
Ezra understood all too well. And besides, if Roger did not die, how was he supposed to complete his system mission?
He nodded firmly. "Do not worry, Uncle Sengoku."
The Fleet Admiral gave him an approving look. "I trust your judgment."
With that, Sengoku turned to the others and began assigning tasks.
"Karp, you and I will guard the central square of Loguetown."
"Zephyr will take the northern perimeter."
"Kizaru will guard the south."
"Aokiji will take the east."
"Akainu will stand watch in the west."
Sengoku continued, his tone sharp and commanding. "The twenty-five vice admirals will be divided into five squads. One squad stays in the plaza. The remaining four squads will accompany each of the admirals to their positions."
"Understood!"
"No one is allowed to disrupt the execution," Sengoku emphasized. "This is the most important event of the era. We cannot afford mistakes."
"Understood!"
"Good. Dismissed. Get some rest now. Tomorrow, you move out to your designated locations. The day after… the world will shift."
Everyone saluted, then dispersed from the meeting room.
Ezra stretched his arms, feeling the weight on his shoulders ease the moment Sengoku stepped back into Loguetown. With the Fleet Admiral present, Ezra no longer needed to handle the mountain of paperwork.
He had dumped everything onto Sengoku in a single glorious stack.
For the first time in days, he finally had a moment to breathe.
And the first thing he planned to do with his hard-earned free time?
Visit Hina.
Ahem.
While Loguetown buzzed with tension, preparations, and the oppressive atmosphere of destiny drawing near, far away in the Holy Land of Mariejois, something else was happening.
A sealed envelope arrived under the pale moonlight. Inside was the official list of the Navy's newly appointed admirals.
The First Elder read it first. His eyes flicked rapidly through the contents before knitting together in surprise. He immediately summoned the remaining Four Elders into the chamber.
"What is it, brother? It is the middle of the night," another Elder grumbled, still sounding half-asleep.
Without a word, the First Elder handed them the list.
They scanned it in seconds.
"So? What do you think?" the First Elder asked slowly.
A few seconds passed before one of them sucked in a breath. "This… is actually very reasonable."
"Indeed," another Elder agreed. "Strength, influence, accomplishments, mission performance. All of it lines up."
"And our young master is among them," the third murmured. "Everything checks out."
The First Elder nodded. "It is reasonable, yes. But Ezra becoming an admiral is not a small matter. We should inform Lady Im and let her decide."
The others instantly understood.
An admiral was not the same as a vice admiral. The Five Elders could not casually promote someone to that level on their own authority. Admirals represented the absolute face of the Marines and, by extension, the World Government.
Three admirals. That was all.
Their presence alone could shake the balance of the world.
The Elders nodded in agreement and moved as one toward the highest chamber of Pangaea Castle.
But dawn was still hours away. They could only kneel outside Lady Im's sealed door in absolute silence as the world slept.
When the first trace of sunlight kissed the horizon, the First Elder knocked.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
"Lady Im, we have urgent matters to report. It concerns Ezra."
A cold yet ethereal voice drifted from within. "Enter."
The Five Elders straightened their robes and entered the chamber. The moment they stepped inside, they knelt in unison before the quiet figure on the throne.
"What has happened to Ezra?" Lady Im asked calmly.
The Elders relayed everything. Every detail, every decision, every implication.
Lady Im sat perfectly still. Her slender fingers tapped gently on the armrest. Her crimson eyes gleamed with thought. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, an expression beautiful enough to steal breath.
"Very well," she said softly. "Let Ezra become an admiral."
One Elder quickly added, "After his promotion, he should appear in Mariejois to officially report."
Lady Im's smile widened ever so slightly.
"He will come. Arrange it accordingly. I will see him."
The Elders nearly trembled with understanding. Lady Im wanted to meet him personally.
"Yes, Lady Im. We will make arrangements immediately."
"Go," she commanded lightly. "Do not disappoint me."
"Yes, Lady Im."
They bowed deeply, then retreated from the chamber.
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