Since the Five Elders believed he had "surrendered," Finn saw no reason to disrupt that useful illusion.
As soon as he entered, he took in the scene with a practiced glance. Five men sat in different positions around the room, all watching him with varying degrees of interest.
Finn snapped to attention immediately, delivering a crisp military salute. "Admiral of Marine Headquarters, Rodriguez Finn, reporting to the Five Elders!"
Just as he'd expected, the Elders had summoned him to win over the Marines, which meant they had no intention of making things difficult for him.
Sure enough, after his formal greeting, all five men smiled.
"At ease, Admiral." Saint Saturn gestured welcomingly. "We have always appreciated and admired capable individuals. You, Finn, are precisely such a person. Please, have a seat."
Saint Peter glanced at Stussy and gave her a subtle nod. She returned it with perfect understanding. Her mission had been to deliver Finn, nothing more.
Stussy turned and left without a word, closing the door quietly behind her. The moment the latch clicked, a flash of disdain crossed the Queen's elegant features.
"Just as you said, Finn," she murmured to herself as she walked away. "CP will never match your Marines. You're soldiers, tigers... while we're just watchdogs."
According to the administrative hierarchy, her status and Finn's were supposedly similar within the World Government. But the Five Elders could be gracious to Finn while sometimes refusing to even speak to her.
The gap was already obvious.
"But that's fine this way." Stussy's smile returned as she disappeared down the corridor.
Inside the room, Finn displayed neither excessive humility nor arrogance. When the Five Elders invited him to sit, he settled onto the sofa without hesitation.
The Elders' expressions didn't change. They continued smiling.
"Finn, you've been an Admiral for..." Saint Saturn began.
"Seven years," Finn said calmly. "This is the seventh year."
He'd been promoted to Admiral of Marine Headquarters in Sea Circle Calendar 1503. Now it was 1510. Seven years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Saint Saturn seemed momentarily reflective. He smiled. "Yes, seven years really does fly by. We haven't summoned you during all that time. You don't harbor any resentment, do you?"
Finn shook his head. "It would be dishonest to say I felt nothing. However, Admiral Sengoku reprimanded me when I mentioned it. He said that as long as I performed my duties well, the Five Elders would eventually recognize my suitability for the position. When that time came, you would call for me and acknowledge me properly." He paused, meeting their eyes. "Now it seems I've waited for that day. So naturally, I have no complaints. I'm honored that it only took seven years for the Five Elders to truly know me."
Finn's words showed proper respect to the Elders while sounding entirely sincere. They also gave credit to Admiral Sengoku, strengthening that connection.
The Five Elders looked genuinely pleased.
See? Although our relationship with the Marines has been somewhat tense in recent years, we're still a family that has worked together for hundreds of years. Any conflicts are internal, which is perfectly normal. With an organization this large, how could there not be internal disputes? But conflicts are still just conflicts. Both sides remain unified at the core.
Seeing Finn being so understanding, the Elders felt even better.
"Actually, we were in the wrong on this matter," Saint Saturn admitted. "You understand, of course, that you became Admiral when your Marines had contradictions and conflicts with our World Government over the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan. We were... uncomfortable that you took the position during that turbulent time. But looking back now, it seems we were being petty, lacking the magnanimity expected of us. We caused you to suffer unjustly. The Warlord system did damage the Marines' interests, but in the final analysis, your Marines are our own people, aren't we all?"
These words made Finn reassess the Five Elders slightly. They were willing to frankly admit they'd been "wrong," whether to appease him or not, their attitude had softened considerably.
It showed that the Five Elders were capable of taking responsibility and letting go of grudges.
They weren't as foolish as some might imagine.
"You're too kind, my lords." Finn inclined his head respectfully. "As you've said, our Marines and the World Government are two sides of the same coin. There may be conflicts and disagreements, but we are all defenders of order. We cannot do without each other."
"Very good. Defenders of order." Saint Peter's eyes gleamed with approval.
This was far more effective than Finn spouting platitudes about justice. The World Government didn't particularly care about abstract concepts of justice anyway.
The conversation continued in this vein for a while, both sides exchanging pleasantries. The meeting grew smoother, the initial awkwardness fading entirely.
In truth, the Five Elders had no serious business to discuss with Finn. They simply wanted to make contact, show goodwill, and draw him closer. That was enough.
For his part, Finn had come with the intention of meeting Stussy afterwards anyway. He'd had no plans to discuss serious matters with the Elders.
What's more, he suspected he and the Five Elders could never truly discuss serious matters, not with their fundamentally opposed interests.
However, the Elders soon shifted to asking questions.
"Come to think of it," Saint Peter said, "not long after you joined the Marines, we heard you were quite intelligent and strategic. You made significant contributions regarding the Roger Pirates. But after that, we gradually... drifted apart."
Finn nodded but didn't speak.
That was true enough. He'd heard the Elders had a favorable impression of him early on, before everything fell apart.
"You've always been both brave and resourceful," Saint Saturn continued. "We have a few questions and would like to consult you, to see if you have any insights."
"Please ask, my lords." Finn's expression turned serious.
"Well, there are two major problems in the world today. The first is piracy. But your Marines are experts in that field. I think you've done excellent work in recent years, so there's no need to press that issue. The second is the Revolutionary Army." Saint Saturn's gaze sharpened. "You're aware of what happened in Mary Geoise, correct?"
"Yes, I've learned the details." Finn maintained his military bearing.
Of course I know. You wouldn't believe it if I told you I planned the whole thing!
"We don't have questions about pursuing the Revolutionary Army, nor about the arson case in Mary Geoise itself. Finn, what we want to ask you is this: if you were in our position, is there any way to completely solve the Revolutionary Army problem?"
"Yes," Finn answered without hesitation.
His immediate, confident response surprised the Five Elders.
They'd been asking casually, with the mentality of trying their luck.
And he actually said yes?
"Finn, the Revolutionary Army problem isn't simple," Saint Peter said seriously. "Think carefully. In recent years, we've increased our efforts to suppress the Revolutionary Army, yet they've only grown stronger. Do you truly have a solution?"
"Yes," Finn repeated, his voice firm.
"Explain," Saint Warcury demanded, his expression intense.
"I was a close friend of Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army." Finn stated this first, watching surprise flash through the Elders' eyes.
This might be true, but at this stage, no one in the World Government wanted any association with Dragon, much less would dare mention such a connection in front of the Five Elders.
Before they could question him, Finn continued. "Therefore, I'm quite familiar with Dragon's ideology and concepts. Furthermore, I've observed the Revolutionary Army over the years. I do have some insights."
The Five Elders were too intrigued by his claim to dwell on his bluntness. "What are your thoughts?" Saint Saturn asked.
"The Revolutionary Army's breeding ground is actually provided by us," Finn said gravely.
"What do you mean?" Saint Saturn pressed.
"I believe that if the World Government wants to completely disintegrate, collapse, and eliminate the Revolutionary Army, it must focus on two fundamental issues." Finn's tone was serious, measured.
"Which two issues?" Saint Peter leaned forward expectantly.
Could there actually be an unexpected gain from this meeting?
"First, severely address the corruption problem within the World Government. Clean up the internal atmosphere. Appoint people who are capable of accomplishing tasks, rather than those who engage in corruption, as officials." Finn didn't hesitate. "Second, resolve the fundamental conflict between the interests of the nobility and the interests of the general populace. Ease these class contradictions. Provide the people with a more stable living environment."
He paused briefly, then added, "As far as I know, the Revolutionary Army's development strategy is clearly based on mobilizing the masses, not the aristocracy. They've been rallying the common people to oppose our World Government. So why are they able to mobilize the people? Because many cannot survive under the jurisdiction of our World Government. As long as this problem is solved, the Revolutionary Army's foundation will be destroyed. Without that base, they'll no longer be a formidable opponent."
The Five Elders all stared at Finn with strange expressions.
Did what Finn said make sense?
Yes. Perfect sense. Of course, if they solved the problems of the general populace, the Revolutionary Army couldn't manipulate public sentiment and couldn't cause significant trouble.
After all, if everyone had enough to eat and lived happily, who would risk their neck joining a rebellion? The only reason people joined was because if they didn't rebel, they couldn't survive anyway.
Only a few members of the Revolutionary Army truly had lofty ideals and ambitions. Most had joined because they had no other choice for survival.
But...
Finn's theory was too lofty, too impractical, with no real operational meaning.
Of course they knew that solving those two issues would resolve the Revolutionary Army problem.
But they couldn't do it!
They'd wanted to ask if he had any simpler methods!
And he'd said this...
However, the Five Elders couldn't deny anything at this point. After all, Finn was clearly being "loyal." Who else would dare speak such words that directly criticized the World Government's corruption and the nobility's incompetence?
Of course, only a loyal and steadfast minister could say such things. Those sycophants who deceived their superiors and subordinates, who only knew how to flatter, would never dare speak like this in front of the Five Elders.
So even though what Finn said was too "lofty," too unrealistic, too abstract...
The Five Elders' impression of Finn actually improved. At least this man dared to face problems head-on, dared to raise difficult questions, and dared to speak such "treasonous" words to their faces.
As the ones steering the ship, they certainly didn't want the World Government filled with people who just wanted comfortable positions and steady paychecks. Of course they hoped for more capable, upright, and loyal people like Finn.
Therefore, after Finn's speech, they trusted him a little more.
And that was exactly why Finn had made those seemingly useless but impressive-sounding remarks.
To put it simply, he was establishing his character in the Five Elders' eyes. Look, I, Admiral Rodriguez Finn, am an upright Marine who doesn't tolerate corruption, who speaks his mind, and who isn't afraid of offending anyone!
Once this persona was established, it would be much easier for him to maneuver in the future.