Chapter 8: The World Government's Major Move!

With Roger’s death, Imu’s focus shifted to the agenda for this year’s Reverie, which, in his view, was the most important priority.

Although the things he intended to do would certainly cause a massive uproar and even attract many opponents, he believed the supporters would surely outnumber them. Moreover, this matter had to be done; if it weren't, other things would hold little significance.

To a certain extent, its impact would be no less than the public execution of the Pirate King.

Besides, would opposition even matter?

Who was he?

Imu!

Not to mention that the Marines would support this matter one hundred percent. With that, no one on this planet could stop it from moving forward.

However, the plan still needed more deliberation, so these past few days, in the dead of night, he often sat on the Empty Throne to "hold meetings" with the Five Elders.

At first, those five were startled by his various ideas, but it didn't take long for them to get used to it.

Ultimately, the Five Elders' stance was consistent with Imu’s: to ensure the Celestial Dragons' right to rule over the World Government.

With that premise and bottom line, they could accept anything, no matter how shocking it seemed.

Simply because Imu could see the future, and the Five Elders believed in this deeply!

In the first half of the Grand Line, in the southern sea area of the middle section of Route 5, there was a hidden island that served the underworld. It had no official name, so the pirates who frequented it called it Black Island.

Here, as long as you had enough Berries and treasure, you could buy anything you needed.

Liquor, food, blades, guns, women, even doctors, shipwrights, and intelligence. But there were only two rules: do not attack the service staff, and do not damage the island's buildings. Beyond that, whether you robbed or killed, it didn't matter.

Black Island hadn't actually existed for long—less than two years. At first, these lawless pirates, gangsters, and slave traders completely ignored the island's only two rules.

But about half a year later, after a dozen gangs paid the price of being bloodily wiped out, everyone became well-behaved.

The name of a family and a smiley face emblem were deeply branded into their minds.

Donquixote!

At this moment, although it was late at night, the island was still brightly lit. The cheers, screams, and the occasional cries of agony and wild laughter made the atmosphere here extremely lively. At the harbor, over a dozen pirate ships flying various flags were docked.

However, the regulars who came here often knew very well that compared to a few months ago, there were actually far fewer ships.

Needless to say, it definitely had to do with the public execution of the Pirate King Roger. Oh, and the arrest of the Golden Lion Shiki; it was said that many pirates had chosen to go ashore and return to a normal life.

"Hey, everyone, have you heard? About the great treasure!"

In a bustling tavern, a guy who was clearly drunk grabbed a beer mug with his right hand, his face flushed red as he shouted at the crowd.

As soon as the words "great treasure" appeared, everyone in the tavern subconsciously pricked up their ears. Even the conversations dropped by several decibels, and some people’s gazes focused on him, which made a smug smile appear on the drunkard's face.

"What great treasure?" a pirate sitting at the table to the right tried asking.

"Of course, it's the treasure of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger! Tell me, isn't that big enough!"

"What?!"

This sentence shocked everyone instantly, and the entire atmosphere turned silent in a flash.

At this moment, a burly man over two meters tall, shirtless and carrying a broadsword, slammed his empty wooden mug back onto the table with a bang. He laughed viciously, "Kid, speak clearly. If you tell it well, I'll cover your tab tonight! But if you're just spouting nonsense, heh heh, watch yourself when you go outside!"

"Hahaha, that's great! Give me another one!"

Seeing such a threatening remark, the drunkard showed no fear at all; instead, he shouted happily to the bartender behind the counter.

"Don't forget to put it on his tab!"

"Alright." The bartender nodded expressionlessly.

"Get on with it, tell us! Tell us!" The other pirates began to jeer, but the same fierce-looking burly man slammed his palm on the table again and roared, "Everyone shut the hell up!"

And it worked—all the noise was suppressed for a moment. This made the drunkard nod with great satisfaction, then he cleared his throat with a couple of coughs.

"Ahem, it's like this. Recently, a very interesting piece of news has suddenly spread across the sea. It is said that the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, who completed the circumnavigation of the Grand Line, left all of his immense, heaven-defying wealth on the final island, 'Laugh Tale,' and even gave this treasure a name..."

As he said this, a flash of sobriety flickered in the drunkard's eyes.

"Namely, ONE PIECE!"

Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.

[Knock, knock, knock]

"Come in."

Sengoku pushed the door open and walked in, asking, "Fleet Admiral, did you call for me?"

"Yes, take a look at this. It's an order just transmitted from the Five Elders." Fleet Admiral Kong handed over a piece of paper with a smile on his face.

"Understood, one moment."

Sengoku nodded, took it, and sat on the sofa to read it calmly. There wasn't much content on the paper, so he finished it quickly, but a look of surprise appeared on his face as he looked up at Fleet Admiral Kong.

"Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan are to be promoted to Admiral Candidates? But Borsalino is currently only a Rear Admiral; isn't that inappropriate?"

"That kid will be promoted to Vice Admiral at the same time. After all, he went along for the arrest of Roger," Fleet Admiral Kong explained with a smile, then immediately asked, "Well, what are your thoughts?"

Sengoku pondered for a moment and replied, "Unexpected, yet within reason. As for their strength, aside from Kuzan who still has some room to grow, the other two have already surpassed most Vice Admirals. There is no problem with them being Admiral Candidates, but..."

"But 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, the situation on the sea has improved significantly following Roger's execution, so the demand for Marine Admirals isn't that great."

But as soon as Sengoku finished speaking, he suddenly associated it with a few things and continued, "I was wondering before why the Five Elders specifically requested those three 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 was off.

"But you're wondering why the Five Elders' attitude toward us has changed so drastically, becoming so friendly, right?" Fleet Admiral Kong said.

"Yes."

Sengoku acknowledged this. Having been a Marine Admiral for so many years and possessing the nickname "The Buddha," he had long sensed the World Government's intentional suppression of the Marines.

Often, the promotion of a Marine Admiral wasn't just about having the strength; it mainly depended on the World Government's needs in that regard. Otherwise, they had various ways to suppress you, keeping you stuck as a Vice Admiral or even an Admiral Candidate, unless you performed some great service.

"Hmm, I found that strange at first too, but through my conversations with the Five Elders, I've guessed a few things," Fleet Admiral Kong said while thinking.

"Please tell me."

"I heard that at this year's Reverie, the World Government will be making a big move. Perhaps they are preparing for that. After all, on the surface, there is only one Admiral right now..." Fleet Admiral Kong looked at Sengoku meaningfully.

This book has received a signing notice from the site, a 15,000-word signing notice! Pretty impressive, right? Feel free to add it to your library!

(End of chapter)