"You don't need to know the origins of the Stargate."
"Just understand that the matters concerning the Stargate and the New World are real. Whether it's the Kabane Virus, the national map of the Land of the Rising Sun, or the cities referred to as 'Stations' by that world's people—your documents contain clear photographs and explanations."
"As for on-site investigations, arrangements can be made later for you to visit."
"Especially you, Tsuru. You must have seen Dr. Fritz's request for technical support in the documents, so you'll need to head to the Stag Base in the Kabane World as soon as possible to assist the Biochemical Research Institute in their study of the Kabane Virus."
Hearing Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's uncompromising command, Tsuru felt a storm of emotions—shock still lingering—but she calmly nodded. "Understood. I was just thinking of seeing this so-called New World for myself."
"We'll pass for now. The Navy has too much on its plate. We'll visit another time."
Kong and Sengoku exchanged a glance, silently agreeing before the former voiced their decision.
"I, however, would like to see it for myself."
Truth be told, as the Commander-in-Chief, Lemoncheese had long been aware of the Kabane World.
As previously mentioned, the Army currently had no Marshal or Admirals, so his usual duties revolved around handling Army affairs.
With newly promoted Army Vice Admirals Bullet and Crocodile having fought in the New World for days now, it was impossible for him, as the supreme commander, not to know.
But knowing was one thing—he had never actually been there himself. Naturally, curiosity gnawed at him, and he wanted to accompany Tsuru to experience the air of another world.
"I have no interest in it. My duty is to safeguard the Holy Land. Unless under special circumstances, I cannot leave!" Emori stated flatly.
The recent incident of Rayleigh's unauthorized intrusion had already infuriated him. Afterward, he had purged all the Holy Land Garrison troops responsible for guarding or patrolling the first half of the Grand Line.
What humiliated him most was that Cipher Pol agents had begun taking shifts patrolling both inside and outside the Holy Land.
Before this, these agents had only served as personal bodyguards for the Celestial Dragons—security and patrols in Mary Geoise had never been their responsibility.
Little did Commander Emori know, these CP members, whom he saw as power-grabbers, were secretly cursing the Holy Land Garrison as useless.
Even with rotating shifts, maintaining Observation Haki during daily patrols was mentally exhausting. When had these elite black-suited agents ever done such menial labor?
All because those fools in shoddy armor were utterly incompetent!
"Very well. You're now informed about the Stargate World. Orders will be issued when necessary. The Navy should continue focusing on its own affairs."
"As you've seen, the Stargate's width and height are insufficient for warships to pass through, so the Navy won't be needed for the time being."
Kong, Sengoku, and the others naturally had no objections to Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's words. But with their political acumen, they could sense the shifting 'winds.'
The Army was the pig standing at the Stargate's forefront—clearly poised to receive the World Government's full support.
Meanwhile, the Navy could only watch helplessly as the Army moved freely in and out of the New World, which was utterly frustrating.
"Now, let's move on to the main topic of this meeting—the restructuring of the departments under the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government!" Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's tone grew even more solemn and grave.
At these words, the expressions of everyone present turned serious.
"Finally, it's the military's turn!"
This was the shared thought running through the minds of Kong, Lemoncheese, Emori, Sengoku, Tsuru, and the others. They had already noticed internal restructuring within the Government Affairs Office, the Court of Justice, and the Administration Council—only Cipher Pol remained unchanged. So, they had long anticipated this day.
As for Sakazuki, he simply didn't care about any of this and merely listened in silence.
"This restructuring will begin with the reorganization of departments. Completing it thoroughly will not happen overnight."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro was making it clear that the military's restructuring would not be rushed—they should remain patient.
"First, the departments directly under the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government will be divided into the Command Headquarters, the General Staff Headquarters, and the Military Administration Headquarters. The heads of each department will be granted the rank of General."
"The Command Headquarters will oversee the headquarters of each military branch. The Fleet Admirals and Admirals of each branch will automatically be assigned as members of the Command Headquarters. In joint operations involving multiple branches, the head of the Command Headquarters will serve as the supreme commander."
Upon hearing these two points, Lemoncheese reacted noticeably, but he waited until Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro finished speaking before asking, "Then what about the position of Commander-in-Chief…?"
"The position of Commander-in-Chief will be abolished!" the latter stated impassively.
Lemoncheese's heart sank, his expression darkening. However, he consoled himself with the thought that he might simply be transitioning from Commander-in-Chief to head of the Command Headquarters.
After all, the two titles sounded similar enough. If that were the case, it would be acceptable.
"Additionally, we will establish the positions of Army Fleet Admiral and three Army Admirals. Furthermore, the Holy Land Garrison will be transferred from the jurisdiction of the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government to the Grand Stewards' Office, which is directly under the Supreme Executive Committee!"
At first, Sengoku and the others had no particular reaction to the first part—it didn't seem to affect them much, aside from a change in their superiors' titles.
But when the next part was announced, the Navy representatives frowned.
Still, given what they now knew about the Stargate World, it made sense for the Army to have its own Fleet Admiral and Admirals—even if it didn't sit well with them.
Kong, Sengoku, Tsuru, and Sakazuki, however, were curious—where would the World Government find four Admiral-level combatants?
"Excellent!" exclaimed Emori, the commander of the Holy Land Garrison, overjoyed.
What was the Supreme Executive Committee?
The Chamber of Authority was its official name, and the Five Elders were its highest-ranking members. The Grand Stewards' Office was directly subordinate to the Supreme Executive Committee.
Its affiliated departments were the Holy Land Treasury and the Sacred Affairs Office, which handled the daily needs of the Celestial Dragons—one managed the treasury, while the other served as their personal attendants.
In Emori's view, the Holy Land Garrison belonged under the Grand Stewards' Office. They were the Celestial Dragons' personal guard—how could they be lumped together with the Navy and the Army?
Beneath their dignity!
"No wonder the General said earlier that this restructuring wouldn't substantially affect us. That's indeed the case," Emori thought with great joy in his heart.
"The General Staff Department will be responsible for liaison between the three armed forces, logistics, equipment support and procurement, as well as the allocation of military funds. Its subordinate departments will be the First Staff Division, Second Staff Division, and Third Staff Division, with division commanders granted the rank of Vice Admiral!"
When Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke these words, all eyes in the room turned to Tsuru. Tsuru herself suddenly understood everything, finally realizing why she had been summoned here.
Because she was about to be promoted to the rank of General, which naturally qualified her to attend such meetings.
However, this meant she would have to leave Marine Headquarters, which made her somewhat sad as it was where she had spent most of her life.
Yet Tsuru's eyes glanced sideways at Sakazuki, who remained completely expressionless, and she thought to herself: "Could it be that he too..."