Chapter 8: The World Government's Big Move!
With Roger's death, Imu's thoughts shifted to the agenda of this year's World Conference. In his opinion, this was the most important thing.
Although what he was about to do would definitely cause a huge uproar, and even many opponents would emerge, he believed that there would definitely be more supporters. Moreover, this matter had to be done. If it wasn't done, then other things would be of little significance.
To a certain extent, its impact would not be smaller than the Public Execution of the Pirate King.
Besides, would opposition be useful? Who was he? Imu!
Not to mention this matter, the Navy group would 100% support it. In this way, no one on this Planet could stop the promotion of this matter.
It's just that the plan still needed more consideration, so these days he often sat on the Empty Throne late at night and 'held meetings' with the Five Elders.
At first, these five people were still startled by his various ideas, but before long, they got used to it.
In the end, the Five Elders' position was consistent with his, Imu's, which was to ensure the Celestial Dragons' ruling power over the World Government.
With this premise and bottom line, no matter how astonishing things seemed, they could accept them.
Just because he, Imu, could see the future, and the Five Elders deeply believed this!
In the first half of the Grand Line, in the Southern Sea in the middle of Route 5, there was hidden a Small Island that specialized in serving the underworld. It didn't have an official name, so the Pirates who came and went called it Black Island.
Here, as long as you had enough Belly and Treasure, you could buy everything you needed.
Alcohol, food, Weapons, Women, even Doctors, Shipwrights, Intelligence, but there were only two rules here: no attacking service personnel, and no destroying Buildings on the island. Apart from that, robbery or murder, do as you please.
This Black Island had not actually appeared for long, only less than two years. At first, these lawless Pirates, Gangs, and slave traders completely disregarded the only two rules on the island.
But about half a year later, after more than a dozen gangs paid the price of bloody annihilation, everyone became honest.
The name of a Family and a Smiley Face Symbol were deeply imprinted in their minds. Donquixote!
At this time, although it was already late at night, the island was still brightly lit. Cheers, screams, and occasional screams and wild laughter interspersed within, made the Atmosphere here extremely lively. At the Port, there were more than a dozen Sea Ships anchored, flying various Flags.
However, the old-timers who often came here knew very well that compared to the previous months, there were actually much fewer ships here.
Needless to say, it must be related to the Public Execution of Pirate King Roger. Oh right, and 'Golden Lion' Shiki's arrest. It was said that many Pirates chose to go ashore and return to ordinary life.
"Hey, everyone, have you heard about the Great Treasure!"
Inside a lively tavern, a guy who was obviously drunk, holding a beer mug in his right hand, shouted loudly at everyone, his face flushed red.
When the words Great Treasure appeared, everyone in the tavern subconsciously perked up their Ears. Even the talking voices lowered by several decibels, and some people's Gazes focused over, which made the drunkard's face show a smug smile.
"What Great Treasure?" A Pirate sitting at the table on the right tried to ask.
"Of course it's Pirate King Gol D. Roger's Treasure! Do you think it's big or not!"
"What?!"
This sentence immediately shocked everyone, and the entire Atmosphere instantly became silent.
At this moment, a burly man over two meters tall, bare-chested and carrying a sword, slammed the empty wooden mug in his hand heavily back onto the table, and said fiercely, "Kid, speak clearly. If you speak well, I'll cover your drinks tonight! But if you talk a bunch of nonsense, hmph, be careful when you go out!"
"Hahaha, that's great! Give me another drink!"
Seeing that the drunkard heard such threatening words, he was not afraid at all, but instead shouted happily towards the bartender inside the bar.
"Don't forget to put it on his tab!"
"Okay." The bartender nodded expressionlessly.
"You should talk now, hurry up! Hurry up!" The other Pirates began to clamor, but then the fierce-looking burly man slammed the table again and roared, "All of you shut up for me!"
It really worked, all the noise was suppressed for a moment, which made the drunkard nod in satisfaction, and then cough twice to clear his throat.
"Ahem, ahem, the thing is, recently a very interesting piece of news has suddenly spread on the sea. It is said that Pirate King Gol D. Roger, who completed a circumnavigation of the Grand Line, has placed all of his immense Treasure accumulated throughout his life on the Final Island 'Laugh Tale', and even gave these treasures a name..."
Speaking of this, a hint of clarity flashed in the drunkard's eyes.
"Namely, One Piece!"
Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Marshal Office.
Knock, knock, knock
"Come in."
Sengoku pushed open the Room Door and walked in, asking, "Fleet Admiral, you were looking for me?"
"Yes, take a look at this. It's an Order just conveyed from the Five Elders." Fleet Admiral Kong handed over a piece of Paper with a smile on his face.
"Okay, please wait a moment."
Sengoku nodded, took it, and then sat on the Sofa and calmly read it. The content on the Paper was not much, so he finished reading it quickly, but a hint of surprise appeared on his face, and he raised his head to look at Fleet Admiral Kong.
"Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan promoted to Admiral Candidate? But Borsalino is only a Rear Admiral now, isn't that inappropriate?"
"That kid will be promoted to Vice Admiral at the same time. After all, he also went along for the arrest of Roger this time." Fleet Admiral Kong explained with a smile, and then asked,
"What do you think?"
Sengoku pondered for a moment and replied, "Unexpected, but reasonable. Among the three of them, except for Kuzan who is still somewhat lacking, the other two have already surpassed most Vice Admirals. There's no problem with them being Admiral Candidates, but..."
"Just that 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 Sea Situation now, with Roger's execution, has greatly improved, and the demand for Navy Admirals is not that great."
But as soon as Sengoku finished speaking, he suddenly thought of something and continued, "Before, I was still wondering why the Five Elders specifically requested to bring these three along for the mission to capture Roger. It turns out it was to prepare them for their upcoming promotion to Admiral, but..."
He hesitated again, feeling that something was wrong.
"But why has the Five Elders' Attitude towards us changed so much, becoming so friendly, right?" Fleet Admiral Kong said.
"Yes."
Sengoku admitted this point. Having been a Navy Admiral for so many years, and also having the nickname 'Strategist', he had long noticed the World Government's deliberate suppression of their Navy.
Many times, the promotion of a Navy Admiral is not just about reaching the required Strength. The most important thing is to see the World Government's needs in this regard. Otherwise, there are various ways to suppress you, keeping you as a Vice Admiral or even an Admiral Candidate, unless you make some great merit.
"Yes, I was also very strange about this at first, but through talking with the Five Elders, I have roughly guessed something." Fleet Admiral Kong said while thinking.
"Please tell me."
"I heard that there will be a big move from the World Government at this year's World Conference. Perhaps it's to prepare for this. After all, there is only you as an Admiral on the surface right now..." Fleet Admiral Kong looked at Sengoku meaningfully.
(End of Chapter)