Sengoku spoke in a deep voice.
"When I go to Mary Geoise to report this time, I'll probably be stepping down as Fleet Admiral."
Whitebeard had been killed, yes, but Ace escaping was also an undeniable fact.
Worse still, it had been a live broadcast public execution, and Ace's lineage had been announced to the whole world.
That kind of mess wasn't something anyone else could shoulder. Only the Fleet Admiral himself could take the fall.
"When the time comes, I'll recommend Aokiji to succeed me as Fleet Admiral. You should start looking for candidates for the new Admiral positions now."
Tsuru's eyes flickered as she smiled faintly.
"Sounds like you already have someone in mind."
Sengoku chuckled.
Old partners really did understand each other at a glance.
Both of them then turned their eyes toward Garp.
Garp had been listening in a half-asleep daze. When he noticed their stares, he jolted upright and waved his hands wildly.
"Hey, hey, not me! I didn't become an Admiral back then, so there's no way I'd do it now!"
Sengoku rolled his eyes so hard he nearly saw his own brain.
"I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about your subordinate, Sōsuke Aizen."
Otherwise, why did you think you were even here?
When had strategic discussions ever required your brain?
Wasn't it precisely because Aizen was your subordinate?
His strength was unquestionable. In his fight with Soifon, he had clearly demonstrated Admiral-level combat power.
His day-to-day work ability was also outstanding.
Unlike the current three Admirals… two chronic slackers and one stubborn blockhead.
Sōsuke Aizen was practically the perfect Admiral candidate.
"Ahahaha… him, huh."
Garp scratched his head awkwardly.
"Strength-wise, he's definitely qualified. But his background… the Five Elders probably won't agree."
After all, Aizen originated from the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire.
The Five Elders wouldn't feel at ease.
"I'll handle that," Sengoku said calmly. "You don't need to worry."
He already had a rough plan in mind.
"Well, as long as you're fine with it, I won't object," Garp said, waving his hand lazily before humming a tune and strolling out of the office.
Both of his grandsons had made it off the battlefield safely.
Garp's mood right now was beyond good.
He was just a little curious about where Kuma had sent Luffy flying.
As the Marines cleaned up the battlefield, Sengoku headed straight for Mary Geoise to meet the Five Elders.
The transition between old and new leadership in the Navy had to be settled as soon as possible.
Otherwise, when the next wave of chaos hit, an unprepared Navy would suffer badly.
"Sengoku! This Paramount War was a strategic failure. You bear full responsibility!"
The moment he stepped into the Chamber of Pangaea, the Five Elders rebuked him directly.
Sengoku had expected this and answered plainly.
"I will resign to take responsibility. However, I hope you will first hear my views on the next Fleet Admiral candidate."
Because Sengoku had always been obedient, the Five Elders were willing to give him this much face.
"Go on. Who do you recommend?"
"I recommend Aokiji as the next Fleet Admiral. And Sōsuke Aizen to take over Aokiji's Admiral position."
Aokiji, huh.
The Five Elders' expressions didn't change, but inwardly they weren't particularly convinced.
To them, the Navy was nothing more than a tool for ruling the world.
The Fleet Admiral should be an obedient tool.
From that perspective, Akainu was clearly more suitable than Aokiji.
"We will consider the Fleet Admiral position," Topman Warcury said flatly.
"As for your suggestion that Sōsuke Aizen become an Admiral, I'm afraid that won't do."
"He was once a high-ranking figure of the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire. We can't casually allow him into the upper ranks of the Navy."
Sengoku had long anticipated this.
"Before coming here, I already spoke with Aizen. He's willing to cooperate with the World Government in researching the power systems of the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire, as long as the World Government truly accepts him."
"Oh?"
The Five Elders showed clear surprise.
They had long wanted to take Sōsuke Aizen away for research.
They were extremely interested in those mysterious powers the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire possessed.
It was just that Aizen had Admiral-level strength, making it difficult to seize him by force.
They hadn't expected him to voluntarily offer such a pledge of loyalty.
Jaygarcia Saturn spoke up.
"If Aizen is truly loyal to the World Government, then let him serve as a Vice Admiral for now. As for Admiral, that will depend on his future performance."
Sengoku understood that this couldn't be rushed. He nodded and took his leave.
Once Sengoku left, the atmosphere among the Five Elders immediately shifted.
Jaygarcia Saturn slammed the table, roaring in anger.
"Hmph! This Aizen actually dares to covet an Admiral position? Utter delusion!"
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said coldly.
"This is a man born with rebellion in his bones. On the battlefield, he openly declared that no one is born standing above the heavens. Where does that place the Celestial Dragons?"
"Because of those words, dissatisfaction toward the Celestial Dragons has resurfaced."
"If he becomes an Admiral, who knows if he'll rebel again?"
Shepherd Ju Peter followed up calmly.
"Everyone in this world has their place. Once someone steps outside it, chaos follows. People like Aizen, who dream of flying into the heavens, should be dealt with immediately."
"Sengoku speaking up for such a man means the Navy itself needs to be put in line."
Topman Warcury asked,
"And how do you plan to do that?"
Ju Peter replied indifferently.
"They want Aokiji as Fleet Admiral, right? Then we'll appoint Akainu."
"The Navy doesn't need its own thoughts. It just needs to follow orders."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
...
"As for Aizen, send him to Vegapunk. Once the nature of the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire's power is fully understood, dispose of him. Brainwash him into a weapon or erase him completely. Either is fine."
Not long after, the official appointment for the Fleet Admiral position was announced.
When Sengoku saw the name Sakazuki shining on the document, he slammed his palm down and shattered the desk in front of him.
"Those old bastards! What the hell are they trying to do? Start a civil war inside the Navy?"
Aokiji had widespread support within the Navy, with Sengoku personally backing him.
Most Marines had expected him to become Fleet Admiral.
Instead, the Five Elders chose the more obedient Akainu.
In an instant, the two became the center of a storm.
Their respective factions now viewed each other with hostility, and friction erupted constantly over the following days.
At the same time, Sōsuke Aizen received his promotion order and transfer notice.
He was being assigned to the Science Division to cooperate with the World Government's chief scientist, Vegapunk, in researching Shinigami power.
Watching the unrest outside, Aizen's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
Why had he engaged Oguro in such a sharp, public ideological clash during the Paramount War?
Did you think it was just to reinforce a "traitor" persona?
Too shallow.
He had been planting seeds in everyone's hearts.
Seeds that would one day completely overturn the Celestial Dragon system.
For now…
Let the bullet fly a little longer.
***
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