next day
Having graduated from military academy, taken off her student uniform, and put on a pink sleeveless open-chest top and black hip-length shorts, Gion, wearing a Justice Coat, arrived at Rosen's house early and brought him some news.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku wants me to attend a meeting?"
Rosen was not surprised to hear the news from Gion.
He personally killed one of the Four Emperors who reigned supreme in the New World like an emperor, and not just any of the Ochoku Pirates, but the one who wiped out the entire crew.
The occurrence of such an event would cause a huge uproar around the world.
Moreover, the death of one of the Four Emperors means that the balance of power among the three major forces that the Five Elders painstakingly built up, even at the cost of trampling on the Navy's justice and establishing the Shichibukai system, has completely collapsed.
If one of the Shichibukai dies, another can be found.
But the Four Emperors are different.
Since the beginning of the Great Pirate Era and the creation of the title of the Four Emperors, there has basically never been a case of one of the Four Emperors being defeated.
Not to mention the Ochoku Pirates, who were all killed.
The balance has been broken.
The tide of the Great Pirate Era is growing ever stronger.
The new world has sparked a new round of fierce competition among powerful figures vying for the title and territory of the Four Emperors; this is inevitable and cannot be changed.
Just as Monet once said.
Unless the Great Pirate Era ends, the Four Emperors can only be defeated or killed, but never completely eliminated.
When the old emperor falls, a new emperor will inevitably rise.
This is the Great Pirate Era.
That's why.
Rosen could easily imagine the situation Sengoku was in at that time.
He was both overjoyed at the fall of one of the Four Emperors and distressed by the disruption of the balance of power.
It's inevitable that they'll invite him to a meeting.
If it weren't for the fact that he had just returned from wiping out the Ochoku Pirates yesterday and would inevitably be exhausted, he would have already been called to a meeting by Sengoku after the graduation ceremony.
"Yes."
"And it's the highest-level meeting at headquarters."
Gion's voice paused:
"Not just you, but every single Marine officer and above in the headquarters was present at this meeting."
"From what Sister He said, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had already discussed this with Admiral Kizaru, Admiral Aokiji, and Director Black Horse yesterday afternoon, which led to today's meeting."
"However, I don't know the specifics either; Sister He didn't tell me."
A glint of red light flashed in her eyes before she continued speaking.
Although this is the living quarters for Admiral-level officers, Rosen's neighbors are either Sakazuki, who is stationed in the New World year-round, or Borsalino, who guards the Marine Headquarters.
However, Gion still developed a cautious habit, and whenever important matters were discussed, she would always use her Observation Haki to sense the surrounding situation first.
After all, spies exist in the world of One Piece, and there is no shortage of various eavesdropping methods and abilities.
"It doesn't matter."
You'll find out soon enough.
"Let's go, Gion."
Rosen put on the Justice Coat from the hanger, and then he and Gion left the villa and headed towards the Marine Building.
To facilitate commuting for officers of Admiral rank and above.
His address was not far from the Navy Headquarters; even walking, at an average walking speed, would take only half an hour to reach it.
"Rear Admiral Rosen."
"Please come in."
at this time.
Two lieutenant Admirals from headquarters were stationed at the entrance to the conference room.
As soon as the two saw Rosen and Gion approaching, they saluted and then opened the tightly closed conference room door.
Although they were of higher rank than Rosen, they both knew that this was only temporary.
In terms of both real power and strength, he was simply not on the same level as Rosen.
That's why.
Both of them placed themselves in a subordinate position, treating Rosen as if he were facing a Navy Admiral.
No.
He should be a Fleet Admiral.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"The two of you."
Rosen glanced at the two men guarding the door.
As a lieutenant Admiral in the headquarters, all I could do upon arrival was stand guard at the entrance.
This alone showed him the importance of the meeting.
According to military rank, Gion was only a Captain and was not qualified to attend such a meeting; he could only stand at the door and wait.
However, after graduation, she was awarded the rank of Captain by the headquarters and appointed as Rosen's deputy.
Yes.
With his former right-hand men, Doll and Douglas Bullet, both holding important positions, Sengoku believed that Gion was the most suitable person to serve as Rosen's deputy.
Whether in terms of credibility, strength, or magnanimity, they are impeccable.
That's why.
As Rosen's adjutant, Gion was also granted the exceptional right to enter the highest conference room and to observe the highest meetings.
"Good morning."
"Gentlemen."
As Rosen entered the conference room, the first thing he saw was a large round table surrounded by seven chairs.
Except for one empty chair, all six other chairs are already occupied.
From left to right.
They are Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Borsalino, Admiral Kuzan, Director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau Victor Seiji, Chief Instructor of the Military Academy Zephyr, and Chief of Staff Tsuru.
Besides that,
Not far away, there were two screens with video calls enabled.
One of the screens projected images of Admiral Sakazuki and the hero Garp.
Obviously.
Although one of them was in East Blue and the other was in the G-1 Branch in the New World, they still participated in the meeting remotely via video call.
That's exactly what Gion said.
All high-ranking officers of the Navy Headquarters, whether or not they were in Marineford, attended the meeting in various ways.
As for the other screen...
That was somewhat unexpected.
The video feed showed five figures.
The supreme ruler of the world government.
The Five Elders.
They also attended the meeting.
"Rosen."
Upon Rosen's arrival, the high-ranking Marine officers in the conference room showed no impatience whatsoever while waiting for him.
In terms of rank, Rosen was arguably the lowest-ranking officer in this conference room, second only to his deputy, Gion.
Similarly, in terms of age and seniority, he is also the youngest.
From the highest-ranking Fleet Admiral to the lowest-ranking officer, from the chief of staff to the chief instructor, all these Marine officers, whose ranks and seniority were far greater than his, were all willingly sitting here, quietly waiting for Rosen's arrival.
As for the Five Elders.
All the Marine personnel sitting in this office, including Garp in East Blue and Sakazuki in the New World, reached a consensus without exchanging any words or glances.
What Five Elders?
Today is the Navy's business.
They only have the right to listen and speak, but not the right to veto.
"Excuse me."
"I think I'm late."
Ignoring the Five Elders, Rosen, after seeing that everyone from headquarters had already arrived, apologized to Sengoku, Zephyr, Borsalino, and the others before walking toward the only empty chair.
"You're not late."
"We just arrived early."
"Because some things still need to be discussed, Gion will inform you only after there is a clear result."
Sengoku shook his head and began to explain.
"Is it because of Ochoku?"
The Observation Haki possesses the ability to read the thoughts and memories of every breath around the clock, but this ability has been shut down by Rosen.
After all, having a flood of memories and thoughts rushing into your mind every moment is a nightmare for anyone.
Therefore, unless there is hostility, murderous intent, intense emotional fluctuations, or an unfamiliar aura entering the perception range, the Observation Haki will not actively warn him.
Without actively trying to understand Sengoku and the others' thoughts, Rosen was also unaware of the reason why Sengoku had convened this meeting.
"It has nothing to do with Ochoku, but it all has to do with you."
After Rosen took his seat, Sengoku didn't mince words and went straight to the point:
"There are two main reasons for holding this meeting."
"First, the proposal to confer upon you the rank of Admiral."
"Second, the proposal for the ceremony of conferring the rank of admiral."
He made some startling remarks, dropping two bombshells.
...
Advance chapters (30+ stockpiled) are waiting on P@treon/Ren_Saga
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