"Now."
"The proposal to award Rosen the rank of Admiral is approved."
"Please raise your hand."
Upon seeing the vast conference room, and finding no one raising their hand, Sengoku felt a long-lost excitement rise within him.
He hadn't seen such a united Marine Headquarters in a long time.
Such a united front and close cooperation can only be traced back to the era when Roger, Shiki, and Edward Newgate, the three legendary pirates, dominated the Grand Line.
The Marine at that time was neither the dominant force it is today, but rather a nation teetering on the brink of collapse.
Black Wrist retired.
Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu are still developing.
The vast Marine Headquarters is entirely supported by Sengoku and Garp, the two pillars.
And what about the Marine's adversaries?
The Flying Pirates were at the height of their power, reigning supreme over the world.
The Roger Pirates, fearless and unrestrained, pursued the end of the Grand Line.
The Whitebeard Pirates were incredibly powerful, with countless sons among them.
Apart from the Whitebeard Pirates, which were still developing, any one of Roger's or Flying Pirates' crews could have taken on the Marine Headquarters at the time.
This is why Shiki has always disregarded the Marine and even dared to storm Marineford alone.
Not to mention, besides the three legendary pirates, there was also Monkey D. Dragon's Revolutionary Army, as well as Barlowic Redfield, Dracule Mihawk, Crocodile, and many other once-powerful pirates.
Faced with such a powerful pirate world.
The Marine Headquarters did not collapse; instead, it demonstrated unprecedented unity.
Garp and Sengoku built a high wall in front to protect the Marine from the wind and rain.
Zephyr stockpiled grain in the rear to cultivate the land and produce soldiers for the Marine.
The Marine buds, led by Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan, were growing wildly.
It wasn't until the three admirals and a large number of vice admirals of the Marine Headquarters had all developed that the Marine Headquarters became the overlord of the seas, surpassing all pirate forces along the Grand Line.
From being battered and bruised to becoming a maritime hegemon.
This transformation also caused the once united Marine to become divided into numerous factions and fierce rivalries due to its growing power.
Even Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr were powerless to change this situation.
Because the three of them often disagreed, but unlike the three Admirals, they were not at odds.
However,
This struggle for justice, which lasted for more than a decade and resulted in a situation where the Admirals disliked each other, finally came to an end when a man emerged out of nowhere, subduing the heroes and Fleet Admirals of the old era and suppressing the three great Admirals of the new era.
Instead, there is a unity and cohesion far exceeding that of the past.
"I agree."
When Sengoku asked those who supported the proposal to award Rosen the rank of Admiral to raise their hands, Borsalino first put his nail clippers back in his pocket, and then, despite his usual ambiguity, he was the first to make a decision.
"Ah la la la la la, I agree too."
After Borsalino, Kuzan pulled up the eye patch covering his eyes, abandoning his sleepy appearance, and instead displayed the energetic demeanor he only had before the Ohara incident, when he upheld Burning Justice.
"I second that."
Sakazuki, who has always been at odds with Kuzan and has always opposed anything proposed by Kuzan, has once again reached a consensus with Kuzan today.
Like Kuzan, he raised his right hand in the video footage.
"If I count them, this should be the fourth great Admiral student I have taught, right?"
Zephyr stopped staring at the Five Elders, grinned, and raised his right hand.
"His martial arts skills surpass Garp's, his civil administration surpasses Sengoku's, and he is also kind-hearted and tolerant. I really can't find a reason not to approve of him."
Tsuru shook her head and raised her right hand.
Putting aside the relationship between Gion and Rosen, Rosen's unparalleled strength, military achievements, and prestige alone were enough to convince her, leaving her no choice but to raise her hand in approval.
"Pfft, hahahaha."
"To surpass this old man—though I'm a little reluctant to admit it, it's indeed a fact!"
"After all, even if I were ten years younger, I still couldn't accomplish the feat of single-handedly crushing the Hive."
After finishing the senbei in his hand, Garp smiled and raised his right hand.
Although he was in the East Blue, he had already watched the video that Sengoku sent him last night.
Soloing the Ochoku Pirates without taking damage.
Even when he defeated the Ochoku Pirates, he didn't possess such strength.
"You should all be clear about the nature and role of the Marine Crime Investigation Bureau."
"Ever since Rosen graduated early and left headquarters, my eyes have been fixed on him, never looking away."
"I can bet the dark horse that Rosen deserves to be made a Marine Admiral."
Victor Seiji also raised his hand in support.
As a member of the Marine Crime Investigation Bureau, he not only keeps an eye on external enemies such as pirates and the Revolutionary Army, but also on internal personnel within the Marine.
His statement was tantamount to announcing something to the Five Elders.
Rosen's background.
Rosen's resume.
Rosen's justice.
It is impeccable in every aspect.
He is a model of a great Admiral.
After witnessing everyone's statements, the Five Elders remained expressionless and silent, only turning their gaze to Sengoku.
As the Fleet Admiral, he also has a vote, and this vote even has the power to veto.
in other words.
Even if everyone present votes in favor, if Sengoku casts his vote against, it will still be a veto of the vote.
Even though they had already guessed the answer in Sengoku's mind, they still looked at him.
I hope the other party can act as they did in the Ohara incident.
Between justice and government, choose government.
"Your Excellency, the Five Elders."
"besides."
"Everyone here."
Sengoku looked at the Five Elders, his gaze deep and indifferent, a look that felt utterly unfamiliar to the five supreme rulers of the World Government.
"Regarding the matter of using Death as the codename for Rosen's Admiral."
What do you think?
These words were spoken.
Whether it was Garp and Sakazuki on the video call, or everyone else present, they all turned pale with fright.
Even Rosen was slightly moved.
Shinigami.
This word is taboo in the Grand Line and cannot be used casually.
Everything related to gods is the exclusive domain of the Celestial Dragons.
Whoever dares to use the word "god" will face a predictable fate.
for example.
God Valley.
As a direct agency of the World Government, the Marine Headquarters must always avoid any appearance of impropriety.
But now, Sengoku, who is regarded by the outside world as extremely loyal to the World Government, actually said in front of many high-ranking Marine officers and the Five Elders that he would use "Shinigami" as Rosen's code name.
Although it was meant as an inquiry, as the Fleet Admiral of the Marine, how could he not know about the Five Elders, the World Government, and the taboos of the Celestial Dragons?
Of course not.
But the Sengoku still chose to do so.
This is tantamount to making a statement in front of the Five Elders and all the high-ranking Marine officers.
Between justice and government, he chose justice, and his determination was more resolute than ever before.
They were so determined that they not only supported Rosen becoming the codename for an admiral, but even went so far as to violate a taboo of the World Government for it.
"The Sengoku".
Do you know what you're doing?
The Five Elders, who had been silent all along, finally broke down.
Jaygarcia Saturn spoke first.
"You've been a Marine admiral for so many years, you probably don't need me to remind you of what proper conduct is, right?"
Marcus Mars stared at Sengoku expressionlessly, his eyes conveying a chilling aura even through the video screen.
It's not just them.
The other three of the Five Elders also stared coldly at Sengoku.
In an instant.
A gloomy, heavy, and chilly atmosphere filled the entire conference room.
...
Advance chapters (30+ stockpiled) are waiting on P@treon/Ren_Saga
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