Ezra didn't dwell on it for long. Seeing the anticipation in the eyes of the three officers, he shrugged and agreed. Together with Zephyr, he left Sengoku's office.
Zephyr patted Ezra on the shoulder. "Ezra, I really appreciate this, old friend."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Zephyr, although we never had a formal mentor-student relationship, we are both part of the Navy and have known each other for a long time. Don't overthink it. This is simply what I should do."
Zephyr's eyes glimmered with relief. "Today, you've shown me that under your leadership, the Navy will shine even brighter."
Ezra smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright. Just remember my good side. That's enough."
"I'll take my leave now. Be careful with the elite crew while I'm gone."
Zephyr nodded in approval. "Understood, Ezra."
Ezra then set off for home. He hadn't even changed clothes yet. Once home, he quickly got dressed and dialed the Den-Den Mushi.
Brrring… Brrring…
The call was picked up shortly after.
"Admiral Ember, is there a mission?"
Ezra nodded slightly. "Yes, there is. Rossinandi. Head to the warship immediately."
"Understood, Admiral Ember."
After hanging up, Rossinandi sighed, resigned. Serving under the Admiral had its perks, but the missions were endless. Still, complaining was pointless he simply shook his head and prepared to board the ship.
Ezra waited a short while before arriving at the harbor.
"Admiral Ember, everything is ready," Rossinandi reported, standing at attention.
Ezra waved his hand. "Good work, but you've been resting a few days already, haven't you?"
Rossinandi's lips twitched. "Admiral Ember, at most, two days."
Ezra nodded. "Alright, after this mission, you'll get a proper break. Prepare yourselves. Our target is the Navy's Thirty-Sixth Division."
"Yes, Admiral Ember!"
Rossinandi turned and headed toward the control room. Ezra, as usual, went to the bow of the ship.
Edward Weibel probably never even dreamed that he would come face-to-face with Ezra.
Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise, Im sat at the window, lost in thought. With a quiet sigh, he muttered, "I hope he recovers quickly…"
At that moment, a series of knocks echoed from the door.
"Enter."
"Your Grace, Im!"
One by one, the Five Elders knelt in perfect unison.
Im's expression returned to its usual coldness. Seated high on the throne, crimson eyes scanned the kneeling five.
"What is the matter?"
One Elder hurriedly spoke. "Your Grace, this concerns the young master."
He handed a stack of documents to Im. "This is a report submitted by Sengoku. It requests that the young master be appointed as the next Admiral. We deliberated for a long time, but ultimately, the decision rests with Your Grace."
The Elder bowed deeply.
Im arched an eyebrow and opened the documents. Three full pages, every line praising Ezra's accomplishments. Im read slowly, without skipping a word. Observing Ezra from another's perspective was a first for him.
The final line expressed the hope that Ezra could become Navy Admiral. A faint smile tugged at Im's lips.
"Praise Ezra, and you shall be rewarded," he murmured.
"That Sengoku is not bad," one Elder said hurriedly, nodding in agreement.
"Indeed. During Sengoku's tenure, many pirates were eradicated."
"Correct, correct," another Elder chimed in.
"Most importantly, Sengoku brought back the young master," Im acknowledged with a slight nod.
A silence followed. Then the Elder spoke again. "Your Grace, regarding the young master's appointment as Navy Admiral…"
"Do we really need to discuss this? Of course, it's approved," Im interrupted, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Your Grace!" the Elders chorused.
Im tapped his fingers on the armrest. "Of course, if Ezra takes the position, some matters will not be handled as well as Sengoku did. Let's make Sengoku Chief Inspector while he retains his post."
The Elders were stunned. A position like this had never existed before.
"Your Grace, what exactly does this position entail?"
"To assist Ezra with paperwork. The rest can be handled as needed."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Respectfully, the Elders left Im's chamber. Once outside, they returned to the meeting room in silence.
"One more thing. Everyone think carefully: what powers should the Chief Inspector have?" one Elder prompted.
Discussion flared among them.
"Im said Sengoku only helps with paperwork."
"But shouldn't he have some authority to deploy forces? What if Ezra is not at headquarters?"
"But wouldn't that conflict with Ezra's command position?"
The Elders debated intensely. In the end, they settled on Sengoku's authority: handle paperwork normally, and in Ezra's absence, have limited command to deploy forces.
"Now, regarding the timing of Ezra's Admiral appointment…"
"He cannot assume it immediately. At least a year is needed," one Elder said.
"Why?"
"To allow time for task handovers and to learn the powers of an Admiral."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
One Elder nodded in satisfaction. "Then write it up as planned. Respond to Sengoku slightly later."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
Meanwhile, Ezra was approaching the Thirty-Sixth Division. Being in the New World, the distance wasn't far, and he was driving the Dark Hand.
"Admiral Ember, ahead is the Thirty-Sixth Division!"
Ezra nodded slightly and stood up, surveying the distance.
The division's buildings were nearly all destroyed, with thick smoke rising intermittently.
Ezra frowned. "Speed up. Get us there faster."
"Yes, Admiral Ember!"
The Dark Hand soon reached the harbor. Ezra led Rossinandi and the others off the ship, heading toward the division.
Along the way, countless Navy soldiers looked weary and battered. Many were injured.
"Rossinandi, send some men to assist them."
"Yes, Admiral Ember!"
Rossinandi hurried to help the injured soldiers while Ezra arrived at the entrance of the division.