Putting aside the matters in Mary Geoise with Imu, Ezra had already returned early to his office.
"Fleet Admiral Ezra, have you finished your report?" Warlord asked, peering at him while checking some documents.
Ezra, seated in his chair, nodded slightly.
"Yes… but the plan for the five Admirals hasn't been discussed yet."
Warlord froze. "Five Admirals? What five Admirals?"
Ezra's lips twitched. He'd completely forgotten he hadn't told Warlord about it yet. But it didn't matter now. He proceeded to explain his five-Admiral plan in full.
Warlord couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"So that's your solution, Fleet Admiral Ezra?"
"Hey, hey, hey! Laughing is fine, but don't mock me," Ezra replied with a wry grin.
"Sorry, it's just… too amusing," Warlord admitted.
Ezra tilted his mouth into a small smirk. "Enjoy your laugh. Now go back to reviewing the files."
This time, Warlord had nothing to say, though he couldn't help but shake his head in amusement.
The sheer volume of documents was overwhelming. Despite Warlord's help, Ezra still had to personally review and approve them.
Late into the night, the office was filled with the sound of two people scribbling diligently.
Knock, knock, knock!
The sudden noise drew Ezra's attention.
"Come in."
Yona pushed the door open, smiling as she entered.
"Little Rabbit? What are you doing here?"
She set a packed lunch beside Ezra.
"Even if you're busy, don't forget to eat, dear."
A small smile tugged at Ezra's lips. With a wife like her, what more could a man ask for?
"Thanks, Little Rabbit."
Snap!
A pen broke on Warlord's desk, drawing Ezra and Yona's attention. Warlord's expression radiated pure, single-man rage.
Ezra's lips curved into a sly smile. "Oh, Warlord, still here? Have you eaten?"
"I I've eaten! Don't you know that already?!" Warlord barked.
Yona gently patted Ezra's shoulder. "It's okay. Even if Warlord is single, you shouldn't tease him like that."
Warlord, flustered, watched as Yona picked up a lunch box from the desk.
"This is for you, Warlord. It was made by Crane herself."
Warlord leaned back, deeply touched.
"Ah, Little Crane still cares about me. 0(>_<)0"
Yona nearly laughed out loud. After a few moments of playful banter with Ezra, she left the office, letting him return to his work.
"Ugh… what now?"
Warlord's sudden exclamation drew Ezra's attention again.
"What is it, Warlord?"
"The female bathrooms at G-1 Headquarters aren't enough anymore."
"Then build a few more," Ezra replied lazily.
"I know, I'm just noting that there are more female soldiers now."
Ezra rolled his eyes and went back to grading files.
After a while, another sharp intake of breath from Warlord interrupted him.
"Seriously, do you ever stop?!" Ezra ground his teeth.
Warlord scratched his head. "Nothing, just stretching."
An hour later…
Snap!
Ezra broke his pen in half, shooting Warlord a death glare.
"Speak!"
"This is serious. Remember Vegapunk's old island?"
Ezra furrowed his brow. "The Mechanism Island?"
"Yes. His old lab exploded!"
Warlord placed a file in front of Ezra.
"And there's a burning beast scaring off any Navy teams sent to investigate."
Ezra's eyebrows rose. Why does this feel so familiar?
Opening the file, he saw the headline: The Nightmare of Future Kingdom Barkimoria. The burning beast was called: The Flaming Spirit Beast of Future Kingdom Barkimoria.
His lips twitched. Both incidents were unmistakably the work of Franky.
"Ezra, should we send Kizaru to investigate?" Warlord suggested.
Using an Admiral to check on Franky? Ezra waved his hand. "No, just send some subordinates."
Warlord nodded, understanding that Ezra was now Fleet Admiral.
By around 2 a.m., nearly all the files were reviewed. Ezra and Warlord stretched in relief.
"Finally finished," Ezra muttered.
Warlord chuckled. "Don't get too excited. This is just the first day."
"Can we not talk about that right now?" Ezra asked.
"Ha! You'll get used to it. Go get some rest; I'll see you tomorrow morning at seven," Warlord said, leaving early.
Previously, Warlord had always been tense while serving as Admiral, but now, having stepped back, his fatigue and the gray hairs of age were beginning to show.
It hasn't even been that long since he retired… and already his hair is like this. Ezra muttered.
He left the office as well, returning home.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
One morning, as Ezra and Warlord discussed fleet matters, the office door was knocked. Tina stepped in.
"Fleet Admiral Ezra, Warlord Overseer."
"Tina, weren't you in charge of the World Recruitment?"
She nodded. "Fleet Admiral, I'm here regarding that matter."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's happening there?"
"Fleet Admiral, the World Recruitment is nearing its conclusion, but the finals' venue hasn't been decided yet."
Ezra's eyes widened in realization. "Time flies… How soon are the finals?"
"Ten days remain, Fleet Admiral."
Ezra furrowed his brow. "Ten days, huh."
His gaze shifted to the map on the wall behind him.
"By the way, Warlord, that island that exploded last time… which one was it again?"
"Fleet Admiral, are you referring to Mechanism Island?"
Ezra smiled slightly. "Exactly. The main island is uninhabited now, except for the smaller inhabited islets."