The Five Elders' Meeting

Footsteps sounded from outside the meeting room, and everyone turned their gazes toward the door.

Sengoku pushed the door open and walked in from outside, followed by Garp, who was still grumbling.

The moment Sengoku entered, he was startled to see Kate sitting in Akainu's seat, but since no one else in the room objected, he let Kate stay there.

"Old Man! Were you trying to choke me to death just now?!" Kate said, drawing his Zanpakuto from his waist and swinging it at Garp the moment he saw him.

"You little brat! Daring to swing a sword at your own grandfather!"

Garp was faster; the moment Kate's blade left its sheath, his body had already appeared behind Kate. In an instant, he locked an arm around Kate's neck, hooked a hand over his shoulder, and pressed down on the back of his head.

Kate only felt a wave of suffocation hit him as he frantically slapped at Garp's arm, signaling for him to let go.

Everyone watched these two clowns, speechless.

Sengoku slapped his forehead, and finally, unable to take it anymore, he personally landed a punch on both Garp's and Kate's heads. Only then did the matter come to an end.

Sengoku sat down in the main seat. Since today's meeting was originally convened to address Kate, he didn't waste any time and said directly, "I'm now announcing a new directive: Headquarters plans to add an Admiral position. It will be filled by Portgas Kate, who has just passed the Admiral candidate selection."

The room fell silent at these words, except for Garp, who was showing off to Vice Admiral Tsuru, "Hahaha! Little Tsuru, did you see that? My grandson became a Fleet Admiral at just 17!"

Of course, this announcement brought joy to some and sorrow to others.

Take Chaton and Momousagi, for example. They had both become Admiral candidates long ago, yet someone had suddenly cut in line and taken the Fleet Admiral position before them!

Still, since both of them had been trained by Garp, and Kate's strength was indeed far superior to theirs, they couldn't raise any objections themselves.

"I object to this brat..." Onigumo suddenly shouted from his seat, unable to hold back any longer.

Among everyone in the room, he and the other Vice Admirals aligned with Akainu reacted the most strongly.

Kate shot them a fierce glare, mentally noting all those who stood in the way of completing his system mission. If any of them ever fell into his hands, he'd make sure they learned what a true petty villain was.

As for Sengoku, he ignored the Vice Admirals' words. He was a Fleet Admiral of the Navy—he didn't need these people telling him what to do!

With that, the naval meeting came to an end.

And news of Kate's successful promotion to Admiral slowly spread from Marineford.

World Economic News Company.

At this moment, Morgans was leisurely seated in his office chair, reviewing reports from various regions brought up by his subordinates.

"Boss! Boss! Big news is breaking!"

Bang!

A figure violently shoved open Morgans' office door. It was his subordinate, Photo King.

Morgans looked at Photo King with displeasure and said, "What is it? Why are you in such a panic?!"

Photo King said urgently, "News from Marine Headquarters—a 17-year-old kid has become a Marine Admiral!!! And his inauguration ceremony is tomorrow morning!"

Morgans froze, then stood up from his office chair, grabbed a pen, and quickly scribbled on a piece of paper.

This was no small matter. A Marine Admiral was the World Government's Top Combat Power. And on top of that, this Admiral was only 17—an age that would break the record for the youngest Admiral ever!

Morgans felt a surge of excitement. He couldn't believe he was the first to get hold of such huge news!

After all, how often did news this big come around? It made Morgans' blood boil with excitement.

Morgans couldn't believe he'd stumbled onto such a massive story. He quickly said to Photo King, "Quick! Find out the name of that 17-year-old Marine Admiral you just mentioned!"

Photo King paused, then nodded. "Got it! No problem!"

Morgans sat back in his office chair, his heart racing. This kind of news was truly shocking.

And for an independent news company like his to get this scoop first was an incredible stroke of luck.

Within just a few minutes, Photo King had investigated and obtained the name of this 17-year-old Marine Admiral from Marine Headquarters.

"Boss! The Marine Admiral's name is Portgas Kate!" Photo King said excitedly.

Morgans frowned slightly, tapping his pen against the paper. The name was unfamiliar to him. The major events he usually followed revolved around the Four Emperors, the Marine Admirals, and the Shichibukai.

Someone as unknown as Portgas Kate was someone Morgans would never normally pay attention to. After all, the World Government had hundreds of Vice Admirals alone, not to mention the Rear Admirals, Captains, and Commanders.

Morgans hesitated. He knew there were plenty of unknown nobodies like Portgas Kate in this world. But for this kid to become a Marine Admiral, he must have something extraordinary about him.

After all, a Marine Admiral was the World Government's Top Combat Power—bar none.

In the end, Morgans decided to go to Marineford himself to cover this story. His instincts told him this new Admiral was no simple figure.

So Morgans said to Photo King, who was waiting for his orders, "Get ready! There can't be any mistakes in this report. I'm going to Marineford myself to follow up on this."

Photo King replied seriously, "Yes, sir!"

Morgans stood up and, as he passed by Photo King, said in a low voice, "Look into this new Admiral's background. Remember, no one else should know about this."

With that, Morgans set off for Marineford.

At the peak of the Red Line, Holy Land Mary Geoise.

In an empty room, the Five Elders, who held the highest authority in the World Government, were gathered.

(Since these individuals' names are easy to forget or mix up, I'll refer to them by their distinguishing features.)

Five Elders' Birthmark said, "Has Sengoku gone too far? Is the position of Marine Admiral something to be treated as a joke? Letting a 17-year-old kid take the post!"

Five Elders' Sword, holding his treasured blade, said, "This kid's strength is no joke. He easily defeated Sakazuki, which proves he's capable of handling the Admiral position."

Five Elders' Blond Hair, lounging on the sofa with his legs crossed, said, "But this kid is also the grandson of that troublesome man, Garp."

For a moment, the room fell silent.