Lucky Roux continued scanning his surroundings.
Five towering chairs stood around the holographic model of the Grand Line.
Those chairs were clearly different from the ordinary seats around them. Their materials, designs, and placement all exuded an unshakable authority.
At that moment, only two of the five chairs were occupied.
One held Sakazuki, dressed in a white suit, his expression stern.
The other held the graceful Shirahoshi. Lucky Roux did not know her well, but judging by her seat, he knew she must also serve as the Marine Chief of Staff.
Lucky Roux slowly swept his gaze over the five vacant chairs.
Even though only two were occupied, he already knew exactly who those five seats belonged to.
The three Marine Admirals: Borsalino, Yamato, and Ace.
The Fleet Admiral: Sakazuki.
And the Marine Chief of Staff: Shirahoshi.
That lineup alone was enough to crush the New World several times over.
The next tier up, packed with imposing figures, presumably held the seats for Vice Admirals and Admiral Candidates.
Lucky Roux gave them a cursory glance, and his heart sank.
There were nearly a hundred officers at that rank alone.
And these were merely the senior Marines who could secure a seat in this hall and had time to attend the meeting.
Beyond the Marines, the World Government itself had countless powerful fighters.
The World Government's reserves ran far deeper than he had imagined.
Sitting beside Lucky Roux, Yasopp also stared wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open without a single word coming out.
He finally realized just how ridiculous his earlier mockery of the World Government had been.
Even simply sitting there, he felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him.
Soon, three figures walked slowly into the hall through a side entrance.
All three wore justice capes symbolizing the Marines' highest