Mary Geoise, Power Hall.
The five lords who stood at the pinnacle of world power were each standing or seated. Before them, the masked CP0 Vice Chief bowed slightly.
"West, was there anything you omitted from your conversation with Longinus?" asked the bald Five Elder holding a long sword.
"I would not dare conceal anything," West replied respectfully.
"Very good!" The blond Five Elder nodded, then narrowed his eyes and asked, "Do you think his words carried any resentment toward the Government?"
West fell silent for a moment, seeming to weigh the matter seriously. After a while, he shook his head. "There was no resentment. He merely lamented that, even without the intervention of the five lords, the conflicts within the Marines would erupt sooner or later."
Only then did the bearded Five Elder nod in satisfaction. "He truly remains trustworthy. This time, the Government has wronged him!"
"The position of Fleet Admiral is bound to be his. What does it matter if he suffers a little?" the long-haired Five Elder said coldly.
The other four did not refute him. They all knew that, even with their support, Akainu would most likely be unable to surpass Longinus.
Whether in achievements or reputation, the gap was simply too great!
"Fortunately, he holds the upper hand in the contest for Fleet Admiral. Otherwise, if that bastard Akainu truly became Fleet Admiral, that would be a real headache!" The curly-haired Five Elder looked displeased. He had been one of those Akainu had berated during the war six years ago.
The blond Five Elder nodded as well. "Only Justice that compromises like Longinus's is easy for us to control. If it were that bastard Akainu facing this kind of situation, he would most likely come running to demand that we save face for him