What? Aramaki Became the Mera Mera no Mi User?

Originally, this accident, with the warship falling from a great height, caused severe damage and would have required rescue and extensive repairs before it could be put back into service.

But if we encounter Kuzan along the way, then we don't need to do that anymore.

Kuzan used his Ice-Ice ability to freeze the entire water-bearing and damaged areas of the warship, transforming it into a warship encased in ice as it sailed across the sea.

On the deck, Ortolan and Kuzan were both lounging on sun loungers, looking quite relaxed.

"How did you end up in this sea area? I didn't receive any news that you left the New World?" Kuzan asked lazily while basking in the sun.

"As you can see, I've broadened my horizons on this Skypiea," Ortolan said casually.

But that was all he said in a simple reply; he didn't go into any details.

Kuzan realized that Ortolan didn't want to discuss this further, so he didn't ask any more questions.

He then changed the subject. "The World Conference is coming up soon. Have you made arrangements with the Affiliated Nation on the other side of the New World yet?"

"Do I really need to arrange this myself? The Momonga Tokikake will handle these little things. It's just a matter of protecting some members of the royal family..." Ortolan said with a smile.

Kuzan then asked, "Who in the New World wants it this time?"

"Doflamingo, right? He's the King of Dressrosa, he should be involved, but I don't know the specifics." -Ortolan

"You don't know?!" Kuzan asked, somewhat surprised. "What? From what you're saying, you don't plan to participate in the meeting at Mary Geoise?"

"No plans." Ortolan shook his head without hesitation. "The World Conference is too boring. It's always the same stuff. It's a waste of time to attend."

"But you are Admiral ..." Kuzan said with a hint of helplessness.

Under normal circumstances, Marines Admiral are required to participate in international conferences; not only Admiral, but also Chief Staff Officer and Fleet Admiral are required to attend.

"I've already spoken to them. The old star contacted me once before and talked about the World Conference. I said I needed the New World to handle the Totto Land Totto Land matter, and they told me to focus on those important matters first and not to worry about Mary Geoise." Ortolan raised an eyebrow and said with a smile.

"So that's how it is..." Kuzan glanced at Ortolan with a hint of envy.

He didn't really want Mary Geoise to participate in any of that bullshit world conferences, but he was in charge of the Paradise Sea, and there was no 'Totto Land Totto Land' in the Paradise Sea that could move and appease Old Star like he did.

"So, are you going back to the New World now?" Kuzan asked again.

"I want to go to Fish-Man Island. I have an invitation to King Neptune," Ortolan said directly, without hiding anything.

"Fish-Man Island?" Kuzan's eyes lit up. "Perfect timing. If you're going there, I can ask you to take care of things for me on your way..."

"What is it?" Ortolan picked up the juice next to him, took a couple of sips, and asked Yu.

"For this World Conference, the list of the ten Council Nation has been finalized, with over forty already selected. There are still a few unconfirmed, including Fish-Man Island. Mary Geoise hopes Fish-Man Island will attend and participate in this World Conference, but Fish-Man Island has not responded. I originally planned to personally go to Fish-Man Island to inquire about the situation, since that place is also within my jurisdiction... If you go to Fish-Man Island now, you can also help me invite King Neptune and see if he wants to participate in this World Conference!" Kuzan explained.

Fish-Man Island is indeed Affiliated Nation under the World Government, and it pays tribute to the Celestial Gold every year. However, in reality, they have almost no contact with the World Government. More than two hundred years ago, Fish-Man Island joined this system and participated in a World Conference. Since then, Fish-Man Island has never visited Mary Geoise again.

The World Conference is held every four years, with ten Affiliated Nation rotating each time. Logically, there should be Fish-Man Island by now, but Fish-Man Island just doesn't exist.

Now, with the emergence of Poseidon, Fish-Man Island also has a Shichibukai. In the past two years, the World Government has hoped to ease relations and promote ties with Fish-Man Island. They even planned to arrange for them to participate in this World Conference, but there was no response from the other side.

This has really annoyed the local government.

Ortolan could also vaguely understand why the World Government both hated and loved Fish-Man Island.

Love is because they have Poseidon, hate is because they don't give them any face, right?

I am, after all, the official government of the Fishman Island. I have invited you so many times, both secretly and openly, but you are like dead fish, motionless and without any reaction. How can the official government of the Fishman Island not feel slighted by Fish-Man Island?

Zuo had only mentioned it casually, and Ortolan readily agreed, "No problem, I'll ask around for you later. And you know what, I think my relationship with Fish-Man Island is pretty good; they might give me some face..."

Kuzan first. "Everyone knows that you, Ortolan, have a lot of influence..."

After a slight pause, Kuzan continued, "By the way, did you know that a Vice Admiral was parachuted into headquarters in Mary Geoise at the end of last year?"

"Vice Admiral?" Ortolan looked at Kuzan with some confusion. "We have quite a few Marine Admiral, how could I possibly pay attention to something like this? What's wrong?"

"It's a guy named Aramaki." Kuzan took a sip of juice, then said, "His strength is quite good, and he's also a Logia-type- type Devil Fruit user with the Flame- Mera Mera no Mi. I don't know if it's because our two Devil Fruits counter each other, or for some other reason, but I really don't like him..."

"Wait a minute!" Ortolan sat up in surprise. "What fruit?"

"The Mera Mera no Mi..." Kuzan looked at Ortolan with some doubt. "Although it's a powerful Logia-type, you don't need to be so surprised, do you?"

At this moment, Ortolan was not only surprised, he was completely stunned!

It was only two months ago, at the end of last year, when he was flying in the sky and didn't receive any news from the headquarters.

They don't really notice if a Vice Admiral has arrived at headquarters.

When Kuzan mentioned something about the Aramaki, Ortolan was already a little puzzled. He thought to himself that this guy had joined the Marines ahead of time, and judging from Kuzan's words, it seemed that he had first gotten close to the government of the World Government and then used connections in Mary Geoise to join the Marines?

But this was only somewhat unexpected, not to the point that Ortolan found it unbelievable. After all, that guy Aramaki's thoughts were very... close to the government of the world, so Ortolan wasn't surprised that he was willing to take this path.

Kuzan's claim that he ate the Mera Mera no Mi truly astonished Ortolan.

Although there are jokes saying things like "even dogs wouldn't eat the Mera Mera no Mi," in reality, the Mera Mera no Mi is still quite powerful. As a fire-type and Logia-type ability, it's very popular on the sea.

In the original story, Ace didn't have much of a highlight after consuming this power, partly because his role was rather awkward. Later, Sabo was replaced, and Ortolan believed that this fruit could still be more outstanding.

Although he didn't intend to feed Ace this, but rather to train Ace to become a user of the Woods-Woods Fruit, the fact that Aramaki had become a user of the Mera Mera no Mi still made Ortolan somewhat uncomfortable.

"Mera Mera no Mi... tsk, it does counter your abilities to some extent, but it's not quite on par with yours, is it? In terms of fruit abilities alone, your Ice-Ice ability is probably on par with Sakazuki's, and as for the Mera Mera no Mi, it's more like a comparison to the Yuki Yuki no Mi..." Ortolan said.

Although Kuzan did not agree, judging from his expression, he was still quite pleased.

However, in fact, Ortolan truly believes this.

"So? Why are you suddenly bringing this guy up with me?" Ortolan asked again.

Kuzan's expression turned serious. "Do you have a grudge against that Aramaki?"

Ortolan pondered for a moment, "I vaguely remember beating him up once before... but it wasn't really a grudge, was it?"

"Anyway, that guy seems to be quite dissatisfied with you. He occasionally speaks ill of you behind your back, and he seems to have received a lot of support from the Mary Geoise. Within headquarters, he has won over many Marines commanders who want to defect to the Mary Geoise. At the same time... lately, he's been getting very close to Sakazuki, and even... how should I put it, I feel like he has a certain degree of admiration for Sakazuki," Kuzan said.

Within the Marines, there are factions of Marines commanders like Kuzan and Garp who already have a certain 'prejudice' against Mary Geoise and naturally have low favorability towards it.

There were also people like Sengoku and Ortolan, who appeared to be loyal to Mary Geoise but actually harbored ulterior motives.

There are also Marines officers and officers like Aramaki who greatly admire Mary Geoise and are extremely loyal to the World Government.

Moreover, to be honest, there are quite a few of these people!

Sakazuki, while not the kind of Marines leader who is overly respectful to Mary Geoise, is indeed more protective of the Marine Admiral of the World Government and Mary Geoise Sakazuki compared to Kuzan.

"You mean, this group of people is starting to band together?" Ortolan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, they wanted to band together before, but they didn't have a leader. Although Sakazuki is close to Mary Geoise, he insists on Marines supremacy, so he's not their leader. This Aramaki, although he was parachuted in, comes from Mary Geoise and is naturally sought after by these Marines. In addition, he is strong and is a user of the Mera Mera no Mi. He's already showing signs of becoming a leader of this group..." Kuzan.