The World Government's Big Move!

With Roger's death, Imu shifted his attention to the agenda of this year's Reverie. In his view, that was the real top priority.

What he intended to do would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar and even draw many opponents, but he believed there would be even more supporters. More importantly, this had to be done. If it was not, then the other matters would lose much of their meaning.

To a certain extent, its impact would be no less than the public execution of the Pirate King.

Besides, would opposition even matter?

Who was he?

Imu!

Not to mention that the Navy would wholeheartedly support this. With that, no one on this planet could stop it from moving forward.

Still, the plan needed more thought. So these past few days, he often sat upon the Empty Throne late at night, holding "meetings" with the Five Elders.

At first, the five of them had been constantly startled by his various ideas, but before long, they had grown used to them.

At the end of the day, the Five Elders shared the same position as Imu: ensuring the Celestial Dragons' rule over the World Government.

With that premise and bottom line, no matter how shocking something appeared, they could accept it.

Because Imu could see the future, and the Five Elders firmly believed it!

In the southern waters of the middle stretch of Route Five in the first half of the Grand Line, there lay an island hidden away to serve the underworld. It had no official name, so the pirates who came and went called it Black Island.

Here, as long as you had enough Beli and treasure, you could buy anything you needed.

Liquor, food, blades and guns, women, even doctors, shipwrights, and intelligence. But there were only two rules here: do not lay a hand on the service staff, and do not damage the island's buildings. Other than that, robbery or murder—anything went.

Black Island had not existed for very long, less than two years in fact. At first, the lawless pirates, gangsters, and slave traders had paid no attention whatsoever to the island's only two rules.

But around half a year later, after more than a dozen groups paid the bloody price of total extermination, everyone fell in line.

One family name and one smiling-face symbol were deeply branded into their minds.

Donquixote!

Although it was already late at night, the island remained brightly lit. Cheers, screams, and the occasional wail and manic laughter made the place exceedingly lively. At the harbor, more than a dozen ships flying all kinds of flags were moored.

However, the old hands who came here often knew very well that compared to a few months ago, there were actually far fewer ships here.

Needless to say, it had to be related to Pirate King Roger's public execution. Oh, and Golden Lion Shiki had also been captured. They had heard that quite a few pirates had chosen to go ashore and return to ordinary lives.

"Hey, everyone, have you heard? It's about the great treasure!"

Inside a bustling tavern, a man who had clearly drunk too much gripped a beer mug in his right hand. His face flushed red as he shouted at the crowd.

The moment the words "great treasure" came out, everyone in the tavern instinctively pricked up their ears. Even the conversations dropped several decibels, while many eyes turned toward him. That made a smug smile appear on the drunkard's face.

"What great treasure?" a pirate seated at the table on the right tried asking.

"Of course it's Pirate King Gol D. Roger's treasure! Wouldn't you say it's great?"

"What?!"

That sentence immediately stunned everyone, and the entire tavern fell silent.

At that moment, a burly man over two meters tall, bare-chested and carrying a sword, slammed his empty wooden cup onto the table with a bang. He grinned viciously and said, "Kid, explain it properly. If it's good, I'll cover your drinks tonight! But if you spout a pile of nonsense, heh heh, watch yourself once you leave!"

"Hahaha, that's great! Get me another drink, then!"

Hearing those threatening words, the drunkard showed no fear at all. Instead, he happily called out to the bartender behind the counter.

"Don't forget to put it on his tab!"

"Fine." The bartender nodded expressionlessly.

"Time to talk, isn't it? Hurry up! Tell us!" The other pirates began clamoring, but the fierce-looking brute from before suddenly slapped the table again and roared, "Shut the hell up, all of you!"

Surprisingly, all the noise was immediately suppressed. The drunkard nodded in satisfaction, then coughed twice to clear his throat.

"Cough, cough. Here's what happened. Recently, a very interesting piece of news suddenly began spreading across the seas. They say that Pirate King Gol D. Roger, the man who completed a full voyage around the Grand Line, placed all the immense wealth he amassed in his life on the final island, 'Laugh Tale,' and even gave that treasure a name."

At that point, a trace of clarity flashed through the drunkard's eyes before vanishing.

"Namely, ONE PIECE!"

Marine Headquarters, Marineford, the Fleet Admiral's office.

[Knock, knock, knock]

"Come in."

Sengoku pushed open the door and walked in. "Fleet Admiral, you asked for me?"

"Mm. Take a look at this. It's an order that was just delivered from the Five Elders." Fleet Admiral Kong handed him a sheet of paper with a broad smile.

"Alright, please give me a moment."

Sengoku nodded and accepted it, then sat on the sofa and calmly read it. There was not much written on the paper, so he finished quickly, but a look of surprise appeared on his face as he raised his head toward Fleet Admiral Kong.

"Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan are being promoted to Admiral candidates? But Borsalino is only a Rear Admiral right now. Isn't that inappropriate?"

"That kid will be promoted to Vice Admiral at the same time. After all, he went along for Roger's capture this time." Fleet Admiral Kong smiled as he explained, then asked, "What do you think?"

Sengoku pondered for a moment before replying, "Unexpected, but understandable. Of the three, only Kuzan is still somewhat lacking in strength. The other two have already surpassed most Vice Admirals, so there's no problem with them becoming Admiral candidates. It's just that..."

"It's just that we never expected the World Government to promote them so readily, right?"

"Yes. I thought it would take a few more years. After all, with Roger's execution, the situation at sea has improved greatly, so there is not as much need for Navy Admirals."

But just as Sengoku finished speaking, he suddenly connected it to something else and continued, "I was wondering before why the Five Elders specifically required those three to join the mission to capture Roger. So they were preparing them for their upcoming promotions to Admiral. But..."

He hesitated again, feeling that something was not right.

"But why has the Five Elders' attitude toward us changed so drastically? Why have they become so friendly? Is that it?" Fleet Admiral Kong said.

"Yes."

Sengoku admitted it. Having served as a Navy Admiral for so many years, and with the nickname of the Wise General himself, he had long noticed the World Government's deliberate suppression of the Navy.

Many times, becoming a Navy Admiral was not simply a matter of having sufficient strength. What mattered most was whether the World Government needed one. Otherwise, they had all sorts of ways to keep someone stuck as a Vice Admiral, or even as an Admiral candidate, unless they accomplished some great feat.

"Mm. I found that strange at first as well, but through my conversations with the Five Elders, I think I've guessed part of it." Fleet Admiral Kong spoke as he thought.

"Please tell me."

"I heard that the World Government will make a major move at this year's Reverie. Perhaps they are preparing for that. After all, on the surface, you are the only Admiral we have right now." Fleet Admiral Kong looked at Sengoku meaningfully.