MVP Settlement, Marine Headquarters Three Forces Established!

The darkness before dawn passed, and the sun rose as usual.

Marine Headquarters Marshal's Office.

Kuzan had ultimately chosen to stay, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Sakazuki and Borsalino.

As Akira had said, the situation at Marine Headquarters was now settled, and he didn't have many choices left.

Of course, the real reason he stayed wasn't fear of being eliminated by Akira, but rather because he had been lost for many years due to various internal Navy matters. He wanted to see if things would change after Akira became the new Marshal.

He wanted to know even more where Akira, who was so highly regarded by Zephyr and supported by so many officers, would lead the Navy.

Behind them, Gion, Momonga, Strawberry, Bastille, and several other Vice Admirals were also lined up, all looking at Akira, who was seated at the desk.

"It's morning~"

Akira looked up at the three Admirals and the assembled Vice Admirals present and said calmly, "The Holy Land will soon realize they can't contact Headquarters. Although Marine Headquarters is now under our control, the real battle has just begun."

He paused slightly, then turned his head to the Vice Admiral lineup behind the Three Admirals. "Gion, you'll take charge of the monitoring room. You will personally handle all communications from the Holy Land. Also, bring Ain and Binz in!"

"Yes."

Gion saluted crisply, turned, and walked out.

As soon as Gion left, Ain and Binz quickly entered the office and approached Akira, saluting simultaneously. "Lord Marshal!"

Akira looked up at the two, his gaze gradually softening.

Three years ago, on his way back to Headquarters after defeating a pirate crew and rescuing civilians, including Sakazuki's mother, he had unexpectedly encountered Ain and Binz, survivors of an attacked training ship, along with Teacher Zephyr, whose right arm had been severed.

It was also because of his appearance that the three, master and disciples, were able to return to Headquarters safely.

Although three years had passed since that incident, neither Ain, Binz, nor Teacher Zephyr had fully recovered from it.

During these three years, Akira would often visit Teacher Zephyr for drinks when he had free time, which naturally led to conversations with Ain and Binz. Initially, Ain was taciturn, rarely participating in conversations as she harbored hatred in her heart.

Binz was more optimistic. Whenever Akira visited Teacher Zephyr, Binz would actively approach him and even seize opportunities to spar with him.

Perhaps due to Akira's brilliant charisma, or perhaps because they were all Teacher Zephyr's students, after seeing him use swordsmanship in his spar with Binz, Ain, who also excelled at swordsmanship, gradually emerged from her shadow and took turns sparring with Binz and Akira.

Later, when Akira was away on missions, Ain and Binz helped care for the elderly gentleman suffering from dementia, becoming friends with Akira with whom they communicated little but shared great unspoken understanding.

"Ain, from now on, you will replace Menard as the new Vice Admiral of Headquarters."

After observing the two for a moment, Akira picked up an appointment letter and handed it to Ain. He continued, "There is only one thing you need to do next: select the most elite subordinates from the officer training camp and set sail to find the culprits who attacked the training ship back then."

"Lord Marshal, I--"

Unexpectedly, Akira promoted her directly to Vice Admiral of Headquarters, Ain's eyes widened in surprise, and she stammered, "I've been at Headquarters for three years and haven't accomplished anything. I... I..."

Akira waved his hand. "That's why I'm giving you an opportunity to earn merit now."

Saying this, Akira immediately turned his head to look at Binz. "Binz, I appoint you as Ain's aide-de-camp, to accompany Ain on this mission at sea. After the mission is complete, you will be promoted to Vice Admiral of Headquarters, replacing Onigumo."

"Yes!" Binz stepped forward, saluted, and said, "Loyalty!"

Akira nodded. "It's decided. You may leave now."

Ain and Binz dared not delay. They glanced at the veteran Vice Admirals and Admirals standing nearby, then turned and walked out somewhat nervously.

After seeing them out of the office, Akira immediately turned his gaze to the three Admirals standing in the front row and got straight to the point. "Headquarters needs to undergo some adjustments. I've decided to establish three units led by the three of you."

"Sakazuki's unit will be renamed the Akainu Army, Borsalino's unit will be renamed the Kizaru Army, and Kuzan's unit will be renamed the Aokiji Army. Each unit will be assigned six Vice Admirals, and all officers below the rank of Vice Admiral will be organized into three-man squads."

Before he finished speaking, Akira picked up three documents and handed them to the three Admirals. "These documents contain the list of Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals under your command, as well as a list of officers to be promoted. Do not question these promotion lists; they are all heroes from last night!"

Meanwhile.

Holy Land Mary Geoise, Chamber of Power.

The Five Elders, the highest authority of the World Government, began their new day's work.

In the spacious and bright hall of the Chamber of Power, Jaygarcia Saturn, the Scientific Warrior God, sat on one side of the sofa, idly looking at the Den Den Mushi placed on the coffee table before him.

Behind him, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Financial Warrior God, wearing a Taoist robe and carrying a katana, stood by the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the figures gradually increasing in the Pangaea Castle outside. He yawned out of boredom.

Shepherd J. Ten, the Agricultural Warrior God, wearing a suit, looked serious, as if contemplating something important, staring intently at a newspaper in front of him.

Marcus Mars, the Environmental Warrior God, leisurely held a cup of coffee and walked to a single sofa, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the Agricultural Warrior God reading the newspaper and the Scientific Warrior God staring blankly.

"It seems I'm late."

Just then, a voice suddenly appeared, breaking the silence of the Chamber of Power.

Following that, Topman Warcury, the Legal Warrior God with a birthmark on his forehead, pushed open the door and strode to the long central sofa. He asked Saturn, who was staring blankly at the Den Den Mushi, "Are there any important matters to handle today?"

Saturn shook his head, somewhat puzzled. "This Den Den Mushi hasn't rung yet. Not only has there been no intelligence from the various CP organizations, but Marine Headquarters has also been very quiet. At this time of day, we would normally have many documents piled up before us, and Marine Headquarters would be reporting via Den Den Mushi."

Hearing this, Topman changed the subject. "Has there been no intelligence from the New World either?"

It wasn't that he was completely confident in Marine Headquarters, but rather that Marine Headquarters didn't provide daily work reports. Even when they did, they would first report to the Fleet Admiral, and only after his approval would it enter the Chamber of Power.

Saturn shook his head again. "Recently, there have only been two major events in the New World: one is the Elbaf incident, and the other is the rise of Shanks the Red-Haired as one of the Four Emperors of the New World! However, neither of these matters is being handled by us; the Knights of God are in charge."

Topman's eyes lit up. "I didn't expect Shanks to have grown to such a level. Not only did he suppress Prince Loki of Elbaf, but he also became a new Emperor because of it. If Figarland Garling were to step in at this time, would it be possible to make Shanks work for us?"

"Didn't Shanks live in the Holy Land back then?" Saturn looked up at Topman and said helplessly, "His twin brother, Shamrock, tried his best to persuade him to stay in the Holy Land, but he ultimately chose to leave."

As there were no important matters to attend to, the Five Elders, the supreme authorities of the world, began to chat, engaging in gossip like ordinary citizens.

Before they knew it, they had spent a rather pleasant morning in the Chamber of Power.

Just as they were about to get up and head to the dining hall for a meal, the Den Den Mushi, which had been silent all morning, suddenly rang. Then, a voice, which seemed to be deliberately disguised and thus somewhat androgynous, came through, "Are the Five Elders present?"

The sudden voice from the Den Den Mushi caused the faces of the Five Elders to change drastically. They all stood up in unison, facing the Den Den Mushi, and bowed respectfully, shouting, "Lord Im!"