Navy and Goa's Meeting

The next day.

New World—Marine Headquarters.

Inside the spacious Fleet Admiral's conference room, the Marine Headquarters' Fleet Admiral and Three Admirals sat on opposite sides of the long table from the Goa Empire's four Imperial Admirals.

Wang Shi, King of the East Blue, World Noble, Celestial Dragon, Goa Emperor, and benefactor of the Marines, sat at the head of the table.

Originally, Spaden and Fujitora had wanted Aokiji Kuzan to take the first seat on one side, matching him against his old rival, Akainu Sakazuki.

But Ryokugyu Aramaki refused. He considered himself the foremost Imperial Admiral, the foremost Duke, and Wang Shi's most loyal subordinate, having followed him from the very beginning.

No matter what, he had to sit in the first seat.

He wanted to become the man who stood on equal footing with the Fleet Admiral!

Aokiji Kuzan did not mind. He had even wanted to sit behind Fujitora and Spaden.

But in the end, after Fujitora and Spaden humbly deferred to him and urged him forward, Aokiji still took the second seat, facing the seasoned Kizaru across from him.

"Yo, Kuzan, I really envy you. You found such an easy, well-paying job so quickly."

That old hand Kizaru looked enviously at Kuzan, who wore the military uniform of an Imperial Duke.

If he had known Wang Shi would become the Marines' superior and the one paying their salaries, he should have listened to Dragon's suggestion and joined the Goa Empire.

"Your Majesty Wang Shi, now that the East Blue is the Marines' direct superior, could we get a raise?"

Kizaru was rather thick-skinned, actually speaking up again to liven up the atmosphere.

"Now we're all being supported by His Majesty. Our treatment probably won't differ by much."

Kuzan spread his hands. He had thought that he would