In Konoha: Three Choices at the Start

That was Sengoku's approach. The entire ceremony would be broadcast live, a chance for the Marines to show the world—and the pirates—their strength. There was no way he would pass it up.

"Everyone! I'm sure many of you know that since the founding of the World Government, there has never been a Fourth Navy Admiral!"

"Admiral Liuyun's appointment has broken the World Government's long-standing limit of Three Admirals. It also speaks to his strength!"

"But you may be wondering: why did the Five Elders make an exception and appoint Liuyun as the Fourth Navy Admiral?"

As the investiture ceremony began, Sengoku's deep, compelling voice carried across the venue.

"Yeah! Why?"

"What made Liuyun the Fourth Navy Admiral?"

People frowned and pondered the question.

While the crowd was still thinking, Sengoku's voice rang out again.

"It's simple. Two days ago, a mysterious attacker struck the Holy Land Mary Geoise, causing devastating losses. Liuyun stepped in and saved it."

"To repay him for saving their lives, the Five Elders made an exception and appointed him the Fourth Navy Admiral."

Sengoku's words left the crowd visibly stunned.

Put that way, it made sense. Liuyun was the Holy Land's savior, and he was immensely powerful. Making him a Marine Admiral was reasonable enough.

But that raised another question: who had attacked Mary Geoise?

As the crowd pondered this, the Marine Vice Admirals around the platform exchanged grave looks.

As Marine Vice Admirals, they counted among the Marines' senior ranks.

Naturally, they had heard something about what had happened at the Holy Land.

What they had not expected was to hear that Liuyun had saved it from destruction. What kind of joke was that?

A few sharp-minded Marine officers seemed to have guessed the truth. Their eyes flickered, and they looked at Liuyun with profound