Chapter 253

That guy has an army of Sea Kings!!

Who could possibly oppose him on the high seas?!

As Law prepared to head to the New World, the Navy's fleet had already left the waters controlled by World and his group.

"Finally, I can go back."

Binz sat on the gunwale with his arms crossed, his eyes radiating a vibrant energy.

Oh yeah!

Finally, we can go back! How long have we been stuck in these waters?

"So, is this the end of the matter?"

Sanji, who was panting heavily from lifting weights, asked while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"The end? How could it possibly end like this?"

Gion shook her head. "The situation in the New World has reached a point of near-out-of-control. The current stability is only because the monsters have chosen to remain inactive."

"Neither the government nor the navy can truly place their hopes for peace on the pirates' restraint, nor can they condone them simply because they are not taking action for the time being."

No?

I feel like the government is best at condoning pirates.

After a round of exercise, Naito was somewhat exhausted, comfortably rested his head on Ain's soft thighs.

Ain's long, slender, and soft fingers carefully massaged Naito's cramped muscles.

Gion glanced at the two of them and continued, "However, as I said before, the Navy can't easily take action against those monsters; the current situation is such that any move could have far-reaching consequences."

"The higher-ups must be having a real headache right now. They want to take action, but they don't know where to start."

The Vice Admiral sighed, "The specifics of what to do depend on what the higher-ups decide."

It seems a decision has already been made.

At that moment, Kizaru walked over.

He was holding a Den Den Mushi); he had just gone to make a call to headquarters.

"The government is preparing to summon the Shichibukai."

"Shichibukai?"

Naito raised an eyebrow slightly.

Is there really something big going on?

Chapter 172 Return to Marineford! Destination: Amazon Lily!

The naval fleet sailed forward, reaching the very forefront of the New World.

They encountered no unexpected events along the way, even though the Flying Pirates were currently wreaking havoc in the early part of the New World.

After all, Golden Lion's targets were only those World Government Member States, and his pirates would have even less courage to attack such a large fleet.

After sailing for more than half a month, the fleet finally arrived at the entrance area of New World and rendezvoused with another naval fleet near the G-1 Base.

The two enormous warships gradually moved side by side across the sea.

A man jumped from the ship next door onto Naito's warship.

"Naito!!"

Upon meeting, Professor Zephyr couldn't wait to slap Naito on the shoulder, his face full of satisfaction. "You rascal, you left as Rear Admiral, and now you're a lieutenant Vice Admiral!"

"So, what was it like fighting a guy like Golden Lion?"

"That's all there is to it."

Naito's face remained expressionless. "The next time we meet, I'll throw that guy back into Impel Down."

"By then, I should be worthy of the title of Admiral, right? After all, it took Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Mr. Garp working together to capture the Golden Lion back then."

"Hahaha, you little rascal!"

As expected, Zephyr laughed heartily, "Seeing you still the same, I'm relieved."

"However, becoming Admiral isn't just about having the ability and achievements; you'll have to wait until the current generation of Admiral are promoted or retire before you can get a position."

Zephyr hadn't expected Naito to reach the rank of Vice Admiral so quickly.

This kid is only eighteen years old!

Historically, no naval officer has ever reached the rank of Vice Admiral at this age.

When he was eighteen, he was just an ordinary naval soldier who had just participated in actual combat, and he didn't become a non-commissioned officer until he was twenty-eight.

Compared to Naito, his promotion speed was practically like a snail crawling.

However, the speed of promotion is even secondary, since in the Navy, as long as you have enough strength, there will always be opportunities for promotion.

What's truly remarkable about this kid is the speed at which his skills are improving.

On this trip alone, he not only Awakening his Devil Fruit powers, but also developed his Observation Haki to the point of Observation Haki to Future Sight.

His strength has improved by leaps and bounds, and he is really not far from the level of Admiral.

In a year or two at most, once he masters the Coating of Conqueror's Haki, his strength will be fully worthy of the title of Marine Admiral.

It's a pity that there are only three Admiral in a given number of positions; it's always been this way. You can have fewer, but you can't have more.

The Admiral of this generation are all very young; the oldest, Borsalino, is only fifty years old, in the prime of his life.

Zephyr laughed and said, "If you want to become Admiral, you'll have to wait at least another ten years."

"Oh, that's not necessarily true."

On the ship next door, Aokiji lay lazily on the gunwale, his eyelids drooping, and spoke slowly, "If the time is right, I might retire early. After all, spending all day on the sea is really tiring."

"Oh, how cunning, Kuzan,"

Kizaru was sitting on a deck chair on the deck, didn't even get up. He just lazily said, "I was just about to say that."

"Fine,"

Aokiji said leisurely, "Why don't you just wait until the next Naito appears before retiring?"

Shut up, you two idiots!

Zephyr scolded impatiently, "Don't you know how chaotic the situation in the New World has become? A few monsters have brazenly divided up this sea area, and because of a lack of fighting power, the government is even mobilizing the Shichibukai! You, as the government's top fighting force, are talking about retiring here!"

"Oh, really,"

Kizaru raised his hands to cover his ears. "We've only just met, and you're already lecturing me again."

"So this is Professor Zephyr."

Aokiji wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "I've been getting nagged every single day lately."

"Two idiots!"

Zephyr snorted, then patted Naito on the shoulder, "Naito, don't you dare learn from those two bastards!"

"I'm going to be Fleet Admiral!"

That's what Naito said.

"Very good!"

Zephyr was very pleased.

He has to be a close disciple!

While Naito can be quite lazy in his daily routine, when it comes to rolling things up, Naito's second to none!

"So,"

Naito looked at Aokiji, then back at Kizaru, and asked seriously, "Which of you will retire first?"

Although Aokiji was chosen beforehand, it's not impossible for Kizaru to volunteer if he wants to.

"You brat!"

Zephyr slapped Naito on the back, somewhat annoyed.

"Really, Professor Zephyr,"

The Vice Admiral Gion nearby, spoke with a forlorn expression, "Is only Little Naito in your eyes? Are we students utterly insignificant in your eyes?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Zephyr glanced at Gion, then sighed softly, "But Gion, it's alright. Nobody wanted to see what happened at G-14 Base."

Gion paused slightly, then shook her head with a wry smile, "It's already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."

If it weren't for Naito's timely support, everyone at G-14 Base, including herself, would probably have died at the hands of the Golden Lion.

"That guy will pay the price."

Zephyr said seriously, "Headquarters is already discussing the reconstruction of G-14 Base."

"Now, Professor Zephyr?"

Gion was somewhat surprised, "That area of the sea is already World's territory, wouldn't it be dangerous to rebuild it so hastily—"

"That's precisely why it's so important to rebuild G-14 Base as soon as possible."

Zephyr said seriously, "We can't let those scumbags get too cocky!"

"So, Professor Zephyr,"

Naito asked, "What has headquarters decided to do?"

"At this point, all we can do is deterrence."

Zephyr said, "Invest more resources in the New World, so that those scum will hesitate to act."

"The Sengoku made a suggestion to the government."

Zephyr paused for a moment, then said, "Swap Marineford and G-1 Base."

"Exchange?"

Binz, standing behind Naito, was utterly astonished. "So, you're going to turn G-1 Base into the new headquarters?"

"That's right."

Zephyr nodded solemnly, "We can no longer afford to waste too much power on the first half of the Grand Line!"

"That Golden Lion has even become a threat to Mary Geoise! To deter those guys from making any rash moves, and to ensure a decisive victory at the crucial moment, the New World needs more power!"

"Oh--"

Binz looked puzzled. "So, does this mean we're witnessing a change in the times?"

Marineford a history as the Marine Headquarters that is almost as long as the history of the World Government.

"A new era has dawned in the New World."