Pirate: I was just slacking off, do you really think I'm bad?

Kaido's death heralded another important turning point for the world's navies and pirates.

From then on, pirates could no longer take advantage of their advantageous position in the New World to recklessly challenge the Navy's authority. The Navy's offensive capabilities in this battle attracted worldwide attention.

No one in any faction could believe that even Kaido, one of the Three Emperors, and the other two Three Emperors could not withstand the Navy's attack.

Within just a few days, the territories of two of the Three Sovereigns were breached, and the territory of one of the Three Sovereigns was completely wiped out.

The Navy's power was amplified. Even after the Navy announced its withdrawal from the New World and everyone left Kaido's territory, no small force dared to occupy Kaido's lands.

However, this is only temporary. Like sharks that have smelled blood, they will pounce and tear at the navy after confirming that they have completely left.

However, right now the world's biggest headaches aren't just pirates, but also the World Government and Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Just as Sengoku was announcing to the outside world that the navy was abandoning its territory in the New World.

Raleigh and Sakazuki also announced Kaido's death. The two announcements came one after the other, and anyone with a modicum of intelligence could see the secret behind them.

That is, the Warring States period was the first to release [the information].

The fact that Raleigh and Sakazuki's message was released later made Shanks sense that something was unusual about it.

In addition, the five elders of the World Government, with their keen sense of smell, also noticed the difference here.

In Mary Geoise, the holy land of the Celestial Dragons, an emergency meeting was convened.

The Five Elders gathered here once again for a meeting.

They themselves always felt something was off. In the past, such meetings were almost a once-a-year occurrence, but now they were held almost every few days, and each one was about something very important.

Having cast aside his doubts, the long-bearded Five Elders spoke first: "It seems a division has emerged within the Navy; the relationship between Admirals Raleigh and Sakazuki and Sengoku is very tense."

The Five Elders are all seasoned veterans of political struggle and are well aware of this situation.

This action must have been taken by one party who was dissatisfied with the other.

Normally, if an admiral has accomplished a strategic objective, he will report the information to the Navy Headquarters immediately.

Then the news from Sengoku would be later than the news from Raleigh and Sakazuki.

But things are different now.

The Five Elders, holding the demon sword, adjusted their glasses:

"This is advantageous for us. The navy is too threatening, and we can appropriately incite internal conflicts to weaken its strength."

For the Five Elders, the current situation is indeed becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

The navy is unlike any other in history; it is more powerful than ever before, and even the world government cannot maintain strong control over it.

"Furthermore, Sengoku and his allies' attitude towards the Revolutionary Army is far too ambiguous; it's time to replace them with a new Fleet Commander."

The short, stout Five Elders spoke up, saying that after this incident, his first thought was to split the naval forces.

In the current navy, Sengoku's faction has an intricate relationship with the Revolutionary Army. The reason why the Revolutionary Army was able to grow stronger is also because of the relationship between Sengoku and Garp.

Given the obedience and aggression displayed by Raleigh and Sakazuki, they believed that Raleigh and Sakazuki would be a sharp blade aimed at the Revolutionary Army.

"However, Sengoku had served as a general and marshal for many years, and his true strength lay beyond what was outwardly apparent."

The long-bearded Five Elders smiled.

Sengoku's current behavior is the complete opposite of the vast majority of soldiers in the navy. He, who should have been a hawk, has become a dove, deviating from his original principles. There is no longer a place for him among the hawks.

The Five Elders were well aware of the changes that had occurred during the Warring States period.

Part of the reason is Sengoku's own flaw; he is too sentimental and cannot face Garp's pleas for mercy, so he can never bring himself to kill the Revolutionary Army.

Another reason is precisely because of the Five Elders and others sitting in this room. It is their constant suppression of the Navy that has caused the Navy to always be at a disadvantage when facing pirates.

Over time, the navy pre-determined to exclude Sengoku from the hawkish camp.

Splitting up the navy is a good idea, but the problem is that neither Raleigh nor Sakazuki seem like they'd listen.

The Five Elders, who were holding the demon sword, said with a cold glint in their eyes!

"For both of them, support is necessary, but at the same time, they also need to be given a good talking-to so they remember their place."

Only when people serve God well will God show His generosity to the world.

"Send a few CPOs to find him and tell him that as long as he listens to us, he can have the position of Fleet Admiral."

At this moment, the main subject being discussed by the Five Elders is on its way back.

Raleigh, unusually, brought out his sunchair again; he hadn't done this in a long time.

Sakazuki also came over from his warship and sat down next to Raleigh.

After a long time, Sakazuki suddenly spoke:

Raleigh, don't you think what Sengoku did this time was really wrong?

Raleigh was putting a grape in his mouth when he heard Sakazuki's words. He chewed it twice, savoring the sweet and sour taste on his tongue before speaking:

The Warring States period had its own considerations, but it was indeed going against the direction of naval development.

Neither of them addressed Sengoku as Marshal. "If I were to support you, how confident are you of success?"

Sakazuki said very seriously.

This matter was very important to him, even concerning his future conduct in the Navy.

Raleigh wasn't surprised; everyone could clearly sense that Sengoku was no longer suitable to be the Navy's Grand Admiral.

There are only four people who can serve as naval commanders.

The three generals, Raleigh, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, along with Chief of Staff Kuzan.

No one else is qualified.

Raleigh looked into Sakazuki's eyes and said solemnly;

"With the support of Brother Sakazuki and my older brother, there's an 80% chance."

Actually, Raleigh didn't finish his sentence because he had guessed what the World Government was thinking.

The current admiral is no threat to the revolutionary army, so let's replace him with an obedient admiral who can eliminate the revolutionary army.

Kuzan was one of the characters who was eliminated from the very beginning.

Borsalino had always been in charge of the Navy's research units and communication and coordination within the World Government. Besides, he didn't want to be a Fleet Admiral; he found it too troublesome.

Only Sakazuki was qualified to compete for the rank of Grand Admiral.

Now that he's offering his support, there are no other rivals left.

Upon hearing Raleigh's words, Sakazuki smiled with satisfaction.

It wasn't that he didn't want to compete for the position of Fleet Admiral, but rather that he realized he couldn't fulfill his own ambitions even if he became Fleet Admiral.

Because he had a clear understanding of the limits of his abilities.

As an admiral, he possessed sufficient strength and strategic acumen, but as a fleet admiral, he would struggle to coordinate internal naval affairs and lacked a comprehensive strategic vision. Before Raleigh became famous, his ambition was always to become a fleet admiral. However, as Raleigh gradually rose to the rank of admiral, it's no joke that Sakazuki saw in Raleigh the hope for naval and global change.

That's why Sakazuki took the initiative to talk to Raleigh about this.

I've already informed my people that if Sengoku refuses to relinquish his position after we return to headquarters, we'll mobilize our forces and take his place.

Sakazuki said firmly.

In battles against pirates, Sengoku has disappointed Sakazuki multiple times, and now Sakazuki no longer wants Sengoku to remain in that position.

Raleigh shook his head and said:

"Don't make a move rashly, Brother Sakazuki."

We don't need to rush; someone will create the conditions for us to rise to power.

Raleigh had launched a massive attack on the Revolutionary Army across the world precisely for this moment.

Sengoku transferred Raleigh from the first half of the Grand Line because he killed too many Revolutionary Army soldiers.

Now, he will also be promoted to a higher position by the Five Elders for this reason.

Everything was going according to Raleigh's plan. Just as Raleigh and his group were about to reach Marineford, a World Government warship intercepted Raleigh's ship. Members of the CPO organization, who were leading the operation, invited Raleigh to board the ship for a chat.

Raleigh obeyed them and boarded the World Government's ship without bringing anyone with him.

In the large conference room, only Raleigh and one CPO member were present.

The CPO members didn't speak, but instead turned on their live Den Den Mushi and left the meeting room.

Raleigh felt very uncomfortable because the meeting room was filled with a lot of sea stone material.

Before Raleigh could even begin to examine the conference room, the live Den Den Mushi broadcast had already started.

The person appearing in the picture is none other than the Five Elders, the rulers of the World Government.

This was also Raleigh's first meeting with the Five Elders.

The Five Elders have never regarded Raleigh as an important figure, even though he is a Marine Admiral. "Christian Raleigh, the current Marine Admiral, is known as the nightmare of pirates. Am I right?"

The five elders with long beards spoke first.

Raleigh nodded slightly and said calmly:

"It is I, Lord Five Elders."

The Five Elders in the scene seemed satisfied with Raleigh's attitude. After nodding, the bald Five Elder, holding the demon sword, spoke:

We were quite satisfied with your recent pursuit of the Revolutionary Army on the Grand Line, but did you harbor any resentment at Fleet Admiral Sengoku recalling you just when you were making rapid progress?

Raleigh nodded, feigning anger:

I don't know what headquarters is thinking. Give me some more time, and I can sweep across the land and begin to purge the revolutionary army's forces.

"With the current Kuzan in command, there has been absolutely no progress in the fight against the Revolutionary Army."

The five elders exchanged a glance, and they were all very satisfied.

Of course, they knew that Raleigh was faking it, but often, political masters tacitly avoid pointing it out.

They didn't care whether Raleigh had ulterior motives; what they cared about was whether Raleigh could reach a consensus with them on this matter.

"We are also very dissatisfied with this. Sengoku seems to have some connection with the Revolutionary Army, so the Fleet Admiral may be replaced."

If it were you, what price would you pay?

The short, stout Five Elders spoke directly to the point: they were confident enough to push Raleigh to the position of Fleet Admiral, but they also wanted Raleigh to express his true thoughts.

The Five Elders can push for either Raleigh or Sakazuki; the real question is how determined Raleigh is to become Fleet Admiral.

"If I can become the Fleet Admiral with the help of the Five Elders, then all orders of the Navy will be subject to the command of the Five Elders."

Raleigh said with a sincere expression.

Since it's all just empty promises anyway, it doesn't matter if it's all pretense or hypocrisy.

Before assuming office, each Fleet Admiral goes to Jorgmare to declare his loyalty to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

So Raleigh took it as a preemptive statement: "Very good, we see your determination. Get ready, we'll pave the way for you in Marineford, the rest is up to you."

After saying that, the Five Elders chose to end the call via Den Den Mushi.

In fact, the Five Elders didn't offer much help in this matter; they could only provide Raleigh with a condition for running for Field Marshal.

Whether or not he can become a Marine Grand Admiral depends on his own performance.

Sakazuki and Kuzan are both problems that Raleigh needs to solve himself.

The Five Elders always make empty promises, whether they succeed or not is just a matter of giving someone a chance.

Just like Sakazuki's struggle with Kuzan for the position of Fleet Admiral, the Five Elders merely provided Sakazuki with a platform for a duel. If Sakazuki had lost then, the Five Elders would have had no choice but to reluctantly accept Kuzan as the new Fleet Admiral. Back on his ship, Raleigh stood on the deck, looking towards Marineford.

"Marshal, are you ready?"

The atmosphere inside Marineford was incredibly lively.

Everyone knew that Raleigh and Sakazuki were coming back, and they were decorating Marineford with all their might.

Because Raleigh and Sakazuki demonstrated the Navy's invincible prowess, they also felt the Navy's glory.

While the whole of Marineford was filled with joy, only a few people in the Marshal's office looked grim.

"Warring States period, sitting at Yuan Shi's desk, looking worried."

Besides Kapu, who was eating senbei on the sofa, Tsuru was also frowning and calculating something.

"Garp, can you please stop eating?"

Sengoku was somewhat annoyed to see Garp eating senbei with gusto.

Sengoku, don't worry, it's just a position of naval admiral, right? Even if you lose it, it's not a big deal. Look at me, I'm quite relaxed even without a position.

Zhan Guo exhaled a puff of smoke and sighed softly.

Not everyone can be as carefree as Garp. He started as a lowly soldier and climbed his way up step by step over many years to finally achieve the marshal position he desired, only to lose it so easily.

No one would be willing to accept this.

Sometimes Sengoku envied Garp; he was carefree and didn't care about losing anything.

The crane raised its head and said:

"Did the Five Elders also agree to let someone else replace you during the Warring States period?"

Zhan Guo was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Several figures gradually surfaced in his mind, and finally, Raleigh's image began to slowly magnify in his mind.