Both start in hell: but their talents are multiplied a hundredfold.

Naval Headquarters, Marineford.

Garp popped a donut into his mouth, patted his stomach, and counted, "The 627th."

"Whew! Can we break the record today?"

"I can't wait!"

"Duang!"

A heavy punch landed on Garp's head, and the donut in Garp's hand fell onto the table.

Garp, clutching his head, lowered his crossed legs back to the ground and squatted down, yelling, "Sengoku, what are you doing?!"

"My Donut Challenge!"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the owner of the Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, and Buddha form, ate the donut that had fallen after he hit Garp, and then angrily berated Garp, saying, "We're having a meeting!"

"The Navy's highest-level operational meetings are not a place for you to eat donuts!"

After saying that, Sengoku picked up a donut and threw it into his mouth.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Navy's chief of staff, sat quietly at the conference table, watching the two old brothers act silly.

The other side of the conference table.

With a burly build, wearing a hat with the word "Navy" on it, a tattoo of the Sword of Justice on his right arm, and a rugged face, Admiral Akainu Sakazuki, with a straightforward and violent personality, sat upright.

Tall and slender, with black curly hair and a beard, wearing dark sunglasses and a naval uniform, Admiral Kizaru Borsalino lounged lazily in a chair.

With a slender build, fluffy black curly hair, a white suit vest paired with a dark blue shirt, and a green eye mask covering his eyes, he appeared to be sleeping on the spot. This was none other than Admiral Aokiji Kuzan.

Kuzan, who had been stationed in Impel Down for some time, was also summoned to participate in this meeting.

The navy's highest-level combat forces have gathered here precisely to decide on the navy's next major move.

Garp stood up from the floor, nudged Sengoku's head with his own, and the two began their usual banter.

A knock sounded, and Shen Jue appeared at the door of the operations conference room, knocking on the door to alert everyone present.

Back in Marineford, Shen Jue rewrapped the bandages around her chest and abdomen.

However, among the people present, including Vice Admiral Tsuru, who were all experts in Observation Haki, they could tell from Shen Jue's rosy complexion and steady breathing that his injuries had long since healed.

Shen Jue was, of course, putting on a show for the spies the World Government had planted in the Navy; it was just a necessary formality.

"Marshal Sengoku. All attendees have arrived," Lieutenant General Tsuru announced at the opportune moment.

Sengoku abandoned Garp, returned to the main seat, gestured for Shen Jue to sit down, and then said, "The first thing."

"The Fallen Beast Howling Sky appeared in the Seven Seas City, stole an item, and destroyed several warships belonging to the World Government's intelligence agency."

"And they stole the branch of the precious tree Adam that was kept in the Seven Seas City."

"The Devil's Child, Nico Robin, also appeared beside Xiaotian."

"The World Government demands an increase in Xiaotian's bounty."

All eyes turned to Shen Jue. Shen Jue, who had just sat down, spread his hands and said, "Without the combat strength of a general, it's impossible to cause any trouble for that fur tribe."

"It seems the intelligence agency suffered a major loss."

"There was no information about Xiaotian on this vast sea before the Battle of Drum Island," Lieutenant General Tsuru added. "He was like a ghost that sprang from a rock."

"The monsters on the sea are truly endless," Kizaru said flippantly. "Brother Shen Jue, is that Mink Tribe member really that strong?"

"Xiaotian is very strong."

"A monstrous physique, possessing all three types of Haki, and swordsmanship at the level of a top-tier swordsman," Shen Jue said. "My battle with him couldn't be decided due to external factors."

"Oh my, that's terrifying. A swordsman that even you, Brother Shen Jue, couldn't defeat, that's a real monster," Kizaru remarked.

The group had long been accustomed to Kizaru calling any strong opponent a monster.

But isn't Kizaru, who possesses the Glint-Glint Fruit, also a monster of the sea?

The meetings of the naval officers were not rigid, rule-bound routines. Apart from major policy decisions, the admirals and other attendees could speak freely.

Aokiji remained silent, lying flat with his eye patch on. He had witnessed firsthand just how strong that Mink Tribe member was.

Karp picked up the donut and remained silent.

Akainu gave Shen Jue a meaningful look.

Shen Jue returned the smile.

Seeing that no one had any other reaction, Sengoku continued, "The second thing is that I have proposed to the World Government to promote Vice Admiral Shen Jue to Admiral."

The audience was taken aback, not understanding why Sengoku did this. This incident, however, drew everyone's attention to Garp.

Garp grinned, ate a donut, and said, "Why are you watching me? It wasn't my idea."

As a legendary naval hero, Garp has refused to be promoted to admiral for many years.

To everyone's surprise, Garp's adopted son surpassed him.

Shen Jue was also surprised, as neither Garp nor Sengoku had mentioned this to him privately.

The mission to capture Nico Robin failed, and instead he was promoted from lieutenant general to admiral?

Is this the benefit of having a political background and powerful connections? Shen Jue thought to himself.

"What Shen Jue said is surprisingly appropriate," Kizaru said first, echoing Sengoku's words, "I definitely support the Fleet Admiral's decision."

"I have no objection," Aokiji said lazily.

"I also support this," Lieutenant General Tsuru calmly agreed.

Garp, nonchalant and unconcerned, replied, "I agree."

"Please forgive my refusal," Akainu Sakazuki said seriously. "I do not believe that Lieutenant General Shen Jue is capable of shouldering the responsibilities of an admiral at this moment."

Everyone was startled again.

Kizaru turned to Akainu Sakazuki with a look that said, "The Fleet Admiral has already made a proposal to the World Government. Sakazuki, it's no use if you disagree."

"You objected to the decision made by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, do you want to be punished? Sakazuki, you bastard," Kizaru thought to himself.

"I do not approve of Lieutenant General Shen Jue's actions in the mission to capture Nico Robin," Akainu Sakazuki said slowly. "When faced with a powerful enemy, killing Nico Robin was merely a matter of convenience for Lieutenant General Shen Jue."

"Given the imminent failure of the mission, even if the mission objective is to capture Nico Robin, we must do everything in our power to ensure that no bloodline of the wicked remains."

Extreme justice? This idea came to mind for everyone present.

"General Sakazuki, I don't think your idea is correct," Shen Jue said with a smile, directly rebuking Sakazuki.

"Hahaha! That's how it should be!" Garp suddenly burst into laughter, "We're the Navy!"

"Not those disgusting politicians and bureaucrats!"

"If neither of us is willing to give in, then let's have a fight!"

"This is the Navy!"