One Piece : Glory To The Fleet Admiral

Chapter 490: Sakazuki Becomes One of the Five Elders

"Wahahaha! Success! Lord Orion! The experiment is a complete success!"

Wild laughter accompanied by the clattering of falling components echoed from behind a pile of scrap metal.

Immediately after, an eccentric old man with an oversized head, an apple-stem hairstyle, and a lolling tongue came dancing out in excitement.

It was Vegapunk.

He rushed up to Orion, his face flushed with excitement, pointing at the two massive cultivation tanks while speaking rapidly like machine-gun fire.

"The quantum entanglement between lineage factors and Devil Fruit abilities has achieved stable resonance! The data flow has formed a perfect closed loop! Just give me another half month! No! Ten days! I guarantee I'll deliver everything you want!"

Orion's gaze shifted from Enel and Buggy inside the cultivation tanks to rest on this seemingly mad scientist, smiling as he said.

"You've worked hard, Dr. Vegapunk!"

"Now let this me see your experimental results!"

"Which model would the Fleet Admiral like to test?" Vegapank pressed a button on a remote control, and with a rumbling sound, a wall opposite him immediately split open to reveal rows of experimental achievements from this period.

What came into view was precisely row upon row of neatly arranged Pacifistas, identical in appearance but varying in size and configuration.

Vegapunk pointed to the first row of Pacifistas, a trace of disdain in his eyes.

"These Pacifistas are relatively ordinary, possessing only laser attack capabilities!"

Then he immediately pointed to the second row of Pacifistas, the disdain in his eyes gradually turning fanatical.

"These are the new Pacifistas developed according to the Fleet Admiral's arrangements, combining laser capabilities with the Goro Goro no Mi abilities! With the enhancement of the Goro Goro no Mi, they're more agile in movement. No, to be precise, it's not just agility—they can achieve limited-duration flight at various altitudes."

"As for the third row, they possess the Bara Bara no Mi ability in addition to the previous two capabilities. I call them the Split-Pacifistas!"

"Split-Pacifistas?" Orion's mouth twitched slightly, unable to resist commenting, "How did you come up with such an awful name? Since they possess laser, lightning, and splitting capabilities, just call them Transformers!"

...

Holy Land Mary Geoise, Flower Room.

Imu was trimming a peculiar blue butterfly orchid, her movements elegant and focused.

Behind her, Gunko knelt on one knee, reporting respectfully.

"Lord Orion went to Egghead Island today, accompanied by Admiral Gion and Boa Hancock."

Upon hearing Hancock's name, Imu's hand trimming the flower branches paused slightly before resuming its steady rhythm.

"The situation in the Grand Line has stabilized. It's time to focus on technology." Imu's voice was ethereal and ancient, betraying no emotion.

"Vegapunk's wisdom is one of this era's most valuable assets. I hope Orion can make full use of it!"

...

Several days later, Holy Land Mary Geoise, Chamber of Authority.

An unprecedented grand conference was being held.

All Vice Admirals and above, all members of the God's Knights, and the Five Elders were all present.

The atmosphere in the vast conference hall was solemn to the point of being oppressive.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the young figure in the main seat.

After returning from Egghead Island, Orion directly ordered the convening of this assembly.

No one knew his purpose, but everyone understood in their hearts that a world-sweeping transformation was imminent.

Orion scanned the entire venue and spoke bluntly without any preamble.

"Since Whitebeard's death and the collective surrender of the Red Hair Pirates, everyone has worked hard during this period! Currently, the situation across the Four Seas and even the Grand Line is gradually stabilizing, with everything moving in a positive direction!"

"In that case, certain positions within the World Government should also undergo adjustments!"

After a brief pause, Orion picked up a document in his hand and got straight to the point.

"Next, I will announce some personnel transfers!"

Everyone held their breath.

"Effective immediately, Marine Headquarters Admiral Gion is promoted to Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, overseeing all Marine affairs."

As these words fell, the entire room was stunned!

Countless gazes instantly converged on Gion.

Ever since Orion led the trainees on their overseas training mission, Gion had been handling all Marine affairs, big and small.

Thus, this appointment did not provoke dissatisfaction among the Marine Headquarters officers, as they believed it was only a matter of time before Gion took over the Fleet Admiral position from Orion.

Aside from Gion's exceptional work capabilities, she had been the woman who stood firmly by Orion's side since he initiated the coup, making her his most trusted confidante.

Who would dare oppose her?

Although Gion had long known that Orion intended for her to become the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

Taking a quiet deep breath, Gion stood up under the admiring and respectful gazes of the attendees, faced Orion, and saluted him with a crisp, firm voice.

"Gion will not fail your expectations, Lord Orion."

Orion gave a slight nod and continued announcing:

"Appoint Issho as Chief of Staff of the Marine Headquarters."

"Appoint Charlotte Katakuri as the new Admiral of the Marine Headquarters!"

"Appoint the Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp as Commander-in-Chief of the World Government Armed Forces, overseeing the Marines, the Army, and all branch forces."

"Eh? Eh? Eh?" Garp, who had been picking his nose, widened his eyes in shock and exclaimed irritably.

"Orion, didn't we agree that I would retire? I can't handle being Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces!"

Ignoring the old man's complaints, Orion continued, "Appoint Marine Headquarters Admiral Sakazuki and Marine Headquarters Senior Strategist Tsuru as candidates for the Five Elders."

"Once Sengoku and Zephyr's rotation terms end, the two of you will take over as the new Five Elders."

At these words, Saturn, Warcury, and Nusjuro all twitched uncontrollably.

Their worst fear had finally come to pass!

Although Tsuru becoming a candidate for the Five Elders was unexpected, whether it was her or someone else didn't matter.

What mattered was that Sakazuki had truly become a candidate.

Once the rotation term ended, they would have to share the Chamber of Authority with Sakazuki, a former subordinate they had once ordered around.

Just as the three were twitching, Sakazuki glanced sideways at them, his eyes clearly spelling out the words "It's finally my turn," making the three Elders feel a burning sensation down their spines!

The meeting, which lasted over two hours, concluded with thunderous applause.

Most attendees had either received promotions or additional rewards, making it a joyous occasion for all!

Of course, while some were delighted, others were troubled.

As soon as the meeting ended, Saturn quickly caught up with Orion, who had been the first to leave the conference hall.

"Saint Orion, may I discuss something with you?"

Without waiting for Orion to respond, Saturn got straight to the point with a serious expression.

"After this rotation term ends, could Saint Garling be appointed as the God of Science and Defense?"

"Hmm?" Orion stopped in his tracks, surprised. "Are you voluntarily resigning?"

"That's about right!" Saturn nodded. "The most important reason is that Her Highness Aqua is very interested in scientific knowledge. For the princess, I am willing to abandon everything and become her full-time teacher!"

Orion said bluntly, "After your rotation term ends, you'll step back to a secondary role. Let Garling take over as the Science and Defense God of War!"

Having said that, Orion didn't linger any longer and strode out.

Just a few steps out, Orion suddenly stopped and turned back, smiling. "Saturn, you're worried about Sakazuki taking charge in the Chamber of Authority and opposing you, aren't you? After all, before I took command of the navy, he suffered quite a few humiliations from you!"

"Ahem, nothing of the sort!" Saturn's facial muscles twitched violently as he forced an explanation.

"I truly am doing this for Her Highness Aqua. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself - among the Five Elders, science class is her favorite! As the Science and Defense God of War, it's only right that I dedicate all my knowledge to Her Highness!"

"That explanation is quite reasonable!"

Orion left it at that, barely suppressing his laughter as he said, "Alright, you go attend to your duties. I'm going to check on Aqua in the Flower Room."

Orion's figure flashed through the air, appearing silently in the garden.

Almost simultaneously, Imu, who was watering flowers deep in the garden, suddenly turned around.

Even though she had seen Orion, her gaze remained cold.

"How dare you! How dare you trespass into the Flower Room. Gunko, apprehend him immediately!"

"!!!!!"

Gunko, who had been standing beside Imu and was just about to bow to Orion, widened her beautiful eyes in shock.