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The Golden Lion's escape did not send the world into shock or panic.
The Marines Headquarters strictly kept the news under wraps, and with the Golden Lion vanished without a trace, the commotion, initially confined to a small group, gradually subsided.
Now, all eyes were focused on the Marines' new personnel reshuffle.
A week after the Golden Lion's escape, the Marines Headquarters became the focal point of attention.
Reporters from across the globe flocked to the scene, their cameras flashing incessantly. Soldiers stood stoically, their faces impassive as they faced the chaotic scene without a hint of emotion.
Today, Fleet Admiral Kong of the Marine Headquarters is stepping down to assume the role of Commander-in-Chief of the entire Marine force. Sengoku will succeed him as the new Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters.
This news spread rapidly three months ago and has been widely disseminated ever since, ensuring that the entire world is aware.
A solemn, though not extravagant, transfer-of-command ceremony is being held here, broadcast live globally. Politicians, pirates, and leaders of various factions are all watching closely, secretly gathering intelligence on the new Fleet Admiral to prepare for the coming storm.
"Today, I, Sengoku, am deeply honored to stand in this position."
"Now that I stand here, my actions will be worthy of this uniform and the responsibilities of this rank!"
There were no grand speeches, no impassioned declarations. Sengoku stood solemnly on the platform, calmly delivering his message.
"Marines," he declared, "we are duty-bound to safeguard the islands, nations, and people of the world."
"We will strike down all elements of unrest and lawlessness."
His words were neither harsh nor mild, yet everyone knew that a new storm was brewing on the horizon.
This new Fleet Admiral of the Marines was renowned for his intellect, making him a far more formidable opponent than his predecessor, Kong, who was famed for his martial prowess.
Having delivered his message, Sengoku, clad in the Fleet Admiral's uniform, maintained a stern expression as he answered questions from reporters worldwide, officially announcing the change in the Commander-in-Chief.
A month later, the new Admiral assumed his post, and Marine Headquarters welcomed two new Admirals.
"Code name: Akainu - Red Dog, Sakazuki, appointed Admiral!"
"Code name: Aokiji - Blue Pheasant, Kuzan, appointed Admiral!"
"Code name: Kizaru, Borsalino, appointed Admiral!"
With this, the Three Admirals of Marine Headquarters assumed their positions, forming a completely new combat power system for the Marines. Under the command of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Three Admirals' combat strength suppressed all corners of the world. Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, Lieutenant Commanders, Commanders, and other lower-ranking officers cascaded down in a hierarchical pyramid structure, making the Marines' system more distinct and clearly defined.
Some might not have been familiar with the Three Admirals at first. But soon, as the Three Admirals of the Marine Headquarters launched their offensives in all directions, crushing pirate crews one after another, everyone realized the sheer terror these three men represented.
Akainu - Red Dog - left molten lava boiling in his wake, annihilating twenty-three pirate crews in just seven days!
Aokiji - Blue Pheasant - froze a vast stretch of sea, covering an area of 100,000 meters and encasing thirteen pirate crews entirely in ice.
Kizaru, whose speed rivaled the speed of light, annihilated a staggering thirty-six pirate crews in a mere three days.
These three new Admirals showcased the overwhelming combat power of the Marines Headquarters, crushed the pirates' arrogance, and brought an eerie calm to the world.
From this moment onward, all pirates and the world alike held the combat prowess of Marine Admirals in awe.
Shortly after Sengoku's appointment as the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he proposed a radical plan at a full military conference: to use pirates to fight pirates.
"Pirates are constantly emerging, and relying solely on the Marines' strength to suppress them is proving increasingly burdensome," Sengoku declared, his face stern as he stood before the round table.
"Therefore, why not recruit greedy, ambitious, and powerful pirates to act as our proxies in combating their own kind?"
The rear, vice, and admiral grade commanders immediately began debating the feasibility of this proposal. However, as with any ambitious plan, its implementation was bound to face significant challenges.
Even though the Fleet Admiral of the Marines had proposed it, implementing the plan posed significant challenges.
Leaving aside the inherent instability of pirates, how would they be controlled once recruited? What criteria should be used to select candidates? These were all pressing questions.
The resolution was temporarily shelved, and the discussion shifted to a plan the Marines needed to address more urgently:
Sengoku's designated "New World Colonization Project"!
Everyone knew that the Grand Line was divided into two halves: the first half and the second half. To reach the legendary Raftel and claim the ultimate treasure, the One Piece, one had to first traverse the first half and then reach the second half.
Herein lay the problem. At this moment, the Marines still maintained some control and influence in certain areas of the first half, but the second half...
It was a pirate's domain!
Even the entrance to the second half was heavily guarded by numerous pirate crews, who roamed unchecked. Over the years, the Marines had found it nearly impossible to infiltrate this territory.
"We must breach a gap there, no matter the cost, to allow our forces to enter and open up a New World!"
Sengoku declared to his assembled commanders, his tone stern and his expression icy.
A proposal titled the "New World Reclamation Plan" was swiftly drafted, debated, and approved. Undercurrents of tension churned as a storm rapidly brewed.
Of course, Rojen, imprisoned on Impel Down's sixth level, remained completely unaware of these developments.
In the pitch-black darkness, time had lost all meaning. Having chosen to remain here, Rojen's fate now hinged solely on what he could gain from this confinement.
The legendary figure said to be able to predict the future instructed and trained Rojen daily through simple methods.
Under such circumstances, Rojen's mastery of Observation Haki advanced at an astonishing pace.
Simultaneously, his Armament Haki training progressed rapidly, leading to explosive growth in his overall strength.
If his rate of improvement had been extraordinarily rapid in the past year, it was only natural that it would slow down as he approached his limit. Everyone knows the principle: the higher you climb, the slower your progress becomes.
Normally, if he were outside, further growth would be arduous and painfully slow. But here, his progress not only remained steady but even accelerated!
"This rate of growth... I can't give up now!"
He didn't want to leave, not yet.
Jason and the others should be safe, but to truly ensure their future journey and everyone's safety, overwhelming strength remained the ultimate guarantee.
"Training, getting stronger, as strong as possible!"
"At least... reach Admiral Grade!"
Rojen's gaze hardened with resolve.
While his fellow inmates idled away their days in boredom, he trained relentlessly, day and night.
His Armament Haki gradually enveloped his entire fist, and his mastery of Observation Haki grew increasingly tangible.
"I'm close to mastering Observation Haki!"
(End Of This Chapter)