Mary Geoise.
Yakushi Kabuto couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Even though Yakushi Kabuto knew in his heart that given a little more time, the position of Grand Marshal of the World Government would inevitably be his, and no one could be his rival.
However, Yakushi Kabuto never expected that the Five Elders would promise him that, after the war ends, he would be appointed to succeed Steel Bone Kong as Grand Marshal.
"This..."
Yakushi Kabuto's eyes showed some surprise, and his face slowly showed a mix of hesitation and trepidation, along with timidity and delight: "Isn't Kong's health still good? Moreover, I've always acted in accordance with the teachings and orders of the Five Elders to get to where I am today; suddenly taking a high position..."
"Yakushi Kabuto, no need for these pointless words in front of us."
Among the Five Elders, an old man who had been sitting on the sofa watching coldly glanced at Yakushi Kabuto, his face revealing a hint of disdain and sarcasm: "Your thirst for power is clear to us, and aside from sipping tea in his office, Kong, the current Grand Marshal, does nothing!"
The words may have been somewhat too much.
As if Yakushi Kabuto had already sidelined the Grand Marshal, weren't Navy Admiral Sengoku's applications still requiring review by Steel Bone Kong?
Moreover...
The Five Elders could hardly hide their arrogance!
Which is quite reasonable.
The Five Elders know very well that Yakushi Kabuto's current status is entirely due to the power they endowed him, and naturally, this power and status can also be taken back.
Yakushi Kabuto can put up a high stance in front of the Navy Admiral, but in front of them, it's better to learn to be a bit more obedient!
"Alright."
Another elder waved his hand, looked at Yakushi Kabuto's expression, and smiled mysteriously: "Kabuto, don't worry, we've chosen to appoint you as the next Grand Marshal without restrictions after careful consideration..."
This elder slowly clasped his hands together and continued calmly: "This is also a reward for your newly established CP Department, capable of dealing with the Red Hair Pirates... We trust the upcoming war will not disappoint our expectations."
"Hmm."
Among the Five Elders, the last elder holding a sword looked at Yakushi Kabuto and spoke in a serious tone: "We have formally informed Sengoku that the upcoming war between the Navy and Whitebeard will be entirely under your command!
Yakushi Kabuto, whether you can use this war to convince everyone of your capability to assume the position of Grand Marshal depends on your own abilities!"
Saying this, the elder suddenly grinned and continued: "According to our thoughts, we hope you can take that position as soon as possible..."
"I understand."
Yakushi Kabuto nodded, adjusted his glasses, and said: "A week from now, the news agency will announce the real execution time. With our current chips, the Whitebeard Pirates and the Revolutionary Army shouldn't miss this feast."
"That's good."
The Five Elders nodded in satisfaction, with one of them waving his hand: "That's good, you may leave."
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto rose to say goodbye.
The five elders who hold supreme power in the world watched Yakushi Kabuto leave in silence, and after the door closed, they resumed discussing Yakushi Kabuto.
"A perfect pawn indeed..."
"Even if a new Admiral emerges in the Navy, for us, Yakushi Kabuto's intelligence is far more useful."
"It's a pity his power is too weak..."
"But considering Yakushi Kabuto's performance, having such a powerless yet extraordinarily wise youngster in a high position is perfectly suitable for us."
"Precisely because his strength is too weak, he's easy for us to control. Holding a position he can't truly secure, he'll have to wholeheartedly serve us, earning our trust to maintain his power."
Because of Yakushi Kabuto's existence...
The Five Elders indeed saved a lot of trouble.
No matter how tricky the World Government's problems get, Yakushi Kabuto can solve them for them;
For major matters, all they need to do is pick one of Yakushi Kabuto's many solutions that they like best.
For those in high positions...
The most important thing is personnel management.
On this matter, Sengoku the Buddha is somewhat inept.
To seize a Navy Captain from Yakushi Kabuto, Sengoku the Buddha forcibly promoted him to Vice Admiral, only to have many affairs ruined by this Vice Admiral.
At this moment.
Shampodi Archipelago.
An inept Vice Admiral is participating in a slave auction.
Originally, this slave auction house was under Doflamingo's enterprise, but after joining Akatsuki, Doflamingo immediately disposed of this auction house.
As a result...
The slave auction house was rebuilt by others.
Now, this slave auction house is holding a large auction, and at this point, as the event concludes, a great pirate has already been bid away, leaving only a robust old man...
This old man seems unsellable...
In order to avoid a total loss, the head of the slave auction finally started announcing the cost price step by step: "Five hundred thousand Belly, five hundred thousand Belly for a robust man. Although he's older, his body is very healthy and can work for you for at least twenty years, after which you can dispose of him as you please!"
At this point, the auctioneer pushed the old slave forward to display his physique and spirit.
Looks like...
Indeed very healthy.
Uehara Naraku yawned, glanced at the elderly man with sparkling eyes, and loudly called out his bid, "I want this person."
Bang!
The gavel came down.
The auctioneer seemed afraid Uehara Naraku might change his mind.
Uehara Naraku spent half a million Belly to purchase an old slave, along with a remote control for the slave collar.
Kind of a loss.
But thinking carefully, if spending half a million Belly on the Pirate King's deputy, Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, as a slave could mean a huge gain.
If one had the power to subdue him...
Indeed.
This old man was actually Dark King Rayleigh.
Whenever Rayleigh ran out of money for drinking, he'd sell himself to the slave market, letting them auction him off; after being sold, he'd casually break off his collar, leaving the buyer at a loss.
This is life...
Since Rayleigh retired, he had been living this life, tricking countless people but with no way to publicize it.
After all, who would buy an ordinary old man as a slave doesn't seem like someone of significant power, as those truly wealthy and influential would directly purchase from the Mermaid Race...
Outside the slave auction.
Uehara Naraku finally met Dark King Rayleigh.
This slave costing him half a million Belly.
Rayleigh's physique remained robust, wearing a pair of sophisticated glasses, with a gentle smile, seemingly just an ordinary old man.
Rayleigh looked at Uehara Naraku, his smile deepening.
As the recently stationed Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters on the Shampodi Archipelago, Uehara Naraku was essentially the highest-ranking official there, and Rayleigh surely recognized him.
Not only did Rayleigh recognize Uehara Naraku.
Rayleigh had also heard from Shakky about recent events regarding Uehara Naraku, like how the Vice Admiral was cleverly captured twice in less than five days by the Red Hair Pirates...
The first time was when the Red Hair Pirates were heading to Enies Lobby, capturing Uehara Naraku to exchange for Fire Fist Ace as a hostage, but the Red Hair Pirates fell, and Uehara Naraku survived unscathed...
The second time, after the Enies Lobby incident broke out, Uehara Naraku escorted the Red Hair Pirates prisoners to the Impel Down Prison, but encountered the remnants of the Red Hair Pirates led by Benn Beckman, and lived once more...
No, saying it this way...
Uehara Naraku should be considered lucky.
To survive twice amidst the Four Emperors Pirates, this Vice Admiral of the Navy surely had unusual luck!
In Rayleigh's view, if Uehara Naraku could let Red-haired Shanks and Benn Beckman spare him twice, either there's something commendable about Naraku, or this Vice Admiral is such a fool, it's not even worth dirtying their hands!
Anyway...
This Vice Admiral has truly embarrassed the Navy.
Presumably for this reason, Uehara Naraku was shipped to Shampodi Archipelago to babysit the Heavenly Celestial Dragons possibly wandering here...
If Shanks could spare Uehara Naraku...
Dark King Rayleigh figured there was no need to cause trouble either.
Considering this Vice Admiral's stroll through the slave auction, it's likely he's more of a fool, so it doesn't matter...
And such a foolish Vice Admiral stationed at Shampodi Archipelago likely wouldn't threaten the Super Rookies arriving this year, those emerging during the New Great Pirate Era Gol D. Roger founded...
Rayleigh reached to remove the collar from his neck, smilingly looking at Uehara Naraku before him, "Five hundred thousand Belly is not a small sum... Losing this money, young one, your luck really isn't very good!"
"This..."
Uehara Naraku's face showed astonishment, seemingly in disbelief watching Dark King Rayleigh easily remove the slave collar, "How can you remove the collar?"
The next moment, Uehara Naraku's expression became fierce, "You are my slave that I spent five hundred thousand Belly on!"
"..."
Dark King Rayleigh's gaze turned subtle.
This Uehara Naraku not recognizing the situation? Someone who can easily remove a slave collar isn't someone to be trifled with, right?
Now it's confirmed, Uehara Naraku is definitely a fool.