Figarland Garling, as the Supreme Commander of the God's Knights, held a status among the Celestial Dragons nearly equal to that of the Five Elders.
Though he had been outmaneuvered twice by Michael, forcing the Five Elders to exile him to the seas of the New World…
The Five Elders were no pushovers to be toyed with by Michael either.
Compelled by circumstances to exile Figarland Garling to the New World, they simultaneously granted him an opportunity for a bitter ruse—removing him from the public eye.
There, he began to expand freely across the seas, leveraging the power of the God's Knights to grow his forces while investigating every aspect of Michael.
The Five Elders had long harbored suspicions about Michael's true identity.
No matter how one looked at it, Michael's methods and responses didn't resemble those of a Marine…
Or rather, not those of a pure Marine.
Their intelligence network had detected Michael venturing not only into Revolutionary Army territory but also openly entering the domains of the Whitebeard Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.
In theory, Marines should be sworn enemies of pirates and revolutionaries alike.
Yet Michael clearly lacked such sentiments.
Under his influence, the Fish-Man Island and New World Gateway Joint Front was established to deal with pirates…
As for the Revolutionary Army, he and Sengoku gradually withdrew the Marine forces from the four seas, leaving behind only nominal branch offices and a handful of retired personnel.
This… was beyond their comprehension.
Thus, they could only assume one thing—that Michael was actually an agent of another faction, planted within the Marines to sow discord between them and the World Government.
After all, Michael's attitude toward the World Government was… complicated, to say the least.
Why couldn't such an outstanding talent remain loyal to the World Government?
This was a question that baffled the Five Elders endlessly.
So… while they appeared to retreat at every turn, they embedded spies in every step Michael took, probing his motives and identity.
This operation was later entirely orchestrated and commanded by Figarland Garling.
From the four seas to Paradise, from Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue to Alabasta, from Fish-Man Island to Marine Headquarters—spies from the World Government were everywhere.
Under such an overwhelming investigation, they finally made some progress.
They discovered that after becoming the Grand Inspector, Michael frequently and openly entered the territories of other factions.
This, in itself, wasn't unusual—Michael's penchant for persuasion and recruitment had long been renowned across the seas.
But before Michael became Grand Inspector, a figure with indistinct features and strange wings had often appeared in these same territories.
Connecting the dots… it could only be Michael.
Particularly damning was the intelligence brought by spies embedded within the Revolutionary Army across the four seas, which confirmed Michael's affiliation with them.
Though the majority of these spies—nine out of ten—defected, sincerely joining the Revolutionary Army, the World Government's kennels still held a few stubbornly loyal hounds.
They returned with the Revolutionary Army's military doctrines…During the Marine's comprehensive study sessions, what was learned couldn't be called identical—it was practically indistinguishable.
This proved that Michael not only had deep ties with the Revolutionary Army but also held a significant position within it.
The information brought back by Figarland Garling was somewhat outdated.
Saint Nusjuro frowned and said, "Garling, Michael's affiliation with the Revolutionary Army is already a confirmed fact—not some highly classified intelligence."
"Then, do you know what role he actually plays within the Revolutionary Army?"
Having endured Michael's humiliation and the suppression of his exile, the once sharp and domineering Figarland Garling had surprisingly become more tactful and composed.
Though he had once carried himself like a king, being dragged from his throne had ironically broadened his previously narrow perspective.
The world isn't lacking in people who rise from shame with courage, but for such a person to emerge among the Celestial Dragons was truly astonishing.
Hearing his words, the Five Elders immediately grew solemn.
The hardliners in their ranks couldn't even begin to touch upon such a core issue.
Who would have thought that Figarland Garling, after taking over for just this short period, had already managed to uncover it?
Could he truly be a born prodigy in intelligence?
"We are all ears," Saint Marcus Mars nodded, his long beard concealing the smile on his lips.
They still had to maintain basic respect for Figarland Garling...
After all, they couldn't take his "bitter ruse" at face value.
"Michael... is one of the founders of the Revolutionary Army and serves as their Chief of Staff."
The moment Figarland Garling uttered these words, the Five Elders froze in unison...
Strangely, they... weren't all that surprised.
Though unexpected, it made perfect sense.
With Michael's capabilities, how could he merely be an ordinary officer in the Revolutionary Army?
Moreover, to propagate such revolutionary military principles throughout their ranks would require an exceptionally high position.
"It seems... you've already braced yourselves for this," Figarland Garling observed the Five Elders, nodding thoughtfully.
"A Grand Inspector of the Marine Headquarters, simultaneously acting as the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff... and he's been dancing under your noses for so long, only now having his identity uncovered... How utterly incompetent you all are."
"Garling! Watch your words!" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, bellowed as he stood up, glaring at him.
"Don't forget—you're no longer the lofty Judge! You're an exile now!"
"Do as you please," Figarland Garling sneered, turning to walk toward the door.
"I will now return to the seas."
His indifferent attitude left the Five Elders utterly stunned.
'To think this incident would change Figarland Garling so drastically...'
"By the way, here's a bonus piece of information for you," Figarland Garling turned around just as he was about to leave the room.
"Charloss of the Rosward family... I suggest you investigate his behavior. He was quite fascinating."
With that, Figarland Garling pushed open the grand doors and exited the chamber of the Five Elders.
The Five Elders exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions growing increasingly grim.
"Charloss of the Rosward family..."
"Isn't he the sole survivor of the Cross Guild's massacre of the Celestial Dragons back then?"
"And the one who saved this survivor was..."
"Michael!"
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