"Renn Hawk..."
"The next Fleet Admiral... it's decided. It's you!"
"What...???"
Renn Hawk's expression froze in disbelief.
This couldn't be real.
Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral himself surely he wasn't serious?
Yes, Renn had forged good ties with the three Admirals and had earned recognition from most Vice Admirals. But the truth was undeniable: his time as a Marine officer in headquarters was still far too short, his foundation too shallow.
To the rank and file, he was still little more than a rising star a Marine supernova whose brilliance had only just begun to shine. He hadn't yet accumulated the prestige, the network, the undeniable weight of authority that every true leader needed.
And most importantly, his strength wasn't enough.
Every Fleet Admiral in history had risen from among the elite Admirals. Renn was merely a candidate with Admiral-level potential. To lead the entire Navy, he would need at least three or four of his abilities elevated to their absolute peak.
"Enough, Sengoku, this is madness!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped forward, her sharp gaze cutting through the air like a blade.
Renn could see her exasperation. The man who had once been impulsive, hot-blooded, even reckless was that version of Sengoku returning?
For decades, ever since he had taken the seat of Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had buried those impulses beneath the weight of responsibility. He had suppressed his nature for the sake of the Navy's stability. But now, after personally avenging the death of his adopted son and seeing a glimmer of true independence for the Marines... his emotions had surged back. Even his Conqueror's Haki had slipped from control.
It was understandable.
But to immediately appoint Renn Hawk as the next Fleet Admiral? That was reckless.
"Old friend, I won't deny it," Tsuru continued firmly, her voice low but piercing. "Renn Hawk is the Navy's future. But such a proclamation will make him a target. You know how many eyes are fixed on us. The Four Emperors of the New World, the Five Elders of Mary Geoise, and countless predators lurking in the shadows. If you declare today that he will be your successor, then tomorrow assassins and conspirators will flood toward him like vultures. Do you think even four Buster Calls could guarantee his safety?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Unless you intend for Sakazuki to guard him every waking moment. But if that happens, how will Renn grow? How will he carve out his own path of justice? How will he earn his own authority?"
Her words, though calm, struck like iron nails.
"The Admirals are in their prime Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan. There is no immediate void at the top. We have time for Renn to grow. Don't try to force a sapling into a tree overnight."
With that, Tsuru let out a slow breath and softened her tone.
"What we must focus on now is not succession... but how to quietly and effectively turn that Golden City into the Navy's strength."
"..."
Sengoku blinked, realization dawning on him. Then he smacked his forehead.
"Of course. You're right. I lost myself for a moment."
The hope Renn brought had been overwhelming, almost blinding. But Tsuru was right the Navy couldn't afford reckless impatience.
"Hah. Tsuru, it's a good thing you're here."
She rolled her eyes at Sengoku's sheepish grin before turning her attention to Renn.
"Renn Hawk, what are your thoughts on the Sky Island gold?"
The question carried gravity. Everyone in the room knew the scale of what was at stake. Based on Renn's reports, the amount was astronomical enough to fund the Navy's expenses entirely for years.
And that was precisely what made it so dangerous.
If the World Government caught wind of this fortune, they would seize it instantly under the guise of global stability. At best, they might toss the Navy a meager scrap as a "special budget." For centuries, the Government had used funding as chains to bind the Navy, ensuring it never truly broke free.
But now, the chains could be shattered.
Renn stepped forward, his voice steady.
"The reason I brought back this portion of gold was to prove the existence of the Golden City. As for the rest..." He paused, his gaze shifting between Sengoku and Tsuru. "Its transport, its secrecy, and its eventual use those matters concern the very lifeblood of the Navy. Headquarters must handle it."
He was certain of this.
His own crew, though gifted Zoro, Sanji, and the other rising monsters were still young. They needed time, just as he did. But Marine Headquarters had both the strength and the infrastructure to convert the Sky Island's treasure into true military power.
"Agreed," Tsuru nodded, taking command of the moment as Sengoku still simmered in emotion. Her tone carried the decisiveness of the Navy's Grand Strategist.
"But headquarters is not suitable for housing the gold."
She explained with precision.
"Marineford stands at the world's center. Spies from the Government, from the Four Emperors, from the CP agencies they're everywhere. Such large-scale movement of resources cannot be concealed there."
Her eyes swept across the G-3 base. Soldiers drilled with perfect discipline in the training fields. Dockworkers moved efficiently along the piers. The entire branch was a finely tuned war machine, humming with order and strength.
Here, in the first half of the Grand Line known as Paradise pirates were plentiful, but their power was scattered. Compared to the New World, this region posed no overwhelming threat.
And more importantly, Renn himself had purged its greatest blight the cesspool of Mock Town. Few dared to pry into G-3 now.
Which made the choice obvious.
"The gold cannot remain in Marineford," Tsuru concluded. "Nor can it be stored in New World branches under constant Yonko surveillance. The best option..." She raised her hand and pointed firmly downward.
"...is here. The G-3 Branch."
Her reasoning was ironclad:
"First, this region is safer, and its enemies weaker. Second, Renn Hawk has already secured its stability with decisive action. And third..." Her gaze softened slightly as it fell on Renn.
"The Golden City was your discovery. You've already proven your integrity by offering its wealth to the Navy rather than hoarding it. That shows vision, restraint, and loyalty to the greater cause."
She paused before delivering her final decision.
"Therefore, I propose we expand the G-3 Branch. The gold will be secretly transported here in stages, disguised as construction supplies. Under the cover of expansion, the treasure will be transformed into the Navy's hidden strength."
She let the weight of her words settle before adding one more revelation.
"Five handpicked, absolutely trustworthy Vice Admirals will be permanently stationed here with their fleets. Officially, their mission will be to support you in suppressing pirates in Paradise. In reality... they will safeguard what will become the Navy's own secret vault."
Renn's breath caught in his chest.
The G-3 Branch... transformed into a fortress of gold.
Not just a base, but the hidden heart of Marine independence.
And he would stand at its center.
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