For Sengoku and the older generation of Marines, one thing always came first above all else—the stability of the seas.
The World Government's order might have countless flaws.
But it was still far better than total chaos.
As for changing the system…
Not everyone had the courage or resolve to do that.
After all, no one knew whether breaking the existing rules would lead to something better… or something far worse.
At the very least, Sengoku and Garp belonged firmly to the pessimistic camp.
If even world-class powerhouses like them were afraid—
That was precisely why the people who truly reshaped the world were remembered as great figures.
...
Sakazuki officially took office as Fleet Admiral.
The news caused a massive stir within the Navy.
But the second announcement that followed completely blew things wide open.
Navy Admiral Kuzan, codename Aokiji, has withdrawn from the Navy.
In an instant, countless Marines spoke out in Aokiji's defense.
Many believed the World Government had gone back on its word, stolen the Fleet Admiral position that rightfully belonged to Kuzan, and forced him into leaving the Navy.
During conversations with friends and comrades, Smoker and Tashigi also mentioned the World Government's attitude toward the Navy, further fueling dissatisfaction among mid- and lower-ranking Marines.
"Even though it was just a casual move… the effect is pretty impressive."
Inside the Science Unit, Aizen Sōsuke listened to a reporting officer and smiled faintly.
Didn't the World Government want the Navy to act like a dog?
Then he would quietly plant a few landmines and make the Navy grow increasingly resentful of the World Government.
Once the seeds of doubt had been planted, every unreasonable order from the World Government would only deepen that distrust.
And when it finally exploded…
Anything the World Government did would be too late.
The Five Elders believed that Aizen Sōsuke, once confined to the Science Unit, would have his freedom restricted and would reluctantly cooperate with research.
What they could never imagine was that the moment Aizen arrived, he had already placed everyone under Kyōka Suigetsu.
He was even able to remotely influence developments at Marine Headquarters.
Aside from Admiral Kizaru occasionally coming by to oversee things, the strongest person stationed at the Science Unit was Sentomaru.
This so-called "man with the tightest mouth in the world" actually couldn't keep a secret at all.
His strength barely reached Vice Admiral level.
In front of Kyōka Suigetsu, he had zero resistance.
The only thing Aizen needed to be cautious about was the lab's recording and surveillance equipment.
After all, hypnosis didn't work on machines.
Fortunately, everyone in the research facility was "on the same side," so no real traces were left behind.
"Aizen-san!"
At that moment, a man with a balding head, white hair, and a head that looked like an apple tree branch walked in.
This was the World Government's chief scientist—the genius said to possess intellect five hundred years ahead of the world—
Dr. Vegapunk.
Vegapunk excitedly waved a report in his hands.
"Incredible! Absolutely incredible! So-called spiritual pressure appears to be a form of soul energy!"
"It's very similar to Conqueror's Haki, yet not quite the same!"
"In terms of development and application, spiritual pressure can be cultivated deliberately, and even manifested in different forms!"
"It completely surpasses Conqueror's Haki!"
Aizen listened with great interest.
Originally, he had no intention of seriously cooperating with the Science Unit's research.
But after meeting Vegapunk, his thinking changed.
This man was a true scientific genius.
In terms of research talent, he was in no way inferior to Aizen himself—or even Urahara Kisuke.
There was a real chance Vegapunk could actually uncover something meaningful.
Because of that, Aizen provided him with a small amount of spiritual pressure and some biological samples for study.
Despite it being Vegapunk's first exposure to a Shinigami, he had already made tangible progress.
Vegapunk continued excitedly,
"Although the source of spiritual pressure is the soul, our analysis of your biological samples shows something fascinating."
"Your body contains a massive amount of elements that resonate with the soul."
"Because of these elements, you can cultivate spiritual pressure the same way an ordinary person trains their body."
"Ordinary humans like us have far fewer of these elements… so cultivating spiritual pressure would be extremely difficult."
Aizen understood immediately.
Vegapunk was talking about reishi.
In the original Shinigami lore, everything in the Soul Society was composed of reishi.
Shinigami possessed bodies made of highly concentrated reishi, which was why their spiritual pressure was naturally far stronger than that of other souls.
In the human world, people with high reishi affinity could see Shinigami and Hollows, and could even become Quincy.
All of it traced back to reishi.
The fact that Vegapunk had deduced the existence of reishi through pure research alone was astonishing.
Worthy of a scientist ahead of his era.
After some thought, Aizen decided to reveal a bit more.
"In the Sacred Holy Spirit Empire, these elements are called reishi," Aizen said calmly.
"They are a gift bestowed upon us by the Soul King. If you can decipher their secrets, you might gain control over this power."
Vegapunk's eyes lit up instantly.
"Then this is essentially a form of human body modification technology?"
"More or less," Aizen nodded.
"But it's definitely different from the biological modifications you've worked on before."
After all, Aizen had researched the Hōgyoku and the fusion of Shinigami and Hollow powers.
He had more than a little experience when it came to reishi-based alterations.
"That's fantastic! Then I know exactly which direction to pursue!"
Vegapunk immediately rushed back to his laboratory, brimming with enthusiasm.
Aizen simply shook his head lightly.
Modification was theoretically possible—
But in this world, it was impossible to realize.
Any Shinigami or Hollow modification required an environment rich in reishi.
Compared to the Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, the One Piece world didn't even have half that concentration.
Trying to complete such modifications with this level of reishi was pure fantasy.
"Research however you want," Aizen thought calmly.
"As long as I can report that I cooperated, that's enough."
Aizen Sōsuke was effectively placed under soft confinement within the Science Unit.
Meanwhile, Marine Headquarters launched World Military Conscription in full force.
Sengoku retired.
Aokiji left the Navy.
Akainu became Fleet Admiral.
In one stroke, the Navy lost two top-tier combatants and desperately needed fresh blood.
If Sengoku hadn't forcibly rejected Garp's retirement request, the Navy would practically have no one left to use.
Who could have imagined that the Navy—once determined to abolish the Seven Warlords system—would one day find itself short on manpower?
Oguro had no intention of interfering in the world conscription.
It would just lead to Fujitora and Ryokugyu anyway.
Ryokugyu was unreliable, while Fujitora was a man of genuine justice—there was no need for Oguro to meddle.
What truly interested him was the whereabouts of Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat crew.
According to Lucci's report, most of them had ended up in the same places as in the original timeline.
Except for one person.
Luffy had completely vanished.
Because of this, Oguro even contacted Boa Hancock personally—
Only to confirm that Luffy had never appeared on Amazon Lily at all.
***
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