Chapter 116: Shadows Over the Fleet

“Hahaha! Boys, it’s party time!”

And just like that, the battle ended with barely a whimper.

“So, Ledfield, what do you think?”

“That was one hell of a show.”

Once the fight was over, Karl strolled over to Ledfield. Ledfield hadn’t joined the fray—he’d just watched from the sidelines, observing everything the Navy did.

“This world really is rotten to the core.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry. We’ll set things right ourselves.”

“Guess that’s all we can do.”

With that, the two of them turned and joined the festivities, leaving the mess behind for someone else to deal with.

Meanwhile, out on the open sea—

“You all handled this terribly.”

“The Five Elders will be demanding answers from you.”

The Navy ships sailed away from Harth Island, heading toward the Sabaody Archipelago.

Ten figures landed before Kong. Dressed head to toe in golden armor, they could only be members of the Holy Knights.

“Why didn’t you step in?”

Kong glared at the ten Holy Knights standing before him, teeth clenched in frustration.

Every one of them was as strong as an Admiral. If they’d fought, the Navy wouldn’t have suffered nearly as many casualties, and Admiral Wenhu wouldn’t be so badly hurt.

“Our duties only cover escorting you to safety.”

“That’s the will of the Five Elders.”

“And remember, you’re just a Navy man under the World Government. You have no right to question your superiors’ orders.”

With eyes full of contempt, the Holy Knights spat out those words, then all ten launched skyward, speeding toward Mariejois.

“Bang!”

“Damn it!”

Kong smashed the rail in front of him, his eyes full of hate as he watched the Holy Knights disappear into the distance.

“Set sail. We’re heading back to Navy Headquarters.”

Feeling the anger simmering off Kong, Sengoku and the rest decided to keep quiet. Instead, they returned to their ships and began organizing the remaining crew for the journey home.

“Is that so? I understand.”

Fleet Admiral Hill received Kong’s report and realized the World Government might be trying to weaken the Navy.

After all, there were already seven Admiral-level powers in the Navy. Himself, Kong, Wenhu, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and the late Snow Lion Admiral.

The World Government would never let the Navy slip out from under its thumb.

Usually, the Navy only has four Admirals. Right now, it was way over that.

Still, to confirm his suspicions, Hill quickly called up the long-bearded Five Elder.

“Hello? Is this the Five Elders?”

“Hello? Hill, is that you?”

Over in the Five Elders’ quarters, the long-bearded Five Elder answered the Transponder Snail, looking a little puzzled.

“Esteemed Five Elders, Admiral Wenhu was seriously hurt in this battle. I assume you’ll hear the details soon enough.”

“The Navy has lost two Admirals so far, so I request permission to launch a major recruitment drive in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line.”

The Five Elder stroked his long beard and glanced around at the other four Elders seated at the round table with a faint smile.

After a quick exchange of looks, he spoke into the Transponder Snail.

“That isn’t urgent.”

“The real priority is securing the Four Seas and the Grand Line. Recruitment can wait a little longer.”

“If there’s nothing else, this call is over.”

“Click!”

As the Transponder Snail went silent, Hill knew his suspicions were correct.

He rubbed his furrowed brow, deep in thought, searching for a new path forward.

Holy Land Mariejois.

After ending the call with Hill, the Five Elders immediately launched into a heated discussion.

“The Navy’s power has grown too strong—we need to weaken them some more.”

The bald Five Elder rubbed his shiny head, all seriousness as he spoke.

“For the next Admiral, we’ll just pick either Garp or Zephyr.”

“Exactly. The Navy’s growing power makes the World Government uneasy.”

The tall, thin Five Elder wholeheartedly agreed with the middle-aged Elder’s view. Over the years, the Navy had gotten stronger and stronger, and had even started to ignore the World’s Government’s authority.

The middle-aged Five Elder paused, then continued.

“We must put a stop to the Navy’s rapid rise.”

“If not, they could be a threat to us.”

In the end, the long-bearded Five Elder made the final call.

“It’s settled, then.”

“We’ll watch and decide later whether Garp or Zephyr will be promoted to Admiral.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I agree, too.”

The rest all voiced their support.

With their plan decided, the Five Elders split up, each heading their own way.

Meanwhile, Hill came up with a new idea. He picked up the Transponder Snail.

“Hello, Vice Admiral Pet, come to my office for a moment.”

“Yes, Fleet Admiral Hill.”

Vice Admiral Pet, currently the Navy Headquarters’ chief of staff, answered the call and immediately headed to the Admiral’s office.

“Knock, knock, knock!”

“Come in.”

Hill put aside the paperwork when he heard the knock, looking toward the door.

“Fleet Admiral Hill!”

Vice Admiral Pet entered, saluted, then took a seat across from him.

“Pet, glad you’re here.”

“I’ve already reported to the Five Elders. They refused our request for a mass recruitment drive.”

Hill didn’t beat around the bush, laying out the Five Elders’ decision for Pet right away.

Pet needed no additional explanation—he knew there was a scheme behind it.

Why would the World Government forbid the Navy from recruiting?

Obviously, they’re afraid the Navy might become too powerful to control.

“So what do we do next?”

Pet saw that Hill didn’t look the least bit worried and knew he already had a plan.

“Just because they stopped us from a mass recruitment doesn’t mean we don’t have options.

Spread the word—have the Four Seas send their best prospects to Headquarters for intensive training.

At the same time, every branch should quietly replenish their own numbers however they can.”

Pet thought this over—it sounded like the best move for now.

After all, ‘best prospects’ was a loose enough term. It meant they could bring in all sorts of new talent to Navy Headquarters.

This way, the Navy branches across the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line could still ramp up recruitment.

“Got it, Fleet Admiral Hill.”

With that, Pet stood up to leave and was already at the door, eager to carry out this new task.

“Wait, there’s one more thing.”

Hill called out as Pet was about to walk out.

“Yes, Fleet Admiral Hill?”

Pet looked back, puzzled, wondering what else Hill had in mind.

She couldn’t hide the curiosity on her face.

“Any thoughts on who should be promoted to Admiral?”

Hill wasn’t keeping this decision secret—after all, with the video calls, everyone at Headquarters already knew Admiral Wenhu was badly injured.

Wenhu couldn’t serve as Admiral any longer, so the position was wide open.

If they couldn’t fill it quickly, the hard-won peace in the Four Seas and the Grand Line could unravel at any time.

“If you ask me, Zephyr might be the better choice.”

“As for Vice Admiral Garp, well, you know how he is.”

Pet gave a wry smile—he hadn’t expected Hill to ask about something so sensitive. He just shrugged.

“Alright, you can go now.”

Of course Hill knew all about Garp’s situation. He’d only asked Pet to ease his own mind.

After Pet left, Hill leaned on his desk, deep in thought about the Navy’s next steps.