The Five Elders clearly didn't want to see things unfold this way.
If a member nation were to formally request increased military deployment due to trust in the Navy's strength, it would naturally bolster the World Government's control over that nation.
But that control would be exercised through the Navy.
And if the Navy—more specifically, Fleet Admiral Wright—was unwilling to follow the World Government's orders…
Given the infamous reputation of CP, any direct involvement from them would only backfire.
The antagonism between Cipher Pol and Navy was no secret.
In fact, it went back to the days when Kong was still Fleet Admiral.
"Hmm… In any case, Wright, you are not to leave Marineford until the Reverie is over!"
The blonde, square-faced Elder's voice was heavy.
"During this period, do not make any moves against pirates. If they get cornered and lash out, the consequences could be… problematic!"
"Sure, that was already my plan."
Wright nodded with a casual smile.
"But let me be clear. Kaido… I will take care of him sooner or later."
"I fought him back when I was still a Vice Admiral. Years have passed, and Big Mom is already dead. If I can't take him down now, what face do I have left to show?"
"Enough, Wright!"
The long-bearded Elder raised a hand to cut him off.
"Is your pride more important than the stability of the world?"
"The world needs balance. The World Government has ruled for eight centuries precisely because of this 'balance.'"
"The Navy has already pacified a third of the New World. If another major conflict breaks out now…"
"What?"
Wright's smile faded, and a chilling pressure filled the air.
The Elders fell silent—their next words stuck in their throats.
"As Fleet Admiral, is it wrong for me to strike down a pirate emperor?"
Sweat began to bead on their foreheads.
They stared at Wright, stunned by his expression—not Conqueror's Haki, no. They could tell the difference.
This was pure presence—the pressure forged from unmatched prestige, from the authority of a Fleet Admiral, from the overwhelming momentum of someone who had crushed a Yonko.
This was Wright's aura.
"Pirates are the enemies of the World Government. They are enemies of the Navy.
Don't tell me, as Fleet Admiral, you want me to stand by and let Kaido run free?"
"..."
No one answered.
Finally, after a long pause, Wright's presence receded, and his smile returned.
Only then did the Elders breathe a little easier.
"Outrageous! Wright, remember your place!"
The bald Elder with glasses slammed the Shodai Kitetsu onto the floor with a loud clang.
"The Navy is merely the outer face of the World Government! You have no right to question our decisions!"
The Elder with the curled mustache scowled.
"We are the helm of the World Government. All you need to do is follow orders."
"The governance strategy that's preserved peace for 800 years—does a young upstart like you think he can teach us how to run the world?"
The other three looked at Wright's smiling face again, recalling the oppressive aura he had just unleashed. Their expressions darkened with unease.
"…Enough. Let's leave it at that for now."
The long-bearded Elder paused, then said slowly:
"Wright, you're well aware that Wano, Kaido's domain, contains… certain sensitive matters."
"That land holds particular historical significance."
"So do not recklessly interfere with that closed-off nation."
The blonde Elder with the square face added:
"The justice of the World Government stands opposed to piracy, yes, but Cipher Pol is already operating in Wano. For now, stay your hand."
The Elder in the black hat finally spoke, his voice low and layered with meaning:
"Young man, don't act on impulse… In this regard, you'd do well to learn from Sengoku."
"…You're right. My apologies."
Wright smiled with quiet irony. "I still have a long way to go in mastering patience."
"Now, let's move on to another matter."
"The one concerning the Fang of the Sea Beasts' commander, the former Warlord of the Sea, Knight of the Sea Jinbe, and his formal induction into the Navy."
"Since Jinbe still holds the title of Warlord, it's only proper that the final decision lies with you."
"..."
The tension eased ever so slightly.
Seeing Wright yield, the Five Elders chose to tactfully forget the unpleasantness from moments ago.
They may have sounded authoritative, but no one knew better than they did what kind of man sat before them.
A figure like him—fiery, proud—was expected to have a temper. If he'd been as calculating and reserved as Sengoku, that would have been far more concerning.
Those with tempers often have weaknesses.
As if nothing had happened, the Elder with the curled mustache mused aloud:
"Jinbe was originally chosen as a Warlord to promote the World Government's racial harmony policy. But with Fish-Man Island's current state, and the disbanding of the Sun Pirates, that symbolic role no longer holds value."
The bespectacled Elder nodded in agreement.
"Though he was once a pirate, Jinbe's contributions to the Navy in recent years speak for themselves. Accepting him as a formal officer is reasonable."
"But the vacant Warlord seat—who shall fill it?"
"In the New World, aside from those under the Four Emperors, only the so-called Worst Generation seem to have enough strength and influence…"
The blonde Elder looked toward Wright:
"Two of them have already become Warlords. It shows the potential that generation holds."
"But the rest... each more rebellious than the last. Some have already pledged loyalty to the Four Emperors."
"Wright. As Fleet Admiral, do you have a candidate in mind?"
Wright glanced at the five old men, then chuckled softly.
"Hm… If you don't have a suitable candidate, I do have someone to recommend."
"Oh?"
The long-bearded Elder raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"There's still a pirate out there with whom we could work?"
"Maybe not before…"
Wright tugged his hat slightly.
"But now that I've taken down Big Mom—yes, there is."
"You mean… Capone 'Gang' Bege? He once served under Big Mom and tried to assassinate her."
The blonde Elder seemed well-informed.
"Still, that assassination attempt was ultimately a farce. If anything, it just shows how ambitious he is—but he lacks the presence to intimidate anyone."
"No, no…"
Wright waved a hand and scoffed.
"That guy? Scheming isn't his strong suit, he's not even in the same league as Crocodile."
At the mention of Crocodile, the Elders winced. He was the original stain on the Warlord system.
"I'm recommending someone else, a true powerhouse."
"Who?"
"The former top Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates, second son of the Charlotte Family, with a bounty of 1.057 billion…"
As the Five Elders' eyes widened, Wright grinned, clearly enjoying their reactions.
"Charlotte Katakuri."
"Impossible!"
"Him?!"
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