Kenji knew that before today, Kong most likely still believed his strength was, at most, on par with a regular Admiral.
Previously, when he encountered the Roger Pirates in the East Blue and severely defeated them, because Garp was the one who pursued them afterward, and Kenji's side didn't report the detailed situation, Marineford might have misjudged, thinking Garp contributed more.
This was evident from Kong's reaction when he heard about the successful defeat of Shiki.
Kong's shocked attitude clearly showed he had never anticipated such an outcome.
In fact, when Kong called this time, besides informing him about the World Government's movements,bhe had originally intended to remind Kenji that Shiki had recently appeared within a thousand-mile radius of Wano Country.
For a Legendary Pirate, a thousand-mile radius isn't considered very far.
Especially for Shiki, with his Float-Float Fruit ability, that distance could be covered within a day.
Kong already knew that the Whitebeard Pirates were staying in Wano Country, and now Shiki had arrived.
With one or two Legendary Pirates facing Kenji alone, he was afraid Kenji might not be able to handle it.
Who knew that in the end, he would receive such news?
The Whitebeard Pirates retreated! Golden Lion Shiki was directly defeated!
'After this incident, my strength is now partially exposed.' Kenji thought to himself.
He actually didn't want to expose his strength.
Although an Admiral is already the highest combat power in the Marine, with great responsibilities, many times an Admiral still has to obey orders from the Holy Land, and even work for those scoundrels in the Holy Land.
However, Kenji clearly understood the trade-offs. His attitude towards those scoundrels in the Holy Land was simple.
He won't listen.
If possible, he wanted to continue being "low-key."
It's just that his low-key was different from ordinary people.
Marineford and the World Government, don't bother him if there's nothing, and especially don't bother him if there's something. That's true low-key.
Unfortunately, as his strength grew, even a slight move from him yielded extremely striking results, it was hard for others not to notice.
"Forget it, those guys in the Holy Land... especially thatguy, will notice sooner or later."
Kenji slowly walked to the window, gazing at the distant horizon, which was the direction of the Red Line.
The highest point of the Red Line, the place closest to the sun, was a place where darkness lurked, like a ten-thousand-meter-high tower filled with filth.
Kenji didn't want to be the one to push the tower down, finding it troublesome, and believing that in the future, some fated individuals would do it.
But if the other party wanted to stir up trouble, he naturally wouldn't back down.
"The tree desires tranquility, but the wind will not cease..."
Kenji withdrew his gaze, scanning the streets of Flower Capital below, recalling the recent movements of the World Government that Kong had informed him of.
At this moment, Rumi's figure moved gracefully, silently pressing against Kenji's back, her round elasticity making one's bones tingle.
Her beautiful face was close to his ear, red lips parting, exuding a fragrant scent.
"What are you looking at?"
Rumi smiled charmingly, a playful look on her face, a hint of softness in her watery eyes, and a teasing tone in her words.
"My 'So Amazing' Mister?"
Kenji turned his head, smiled slightly, and inserted his index finger into Rumi's thin, moist red lips, stirring it.
Watching the oiran's eyes filled with infatuation, Kenji's lips curved into a smile.
In the past few days, his heart-to-heart talks with Rumi had brought them much closer.
He even learned a bit about her background. This Oiran was from overseas, only came to Wano Country three years ago, and had been an Oiran for less than a year.
And her real name was indeed Rumi, making her the first Oiran to use her real name.
As for her surname, her true surname... as Kenji had guessed earlier, it was Amatsuki.
So her real name was Amatsuki Rumi.
"Amatsuki, Kozuki... Is there any connection between the two?"
Kenji looked at Rumi, who was busy beneath him, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Pururu pururu"
The Den Den Mushi in his arms suddenly rang.
Kenji took out the Den Den Mushi and glanced at it, it was a call from' Kong.
Kenji answered the phone, and Kong's voice, suppressing joy, came from the other end.
"Kenji, I've already reported your successful defeat of Shiki to the Five Elders of the World Government!"
"The Five Elders believe your contribution is immense, they want to personally meet and commend you."
"Five Elders? Personally meet and commend me?" Kenji listened to Kong's information, pouted, unfazed, his tone somewhat lazy.
"Those five old geezers, why are they suddenly 'paying attention' to me? Just because I caught a Golden Lion?"
"Huh? What's so strange about that? That's a Legendary Pirate! Your actions this time even astonished the Five Elders...:" Kong spoke quickly, giving his opinion.
Kenji listened distractedly. In fact, he knew much more about the Five Elders than Kong.
These five old men had lived for a long time and regarded many things in the world very lightly, even their descendants might not receive much attention.
Let alone a Marine, and a 'thorn in their side' Admiral at that.
"The Five Elders obey that person on important matters... Is this their intention?" Kenji speculated in his heart, but couldn't be sure.
Beneath him, Rumi gradually entered a state, and her voice began to lose its composure.
The muffled sound seemed to be heard by Kong on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, who immediately asked with a puzzled tone:
"What's that sound? Kenji, what are you doing?"
"Oh, busy."
Kenji came back to his senses, glanced at Rumi beneath him, and urged the Den Den Mushi.
"About what you said, let's leave it at that for now. I'll think about it... Hmm, if there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
Kong on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was stunned for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, he found that the Den Den Mushi had already been hung up.
"That guy...:"
Kong was a bit annoyed and displeased, gritting his teeth in anger.
"What does 'think about it' mean?"
In the power structure, the World Government's Five Elders are the Marine's superiors, and Kong, as Fleet Admiral, also needs to obey their directives.
Normally, when the Five Elders had an order, Kong had to be available at their beck and call.
This time, however, the Five Elders, who ostensibly held the highest power in the world, requested a personal audience, but Kenji didn't seem to appreciate it much, clearly not keen on their commendation.
"That guy really... always does stupid things!" Kong scratched his head in annoyance.
If your superior requests a meeting and commendation, and you don't go, not only will you lose the commendation, but there might also be punishment.
And Kenji's performance over the years had always been diligent and not causing trouble, so why did he suddenly want to make a big stir this time?
Kong thought and thought, but could only conclude: I don't understand!
"Fortunately, he is still on his mission... Hmm, there's still time to adjust."
In the end, Kong had no choice but to consider how to help clean up the mess.
On the other side, on the second floor of the Pleasure Quarter in Flower Capital, Wano Country.
Kenji casually closed a window, then lowered his head, only to be dazzled by a expanse of pure white, making his entire mood light up.
"Heh, always so eager."
Kenji leaned down, his index finger gently tapping Rumi's sweat-beaded nose, teasing.
"What a little glutton!"
Subsequently, the sounds within the room were muffled. If someone were to listen from outside, they would find that the sounds from this room ceased abruptly at that moment.