After concluding the discussion about Totto Land, the topic shifted to the Revolutionary Army.
Following Fleet Admiral Sengoku's instructions, Ortoren laid out his general strategy for suppressing Revolutionary Army activity in the New World. It was, admittedly, unprecedented, yet the Five Elders detected nothing amiss.
After all, wasn't it simply a matter of having several New World kingdoms take the lead in forming a maritime police force—conducting routine patrols to prevent Revolutionary Army infiltration? Nothing alarming about that.
It wasn't as if they could produce millions of coast guards.
If the New World nations were truly capable of that, the region wouldn't be in its current chaotic state.
Moreover, with Mary Geoise recently burned by the Revolutionary Army, the World Government had lost both face and prestige. It urgently needed to demonstrate strength to restore its reputation.
Thus, both in principle and practice, this initiative was politically sound.
If Ortoren's system proved effective in the New World, the Five Elders even considered expanding it globally.
Once everything on the agenda had been covered, Ortoren found no further topics worth raising. Seizing a natural pause, he respectfully requested permission to leave.
The Five Elders did not attempt to keep him. After all, this was their first direct exchange; deeper topics could wait until a better rapport was established.
But just as Ortoren opened the door, Saint Warcury suddenly spoke.
"Ortoren…"
His hand froze mid-motion. With a faint look of confusion, he turned back toward the elder.
"Throughout history, many exceptional individuals have ultimately become Celestial Dragons," Saint Warcury said gently. "The most recent was in Sea Circle Calendar 1452. It has been a long time since we've welcomed fresh blood. I look forward to seeing such a thing happen again."
Ortoren blinked, pausing for a heartbeat before responding with solemn clarity, as if understanding dawned.
"A person's dreams never end. I had been wondering—if I truly became Fleet Admiral one day, what peak would lie beyond that? What scenery would I seek next? Hearing your words, I feel I've caught sight of a clear path."
"Good. Go on, then," Saint Warcury said, nodding once he saw Ortoren grasp the implication.
Ortoren stepped outside, closed the door respectfully, and departed.
Two minutes of silence passed before the bald Saint Nusjuro spoke.
"Warcury, that last remark wasn't part of what we agreed to discuss…"
Before Saint Warcury could respond, Saint Peter interjected, "But it is quite interesting, isn't it? If he truly proves himself in the future, taking him in as fresh blood wouldn't be a bad choice. I'd quite like to see it."
Only then did Saint Warcury chuckle softly. "It was just a hint. Nothing definitive. Give him a bit of hope, and he may show us results far beyond expectations. The promise of becoming a Celestial Dragon is merely a lure—it costs us nothing."
Indeed, within the World Government, the Celestial Dragon lineage is not entirely immutable. While the core descends from the bloodlines of the Twenty Kings, over the eight hundred years since, many families have incorporated exceptional new blood. Through arranged marriages, brilliant figures of various eras were absorbed into their ranks. After a few generations, they became pure Old Yellow Banner Celestial Dragons—nothing unusual.
In the original chronology, even Sabo's brother—who became King of the Goa Kingdom—schemed to become a Celestial Dragon, and York, one of Vegapunk's clones, openly expressed the same desire.
Even Ryokugyu Aramaki, who rose through the World Military Draft, idolizes the Celestial Dragons to an extreme degree. There's no telling if he secretly dreams of joining them as well.
In the Five Elders' eyes, Ortoren possessed both exceptional power and remarkable ability. If they ever sought to absorb new blood, he would indeed be an exemplary choice.
More importantly, Ortoren had inherited Charlotte Linlin's extraordinary top-tier talent. And what did that imply?
That her monstrous potential could be hereditary.
So far, among all Charlotte Linlin's children, only Ortoren had inherited such overwhelming power—but that alone was enough. If Ortoren were to become a Celestial Dragon, his terrifying bloodline could become the new lethal weapon of the Celestial Dragon lineage.
This isn't any worse than Poseidon. Sure, Poseidon's influence is far more terrifying, but only one appears every two generations. If this kind of bloodline can truly be inherited, then the Celestial Dragons might be able to mass-produce top-tier strength!
Especially now, with Dr. Vegapunk under the World Government, and Vegapunk researching Lineage Factor—technology and theory that are clearly moving in this exact direction.
If, after Ortoren joins the Celestial Dragons, Vegapunk makes breakthroughs in this field… the benefits the Celestial Dragons could reap would be unimaginable.
Though Ortoren might have a hard time then—they'd probably assign him ten or eight beautiful women every day, wringing every drop out of him.
While Saint Warcury and the others remained in the office, discussing all manner of exaggerated theories and fantasies about Ortoren becoming a Celestial Dragon…
Downstairs, Ortoren finally no longer needed to act. He drew in a lungful of fresh air, rolled his shoulders, spat into a flower bed, and cursed under his breath:
"Idiots. What bullshit Celestial Dragon? They think I'd want to become that kind of trash? Even Celestial Dragons are nothing but dogs under the throne."
Standing before the gates of Pangaea Castle, Ortoren stretched lazily, watching the distant reconstruction efforts in Holy Land as his thoughts drifted.
He'd handled everything he needed to handle. There was no reason to linger at Headquarters any longer.
Traditionally, an Admiral stationed in the New World would reside at G-1. But Ortoren planned to establish a "mobile headquarters" on the New World front lines. G-5 Base was an option, but using it might overshadow the new G-5 Base Commander. Building a new administrative zone on a nearby island was also viable.
"Or… wait. Didn't Master Tom build that experimental mobile island battleship? I could just requisition that thing, convert it into my base, and travel around the New World as I please. Not bad." Ortoren stroked his chin thoughtfully.
After Moria handed over ancient island-modification technology, Tom and his team tested it on a miniature island prototype. Since then, the project had largely sat unused—now it seemed perfect.
"Once I'm back in the New World, I'll have to gather my people and hold a big meeting…" Ortoren continued musing.
And by "people," he didn't just mean Navy officers. Doflamingo and Moria—two Shichibukai with deep cooperation—were also on the list. Then there was his second brother; the Big Mom Pirates were a crucial ally. Spandine, and even Queen Stussy, who had once covered up intel for him, would also need to attend.
Now that Ortoren was an Admiral, his reach across the New World would grow wider and deeper. Naturally, he needed to call everyone together to divide the new spoils and assign new responsibilities.
"Even that guy Dragon-san could be invited if he's free… Huh? What is this, an Admiral's tea party?" Ortoren snorted, amused by his own thought.
A family tradition indeed.
"Oh—right. Two more things."
He suddenly remembered, pulling out his notebook and scribbling notes.
First: Before returning to the New World, issue another Admiral-level transfer order. Don't release it yet—wait three months. Then reinstate the now-demoted Magellan as Director of Impel Down, the Deep Sea Prison.
Second: Contact Tiger. Meet him in the New World and see if he can provide someone to serve as the Shichibukai representative for Fish-Man Island. A political task, and urgent.
After noting these two items, Ortoren rubbed his chin.
"I really do need a personal secretary…"
He'd never had a proper one. Back at G-5, Momonga had essentially filled that role, and when traveling, Gion would take over if she was with him.
But both Momonga and Gion were far too important to use solely as secretaries. And neither could accompany him full-time.
Now that he was an Admiral with endless responsibilities, if he didn't have a sharp, reliable person by his side to keep track of details and organize his schedule, he'd be overwhelmed.
This had to be arranged. He needed to look for a suitable candidate once he returned!