As Ezra D. Vale sank deep into thought, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Of course," Sengoku began, folding his arms, "I can't possibly make you start from the bottom as a Third-Class Seaman…"
He paused briefly, a faint smirk curling on his lips.
"I want you to start from Rear Admiral."
Ezra froze.
What kind of twisted logic was that?! Start as a Rear Admiral?
He had just arrived in this world! He didn't know the chain of command, the people, or the system and now he was supposed to parachute straight into a high-ranking officer's chair?
Was Sengoku trying to get him executed by gossip? Tomorrow, the entire Navy would be whispering about some mysterious "connections" behind his sudden promotion!
"Uh… hey, old man," Ezra said hesitantly, scratching the back of his neck. "Maybe we shouldn't rush this, huh?"
What kind of nonsense was this? Wouldn't it be better to just keep a low profile, quietly train, and then one day shock everyone with his power? Why throw him into the spotlight right now?!
But Sengoku simply shook his head, his expression turning grave.
"Ezra, there are things you don't yet understand. But I can feel it the world is about to change."
Ezra's lips twitched. Yeah, I know it's about to change Gol D. Roger's surrender is coming this year!
But that wasn't the point!
"Uh… I get what you're saying, old man," Ezra tried again, forcing a polite smile. "But this kind of thing won't people object?"
Sengoku nodded in agreement. "Yes, there's no doubt about it. No one will agree to your promotion."
Ezra sighed in relief finally, some sense.
But then Sengoku continued, utterly calm:
"However… if the Five Elders approve it, then it's not impossible."
Ezra stared at him, speechless.
What did I ever do to you, old man? Why are you dead set on ruining my peaceful life?!
Sengoku coughed lightly, pretending not to notice Ezra's horrified expression.
"So, what's your opinion on the matter?"
Ezra took a deep breath, straightened his back, and said seriously,
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I don't think I'm worthy of the rank of Rear Admiral! My strength isn't enough to command respect. Besides, to get approval from the Five Elders, you'd have to pay a price, right? For someone like me a nobody it's not worth it. Please, withdraw your order!"
He met Sengoku's gaze firmly, his tone resolute.
For a moment, a flicker of admiration crossed Sengoku's face.
"Hmm. Not bad. Humble and level-headed."
Then, without missing a beat, he added, "But my answer is… listen to me."
Ezra blinked. "…Huh?"
Sengoku casually fed a discarded report to the goat beside him.
"Leave the Five Elders to me."
"Wait, Fleet Admiral, I—"
Sengoku raised a hand, silencing him.
"That's enough. Go get some rest. Spend the next few days studying the Navy's regulations. Leave the rest to me."
Ezra sighed heavily and turned to leave, muttering curses under his breath.
If anyone got close enough, they would've heard some very creative insults aimed at Sengoku's ancestors.
"Why even ask for my opinion if you've already made up your mind?! Is this what you call leadership?!" he grumbled. "Unbelievable…"
Still, no matter how much he complained, there was nothing he could do. He could only hope maybe that the Five Elders wouldn't agree to such a ridiculous idea.
Clinging to that fragile hope, Ezra spent the next few days aboard the warship.
"System," he sighed one morning, "open my status panel."
[Host: Ezra D. Vale]
[Inherited Persona: Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]
[Inheritance Progress: 31.1%]
He'd already reached 30% after his duel with Sengoku, and that mission had boosted it by another 1%. But after days of effort… he had only gained 0.1%.
Staring at the glaring number, Ezra's eyelid twitched violently. He resisted the urge to drag the system out and give it a beating.
"This progress… is way too slow," he muttered, massaging his temples. "I need more missions anything to speed this up."
Just as he was thinking that, a sharp knock echoed from outside.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Ezra! Get up! We're almost at the Holy Land Mary Geoise!"
Hearing the soldier's shout, Ezra sighed and stretched lazily.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming…"
He strapped Ryūjin Jakka to his waist and opened the cabin door, walking toward the deck.
Over the past few days, he'd gotten to know the soldier calling him Doberman.
Yes, that Doberman the future Vice Admiral who would one day challenge the Yonko and lead the Buster Call on Enies Lobby. For now, though, he was just a sergeant serving under Sengoku.
"So, Doberman," Ezra asked casually, "you've been to Mary Geoise before?"
Doberman nodded. "A few times, following Fleet Admiral Sengoku but I've never actually gone inside."
Ezra chuckled bitterly. "If I could help it, I'd rather never set foot there at all…"
He thought of the Five Elders and the shadowy figure behind them, the enigmatic Imu and his stomach twisted.
Those people were masters of manipulation, monsters wrapped in silk and ceremony.
As a modern man from the twenty-first century, I'll never outplay schemers like that, he thought grimly. My only option is to grow stronger.
Lost in thought, Ezra soon found himself standing beside Sengoku on the deck.
"Yo, old man," he greeted halfheartedly.
Sengoku didn't even flinch this time; he'd grown immune to Ezra's casual tone.
"We're almost there. Don't get nervous when we arrive."
Ezra nodded silently, his gaze fixed on the massive crimson mountain rising ahead.
The Red Line.
And atop that colossal landmass the seat of the world's highest authority, home to the Five Elders, and the heart of the World Government itself:
The Holy Land Mary Geoise.
When they reached the top, a grand ivory-white castle came into view, gleaming under the sunlight like something divine. But Ezra couldn't help the bitter smile creeping onto his face.
How ironic.
A place so pure in appearance… yet filled with the vilest sins imaginable.
"The evil buried beneath the Holy Land, huh…" he muttered under his breath.
The warship docked slowly at the port. Sengoku turned to him and said calmly,
"We're here. Ezra, come with me."
Knowing resistance was useless, Ezra could only shrug helplessly and follow.
Each step toward that "holy" palace felt heavier than the last
for beneath the marble and gold of Mary Geoise, he could already sense it:
the stench of power, sin, and secrets waiting to be uncovered.