Although Sentomaru wasn't entirely sure what Sengoku was imagining, he still nodded.
"I understand, Admiral Sengoku."
After hanging up, Sengoku immediately called the Five Elders.
Rrrrrr…
"Is something the matter, Sengoku?" one of the Five Elders' voices came through.
Sengoku quickly recounted everything that had happened in the Sabaody Archipelago, including his suspicions.
"So, Ezra protected me!" he said. "Even if he couldn't resist striking the Celestial Dragon, I hope, for my sake, the Five Elders will allow him to continue serving as a Marine Admiral!"
There was a long pause.
The Five Elders muttered to themselves, "What? Strike the young master? Who does he think he is?!"
Sengoku realized the silence wasn't from confusion but from the Elders' reluctance. They didn't want Ezra leaving the Marines.
Gritting his teeth, Sengoku stomped. "Five Elders! If Ezra can't remain a Marine Admiral, I won't serve as Fleet Admiral either! Find someone else to fill my position!"
Immediately, the Five Elders erupted in outrage. "Sengoku! How dare you!"
"Do you even understand what you just said? You think being Fleet Admiral is something you can just walk away from?"
Despite their fury, deep down, the Elders were secretly pleased. Clearly, Ezra's reputation among the Marines and in Sengoku's eyes was extremely high.
If it weren't for the instruction from Im to keep Ezra's identity hidden from everyone except the Celestial Dragons and CP0, the Elders' joy would have been impossible to contain.
They exchanged glances, lowered their heads slightly, and finally one spoke.
"Sengoku, Ezra will continue to serve as a Marine Admiral. That's settled. Are you satisfied?"
Sengoku finally exhaled, relief flooding through him. "Thank you, Elders."
With that, they ended the call, and Sengoku's tension finally eased.
Meanwhile, back in the Sabaody Archipelago, outside the auction house, the CP0 agents and Sentomaru were frozen in place.
The screams from inside were only growing louder with each passing moment.
Inside the auction house, it wasn't Ezra moving Charlos was punishing himself.
Charlos finally realized that insulting the young master today would not go unpunished. He gritted his teeth and shot himself in the leg.
The tactic worked. Ezra paused, crimson eyes fixed on Charlos below. For over half an hour, he had been slapping himself relentlessly. By now, Charlos' face was a mess "stupid" hardly described it.
Seeing the faint smile in Ezra's eyes, Charlos finally breathed a sigh of relief. His life, at least for now, was spared.
In truth, Ezra had barely noticed Charlos' actions. His mind was on the next target Syrup Town. He needed to figure out how to trap Luffy inside, since he planned to enter and find Ace himself. This strategy would save Ezra considerable effort.
Just as Ezra was planning, Charlos shot his leg again, snapping Ezra back to the moment.
"Charlos, that's enough," Ezra said in a calm, cold voice. To Charlos, it sounded almost like a divine command.
Charlos hurriedly kowtowed. "Thank you, Young Master! Thank you!"
Ezra waved dismissively. "Have the CP0 agents escort him out. Right now, this display makes you all look foolish, and it tarnishes the World Government's image as well."
"Yes, yes! We'll follow the Young Master's orders!"
Ezra shook his head, refusing to linger with the fool, and left the auction house. At the door, he stopped the two CP0 agents from bowing.
"Take him out the back. Make sure no one sees him."
They shivered, nodded, and entered to escort Charlos, quietly closing the doors behind them.
Sentomaru approached Ezra cautiously. "Admiral Flame, are you unharmed?"
Ezra exhaled and shrugged. "Do I look like something's wrong?"
Sentomaru finally relaxed. He had no desire to see Ezra leave the Marines. After today, Sentomaru was completely won over by Ezra's dedication. Compared to what his old master would have done, Ezra's commitment and thoroughness were unparalleled. From now on, Sentomaru would aspire to follow Ezra's example.
Then he remembered Sengoku and quickly updated Ezra on the Admiral's misunderstanding. Ezra raised an eyebrow, understanding immediately.
He picked up a Den Den Mushi and called Sengoku.
Rrrrr…
Sengoku picked up immediately.
"Ezra, are you okay? Don't worry. I've spoken with the Five Elders. They won't revoke your position. You'll remain a Marine Admiral."
A warmth ran through Ezra's chest. This man was truly reliable. He shook his head with a small smile.
"Uncle Sengoku, don't worry. I just had a chat with him. No harm was done."
He was telling the truth. Charlos had done all the "action" himself.
Sengoku exhaled in relief. "Good, good. That's a relief. Now, return to Marineford as soon as possible."
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "Another problem waiting?"
Sengoku sighed. "Garp knows about the Ace situation."
Ezra instantly understood. Garp was not going to be pleased. And if Sengoku knew Garp's mood, he would surely be scolded to no end. "Not pleased" would be an understatement.
Sengoku glanced at Garp sitting on the couch, radiating anger, and whispered into the Den Den Mushi, "Hurry back. Help me calm him down."
Ezra rubbed his throbbing forehead. "Understood. I'll set off immediately."
His head ached. When major incidents occurred, complications always piled up. But compared to the chaos in Sabaody or Garp's fury, nothing was more pressing than the trigger of the Marineford War and the revelation of Ace's identity, which Sengoku would soon learn.