Meanwhile...
Within the towering headquarters of the World Government, inside the Supreme Commander's office.
An elderly man, nearing his seventies, sat sternly behind a mountain of paperwork. His signature mountain-shaped hairstyle, sleeveless black shirt, and dark green armband gave off a sense of intimidating authority.
His name was Kong..
Once the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, he now held the position of Supreme Commander of all forces under the World Government, this included the Marines, CP1 through CP8, the Marine Science Division, and the Marine's Special Secret Forces.
The stack of files in front of him was no ordinary set of documents. It was a comprehensive investigative report on Vice Admiral Elio, submitted by the Marine Internal Affairs Unit.
Though the report spanned over a thousand pages, most of it consisted of trivial matters. What stood out the most were three damning charges, embezzlement, accepting bribes, and forming personal factions within Marine Headquarters.
As Commander, Kong didn't meddle in everything personally. Even if the person in question was a Vice Admiral, he would usually just glance over promotion materials. Frankly, Elio wasn't someone who had left a deep impression on him, aside from a vague recollection that both Garp and Sengoku had once mentioned him during a visit to the Holy Land.
Kong sighed, pinching his brows as he closed the last page of the report.
What the report revealed troubled him. This Elio, young though he may be, had demonstrated a frighteningly fast rise in strength. In just a few short years, he had evolved from a fresh recruit into a master of both Armament and Observation Haki, and even wielded the signature techniques of the Marines. His swordsmanship, in particular, was on par with even the top-tier Admiral candidates like Gion.
If not for the sheer scale of Elio's financial misconduct and the formation of personal factions, something the World Government loathed most, Kong would have protected and cultivated him without hesitation. He knew very well that Marine Headquarters was facing a generational gap. Among the younger ranks, very few could shoulder true responsibility. Once Sengoku, Garp, and the Three Admirals stepped down, the Marines would face a crisis of succession.
According to the report, not only had Elio risen in power with alarming speed, but he had also exhibited outstanding leadership skills. Given time, he could've easily been molded into the successor of the current Admirals... perhaps even groomed for the position of Fleet Admiral itself.
"What a shame... Such a rare talent, and yet he chose this path."
Kong cast the report aside and let out a heavy sigh, then turned toward the door and called out, "Someone, come in."
"Commander Kong!" A communications officer rushed in and stood at attention.
Kong wasted no time, his voice low and urgent, "Still no contact with Marine Headquarters?!"
Buru buru buru…
Before the officer could respond, the transponder snail on Kong's desk suddenly rang.
Kong raised a hand, signaling the officer to stay silent, then picked up the receiver. "This is Kong speaking."
"Commander, this is Vice Admiral Gion of Marine Headquarters," came a gentle voice. "Apologies for the delay, but communications were disrupted last night. We've only just restored contact. Fleet Admiral Sengoku instructed me to contact you immediately to avoid raising concern."
Kong blinked, frowning in disbelief. "Communications were disrupted? That's… impossible. Never mind. As long as it's back. Where is Sengoku? Why didn't he contact me himself?"
Gion's voice remained gentle, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku isn't feeling well and is currently resting at home. Is there something urgent, Commander? I can relay your message."
Kong's tone darkened, "I want an update on Vice Admiral Elio's trial. It's already midday, and there's still no word! Have Bass report to me at once!"
"Understood. I'll go see Chief Judge Bass immediately."
With that, the call ended. But Kong's eyes stayed fixed on the now-silent transponder snail. Something felt... off.
In normal circumstances, even if Sengoku were unwell, he would never have Gion deliver such critical reports. And considering Elio's high-profile case, Sengoku bore great responsibility. Him being "sick" at such a moment likely meant he was feigning illness.
Just as Kong began to imagine Sengoku laying low at home, the transponder snail rang again.
Before Kong could answer, a stern voice came through, it was Saturn, one of the Five Elders of Science and Defense.
"Kong, why hasn't Sengoku answered any of our calls? His transponder snail keeps ringing without response. We even tried contacting the Fleet Admiral's office directly, but it got rerouted to Vice Admiral Gion. What exactly is going on?! And now, even Bass isn't answering!"
"…What?"
Kong's pupils contracted. An ominous premonition gripped his chest.
Meanwhile...
At Marine Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Elio, who had just finished the intense process of reorganizing the Marine hierarchy, let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair, fatigue finally catching up to him.
Though everything was under control for now, he knew it wouldn't be long before the Holy Land sensed something was amiss. And once they began probing, it wouldn't take long before they uncovered the full scope of what had happened at Marine Headquarters.
That moment would mark the beginning of a confrontation between the Marines and the World Government.
Still, Elio wasn't in a rush. For now, he controlled the largest military machine in the world. Even if the Holy Land knew he had staged a coup to seize the Fleet Admiral's seat, they wouldn't dare confront him recklessly.
His next step was simple, he would begin reorganizing personnel across the Four Blues and the Grand Line, appointing only those he trusted to lead the major branch bases.
"Fleet Admiral!"
Gion pushed open the door, her expression anxious. "Just now, Commander Kong and Saturn of the Five Elders both called. I managed to deflect their questions for now, but from their reactions, it's clear they're already suspicious."
Elio nodded calmly, "Mouseman and Bastille should have arrived at Sabaody Archipelago by now, correct?"
"Yes. They've taken control of the Marine base there and sealed off the lift leading to the Holy Land. Anyone attempting to descend from there will be captured immediately."
Elio rose from his desk, "Now we wait for updates from the other Marine branches along the Grand Line and Four Blues. After a long night, I'm starving. Come eat with me."
"Aren't you going home?" Gion blinked, smiling gently. "If you don't go back soon, the old lady's going to hunt me and Ain down again for letting you stay away!"
Elio chuckled, "Sakazuki's probably at my place now. I won't interrupt their mother-son reunion. Let's go."
"Alright."
Gion smiled sweetly and followed Elio out of the office.
"Fleet Admiral!"
Just as they stepped into the hallway, a Marine soldier rushed over, clearly in a panic.
"Vi… Vice Admiral Garp has returned!"