One Piece: Rising to Fleet Admiral Through a Coup

In the dimly lit throne hall of the Holy Land of Mariejois, Imu sat upon the Empty Throne, his cold gaze fixed on the figures standing before him—the Five Elders, Figarland Garling, and a visibly disheveled Gunshi. His hands, concealed beneath flowing robes, gripped the throne's armrests with such intensity that an almost palpable pressure filled the chamber, making it difficult to breathe.

After recounting everything that had transpired at Marine Headquarters, Gunshi remained bent forward, not daring to straighten her posture.

Her mission had been an unmitigated disaster. Leading five other members of the Holy Knights to Marine Headquarters, she had not only failed to negotiate with Xayuki but had been unceremoniously blasted back to Mariejois by a single overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki. If not for Garling's presence beside her now, she wouldn't have dared set foot in this sacred chamber, let alone stand before Imu himself.

After a weighted silence, Imu abruptly rose from his throne. His penetrating gaze swept across those assembled as he spoke, his voice carrying an otherworldly chill: "He knows of my existence? Who exactly is this Xayuki?"

"Lord Imu, this man cannot be permitted to live!"

The Financial Martial God, Izambaron V. Nasujuro, cautiously raised his head, his voice edged with lethal intent. "His seizure of Marine Headquarters through mutiny—we might have negotiated that away. But this knowledge he possesses—this cannot be tolerated! Anyone who knows of your existence, Lord Imu, especially one who has demonstrated such power... Xayuki must be eliminated!"

Hearing this declaration, Figarland Garling frowned slightly.

Though he commanded the formidable Holy Knights and possessed strength equal to any of the Five Elders, Garling found himself at odds with Nasujuro's assessment. The fact that Xayuki had orchestrated a coup with such precision, seizing control of Marine Headquarters with minimal casualties, suggested he possessed resources and contingencies that could directly challenge the World Government. This had already been partially demonstrated.

With Conqueror's Haki alone, Xayuki had launched six Holy Knights from Marine Headquarters back to Mariejois—a feat beyond comprehension. His power could no longer be measured against mere vice admirals, admirals, or even the so-called Four Emperors who dominated the seas.

Not even legendary figures like Rocks D. Xebec, who once led the assault on God Valley, or Gol D. Roger, who later claimed the title of Pirate King, had ever demonstrated such mastery over Conqueror's Haki.

If the World Government were to recklessly engage in open warfare with someone of Xayuki's caliber—someone who now commanded the entirety of Marine Headquarters—even victory would come at a catastrophic cost. The resulting power vacuum would create an irresistible opportunity for the Revolutionary Army and the most dangerous pirates of the Grand Line to advance their agendas, potentially destabilizing the entire world order.

With these considerations weighing heavily on his mind, Garling lifted his gaze to the shadowy figure before the Empty Throne. Bowing slightly, he offered his assessment: "Lord Imu, Xayuki mentioned your name openly in the presence of the Three Admirals and a vice admiral with admiral candidacy. This suggests that knowledge of your existence extends beyond those four individuals. It's highly probable that Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr are now similarly informed."

"To preserve this secret would require declaring total war against Xayuki and the Marines under his command—a war that would necessitate their complete annihilation in a single, overwhelming campaign. However, current circumstances render such action untenable. According to my latest intelligence, news of Xayuki's coup and subsequent control of Marine Headquarters has already been printed and distributed by major news agencies throughout the Grand Line."

"Even before these publications circulated, I believe the Revolutionary Army and other hostile factions had already acquired this information..."

Before Garling could complete his analysis, the Den Den Mushi concealed within his robes suddenly activated, its distinctive ring echoing through the chamber.

Startled by the interruption, Garling reached for the communication device, intending to silence it immediately.

But he was a fraction too late.

After just two rings, a deep, measured voice emanated from the snail: "Father, this is Shamrock. I've received urgent intelligence—the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Armies of the Revolutionary Army, along with their Grand Line division, have simultaneously initiated mobilization protocols. Additionally, our operative in Wano Country reports that Kaido of the Beasts, having learned of Xayuki's coup through Donquixote Doflamingo, is preparing to launch a major offensive."

"Understood."

Acutely aware of Imu's presence, Garling kept his response deliberately terse. After terminating the connection, he raised his eyes once more to the figure looming before the throne.

As silence reclaimed the hall, tension thickened to an almost unbearable degree. Though the Five Elders maintained their outward composure, internal panic gripped them all—particularly Izambaron V. Nasujuro, whose decisions had contributed directly to the current crisis.

The situation had spiraled far beyond his calculations. Acting on Spandine's recommendation, he had authorized an investigation into Xayuki, believing it prudent to neutralize a potential threat before it fully materialized. To minimize disruption within Marine ranks, he had delegated the investigation to Enies Lobby, intending for them to absorb any resulting backlash. At the time, he had dismissed Xayuki as a vice admiral of limited consequence—potentially problematic in the future, perhaps, but currently insignificant.

Reality had proven devastatingly different. This supposedly minor threat had not only executed a flawless coup but had also manipulated the resulting chaos to draw in multiple external factions. What initially appeared to be a straightforward power grab now revealed itself as an intricately orchestrated chess game, with Xayuki having deliberately leaked information to both the Revolutionary Army and Kaido through strategic channels.

His objective was now painfully clear: to create such a complex web of competing interests that no single faction could act decisively without triggering catastrophic consequences from multiple directions.

But these strategic considerations, however concerning, paled in comparison to the most alarming revelation: Xayuki somehow knew of Imu's existence—the most closely guarded secret in the entire world. Beyond the Five Elders, only Figarland Garling and a handful of the highest-ranking Holy Knights were entrusted with this knowledge.

As Nasujuro grappled with the implications of this breach, Imu slowly turned away from the assembled dignitaries, his back now facing them. The faint crimson ripples in his eyes pulsed with an ancient, terrible power as he spoke, his voice carrying the weight of centuries:

"Tell Xayuki... I wish to speak with him."

Meanwhile, in the War Room of Marine Headquarters...

The unexpected appearance of the Holy Knights had prompted the three elder statesmen of the Marines—Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr—to join the emergency session.

With the exception of a few vice admirals currently deployed on missions, every senior officer stationed at Headquarters was present, including all three Admirals.

"Xayuki-sama, there's something I don't quite understand."

As they awaited the formal commencement of the meeting, Vice Admiral Gion, seated beside Xayuki, seized the opportunity to voice her curiosity. "Why did you tell those Holy Knights that they should fear more than just Nika? Were you deliberately provoking them, or did you have some other purpose in mind?"

"It wasn't provocation, nor did I have any particular strategy in mind," Xayuki replied with a casual smile. "I simply felt that if I didn't say something dramatic in that moment... it wouldn't have seemed sufficiently badass."

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