One Piece: Rising to Fleet Admiral Through a Coup

Peacock's sudden appearance and blunt exclamation of "Well done!" seemed to short-circuit both Vice Admiral Tsuru and Commander-in-Chief Kong. The two elders, whose combined age approached two centuries, turned their heads simultaneously, their facial muscles twitching uncontrollably.

"Peacock! If you don't want to end up hanging from a clothesline, keep your mouth shut!"

After scolding her unruly granddaughter, Tsuru turned her gaze toward Xayuki, the former rising star she had once pinned her hopes on, now the orchestrator of a rebellion. She wanted to say something, but as the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.

What was done was done. Nothing she said now would change anything.

Xayuki, no longer silent, stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Vice Admiral Tsuru, if you've come to question the cause of all this, there's no need. The arrow has already left the bow; there's no turning back. All I can do now is move forward."

After a brief pause, Xayuki shifted his gaze to Kong. "Commander-in-Chief, I trust you're well. Are you here on orders, or did you simply want to ask why I've taken this path?"

"I am the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government!"

Kong suppressed the anger boiling within him, his voice deep and forceful. "With such a commotion, how could I not appear?"

"Let me go! Let me go! Ahhh, my hand—my hand is about to break!"

At that moment, a wailing voice suddenly interrupted the conversation.

Moments later, Spandam, his face half-covered by a leather mask, was forcibly dragged over by two members of the God's Knights.

"Xayuki!"

Dragged before Xayuki, Spandam was consumed by the fear of death. Though it was his first time meeting Xayuki, he recognized him instantly. In a panic, he lunged forward and clung to Xayuki's leg, his voice trembling as he pleaded, "Lord Xayuki, this has nothing to do with me! Please, I beg you, spare me! I promise I will never seek revenge against you!"

"What are you doing?"

Xayuki's brows furrowed deeply at the sight of Spandam brought before him, his voice cold and stern. "I asked for his head, not to hear him wailing at my feet!"

Hearing this, the two God's Knights who had brought Spandam over immediately looked to Shamrock.

Shamrock said nothing, only giving a slight nod.

Seeing this, one of the God's Knights wasted no time. With a swift motion, he dragged Spandam away and, without hesitation, unsheathed his sword and struck.

"Disgusting."

Xayuki lifted his foot slightly, muttered these words, and then stepped onto the moving walkway.

The sudden appearance of Vice Admiral Tsuru made it clear to Xayuki that this was not a place to linger.

Had it been anyone else questioning him, he would have felt no guilt. But of all people, it had to be Tsuru, who had cared for him so much over the years.

Though it's said that compassion has no place in leadership, Xayuki was still human. Faced with Tsuru's reproach, he genuinely didn't know how to respond.

The best solution, then, was to leave quickly. Once everything was settled, he could visit her personally to explain.

"Xayuki, wait for me!"

As Xayuki stepped onto the moving walkway, before Gion and the three admirals could catch up, Peacock reacted swiftly, running after him.

But just as she was about to approach, Gunshi stepped forward and blocked her path. "You cannot follow."

Peacock's face darkened. "Why can't I follow? I'm a colonel in the Blade Unit!"

Hearing this, Xayuki, who had already moved ahead on the walkway, turned back with a sigh. "Peacock, now is not the time for nonsense. Go back."

"Oh..."

Under Xayuki's gaze, Peacock, who had been ready to argue, swallowed her words and reluctantly returned to Tsuru's side.

Standing silently nearby, Gion didn't greet Tsuru. Although the two had a close personal relationship, as Xayuki had said, now was not the time for idle chatter.

After giving Tsuru a brief glance, Gion moved on without stopping, joining the three admirals as they passed by Tsuru and Kong.

"Garp, you stay here!"

Just as Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp were about to follow, Kong suddenly spoke. "The person Xayuki is about to meet—you cannot see them!"

Garp abruptly stopped, his eyes widening as he stared at Kong. "Why not?"

Kong's expression was stern. "Because you are a D!"

At these words, Sengoku, who had been walking beside Garp, suddenly stopped and looked at Kong in surprise. "Commander-in-Chief, have you known all along about the mysterious ruler above the Five Elders?"

Faced with Sengoku's question, Kong shook his head and sighed, his tone softening as he turned to watch the young figure disappearing on the moving walkway. "Perhaps you knew before I did."

"I see..."

Sengoku nodded, then turned and quickly followed Zephyr onto the moving walkway.

Garp, however, did not follow. He glared at Kong, clearly dissatisfied, but ultimately held back his frustration.

Though he was over seventy, Garp was still a junior compared to Kong, who was nearing a century in age. Of course, age wasn't the issue; the key was that Kong was not only his superior but also his mentor.

Kong ignored Garp's displeased gaze, crossing his arms as he watched the figure on the walkway grow more distant, a rare flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

Before learning of Imu, the mysterious ruler, Kong had been focused solely on salvaging the situation. As the Commander-in-Chief, it was his duty to bear full responsibility for the rebellion within Marine Headquarters. Even if it meant going to war with Xayuki, who now controlled the Marines, he was prepared to do so.

But after discovering the existence of a shadowy figure above the Five Elders, his initial shock gave way to confusion. For the first time, he was unsure of the right course of action.

Compared to Garp, Kong was even more eager to meet this enigmatic ruler who stood above the Five Elders. Yet the Five Elders had explicitly forbidden him and Tsuru from being involved. Unless he staged a rebellion of his own, like Xayuki, he had no choice but to follow orders.

...

Accompanied by Gunshi and Shamrock, Xayuki stepped off the moving walkway and entered Pangea Castle in the Holy Land. Looking up at the grand and imposing World Government headquarters building ahead, he quickly scanned his surroundings and couldn't help but remark, "Such a vast and beautiful land, yet it's inhabited only by the Celestial Dragons. What a waste."

As soon as Xayuki finished speaking, a group of figures emerged from the headquarters building.

At the forefront were the Five Elders, the apparent highest authorities of the World Government.

Leading them was Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Legal Affairs.

He was followed closely by Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture; Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Scientific Defense; and Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment.

Bringing up the rear was Izambaro V. Nasjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, clutching a katana with a grim expression.

The Five Elders lined up in a single row, with Topman Warcury at the center. As they stood shoulder to shoulder, an oppressive aura unique to the apparent rulers of the world radiated outward, stirring the air and creating visible ripples.

As soon as the Five Elders stopped, Figarland Garling, the leader of the God's Knights, led several of his members out to stand beside them. Using the advantage of the elevated steps, they looked down on Xayuki from above.

"Tsk, tsk, such a grand display," Xayuki muttered.

Feeling the sudden tension in the air, Xayuki narrowed his eyes as his Conqueror's Haki surged forth, shattering the invisible pressure that had momentarily solidified the atmosphere. His gaze locked onto the Five Elders and the God's Knights, his aura steadily rising until it completely suppressed theirs.

"A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall!"

"The fact that I dared to come here means that not only can you not stop me, but I might just wipe you all out!"

Before his words had fully landed, his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki swept over the Five Elders and Garling like a tidal wave, engulfing them entirely.

Then, with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, Xayuki took a step forward.

"Put away your lofty attitudes. You have no right to negotiate with me from a position of strength or authority."

Raising his head sharply, he enunciated each word clearly:

"Bring out Imu!"

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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