[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 531 - 535

Chapter 531: Meeting with the Five Elders

News of Luffy's arrival spread quickly through the administrative channels of Mariejois. The Five Elders, upon receiving word that he sought an audience, displayed uncharacteristic eagerness to meet him.

They had long been curious about this enigmatic young Marine—a man with perhaps the most complicated lineage in the organization's history and undoubtedly its most promising rising star in recent memory.

Under the guidance of his escort, Luffy traversed empty corridors, passed through gardens filled with exotic blooming flowers, and walked past the bustling offices of government officials without hindrance.

Eventually, they arrived at the imposing entrance to the council chamber where the Five Elders had agreed to receive him—the inner sanctum where these shadowy figures spent most of their time and exercised their unparalleled authority over world affairs.

The guards stationed on either side of the massive doors—easily ten meters tall—immediately sprang into action at their approach. With practiced precision, they pushed open the heavy portals, granting Luffy his first clear view of the chamber within.

Unlike the ostentatious displays of wealth that characterized most of Mariejois, the council chamber exhibited a more restrained aesthetic. There were no gaudy gold fixtures or excessive ornamentation—just enormous floor-to-ceiling windows that offered panoramic views of the city below, complemented by intricate carvings along the stone walls.

Though Luffy recognized that even this "modest" decor represented immense wealth, it was nonetheless the most understated design he had encountered since entering the Holy Land.

Adjusting his tie with deliberate care, Luffy stepped into this nominal center of world power, his expression carefully neutral as he approached the five most influential men in the world.

Within the chamber, three elegant dark green chairs were arranged in a semicircle. Surprisingly, all five elders were seated, including Saint Marcus Mars—the long-bearded elder who typically preferred to stand during meetings. Their penetrating gazes fixed upon the young Marine whose reputation continued to grow with each passing day.

Luffy approached with measured steps, stopping at a respectful distance before offering a slight bow of his head.

"Great Elder, it is an honor to meet you," he stated with perfect clarity. "I am Vice Admiral Monkey D. Luffy of Marine Headquarters."

His demeanor could not be classified as either particularly deferential or disrespectful. He displayed neither the reverence nor trepidation that typically characterized Marine officers in the presence of the Five Elders.

Yet he also avoided the casual indifference his grandfather Garp was infamous for, as well as the barely concealed contempt his father Dragon would have shown.

On balance, the fact that Luffy had initiated a proper greeting with a bow, however slight, seemed sufficient to satisfy the elders, even if it fell short of the subservience they might have preferred.

These five men, accustomed to absolute deference, were not particularly troubled by this moderate display of independence. After all, they understood the difference between a potential asset and a common subordinate.

For a man of Luffy's caliber and background, the well-informed Five Elders believed they possessed effective methods to ensure his loyalty—or at least his compliance.

The five elderly men exchanged significant glances as they assessed this young officer—potentially the government's most valuable weapon for the next half-century. Finally, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the bearded elder with the most scientific background, broke the silence:

"Vice Admiral Luffy, your accomplishments have been noted with approval. We have agreed to your promotion to the rank of admiral."

Saturn paused briefly before continuing, "However, before proceeding, I have a question for you: What are your views on the current World Government, the pirate epidemic, and the Revolutionary Army?"

Luffy remained silent for a calculated moment, organizing his thoughts before responding with careful precision. He shared his perspective on the pirates first—describing them as oceanic parasites that posed an ongoing threat to global stability. Regarding the Revolutionary Army, he characterized them as a disorganized band of malcontents lacking the resources and coordination to pose any significant threat to a unified Marine force.

As he concluded these observations, Saturn and his colleagues exchanged another series of glances, this time with subtle hints of satisfaction in their eyes.

Luffy then raised his head, meeting their gazes directly—a gesture that caused Saturn to frown slightly at the implied equality. But before any rebuke could be issued, Luffy continued:

"To be completely honest, I find myself frustrated with certain elements within the current government structure," he stated matter-of-factly. "Pirates are indeed the garbage of the seas, a problem we may never fully eradicate. As for the Revolutionary Army—they're merely a collection of underfunded insurgents. When the Marines can spare the resources, capturing Dragon would be a relatively simple matter."

The moment Luffy completed his first statement about government frustrations, Saturn's frown noticeably relaxed, his interest piqued by this candid admission.

However, the questioning was far from over. Saint Topman Warcury, the mustached elder seated in the center who specialized in legal matters, immediately adopted a stern expression.

"Young man," he admonished sharply, "be mindful of your station. The government is your superior authority, and you would do well to remember your responsibilities as a Marine officer."

Almost immediately, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter—the elder who appeared youngest among the five despite his age—spoke up in a more conciliatory tone:

"Vice Admiral Luffy, if you harbor concerns about governmental procedures or policies, you are certainly entitled to express them. As a valuable component of the World Government's military force, your perspective deserves consideration."

Observing this transparent good-cop/bad-cop routine from the two elders, Luffy had to suppress a smirk of derision. Instead, he maintained an outwardly respectful demeanor while strategically voicing grievances about the Cipher Pol organizations.

He focused particularly on CP-8's interference during his mission in Wano Country, leveraging this as a platform to air broader complaints about the longstanding friction between Marine operations and Cipher Pol intrusions.

With calculated precision, Luffy enumerated various scandals and operational failures attributed to Cipher Pol divisions, making sure to emphasize instances where their actions had directly undermined Marine effectiveness.

He further expanded his critique to include several prominent government officials, citing specific cases where these individuals had abused their authority by commandeering Marine resources for personal benefit or otherwise impeding legitimate Marine operations.

Throughout Luffy's carefully crafted litany of complaints, the Five Elders maintained impassive expressions, offering no visible reaction to even his most provocative assertions.

Chapter 532: Greed for Power - The Five Elders' Solicitation

As Luffy concluded his lengthy recitation of complaints against high-ranking government officials, he recognized the Five Elders' barely concealed impatience—their dismissive tones making it clear they wished to end the audience.

He felt a twinge of regret at the missed opportunity. Such chances to openly criticize the World Government's leadership were exceedingly rare, and he had failed to mention several particularly troublesome officials who had frequented his resort but refused to settle their substantial bills.

Next time, he promised himself silently.

After that the Five Elder said they will investigate this, ask Luffy to leave after approving his Admiral rank.

"My apologies for taking so much of your valuable time," Luffy said with another slight bow. "The world government requires your continued guidance. Please take care of yourselves."

Having delivered these perfunctory pleasantries, Luffy turned to leave the chamber. However, before he could reach the massive doors, Saint Topman Warcury voice cut through the silence.

"Have you ever considered joining the Revolutionary Army?" The elder's tone was deceptively casual, but his eyes had narrowed to calculating slits. "The organization your father leads."

Luffy halted mid-stride, his back still turned to the Five Elders as a sardonic smile briefly crossed his features, invisible to the room's occupants.

So predictable, he thought. These arrogant old men believe they can discern truth from falsehood with a single direct question. Do they truly think their penetrating gazes can see into men's hearts?

He turned around with deliberate slowness, his expression carefully transformed into one of mild surprise. Spreading his hands in a gesture of openness, he allowed a small, ambitious smile to play across his lips.

"My lords, power is indeed appealing," he admitted, infusing his voice with calculated honesty. "It's precisely why I've worked so diligently to ascend through the ranks, step by arduous step."

He paused, his expression hardening slightly. "But I would never stand idly by while others topple the government, reducing me to a common citizen on equal footing with civilians. My ambitions are to secure a more prosperous future for myself and the dozen beautiful women who share my home."

As he delivered these words, Luffy shook his head with an air of theatrical resignation. "It's unfortunate that my lineage remains somewhat... disadvantageous. Had I been fortunate enough to be born here in the Holy Land, I wouldn't need to struggle so fiercely for advancement."

A gleam of interest sparked in Saint Topman Warcury eyes. After studying Luffy's expression with narrowed eyes and a furrowed brow, a slow, satisfied smile spread across the elder's weathered face.

"How regrettable indeed," Warcury remarked, "that a young man of such exceptional talent belongs to the bloodline of D. Unfortunately, one's heritage cannot be altered after birth."

The elder leaned forward slightly, his smile growing more pronounced. "However, I can promise you this: continue to serve the World Government with diligence and loyalty, and you shall rise higher than any man not born of Celestial Dragon blood. Your future position will be second only to the heavenly nobles themselves."

Luffy's expression brightened with carefully calibrated enthusiasm. He bowed deeply, far more reverently than his previous gestures.

"You honor me beyond words with your generous assessment," he replied, his voice thick with apparent emotion. "I shall prove my worth through actions rather than mere words."

Rising from his bow, Luffy maintained his facade of excitement, quickening his pace as he exited the chamber as though eager to begin fulfilling his newly reinforced ambitions.

Elder Warcury watched Luffy's departure with a satisfied expression, maintaining his pleasant demeanor until the massive doors closed and the young admiral's footsteps faded from hearing. Only then did his smile fade, replaced by his customary stern countenance.

Turning to his colleagues, he lifted the delicate porcelain cup from the table before him and took a measured sip of coffee before speaking.

"Share your assessments of this young man," he commanded, his tone neutral but expectant.

Almost before he finished speaking, Elder Nusjuro scoffed audibly, his disdain palpable.

"Arrogant whelp," he spat, "harboring delusions of joining our celestial ranks! He remains merely another carrier of the accursed Will of D. Allowing him to live is already an extraordinary act of clemency on our part."

Saint Marcus Mars, who had maintained silence throughout the meeting, finally offered his perspective.

"His hunger for power appears genuine," the bearded elder observed thoughtfully. "The brief flashes of dominance he unwittingly displayed when speaking betrayed his true nature. This young man aspires to more than mere admiralty—he covets the position of Fleet Admiral, perhaps even Commander-in-Chief of the entire military apparatus."

The other elders nodded in silent agreement, each reaching similar conclusions about their ambitious visitor.

After a moment of contemplative silence, Saint Saturn suddenly chuckled, the sound incongruous in the austere chamber.

"What a fascinating lineage," he mused, genuine amusement coloring his words. "The grandfather, Garp—an incompetent, spineless moderate. The father, Dragon—a radical, misguided reformer. And now the son—a power-hungry conservative. This boy... I find him rather intriguing."

Hearing this assessment, the other elders exchanged knowing smiles, silently mocking the pretensions of both Garp and Dragon. The irony was exquisite—self-proclaimed champions of justice and freedom, producing a descendant transparently obsessed with power and privilege.

It was perhaps the most satisfying joke the world had played on their longtime adversaries.

More importantly, Luffy's apparent nature aligned perfectly with their preferences. For men like the Five Elders, individuals driven by transparent desires—power, wealth, women, fame—were far easier to manipulate and control. Had Luffy presented himself as an idealistic crusader for justice, they would have found him far more dangerous and unpredictable.

After their brief moment of amusement subsided, Elder Warcury provided his final assessment and instructions.

"The clever boy," he remarked dryly. "For all his roundabout criticisms of both Cipher Pol and various government officials, he ultimately advocates solely for Marine interests, seeking to expand their power and jurisdiction at the expense of other factions."

He waved a dismissive hand. "Let him continue this internal struggle. The more the Marines clash with Cipher Pol, the more both organizations will require our intervention to settle their disputes. This dependency only strengthens our position."

Leaning back in his chair, Warcury continued strategizing. "Regarding his ambitions—he has achieved admiral rank now, but further promotion must wait. In the meantime, we shall satisfy his other appetites. Since he evidently appreciates female companionship, we shall arrange access to whatever women he desires, be they slaves or royal princesses."

A calculating smile crossed his face. "Simultaneously, instruct Morgans to intensify media coverage of our young admiral's exploits. Build his reputation among the masses. Should he prove satisfactorily loyal over the coming years, we might consider him as Sengoku's eventual replacement."

Warcury glanced at his colleagues, seeking confirmation. All four nodded in silent agreement, recognizing the wisdom in this approach.

After all, a prodigy capable of defeating Emperor Kaido at the tender age of fourteen merited special attention and careful handling. Such extraordinary talent was worth cultivating—provided it remained firmly under their control.

Chapter 533: Speculations About Red-Haired Shanks

While the Five Elders deliberated on their strategy for managing Luffy's future, the newly promoted admiral followed his assigned escort through the ornate corridors of Pangaea Castle, his mind racing with analytical thoughts.

Suspicious old men, he reflected bitterly. Despite my years of demonstrated loyalty to the World Government, they still subject me to these transparent tests. Clearly, I've yet to earn their genuine trust.

As he continued walking, something about the meeting continued to trouble him. Their behavior was peculiar. I had prepared numerous eloquent justifications for my promotion, yet they granted it almost immediately, without debate or deliberation. Something doesn't add up.

Increasingly perplexed, Luffy surreptitiously observed the holy land guard leading him through the castle's labyrinthine passages. When the man's attention briefly shifted to greeting another patrol, Luffy seized the opportunity to activate his rarely-used mind-reading ability, an ability gain my combining the Goro Goro no Mi and Observation Haki, interpreting neural activity with precise control to delicately probing the guard's recent memories.

Originally, Luffy had contemplated using this technique on the Five Elders themselves, but quickly abandoned the notion after considering their formidable abilities and the mysterious Im who lurked in Mariejois' shadows. Such an attempt would have been catastrophically dangerous.

However, extracting information from an ordinary guard presented minimal risk.

Outwardly, Luffy maintained casual conversation, asking innocuous questions about interesting locations in the Holy Land to distract his guide. Meanwhile, he carefully sifted through the man's surface memories.

Soon, his subtle mental exploration uncovered something significant: just days earlier, another unexpected visitor had arrived requesting an audience with the Five Elders.

The mysterious figure had concealed their appearance beneath a hooded cloak, but this particular guard had been stationed outside the council chamber during the meeting. From his position, he had caught a glimpse of unkempt reddish stubble beneath the visitor's hood.

At the time, the guard had briefly wondered who would dare appear before the world's most powerful men with such casual disregard for appearance. However, well aware that excessive curiosity in Mariejois often led to shortened lifespans, he had quickly suppressed these thoughts.

Yet when Luffy arrived today, the image of that mysterious visitor had involuntarily resurfaced in the guard's consciousness.

Though the mental image appeared only briefly, Luffy captured it with perfect clarity. Unlike the guard, who lacked context to identify the visitor, Luffy immediately recognized the distinctive facial hair.

It could only belong to one of the current Emperors of the Sea—a man with rumored ties to the Celestial Dragons themselves—"Red-Haired" Shanks.

{This fanfic is created before Shank are free from the rat allegations}

This revelation surprised Luffy, but not excessively so. Based on what he knew of the Canon, Shanks had met with the Five Elders before, so his presence in Mariejois wasn't entirely unprecedented.

What intrigued Luffy far more was the timing of this visit—occurring shortly after his defeat of Kaido and immediately before his own promotion to admiral.

Unfortunately, the actual conversation between Shanks and the Five Elders remained beyond his reach. A mere guard would never be permitted to overhear such sensitive discussions, and without directly reading the Elders' minds—a suicidal proposition—Luffy would never learn the exact nature of their exchange.

Nevertheless, he could formulate reasonable conjectures based on his extensive knowledge.

Shanks always seeks to maintain equilibrium on the seas, Luffy reasoned. His primary concern would be preventing the Marines from gaining overwhelming dominance before the prophesied Joy Boy emerges. With Kaido's defeat, that balance has already shifted significantly.

The pieces began falling into place in Luffy's mind. My promotion serves multiple agendas. For the Five Elders, elevating me represents both an attempt to secure my loyalty and an acknowledgment that my contribution to Kaido's defeat was too significant to ignore without risking alienating me entirely.

Shanks likely came here after learning of Kaido's fall, concerned that the Marines might capitalize on this momentum to eliminate the remaining Emperors in rapid succession. He would have urged the Five Elders to restrain the Marines' aggressive tendencies.

This explains their readiness to promote me without extensive questioning—the decision had already been made, possibly as part of some broader arrangement with Shanks.

As these realizations crystallized, Luffy's expression darkened momentarily before he smoothed his features back to neutrality.

Whether my analysis is accurate remains to be seen, he mused. The coming months will reveal the Marines' strategic direction. If I'm correct, they'll face increased constraints and complications—and as a new admiral, I'll inevitably be caught in these political crosscurrents.

A flash of genuine irritation crossed his mind. Damn you, Shanks. If you've interfered with my plans, you'll regret underestimating me.

By this time, they had exited Pangaea Castle and reached an open courtyard. Luffy inhaled deeply, sardonically appreciating the "fresh" air of Mariejois—air purified through the suffering and labor of countless slaves over generations.

Composing himself, Luffy turned to the guard with a practiced smile. "Though I never caught your name, I appreciate your guidance and explanations throughout our walk. Now that my business here is concluded, I'll take my leave. Perhaps we'll meet again someday."

The guard immediately halted and offered a respectful bow. "Vice Admiral Luffy—no, Admiral Luffy—you honor me with your courtesy. I've merely fulfilled my duty. Your satisfaction is the greatest reward I could receive."

Luffy responded with a polite nod before focusing his concentration. Brilliant blue-white electricity crackled across his body, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a living bolt of lightning that shot skyward, disappearing into the clouds above Mariejois.

The guard stood momentarily stunned by the spectacular departure, his reactions delayed by astonishment. When he finally regained his composure, he belatedly snapped to attention, offering a formal salute toward the now-empty sky.

After maintaining this position for several seconds, he lowered his arm and began walking back toward his post, shaking his head in wonder.

"He's even more personable than rumors suggested," the guard murmured to himself. "Truly worthy of becoming the youngest vice admiral in Marine history—no, the youngest admiral now. I've witnessed a historic moment today."

As the guard returned to his routine duties, he remained blissfully unaware of how thoroughly his mind had been examined—or how significantly the information he had unwittingly provided might influence the course of world events.

Meanwhile, Admiral Monkey D. Luffy streaked through the atmosphere, his mind already formulating contingency plans for whatever political complications awaited him upon his return to Marine Headquarters.

Chapter 534: The Rise of a New Admiral

Luffy's meteoric rise had invisibly altered the course of history. Throughout the world, countless young people began to believe that their time had come—that extraordinary achievement was possible even in an age dominated by legends.

The day after Luffy departed from Mariejois, news of his promotion to admiral spread across the globe like wildfire. The reaction was immediate and intense, with people everywhere reacting with a mixture of awe, fear, and inspiration.

Citizens marveled at his unprecedented achievements at such a young age, while simultaneously growing more fearful of the Marine's increasingly formidable strength. Many pirates trembled at the mere mention of the new admiral's name, all too aware of his role in Emperor Kaido's defeat.

Most civilians who depended on the Marines for protection celebrated enthusiastically, viewing Luffy's promotion as reassurance that the seas would grow safer under his watchful eye. Street festivals spontaneously erupted in government-aligned nations, with revelers dancing and singing late into the night.

Perhaps most significantly, a new wave of ambitious youths felt called to adventure—some enlisting in the Marines with dreams of following Luffy's path, others setting sail as pirates to challenge the emerging world order. The already tumultuous seas gained fresh currents of ambition and daring.

On the day the announcement reached Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally replaced Luffy's epaulettes with new ones in a formal ceremony before the assembled officers and troops. With solemn dignity, he officially proclaimed Monkey D. Luffy as the fourth admiral of the Marine forces.

The celebration that followed exceeded all expectations. What had begun as a modest banquet evolved into a seven-day festival, with each day more spirited than the last. When it finally concluded, many participants departed with genuine reluctance, sensing they had witnessed a pivotal moment in Marine history.

The following day at noon, the newly promoted admiral enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by his devoted companions at home before strolling toward Sengoku's office with an unhurried gait. The weight of his new rank sat comfortably on his shoulders, as though he had been born to carry it.

Along his path through Headquarters, every Marine soldier and officer he encountered saluted crisply, greeting him with newfound respect and deference. Their eyes gleamed with admiration, and many of the younger recruits boldly approached him, nervously requesting autographs.

Luffy accepted each request graciously, offering encouraging words alongside his signature. His natural charisma drew people to him, and his genuine interest in their aspirations only enhanced his growing reputation.

His promotion had created ripple effects throughout the command structure. Not only had Luffy ascended to admiralty, but many of his loyal officers had received corresponding advancements in rank. Combined with his extraordinary achievement in defeating Kaido, this created an unprecedented situation where countless young Marines actively sought transfers to his G-66 branch.

Luffy naturally welcomed these talented individuals from Headquarters. He provided directions to the temporary administrative office where Ain and his other officers were processing applications, encouraging interested parties to submit their credentials for consideration.

These ambitious young Marines showed remarkable boldness, seemingly unconcerned about potential disapproval from their current commanding officers. Day after day, they delivered their applications to Ain and her team, eager for the opportunity to serve under the revolutionary young admiral.

It was inevitable that Luffy's popularity would generate resentment among other department heads, who watched helplessly as their most promising subordinates requested transfers. His reputation among senior officers would likely suffer for months to come.

Yet this hardly troubled him. Fleet Admiral Sengoku had tacitly approved the situation, routinely authorizing transfer requests without comment. The other department heads could grumble all they wished, but had little recourse against Sengoku's decisions.

Moreover, Luffy had cultivated considerable goodwill among the Headquarters leadership during his tenure in Wano Country. He had regularly sent valuable gifts and rare local specialties to influential officers, establishing cordial relationships that now served him well. These small gestures of thoughtfulness had created a reservoir of goodwill that helped mitigate the current tensions.

In Sengoku's spacious office, Luffy lounged comfortably in an elegant armchair, legs stretched out casually before him. With one hand resting on the chair's backrest and the other holding a glass of his personal reserve sake, he presented the very picture of satisfied accomplishment.

As expected, this casual display provoked Sengoku's irritation. The Fleet Admiral's expression darkened visibly as he observed his newly promoted subordinate's relaxed posture.

Bang!

Sengoku's fist struck his desk firmly, the sound reverberating through the office as he raised his voice in genuine annoyance.

"You impudent brat! Don't think your new admiral rank gives you license to behave so shamelessly. Do you have any idea how many complaints I've received about your indiscriminate recruitment tactics over the past two days? If I hadn't intervened personally, your fellow officers would have torn you apart before you'd even warmed your admiral's chair!"

Hearing this reprimand, Luffy paused momentarily, then smoothly produced a conciliatory smile. With a subtle gesture, he manipulated the nearby sake bottle to pour a generous portion into a second cup, which floated gracefully toward Sengoku.

"Come now, Fleet Admiral," Luffy responded with carefully calculated charm. "We're all serving the same Marine ideal—it seems rather harsh to characterize my actions as 'poaching.' I merely recognized talented individuals whose abilities weren't being fully utilized and helped them find positions better suited to their potential."

He took a small sip from his own cup before continuing, "While my G-66 branch has grown considerably, we still require diverse talents to function effectively. By bringing these officers into my command, I not only address my personnel needs but also provide them with opportunities to flourish and contribute meaningfully to our shared mission. From an organizational perspective, this arrangement benefits everyone involved."

With a faint smile, he added pointedly, "And you yourself didn't object, Fleet Admiral."

Chapter 535: The First Mission After Promotion

Vice Admiral Tsuru, who had been silently observing the exchange from nearby, glanced at Sengoku with a knowing expression. Seeing that he had no intention of elaborating further, she took a seat beside Luffy and prepared to clarify the situation.

Sengoku responded to Luffy's clever rhetoric with a dismissive snort, downing the offered sake in a single swallow. While he offered no verbal rebuttal, his expression made his skepticism abundantly clear.

Noticing this minor victory, Luffy smiled and directed the sake bottle to refill Sengoku's cup once more. The Fleet Admiral firmly waved it away, clearly unwilling to indulge further.

"Enough pleasantries," Sengoku declared, steering the conversation to more serious matters. "Don't imagine your responsibilities end with your promotion ceremony. You have numerous duties awaiting your immediate attention."

Observing Luffy's momentarily startled expression, Sengoku's lips curled into a satisfied smile. The Fleet Admiral clearly enjoyed catching his subordinate off guard.

At precisely that moment, Staff Officer Brannew knocked politely on the door before entering the office. Upon noticing Luffy lounging on the sofa, he approached without hesitation, carrying a substantial sheaf of documents.

With ceremonial precision, he placed the formidable stack—easily ten centimeters thick—directly in front of the newly promoted admiral.

"What's all this?" Luffy asked, genuinely confused by the unexpected delivery and the meaningful glances exchanged between Sengoku and Brannew.

"Marine tradition dictates that when a new admiral assumes office, they must lead a fleet on patrol through a designated maritime region," Sengoku explained with poorly concealed satisfaction. "This protocol serves multiple purposes: it familiarizes the troops with their new commander, while simultaneously fulfilling our diplomatic obligation to maintain contact with member nations and strengthen relationships between the Marines and allied governments."

He leaned forward slightly before adding, "Admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru all conducted these missions when they received their promotions. Now it's your turn."

"Ah, I see..." Luffy replied, scratching his head with resigned acceptance. Reluctantly, he opened the imposing folder before him.

His brow furrowed as he examined the first page. "The Kingdom of Austraterra? What country is this? I've never even heard of it."

Before Brannew could respond, Luffy found the answer in the subsequent pages of the document.

According to the information, the Kingdom of Austraterra was a World Government member state located in the North Blue. Rich in silver and iron ore deposits, it was renowned for producing exceptional swords, firearms, and silverwork, making it one of the Government's most valuable trading partners.

As Luffy continued scanning the extensive file, his eyes suddenly widened and his posture straightened noticeably.

"This... this information..."

Brannew observed Luffy's surprised reaction and calmly elaborated, "This dossier contains comprehensive intelligence on all member states in North Blue, which will be your primary patrol region for this mission."

Sengoku seamlessly continued the explanation, "This is merely the beginning. As a Marine admiral, you must familiarize yourself with the general circumstances of all 170 World Government member nations. While we don't expect you to memorize every detail in these files, you absolutely must commit to memory foundational information such as the rulers of each country, their military capabilities, and strategic resources."

The Fleet Admiral gestured toward a cabinet behind his desk. "In the coming days, I'll provide you with comparable intelligence reports covering the other Blues and the Grand Line. You'll also receive classified information regarding key government officials, Marine base commanders, and current force deployments throughout our territories."

He fixed Luffy with a stern gaze. "This knowledge is restricted to admiral-rank officers and above—it is both your privilege and responsibility to master it."

Sengoku studied Luffy's expression carefully, clearly expecting to witness discomfort or intimidation. Indeed, Luffy's reaction was visibly complex, but not entirely for the reasons Sengoku anticipated.

While Luffy certainly felt daunted by the prospect of memorizing such vast quantities of information, his predominant emotion was excitement at this unexpected windfall. The documents before him contained extraordinarily valuable intelligence: population statistics, medical infrastructure assessments, detailed information on royal families and nobility—all meticulously catalogued.

This is beyond classified, Luffy thought. If Dragon got his hands on these documents, he'd be ecstatic! This is exactly the kind of intelligence the Revolutionary Army has been dying to obtain.

According to Sengoku, this information was available exclusively to admiral-rank officers. Even his grandfather Garp, despite his heroic status, likely hadn't accessed such comprehensive intelligence—or if he had, he probably hadn't bothered to review it thoroughly.

His father Dragon, who had left the Marines before reaching the highest ranks, would certainly never have been granted access to these secrets.

Luffy resolved to have Koala secretly copy all the documents when he returned home. If he had to suffer through memorizing these details, he might as well extract maximum value from the process.

"Um, Grandpa Sengoku," Luffy began hesitantly, hefting the thick document while offering a somewhat forced smile. "Would it be possible to have my staff assistants carry these for me? Just for convenience, of course."

Sengoku's response was immediate and unyielding. "Absolutely not," he declared with stern finality. "Don't even consider it."

He added with unmistakable satisfaction, "I've already instructed Kujaku, Ain, Hina, and your other officers to supervise your progress on this assignment. You won't be returning to Wano Country until you've demonstrated mastery of all this material."

Luffy nearly groaned aloud at this pronouncement. Picking up the dossier, he stared in dismay at a royal name containing more than twenty complex characters.

His eyes grew moist as memories of his school days flooded back—endless hours spent memorizing tedious facts under the threat of punishment.

Damn, he thought ruefully. No one told me being an admiral would involve so much studying!