Chapter 127: The New Admirals, and the Apple Tree Bears Fruit

At this moment, the Navy had completed construction of its new headquarters and through the World Government, had wrapped up its conscription campaign.

This so-called "Great Conscription" wasn't just about picking random strong people and giving them high-ranking positions.

Instead, it involved selecting elite warriors from the militaries of various countries to fill out the Navy's ranks.

This was also the World Government's strategy to weaken the military strength of individual nations. By requisitioning their soldiers, those nations lost their original protection, making them militarily vulnerable.

Even if this gave the Revolutionary Army more opportunities, the World Government didn't care. After all, there were always more nations, more people. In their eyes, they were all expendable. There'd always be more to come.

Currently, the Revolutionary Army's influence and strength are undeniably growing. As life worsened for common folk, resentment toward the nobles festered.

....

Former Marine G-1 Branch.

Flags fluttered, and warships docked at the port. Thousands of marines had gathered; today was a historic day.

The relocation of headquarters.

And the announcement of new Admiral appointments.

"Reporting to Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, it's time," Rear Admiral Penn saluted at the door.

"Let's go." Sakazuki rose from the sofa, followed by the three others seated nearby.

The four stood together, their presence overwhelming. Rear Admiral Penn quickly stepped aside, watching them pass.

In the new headquarters' drill ground, tens of thousands of marines were assembled. Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Vice Admiral Tsuru were among the spectators.

Under the scorching sun, everyone stood in formation, eyes fixed on the stage.

Finally, they saw four figures walking out.

"They're here!!"

"The new Admirals!!"

"I heard they're insanely strong!"

"Monsters worthy of the title."

Whispers spread across the crowd, but the moment the four reached the stage, silence fell.

"What's the background of the two replacing Gion and Tokikake?" Garp asked.

"One of them is a gambler, formerly the military chief of the Aoi Kingdom's forces. After a civil war toppled the country he protected, he became a war criminal and drifted to Soja Island as a casino bodyguard. After the island became World Government territory, he passed their trials and was recruited."

"The other was a police officer who was imprisoned due to a great incident involving a woman. After the World Government discovered his strength, they freed him. That guy practically worships Sakazuki. He might be Sakazuki's successor," Vice Admiral Tsuru explained.

"Issho's temperament is like Kuzan's. He blinded himself because he couldn't bear the world's suffering." Sengoku added

The Marines' eyes locked onto Sakazuki and Borsalino, but their focus shifted to the two unknown men:

A blind man leaning with a cane.

And a sunglasses-wearing figure with wild green hair.

"Those are the new Admirals?"

"Is his eyesight… gone?"

"Who are these two…"

Sakazuki began to speak.

"From this day forward, this will be the new Marine Headquarters, New Marineford. The original Marineford on the other side of the Red Line will become G1 Branch, under the command of Vice Admiral Momonga."

Many officers understood the subtext.

Momonga had been sidelined.

As one of Kuzan's peers and closest friends, Momonga was being pushed to the first half of the Grand Line, a demotion in disguise. He was being pushed out of the core power structure.

"Now, the new appointments. Through the World Military Draft, the Marines welcome two new Admirals—"

"Issho."

The blind man stepped forward.

"And Aramaki."

The green-haired man smirked.

"These two will serve as the new Marine Admirals, with the codenames Fujitora and Ryokugyu!"

Reporters from government-approved media snapped photos, capturing this historic moment and spreading it across the globe.

"Big Bro, the Marines actually moved their HQ to the New World." Marco handed Roy the newspaper.

"Didn't we already know that was coming?" Roy looked up.

"They've also announced the two new Admirals."

"Fujitora and Ryokugyu, right?"

"You knew already?"

"What do you think?"

"…Right, I almost forgot. Of course, you did. I've looked into both of them, no notable background. Not sure where the World Government even found them. But they've already started cracking down on pirates. The New World's not gonna be peaceful anymore," Marco said.

"Let them be. As long as they don't mess with us. If they do... we'll kill them," Roy replied.

"Got it. I'll pass on the word." Marco nodded.

"Anything else?"

Roy noticed Marco still hadn't left and asked.

"Big Bro, the Devil Fruits have grown. How do you want to test them?" Marco said.

That miracle apple tree Roy had obtained had finally borne fruit after a year of care. Six of the trees had produced a Devil Fruit.

Six fruits, each shaped like a pineapple but with different colors and swirl patterns.

Strange as it was, these pineapple-shaped fruits had grown on an apple tree.

"Let's have a meeting. Ask the others. You're not upset at me, right?" Roy asked.

"Why would I be??" Marco looked confused.

"I cloned your fruit, the Phoenix Fruit. Don't you mind?"

"Of course not. The more Phoenixes we have, the better it is for our crew. We can save more lives," Marco smiled.

Marco was a doctor. For him, saving lives was the most important thing. Besides, having more powerful allies only helped the crew.

Roy could tell, Marco genuinely meant it.

"Go get Thatch."

"Thatch is the first?"

"Yeah. Vista probably wouldn't eat a Devil Fruit, so that leaves Thatch."

"Got it, I'll bring him right away."

Marco leapt into the sky and flew to fetch Thatch.

Thatch had gone out and only returned the next day.

"Big Bro, you were looking for me?" he asked.

"Do you know what I've been doing this past year?" Roy asked him seriously.

"Nope. I just know you've been... gardening?" Thatch laughed.

"Come see for yourself. This is what I've been growing."

Roy stepped aside to reveal a table with six Devil Fruits of varying colors.

"What the—?" Thatch was stunned. "Devil Fruits? That many?! Big Bro, you collected all these?"

"You weren't listening. This is the result of my hard work."

"You grew them?!"

"Yep. I haven't tested them yet, so I'm not sure if they're stable. Want to try one?"

"Grown Devil Fruits…" Thatch hesitated as he looked at the colorful pineapple-shaped fruits.

"Devil Fruits take away your ability to swim…"

He had gotten the Dark-Dark Fruit before but had held off on eating it. Now, seeing these new ones, he was once again unsure of what to do.

.....

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