When Shirahoshi's figure appeared again, she was already standing in front of the World Government's tallest building.
The moment she stepped out of the water, the soft and comfortable loungewear she had been wearing was long gone.
In its place was a pure white custom-made suit tailored to fit her perfectly, carrying a cold, sharp feel.
On the left side of her chest, the crest of the Jaygarcia family was shining with a dazzling golden light.
"Princess Shirahoshi!"
Seeing Shirahoshi appear out of thin air, the elite World Government guards stationed on both sides of the entrance dropped to one knee in perfect unison, their movements full of respect.
During the years when Rosse did not set foot here, this sixteen-year-old girl before them had been the representative of the Jaygarcia family's highest authority.
This fact had already become deeply embedded in the operation of the World Government ever since Shirahoshi first entered politics at the age of twelve.
Wearing a flawless and approachable smile, Shirahoshi gave a slight nod to the guards on both sides.
She did not even speak. She merely raised her small hand covered by a pure white silk glove.
Buzz!
The moisture in the air seemed to come alive, turning into an extremely gentle yet irresistible current that lifted the dozens of kneeling guards back onto their feet.
Four years ago, when she first stepped into this place at the age of twelve, people respected her only because she carried the title of Rosse's daughter.
In the eyes of the world, the child of a god was born with the right to stand above the clouds.
Four years later, she was still the cherished daughter of Jaygarcia, but the world's definition of her had changed.
She was no longer a second generation heir living under her father's shadow.
She had become the successor whom even Rosse was proud of.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Maintaining her two-meter-tall human form, Shirahoshi strode forward on her straight legs. The crisp sound of her high heels struck the white floor tiles, creating a rhythm that carried immense pressure.
Without looking to either side, she headed straight toward the deepest part of the building.
Eventually, she stopped before a tightly closed door.
This was where the World Conference was held.
And today, it would host a transfer of power to welcome the newly appointed Deputy Sovereign, Sosuke Aizen.
Creak!
Along with the sound of metal scraping, two CP0 agents slowly pushed the doors open together.
Shirahoshi did not spare them a glance. Without slowing down, she stepped directly across the threshold.
The moment she entered, dozens of gazes gathered around the conference table focused on her at the same time.
Any one of those people could shake vast stretches of sea with a single action.
Shirahoshi calmly ignored the looks of curiosity, respect, and caution.
Her eyes went directly to the man seated at the head of the table, wearing black-rimmed glasses and carrying a refined, gentle demeanor.
She stopped, placed her right hand over her chest, and bowed slightly in a flawless noble lady's salute.
"Jaygarcia Shirahoshi greets Deputy Sovereign Aizen."
"Minister Shirahoshi, there's no need for such formality."
Aizen's warm and magnetic voice echoed through the hall.
"The future ultimately belongs to young people like yourselves. I've only just arrived, and there will be many matters where I'll need your cooperation."
As he spoke, Aizen's gaze behind his lenses openly examined Shirahoshi from head to toe.
There was no trace of the Soul King's power.
However, judging purely by her presence and strength, Aizen could clearly tell that Shirahoshi was absolutely no weaker than he had been before completely merging with the Hogyoku.
What was even more frightening was her age.
She was only sixteen.
Exactly the same age as Ichigo had been when Aizen personally guided his growth.
Ichigo had been the result of countless coincidences and Aizen's own influence.
But Shirahoshi had no such external force pushing her forward.
There was only one explanation.
Rosse's expectations for this daughter had reached an unbelievable level.
So high that Rosse had refused to use any finished power to define her limits.
Instead, he had given her the finest possible soil and allowed her to grow freely along a path of her own.
'To receive such complete favor from the creator...'
'That really is something people can envy.'
Aizen chuckled quietly to himself.
"Deputy Sovereign Aizen gives me too much credit."
Shirahoshi's reply was humble and proper.
She straightened up and walked calmly to the long table before taking the first seat among the six ministers, second only to the Five Elders.
Her official position in the World Government was Minister of Finance.
The position had once been little more than a title, but after she took office, it became the most important among the six departments.
All military funding, collection of Heavenly Tribute from member nations, and approval of every budget required for the World Government's operation passed through her hands.
Rosse had placed her in that position so she could understand the logic behind the world's operation as quickly as possible.
Shirahoshi did not deny that when she first became deputy minister, even with her mother Otohime's guidance, the endless accounts and political struggles had left her overwhelmed.
But four years later, even sitting in that position alone, she could handle the probing of old veterans without leaving any openings.
When faced with subordinates who obeyed in public while resisting in private, she had her own methods of dealing with them.
Even in terms of financial expertise, she had long since surpassed the Warrior God of Finance, Saint Nusjuro.
"Since everyone is present, let us officially begin the meeting."
As the new Deputy Sovereign's first appearance, Aizen's behavior surprised everyone.
He only gave a very brief introduction.
He did not deliver a long speech, nor did he try to establish authority through dramatic actions.
Even though he knew that with the privileges Rosse had granted him, he could point at the Five Elders and order them all to resign immediately, and they would have no choice but to comply.
But he did not do that.
As a master of political maneuvering, Aizen understood better than anyone that any giant organization that had operated for a long time would inevitably possess a complex balance of interests.
Flipping the table the moment he arrived was something only a fool would do.
That would only make Rosse question his abilities.
But that did not mean he would compromise.
He simply needed the machine to keep running.
Then, like water seeping into sand, he would quietly insert his will into every gear.
He had strength as his foundation.
And time was on his side.
Although Aizen did not speak much, the detailed reports from every department and the summaries of the world's current situation still caused the meeting to last a full three hours.
By the time it ended and people filed out one after another, darkness had already covered the sky outside.
The Five Elders left first.
Then came the senior officials from every department.
Finally, when the heavy doors closed once more, only a handful of people remained inside the massive conference room.
Without exception, they were the core members of Rosse's faction.
"Everyone stayed behind. Is there some private matter still left unresolved?"
Seated at the head of the table, Aizen leaned back slightly and adjusted his glasses out of habit.
A trace of understanding flashed through his eyes, though he deliberately showed mild confusion.
After Saint Saturn and the others left, the two highest-ranking people remaining in the room were Minister of Finance Shirahoshi and Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.
One represented civilian authority, the other military power.
If either one stamped a foot, the entire Red Line would shake.
"Deputy Sovereign Aizen," Shirahoshi interlocked her fingers and rested her elbows elegantly on the table.
She went straight to the point, "Father should have mentioned the script concerning the Child of Destiny."
"I've heard a little about it," Aizen smiled faintly and nodded, "From what I understand, the reason Lord Rosse has not altered the old structure of the world is because he wanted to preserve a natural stage and watch a grand performance personally prepared by all of you."
On the surface, Aizen remained calm.
Internally, however, he was evaluating the situation.
Of course he knew what Rosse wanted to see.
It was the ultimate pleasure of a god watching mortals struggle for false hope, only to recognize reality in the end.
But he had reservations about whether Shirahoshi could direct such a play properly.
Sixteen years old.
No matter how gifted she was, no matter how powerful she had become, perfectly controlling and directing a script involving all humanity was almost impossible.
Understanding human nature required long years of experience.
He was curious what kind of plan this flower raised in a greenhouse would present.
"That is correct."
Shirahoshi's voice was gentle.
"In order to present Father with the most perfect gift, I will mobilize the full power of the World Government during the preparation of this performance. I hope to receive your approval and assistance."
"Personally, I have no objection."
Aizen neither agreed nor disagreed.
"However, I need to know exactly what you intend to do."
"It's simple. The East Blue Special Zone, Paradise Special Zone, and New World Special Zone will serve as the stage for this performance."
Shirahoshi spoke at an even pace.
"The local forces and stationed Marines in these three special zones will fully cooperate with my script."
"We will build an absolutely real stage for that Child of Destiny. This includes customized news reports, deliberately created warlord conflicts and political disorder, as well as social class tensions secretly guided by us."
At this point, a change finally appeared in Aizen's casual gaze.
He raised an eyebrow and looked at Shirahoshi.
'This little girl has already learnt how to use all living beings as pieces on a board at sixteen?'
Three special zones.
Even in a world dominated by the ocean, the population within those three regions far exceeded that of the entire Soul Society world.
To put on a performance for Rosse, she was stripping hundreds of millions of people of their will and turning them into NPCs and actors within the story.
That was no ordinary undertaking.
It required extreme coldness, as well as resources and manpower on a staggering scale.
A single mistake could expose the entire act.
"So Minister Shirahoshi means..."
Aizen leaned forward slightly.
There was now genuine seriousness in his voice.
"You intend to completely isolate these three special zones from the real world? Even deliberately weaken or sever their connection with the World Government, all to make this Pirate King adventure game appear more dramatic and eventful, correct?"
"Exactly," Shirahoshi nodded lightly.
In her beautiful eyes was rationality completely free of sympathy, "In fact, this plan began several years ago. The Red Line has already completed the Ten Thousand Cities Construction Project. Long ago, we prioritized moving most of the best and most obedient residents from the three special zones onto the Red Line."
"As for the people deliberately left behind in those regions..."
Shirahoshi's expression remained calm.
"They are all individuals who were screened and found to be stubborn troublemakers, or descendants of rebels who once refused to submit to the World Government."
"I did not wipe them out completely. Giving them the chance to participate in the performance is already an act of mercy."
"Long ago, I fully took over the newspapers of the World Economy News Agency and the communication bands of the Den Den Mushi. Everything they see, hear, and feel about the world every day is exactly what I want them to know." [T/N: Imagine it being real. Wild.]
"They believe they are fighting for freedom. Little do they realize that they are trapped inside a transparent glass container made of information, existing only to provide the necessary conflict for our script."
"An information cocoon... what an excellent description," Aizen was fully interested now.
His eyes shone with appreciation upon encountering someone similar to himself.
"Was this massive operation entirely conceived and completed by you alone?"
"To be honest, it was a joint creation between my brothers, sisters, and me," Shirahoshi answered openly.
"During its implementation, we also relied on the World Government's foundation. I admit that I am still far from being able to do what you once accomplished in Soul Society, guiding and deceiving an entire world through your own efforts."
"No, Minister Shirahoshi. You underestimate yourself."
Aizen shook his head slightly.
Suddenly, he raised both hands and applauded twice, openly expressing his admiration for the young woman before him.
"I couldn't do what you've done either. Using Kyoka Suigetsu to deceive people through sensory illusions is ultimately just borrowing external power. But using systems, information, authority, and human nature the way you have, causing hundreds of millions of people to sink into a reality that is completely genuine and logically consistent, never learning the truth even until death..."
"That is true power capable of making people shudder."
Looking at the girl before him, the last trace of disdain in Aizen's heart disappeared.
At such a young age, she possessed remarkable vision and acted with ruthless decisiveness, even attempting to distort the perception of reality for hundreds of millions of people.
Even he could not help but be impressed by such resolve.
Just one of Rosse's daughters had reached such a frightening level in strategy and vision, even faintly earning the qualification to sit across from him at the same board.
That alone showed that the gap between himself and Rosse was far greater than it appeared.
He had originally thought that after evolving, he had once again moved closer to Rosse.
But now it seemed that if he wanted to truly understand that man, he still had a very long road ahead.
Naturally, Aizen had no reason to reject Shirahoshi's proposal.
Everything he possessed now had been granted by Rosse.
Since this was an entertainment performance the creator wished to see, not only would he refrain from interfering, he eagerly joined the discussion himself.
Over the next several hours, Aizen fully demonstrated the intelligence that had once made him unmatched in Soul Society.
He pointed out several flaws in the script and proposed even more ingenious solutions, helping Shirahoshi make the plan increasingly flawless.
Everyone had their own area of expertise.
When it came to manipulating human nature and designing large-scale schemes, Aizen was indeed far beyond these young second-generation heirs and pure warriors like Sakazuki.
As Aizen displayed truly overwhelming ability, he could clearly feel something.
At least in the eyes of Shirahoshi and the other direct descendants of Rosse, their acceptance and recognition of him were rising rapidly.
Respect based on equal capability was far more effective than a simple appointment from Rosse.
As for the peripheral officials outside Rosse's faction and the remnants of the old era, their opinions held no value in Aizen's eyes.
In the end, when the coming performance reached its conclusion, every clown would be swept into history's trash heap and return to the place they belonged.
In this world, Rosse alone stood above all.
[🫠 New Fanfic—"ReZero: I Transmigrated, But My Life is Still Miserable". Add it to the collection and leave some powerstones. I really want it to reach collection and popularity ranking so I would be glad if you all helped. Have a great day~]