Marineford, Marine Headquarters. Clear skies stretched overhead, the gentle sea breeze carrying the fluttering of the seagull flag. Ten thousand Marine soldiers stood in rigid formation across Oris Plaza, their gazes locked on the platform ahead. The air thrummed with the stirring notes of military music.
Sephiroth strode steadily down the red carpet, his black suit immaculate. The Marine honor guard lining the path snapped to attention, saluting as he passed. He ascended the platform, standing tall before Fleet Admiral Kong.
The ceremony wasn't just witnessed by the assembled Marines. Across the world, countless eyes watched through den den mushi broadcasts. Kong's voice boomed out, carrying the weight of authority. "Carl D. Sephiroth, your contributions to the Marine are unparalleled, your merits extraordinary... By the power vested in me, I appoint you as the new Fleet Admiral of the Marine!"
With solemn precision, Kong took the white cloak of justice—emblazoned with the Fleet Admiral's insignia—from an attendant's tray and draped it over Sephiroth's shoulders. Both men exchanged crisp salutes. Sephiroth turned to face the ten thousand Marines below, raising his hand in acknowledgment.
The plaza erupted. Applause roared like a tidal wave, crashing over the platform. Tokikake stood among the spectators, his eyes fixed on the newly appointed Fleet Admiral. He shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Unbelievable. Sephiroth's rise is ridiculous. Reinstated not long ago, promoted to Admiral in a flash, and now Fleet Admiral? It's downright outrageous."
Beside him, Gion clapped along with the crowd, her lips curling into a smirk. "If you want a promotion, prove your worth with strength and merit. With Sephiroth's ascension, there's an Admiral position open. Just the two of us as candidates—a fifty-fifty shot. Care to settle it now? Winner takes the title."
Tokikake chuckled nervously, waving her off. "Ah, forget it. Just idle talk." He wasn't about to take her up on that offer. Everyone in the Marine knew about Sephiroth and Gion's... connection. Fighting her would be a lose-lose situation. If he lost, it'd be humiliating. If he won, Sephiroth might hold a grudge. Either way, trouble. No thanks.
His gaze shifted to Akainu and Aokiji standing ahead. That thought solidified. During the Fleet Admiral competition, those two had been pummeled by Sephiroth, left bedridden for ten days. Even now, they were still bandaged up. The memory of their defeat was a stark reminder: competing wasn't worth the risk.
Tokikake decided then and there—promotions could wait. When Kizaru retired, he'd step up naturally. Why rush? A decade or so of patience, and the Admiral position would be his. No need to stir the pot.
As the applause finally died down, Sephiroth stepped to the edge of the platform. His eyes swept over the assembled Marines below. Activating the broadcast den den mushi, he spoke, his voice commanding and resolute.
"This is a chaotic and upside-down era, full of war and turmoil. As Marines who bear the name of justice, we must shoulder the responsibility of restoring order! This path ahead will be fraught with hardships and obstacles, but for the sake of our loved ones, friends, and all good-hearted people, we must walk it without hesitation. I, Fleet Admiral Carl D. Sephiroth, hereby swear: I will lead the Marines to end this chaotic world. Together, we will create a beautiful and happy world for countless people! Justice will prevail, and the Marines will prevail!"
As Sephiroth's voice echoed across Oris Plaza, the ten thousand Marine soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens. "Justice will prevail, the Marines will prevail!" "Justice will prevail, the Marines will prevail!" "Justice will prevail, the Marines will prevail!"
...
In the New World, within the Peppe Kingdom, the Gorosei sat in a dimly lit living room, doors and windows tightly shut. They watched the live broadcast of Sephiroth's inauguration ceremony through a den den mushi, their expressions darkening with unease. "Damn it," Topman Warcury Saint growled through clenched teeth. "That man Sephiroth is utterly despicable!"
Issac Baron V. Nasujuro Saint rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with frustration. "Enough with the pointless complaints. Just two days ago, Sephiroth's forces dismantled another one of our secret strongholds. This can't continue. We need a countermeasure, and quickly."
Marcus Mars Saint stroked his long white beard, his brow furrowed in thought. "We went so far as to offer Blackbeard Teach the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to deal with Sephiroth, and what has he done? He's busy carving out territory in West Blue, showing no interest in confronting Sephiroth whatsoever."
Shepherd Ten Peter Saint sighed heavily. "Sephiroth's strength is overwhelming. He might even be a multiple Devil Fruit user. Without Blackbeard's Dark-Dark Fruit to counter him, defeating him through direct combat is nearly impossible."
Jaygarcia Saturn Saint twirled his cane thoughtfully, his tone enigmatic. "If an opportunity arises, Blackbeard Teach won't hesitate to kill Sephiroth. But when that opportunity will come… that's hard to predict."
Topman Warcury Saint tentatively suggested, "Sephiroth is known for his… appetites. He has many women. Perhaps we could capture them and use them as leverage?"
Issac Baron V. Nasujuro Saint shot him a sideways glance. "According to our intelligence, how many women does Sephiroth have?"
Topman Warcury Saint stroked his upturned mustache, pondering. "Fifteen that we know of."
"And how many more might there be that we don't know about?" Issac Baron pressed, his tone sharp. "All of us here have had wives in the past. How did you feel when they died? Can we even be sure Sephiroth cares about these women? And if capturing them only enrages him further, what's to stop him from escalating his actions?"
The room fell silent as the other four Gorosei considered his words. Indeed, Sephiroth's reputation preceded him. Fifteen women? If it were one or two, it might be love—but fifteen? Even if he rotated through them daily, it would take half a month to see them all. Could he truly care for each one? Unlikely. This wasn't love; it was indulgence, pure and simple.
As the Gorosei silently dismissed the idea, none noticed the figure who had appeared behind them. His crimson eyes burned with fury. "Im wants him dead!"
Jaygarcia Saturn Saint turned, his voice calm and reassuring. "Im-sama, please, remain composed. Immortality means time is on your side. Stay patient, and the throne will be yours again. That fool Sephiroth? He'll fall eventually. And with Vegapunk's Seraphim blueprints in our hands, we've already started production. Once we finish debugging those Seraphim units, that's when we strike back in full force."
Jaygarcia Saturn Saint might not be Vegapunk's equal in science, but as the Scientific Defense Warrior God, he knew enough to replicate the designs. When the Gorosei learned Egghead Island had been relocated near Navy G1, they realized Vegapunk was beyond their reach. No point wasting effort—better to lie low, build strength in the shadows, and wait for the right moment.
Vegapunk's Seraphim manufacturing plan, which he had previously submitted to Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, was their biggest trump card for a comeback. Im listened in silence, then gave a slow nod of approval before turning and walking out of the room.