After parting ways with Kuzan, Ezra headed alone toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
Lately, Sengoku had been acting more and more like a carefree old man.
After all, the burden that had rested on Sengoku's shoulders for decades was now being transferred to Ezra.
Sengoku had become remarkably relaxed.
For example, at this very moment he was sitting in his office, casually eating rice crackers.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
The office door opened, and Ezra stepped inside.
"Oh. Ezra. What wind blew you here today?"
Ezra's mouth twitched.
"Come on, old man. You are still the Fleet Admiral right now."
"Could you at least pretend to work a little?"
Sengoku grabbed another handful of rice crackers and tossed them into his mouth.
"Huh? What did you say?"
Too lazy to argue with the old man, Ezra simply sat down on the sofa across from him.
"Oh, right," Sengoku said suddenly. "Have you been paying attention to the World Military Draft lately?"
Ezra took a sip of tea and nodded.
"Yes. There are a few promising candidates."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Besides Issho, who else caught your eye?"
"A newcomer," Ezra replied calmly. "You will see when the time comes."
Sengoku shrugged.
"Well, those matters will not be my responsibility much longer anyway."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"There are only a little over ten days before you officially take over. Are you really not nervous at all?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Nervous?"
"Sorry, but the moment I made this decision six months ago, I stopped feeling nervous about it."
Sengoku nodded in satisfaction.
His gaze slowly swept across the office.
"I suppose it is time for me to leave as well."
Sengoku was no longer young. When people reached old age, they often found themselves reminiscing about the past.
Sengoku was no exception.
He quietly recalled the days of his youth.
Ezra did not interrupt him.
After a while, Sengoku finally came back to himself and let out a breath.
"Enough of that. No point making myself sentimental."
Ezra smiled.
"You can keep this office if you want."
Sengoku blinked in surprise.
"This is the Fleet Admiral's office. Why would you leave it to me?"
Ezra shrugged.
"I can simply move to another one."
"What matters is not the office. What matters is the person inside it."
Sengoku laughed.
A genuine, heartfelt laugh.
At that moment he felt certain of something.
The Navy had a bright future ahead.
Time passed quickly, and before long it was the day before the official succession ceremony.
The entire base was bustling with activity.
Tomorrow would be an important day, and G-1 Headquarters was unusually lively.
Ever since the announcement that Ezra would become the next Fleet Admiral had been released several days earlier, powerful figures from every corner of the world had begun arriving.
Kings from numerous nations had personally come to attend the ceremony.
As Marines walked along the base, they could not help but chat excitedly.
"So many important people are here…"
"Yeah. I heard at least twenty kings showed up."
"Twenty? It is way more than that. At least forty!"
"Kings are nothing compared to the real news. I heard the Five Elders will be here tomorrow."
"What? Seriously?"
"The whole base is talking about it. How could it be fake?"
"Wow… Admiral Ezra. No, Fleet Admiral Ezra really has some presence."
"Well of course. He is known as the strongest man in the world."
At that moment, countless Marine soldiers felt a deep sense of pride.
After all, their leader was incredibly powerful.
At the harbor, ships continued to arrive one after another.
Meanwhile, Ezra was at home, being "handled" by three women.
"I think this one looks best!" said Gion, holding up a white suit.
Immediately, Tina protested and pulled out a wine-red suit.
"No, Tina thinks this one is better!"
And Boa Hancock had arrived early as well.
She proudly held up a bright magenta suit.
"This one. Lord Ezra would look extremely handsome in it."
White and wine-red were reasonable enough.
But magenta?
What kind of fashion disaster was that supposed to be?
Watching the three women glare at each other, Ezra could only sigh.
In the end, he quietly chose the black suit he always wore.
The moon set, and the sun rose.
The day of the official ceremony had arrived.
Below the grand platform, Morgans was busy adjusting the camera in his hands, trying to find the best angle to capture Ezra at his most impressive.
Beside him were dozens of Video Den Den Mushi.
Their purpose was simple.
To broadcast the ceremony to every corner of the world.
Not far away stood the elite forces of Marine Headquarters.
Borsalino and Sakazuki would be standing on the stage.
In the front rows were the Vice Admirals from headquarters and various branches.
Gion, Kuzan, Donquixote Rosinante, Trafalgar Law, Dalmatian Doberman, Onigumo, Strawberry, Nezumi, Smoker, and many others.
Behind them stood the Rear Admirals.
And behind them were the Commodores.
The final rows were filled with rising Marine elites such as Tashigi, Nami, and Nojiko.
Sengoku glanced at his watch and gave a slight nod to Tsuru.
She immediately understood.
Tsuru walked calmly to the center of the stage.
The noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
"The Fleet Admiral succession ceremony will now begin."
Thunderous applause erupted from below.
At the same time, Morgans activated the broadcasting Den Den Mushi.
Across the world, massive screens lit up with Tsuru's image.
"It is starting!"
"I am so excited!"
"Come quick! The ceremony is beginning!"
Cheers erupted from cities across the seas.
On the stage, Tsuru raised her hand slightly, signaling for silence.
"I believe everyone already knows who the next Fleet Admiral will be."
"So I will not keep you in suspense."
"I hereby announce that the next Fleet Admiral of the Navy will be one of the three Admirals of Marine Headquarters."
"The man known as the strongest in the world."
"Admiral Blazing Ember."
"Ezra D. Vale!"
The crowd exploded with cheers.
"Admiral Ezra!"
"Fleet Admiral Ezra!"
Amid the thunderous shouting, Ezra slowly walked onto the stage.
He wore a black suit, his dark hair slightly tousled, and dark crimson gloves on his hands.
A faint smile rested on his face.
Confidence. Composure. Calm authority.
Even those words seemed insufficient to describe the man standing before them.
His crimson eyes carried a quiet warmth as he looked down at the crowd.
Nearby, Sengoku, Kizaru, and Sakazuki all showed faint smiles.
Ezra stepped forward and stopped beside Sengoku.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Sengoku waved his hand lightly.
Then he took the medal that symbolized the supreme authority of the Fleet Admiral and placed it on Ezra's chest.
"From this day forward, you are the Fleet Admiral of the Navy."