Basil Hawkins and Urouge walked behind Garp and Lancelot, shoulder to shoulder.
They exchanged a glance, communicating their inner shock.
They never imagined Lancelot held such incredible influence within the Marines.
Recalling the scene in front of Sengoku, Lancelot's composed demeanor and the confidence with which he conversed had already made them realize he was no ordinary figure.
What made their jaws drop was the reaction of the soldiers.
In this area where the Marines carried out their daily activities, soldiers cast looks of reverence and admiration his way wherever Lancelot went.
Many stepped forward to salute and greet him, treating him as a heroic idol.
"This... this is just too exaggerated," Urouge muttered under his breath, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Basil Hawkins gave a small nod, his brow furrowed, a gleam of astonishment in his eyes.
"Indeed. I thought he only had influence among the higher-ups. I never expected his popularity among the rank-and-file soldiers to be this high."
A thought surfaced in their minds: It seems Lancelot is on the list for the next Admiral position.
At this realization, the corners of their mouths twitched upward, seeing a bright future ahead.
They had made their choice and pledged themselves under Lancelot's banner.
In this complex world, they understood that the higher Lancelot's status and the greater his power within the Marines, the more beneficial it would be for his followers.
They were bound together by shared interests.
Not only Basil Hawkins and Urouge, but Lancelot himself was surprised.
Standing amidst the crowd, feeling the enthusiasm of the soldiers, he was filled with bewilderment.
Recalling his journey, he tallied things up in his mind.
To attain higher status and power, he had a clear plan.
First, strength was the most crucial factor. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, without formidable power, everything else was empty talk.
His strength stemmed from that mysterious system.
This system acted as his secret weapon, providing unexpected assistance at critical moments, allowing him to grow through each battle until his power became formidable.
Second, achievements were indispensable. He had fought on the battlefield, earning illustrious military merits.
The pirates he defeated and the civilians he rescued served as the best proof of his accomplishments.
His name spread throughout the Marines, making him a hero in everyone's eyes.
Third, backing and influence were equally important.
He knew that in this intricate game of power, without strong support and a solid network, it was difficult to go far.
His backing was the Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land.
They stood at the pinnacle of this world, and with their support, his position within the Marines elevated greatly.
Finally, there was the power he wielded directly.
In this era of shifting winds and intricate forces, the power he controlled was like a vast net, expanding across seas filled with opportunities and dangers.
Foremost among them was Gin, who had been transferred to headquarters.
Gin now wielded the Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit.
Stationed at headquarters, he was like a chess piece placed in a key position. Not only could he gather crucial intelligence from within, but he could also utilize headquarters' resources to improve himself, adding strength to the power structure behind him.
More than half a year had passed since joining headquarters.
During this time, Gin completed missions with composure and decisiveness, establishing his footing and becoming a force to be reckoned with.
His promotion to Vice Admiral was only a matter of time. He was likely the most smoothly promoted under Lancelot's command, aside from Issho.
The Marine Headquarters could not allow so many former pirates turned powerful figures to spread throughout the entire system.
But this was fine—these individuals would concentrate under Lancelot's command, becoming his most formidable strength.
The Four Seas Exchange was also a crucial part of his influence.
It was a commercial giant spanning the East Blue, West Blue, South Blue, and North Blue. It acted like a massive vortex of wealth, attracting merchants and adventurers from all over the world.
The exchange hall bustled with activity, filled with trades of rare treasures, mysterious weapons, and powerful Devil Fruits.
By controlling the Four Seas Exchange, Lancelot amassed immense wealth and leveraged its network to gather intelligence on other factions.
The East Blue served as the foundation of his power. This tranquil yet enigmatic sea nurtured countless legends.
Establishing his stronghold here and cultivating loyal followers came naturally to him. From bustling port cities to remote fishing villages, his informants and supporters were everywhere.
He implemented policies in the East Blue that improved the living conditions of local residents, earning their support.
His fleets dominated the East Blue, safeguarding his territory.
These ships were meticulously crafted, equipped with advanced weaponry, and manned by battle-hardened warriors.
In addition, there were the powerful individuals he had recruited.
Especially Vergo, who was poised to shine in the near future.
Vergo—a name destined to shake the world.
He possessed exceptional intelligence and formidable strength, along with a natural talent for infiltration.
Having infiltrated the Marines, he climbed to key positions through disguise and strategy.
Now, with the power of the Mythical Zoan Azure-Dragon Fruit, he would distinguish himself in the wars against Kaido and Big Mom, catching the attention of the World Government and high-ranking Marine officials.
By then, as a "purebred" Marine, he would be promoted.
Once Sengoku stepped down and one of the three Admirals took the Fleet Admiral position, Vergo would fill the vacant Admiral seat.
He might even take Lancelot's place as a candidate for Admiral. By then, Vergo and Gin would become Lancelot's greatest assets within the Marine system.
Thus, his authority was firmly in his grasp. No one could stand in his way.
Yet, despite his calculations, he had never accounted for the ordinary Marine soldiers.
The power and status he sought were things these common soldiers could never provide. But now, he realized that these ordinary soldiers did not require deliberate courting or scheming.
Most sailors valued strength and achievements, showing little concern for the power struggles among the higher-ups
. As long as he excelled in strength and accomplishments, he would earn their respect, admiration, and support.
"Still, I should pay more attention to these soldiers in the future," Lancelot pondered to himself, a thoughtful expression on his face.
He knew that to advance further in the Marines, one needed not only formidable strength, illustrious achievements, and solid backing.
In these turbulent seas, if he could win the support and allegiance of the soldiers, his path forward would become much smoother.
In a Marine career filled with challenges, many hands make light work.
With the soldiers' support, it would add powerful momentum to his forward-moving vessel—providing extra assistance when facing hardships and helping him build his influence within the complex Marine system.
At the thought of this, a glint of determination and anticipation flashed in Lancelot's eyes.
He waved to the surrounding Marine soldiers, who stood tall in their neat uniforms.
His waving arm seemed to carry an invisible affinity, bridging the distance between him and the soldiers.
The corners of his mouth lifted into a friendly smile, warm like the spring sunshine, dispelling the soldiers' slight tension.
Seeing Lancelot's warm response, the Marine soldiers grew excited.
Their faces flushed, their eyes gleaming with fervent light—a mix of admiration for the strong and hope for the future.
However, being well-trained soldiers, they remained disciplined and did not swarm forward. They stood in neat formation, their passionate gazes fixed on Lancelot.
They knew that soldiers should maintain military discipline—no matter how much admiration they felt, they could not lose their composure.
But their flushed cheeks and shining eyes could not lie, revealing their inner joy.
"Hahaha..." A laugh broke the quiet yet passionate atmosphere—it was Garp.
His booming laughter echoed like a great bell.
His sharp eyes fell on Lancelot, carrying a mix of appreciation and teasing as he said, "Looks like your popularity in the Marines is catching up to this old man."
His tone contained both recognition of Lancelot and a childlike smugness.
Hearing Garp's words, Lancelot waved his hand, wearing a humble expression as he replied, "I'm still far from that. I need to work much harder."
He understood that while his strength might be comparable to Garp's now, his reputation in the Marines still lagged behind.
To become a respected figure like Garp would require considerable time.
"Hahaha!" Garp laughed louder, his broad shoulders shaking with laughter.
Amid this laughter, the surrounding Marine soldiers became infected too, wearing happy smiles as the atmosphere grew relaxed and cheerful.
After this, Lancelot integrated very well into the Marines.
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these seemingly ordinary days, undercurrents in the world surged, gathering the might of an impending storm.
At this moment, Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, sat in his office, his expression grave.
His eyes revealed deep concern over the approaching battle. His furrowed brows resembled an insurmountable mountain peak, reflecting the weight in his heart.
Time had carved deep wrinkles across his face, each one seeming to narrate the countless storms and difficult decisions he had experienced.
Gathered in the Fleet Admiral's office were Garp, Akainu, Kizaru, and Vice Admiral Tsuru, seated around the conference table in an atmosphere thick with tension.
Garp, the battle-hardened Marine Hero, had shed his jovial demeanor.
His burly frame sat ramrod straight, his hands clenched into fists as if gathering strength.
Akainu, known for his tough and radical stance, had eyes burning with fervent flames, as if ready to erupt.
He sat upright, his expression cold, exuding an undeniable authority.
Kizaru maintained his characteristic laziness, yet a hint of vigilance shone in his eyes.
With arms crossed and eyes narrowed, he seemed to be pondering countermeasures.
Vice Admiral Tsuru sat quiet to the side, her eyes tinged with worry.
Her hands rested folded on her knees as she listened to the discussions.
The reason for their tense gathering was the intelligence indicating that the Whitebeard Pirates would arrive within a day.
This was the legendary Whitebeard Pirates that shook the very foundations of the world!
Facing the Whitebeard Pirates, even with the Marine Headquarters fully prepared, tension welled up in everyone's hearts.
All of this was due to Whitebeard's terrifying destructive power.
Whitebeard, hailed as the "Strongest Man in the World," possessed the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit capable of unleashing cataclysmic disasters.
When he activated his ability, he could crack the sky itself, while a casual punch could make the earth tremble and stir the oceans into towering waves.
Each of his attacks resembled a roar from the depths of hell, striking fear into all who witnessed them.
For the Marines standing ready, defeating Whitebeard might not be the greatest challenge.
With their vast fleet, elite soldiers, and powerful commanders, they possessed the capability to confront the Whitebeard Pirates through numerical and equipment advantages.
However, their dilemma extended beyond defeating Whitebeard.
They also had to ensure the Marine Headquarters remained intact, or at least not severely damaged.
The Marine Headquarters symbolized the Marines—a bastion of justice.
Its destruction would deal a devastating blow to the Marines' reputation and prestige.
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