The pinnacle of pirates begins with deceiving fate!

"..."

Soon, news spread throughout the World Government's law enforcement agencies, including the Navy and CP, that Saint Shepard John would assume the position of Navy Inspector General.

The power to supervise the entire navy!

This news sparked outrage among the Navy's top brass.

During the current Fleet Admiral Kong's tenure, he has never seen a Celestial Dragon serve in the Navy.

Especially the position of "Grand Inspector," which seems to have a high status but has little real power.

But those are Celestial Dragons, what need do they have for real power?

Unconsciously, Kong began to think about the deeper meaning.

Is there something wrong with the Navy that led the Five Elders to make this decision?

"Garp, you bastard!"

In just a moment, Kong, who was sitting behind his desk deep in thought, remembered a carefree smiling face.

In particular, he also heard that deep in the latter half of the Grand Line, the king of the giant kingdom of Elbaf was in deep contact with the World Government.

The Five Elders seem to be planning to have the Giant Kingdom form an additional army to counterbalance the navy!

If the Titans' army were to actually be established, the Navy's position within the World Government and even on the high seas would be greatly diminished.

As a result, his future will be limited to "Marshal of the Navy," and he will no longer be able to aspire to the position of "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces."

If the "Commander-in-Chief of the Army" is taken by the CCP or other departments, the Navy will definitely have a very difficult time in the future!

It's important to understand that the various law enforcement agencies under the World Government are far from harmonious.

The Five Elders also do not want to see the various organizations acting like family...

"It seems I need to speak with John St.

Kong's eyes flickered, hoping that John could still recall their brief past affection.

Dressrosa

Navy G-10 Branch, Base Commander's Office.

After hanging up the phone, John turned his gaze to the two figures standing in front of his desk.

One was his confidant Reed, and the other was the newly appointed G-10 base commander, a short, middle-aged woman who looked like Teemo, and a Ride-Ride Fruit user - Major General Bruglas.

John didn't shy away from talking to Kong, which made the two of them very nervous.

"boring."

John began by defining the conversation with Kong, then gave orders to the two men in front of him.

"Pass down the order to keep an eye on the Flying Pirates' movements. Inform me immediately if they are spotted."

"As for the rest, just do as usual, don't worry about me."

"Yes!"

Brugulas saluted and accepted the order, then cautiously stepped out of the office at John's signal.

After he left, Reed quickly changed to a fawning manner, rubbing his hands together as he approached the desk.

"John Saint, do you think my position should be promoted?"

Chapter 123 The Clash of Ideas

"Of course we should mention it!"

To be honest, John was quite satisfied with Reed.

While he was on the run, Reed withstood the pressure. He also carefully cultivated a friendly relationship with the new superior, Bruglas, after his arrival.

He had heard that Brugrass was a very cunning person, and like his Ride-Ride Fruit ability, he had a very strong desire to control his subordinates.

The Ride-Ride Fruit grants the user the ability to ride and control any living or non-living thing within the range of Haki, turning the target into a mount.

Theoretically speaking, it is possible to tame Elephant as a mount!

Given such a controlling boss, Reed's ability to maintain a good relationship with him, despite being a "former official of the previous regime," is a testament to his strong social skills.

"How about I promote you to colonel and bring your wife from Rogge Town in the East Sea over?"

"Hey John, you're so nice!"

Reed cut off the end of the cigar, presented it to John's mouth with both hands, and then thoughtfully lit it with a lighter.

The reason he didn't use the word "Saint" wasn't because he wanted to show that his relationship with John was special, but because he remembered that John hated the Celestial Dragons.

John was pleased with Reed's form of address and reminded him:

"By the way, bring your wife to Dressrosa, don't go to Marineford."

He vaguely remembered that a serious scandal would occur within the navy in a few years.

A few years after Zephyr was promoted to Admiral, his wife and children were brutally murdered by pirates!

If Zephyr's wife and children were killed in the Marineford family quarters, it means that someone within the Navy used pirates to target Zephyr.

Naval Headquarters is not safe!

"it is good."

Reed nodded decisively. As long as he could be with his wife and watch his children grow up, he didn't care where they went.

"Alright, you can go ahead and get busy."

After seeing Reed off, John, with a cigar in his mouth, picked up a pen and paper to plan his next move.

In fact, he could have asked the Five Elders to let him enter the Divine Blade or even the Knights of the Order ahead of time, without having to choose a hunting ground.

Given the value he has demonstrated, the Five Elders will surely agree.

But the timing isn't right now; doing this is a bit too hasty.

Even if he could escape the constraints of the "Deep Sea Contract" by abandoning this body, he would have no way out after that.

He would only risk exploring Im's depths once a new, stronger body was created.

Becoming a Celestial Dragon was part of John's plan, but the plan was brought forward because he was wanted again.

There are still many things he hasn't done well enough; he needs to slow down!

Furthermore, his enemies are not only the World Government and Im, but may also include Dragon, Nika, and others.

In John's view, all countries in the world should pay "heavenly gold," or more appropriately, "taxes."

Even if he replaces Im, the regime he establishes will still need funds to operate, and "taxes" are an issue that cannot be avoided.

This could potentially put him at odds with Dorrag and Nika.

Like Im and Nika, they were originally friends or even partners, but due to their differing ideas of "dominant rule" and "freedom rule," one of them had to die.

In fact, both "domination" and "freedom" have their own advantages and disadvantages.

As the saying goes, "where you sit determines where you think," and John, now in a superior position, would naturally choose "dominance."

Therefore, it was inevitable that he would become the opposite of Nika!

But Nika embodies a rebellious spirit, a spirit that John himself possesses, and cannot be completely eradicated simply by killing Luffy.

As long as there are people with ambition, as long as there are people dissatisfied with life, there will inevitably be people who challenge the upper class.

Class struggle will always exist!

As for using Begabank's philosophy to reconcile the two...

With endless resources, the world will be at peace, and people will no longer fight...

Begabank has absolutely no idea what uniqueness means!

Take the most mundane yet unavoidable question as an example: so many people want to have Xia Qi, what should be done?

How many battles have been fought over Shakky, even among pirates and even by the Celestial Dragon Korin?

Should we clone many Shakkys and distribute them to everyone to quell the conflict?

Any normal person, without a cuckold fetish, would absolutely not be able to tolerate such a thing!

Not to mention "power" and "status," those unique and bloody things.

Humans are social creatures; there will always be someone above and someone below, regardless of whether they are well-fed or poor.

"I need to make longer-term plans!"

John added his own name between the names "Im" and "Nika" on the plan.

Then, the name "Empty" was crossed out.

The old man called, his words implying a desire to pledge allegiance and loyalty, and to establish a closer relationship with him outside of the Five Elders.

This is a good thing, but...

Sora is incredibly loyal. If John were to ever turn against the World Government, Sora would absolutely help the World Government deal with him without hesitation.

Sora's respect for him was entirely based on his identity as a "Celestial Dragon".

"Let's see who can take advantage of whom."

As he muttered to himself, John shifted his gaze to the name "Begabank" on the schedule.

Although this old guy's ideas are different from his, they are not in conflict and can be compatible.

However, there is also the risk of being snatched away by Nika at any time!

“If Begabank’s collaboration with me doesn’t achieve the results he wants, he will most likely turn to Nika and try a different approach.”

That's how scientists are—they search for a slim chance of success amidst countless failures.

John understands Begabank.

I also support this old guy.

"Villemeyou Island, huh?"

John has faxed the historical inscription photographed by Skena to Begabank, and Clover has translated it.