Chapter 498: Fleet Admiral Kuzan

Mary Geoise.

A tall, dark shadow slowly sat upon the Wang Zuo, its red pupils gazing indifferently at the Five Elders prostrate on the ground.

"I require a reason."

The curly-haired old man said in a deep voice: "Imu-sama, we are very sorry to disturb your slumber, but we truly have no other choice."

Imu gave a soft "Oh," rested his chin on his hand, and appeared to be quite interested.

"Has some extraordinary fellow appeared again?"

"No, it is not a pirate, but a Marine. Among the new generation of Marines, there is a fellow named Karl. He is currently a Vice Admiral and also a Hero of the Navy, but his strength has long since exceeded that of an ordinary Marine."

"That is correct, Imu-sama. His existence has caused the Navy's prestige to soar to unprecedented heights. Now, under his instigation, the Navy has begun to show signs of splitting from the World Government. This fellow is not so simple!"

Imu was silent for a long while, then slowly said: "The Navy... without the World Government's funding, so what if they split? Sooner or later, they will come begging to you. As for awakening me?"

"However, that is precisely the problem. He is a user of the Holy Light Fruit. His ability products, the Holy Light Shells and Holy Healing Shells, are extremely popular. It is an industrial chain worth nearly a trillion. This means that even if they leave the World Government's funding, the money he earns is enough to support the Navy, and this is the greatest source of confidence for the Navy to break away from the World Government."

Hearing this, Imu suddenly stopped speaking, closing his eyes as if thinking about something.

Seeing that Imu-sama was not speaking, the Five Elders below could only stare blankly, kneeling on the ground and waiting for Imu's instructions.

"Karl, he is quite interesting. I wish to see him. Bring him to see me."

"Yes..."

The next day.

Bang~

"Karl, hurry and make a trip to Mary Geoise."

"Oh? I was there yesterday! Is there something the matter?"

"It is about the candidate for the next Fleet Admiral. They said they want you and Kuzan to go to Mary Geoise to hand the Fleet Admiral appointment letter to Kuzan."

"Eh~"

Karl furrowed his brows. This was going to be difficult; the Five Elders were likely planning to play a big game...

The big boss of the Pirate World, Imu, is finally going to appear?

"What is it, Karl? Is there a problem?"

Karl let out a long sigh and shook his head: "No problem. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, where is Kuzan?"

"He is waiting for you at the port."

"Alright, then I am off."

Crescent Moon Bay Port.

"You finally arrived!" Although Kuzan tried his best to look cold and detached, the smile at the corner of his mouth could not be suppressed, because he was about to become the Fleet Admiral, and he could finally realize his grand ambitions.

"Kuzan, I advise you not to be happy too early. This trip to Mary Geoise is definitely not that simple."

Kuzan's expression changed: "Why? Is the World Government planning to play some tricks?"

"That is... sigh, in short, don't be too optimistic. But it is likely aimed at me. Forget it, let's not talk so much; let's go to Mary Geoise first."

Kuzan scratched his head and followed Karl onto the ship.

Half an hour later, the two stood on the land of Mary Geoise, one on the left and one on the right, gazing forward at the tallest building in Mary Geoise.

"Let's go!"

After entering, they saw the Five Elders sitting around a round table in the center. The moment Kuzan and Karl walked in, they fixed their gazes on the two.

"You have arrived."

Karl grinned and unceremoniously found a seat. Although it was not Kuzan's first time here, he still could not be as relaxed as Karl; he smiled and nodded to the Five Elders before sitting down.

"Kuzan, a few days ago, Sengoku resigned, but when we asked who the candidate for the next Fleet Admiral was, he recommended you to us."

"At the time, we did not give a direct answer, but after several days of investigation and comprehensive consideration, we unanimously agree that you are the only choice for Fleet Admiral. Congratulations, Kuzan!"

The one speaking was the golden-haired middle-aged man. After he finished, the white-haired old man on the left picked up the Fleet Admiral appointment letter from the round table and handed it to Kuzan.

"Kuzan, from today on, you are the Fleet Admiral. I hope you will take upholding justice as your own duty and strike down the evil pirates on the sea."

A look of pleasant surprise flashed in Kuzan's eyes, and his arm trembled slightly as he took the appointment letter.

"I will do it, please believe in me!"

The white-haired old man nodded with a smile and said to Kuzan: "Fleet Admiral Kuzan, I hope you remember these words. Commander-in-Chief Kong is in the room next door; he has been waiting for you for a long time. After all, as it concerns the handover of the Fleet Admiral, as Commander-in-Chief, he must see you!"

Kuzan nodded earnestly: "Hm, then I will go now."

Seeing Kuzan leave, the smiles on the faces of the Five Elders gradually disappeared, and they looked at Karl with cold, stern gazes: "Vice Admiral Karl, please come with us! A certain lord wishes to see you."

Karl's mouth curled up slightly: "Oh? Do I have a part in this too?"

The bald old man frowned and said: "You had better be respectful, Vice Admiral Karl."

The smile on Karl's face gradually faded, but he did not say much, extending his hand to signal them to lead the way.

They passed through a long, dim corridor and arrived before a massive door.

"Imu-sama, Karl has been brought here."

"You may withdraw!"

"Yes!"

The Five Elders turned to look at Karl, slowly pulled open the massive doors, and signaled for Karl to enter.

Tap, tap, tap~

His leather shoes made crisp sounds on the floor, echoing in the empty room, which was enough to show just how large this room was.

Although the lighting was not very good, Karl could still tell that the decor here was extremely luxurious, like a medieval royal court.

A thick red carpet was laid in the center, soft to the step; it looked like the material was not some common commodity.

Subsequently, Karl raised his head and looked toward the end of the red carpet—the highest throne.

On the elevated throne sat a figure in a black robe, looking down upon all living things like a king, carrying an inexplicable sense of oppression.

Is this meant to be a show of force?

Karl chuckled, strode forward, and after a few steps, shouted loudly: "Are you Imu-sama? If you have something to say, just say it! My time is very precious."

"Hehehe~" Imu let out a meaningful laugh.

"It has been a long time since anyone spoke to me in such a tone. You truly have a lot of nerve!"

"Who do you think you are!!!"

As soon as the words fell, Karl instantly felt Imu's Conqueror's Haki. It was a spirit that even Shanks would find hard to rival, and even Karl felt some difficulty breathing.

Is this the kingly spirit that rules the entire world? It is truly terrifying!

Karl's mouth curled up slightly, and he unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki without showing any weakness.

The entire room trembled slightly under Karl's Conqueror's Haki. ===== CHAPTER 500 =====