This was the pride that only victors could enjoy.
Moreover, they had originally gone into the war with the determination to die rather than surrender.
Now that they had actually survived, they naturally felt even more exhilarated.
"T-This…"
"He's way too cool!"
Using the phrase "becoming famous in a single battle" to describe Renji was not an exaggeration in the slightest.
At this point, admirers of Renji had appeared all across the world.
After all, Renji's performance had been broadcast everywhere through the Marines' own Transponder Snails.
Defeating Marine Admiral "Akainu" Sakazuki head-on.
Defeating the "Hero of the Marines," Garp, in direct combat.
Fighting Marine Fleet Admiral "The Strategist" Sengoku to a standstill.
Forcibly snatching Ace, the son of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, back from Marine custody.
Facing the combined assault of the three Marine Admirals and more than ten elite Vice Admirals head-on, yet still gaining the upper hand before escaping calmly.
Every single one of these feats, taken individually, was already enough to shock the world.
And now all of them had happened to one single person.
How could people not become excited?
"I'm gonna become someone like him too!"
"He's just too handsome! If I could marry him… no, even spending one night with him would make my whole life worth it!"
"Are kings and nobles born special? The Marines are unfair too! I'm becoming a pirate as well!"
For a time, Renji became something close to an idol across the entire world.
Perhaps his influence had not yet surpassed the temptation of Roger's legendary treasure.
But that was only because Roger's title as Pirate King came with the added value of the One Piece itself.
In fact, fan groups supporting Renji had already appeared all over the world.
Some people even boarded ships and headed toward the New World solely to join him.
Faintly, Renji had already become the symbol of a new era.
He was gradually breaking apart the imprint Whitebeard had left upon the previous generation and bringing a new age before the eyes of the world.
The old era may have belonged to figures like Garp, Sengoku, Whitebeard, and Roger.
But this era had only one representative.
Renji.
Time quietly passed.
Three days had gone by since the Paramount War.
In a certain unknown location, Sengoku had been summoned by the higher authorities to a grand palace.
"So the time has finally come…"
Looking at the palace before him, Sengoku slowly took a deep breath.
At this point, his emotions were extremely complicated.
He understood very clearly just how much trouble this defeat had caused for both the Marines and the World Government.
And he also knew exactly what awaited him next.
Slowly, Sengoku stepped into the palace.
With practiced familiarity, he walked through the halls and entered a place resembling a conference chamber.
"Sengoku, you've arrived."
The moment Sengoku stepped into the room, a somewhat gentle yet aged voice rang out.
Its tone was calm and composed.
But when it reached Sengoku's ears, it carried an oppressive weight that made even him tense up.
"This subordinate has failed the expectations and trust of the Five Elders."
Without even taking a proper look at the speaker, Sengoku immediately bowed and apologized.
"Rise."
"We know how much effort you put into this."
"This matter cannot entirely be blamed on you."
From Sengoku's attitude alone, it was obvious that the people inside this conference room were the highest authorities of the World Government, figures whose status even surpassed that of the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
And yet, the voice remained calm.
As though Sengoku's defeat did not matter much at all.
"The five of us old men watched the entire war from beginning to end."
"This defeat can only be described as the result of too many unexpected variables."
"Especially that Renji. Even we find him to be a rather strange existence."
"Thank you for your understanding, honored elders."
Sengoku slowly raised his head.
There were five people seated before him.
All of them were incredibly old, yet the aura each one emitted was enough to send chills down a person's spine.
Every single one of these five elders was a monster in their own right.
Some of them were even stronger than Sengoku himself.
"So," one elderly man with a long beard slowly spoke, "what do you think now?"
From his voice, it was easy to tell that he was the one who had spoken to Sengoku earlier.
"Especially regarding that fellow called Renji. Do you have any thoughts about him?"
Hearing the elder's question, Sengoku thought for a moment before replying.
"Are you referring to why his Devil Fruit abilities aren't affected by Seastone? Or why he can possess two Devil Fruits at the same time?"
"The former."
The long-bearded elder answered immediately.
"As for the latter, it's not actually impossible."
"It's simply something unknown to the masses."
That much was true.
Sengoku considered it carefully in his mind.
A single person being capable of possessing multiple Devil Fruits was indeed possible.
It merely required certain special methods.
And those methods were only known among some members of the D Clan and a portion of the Celestial Dragons.
"According to my speculation…"
"There's a very high chance it has something to do with artificial Devil Fruits."
"Is that so?"
A thoughtful look appeared in the long-bearded elder's eyes.
He was clearly considering the matter carefully.
It was obvious that he held a great deal of interest in it.
Judging from Renji's performance during the Summit War, if the abilities he used truly came from replicated artificial Devil Fruits, then those artificial fruits were already no weaker than genuine Devil Fruits.
The only uncertainty was whether artificial Devil Fruits could reach the stage of awakening.
If they could…
Then artificial Devil Fruits might actually surpass the originals.
However, nothing regarding Renji's Quake-Quake Fruit and Glint-Glint Fruit had been completely confirmed yet.
After all, these were merely the most reasonable assumptions.
No one could say for certain that Renji had truly consumed artificial Devil Fruits.
"Very well. I've asked everything I wanted to know. You may leave now."
Hearing the white-haired elder's words, Sengoku nodded.
These five men were the true center of power in the world.
The Celestial Dragons known as the Five Elders, the rulers of the World Government itself.
"Understood."
Sengoku responded and prepared to leave.
Normally, the Five Elders did not meet with people casually.
This meeting, in theory, should have been the judgment for his failure during the war.
Although Sengoku knew the Five Elders would not kill him, punishment should still have been inevitable.
At the very least, he should have been removed from his position.
Yet unexpectedly, the Five Elders showed no intention of blaming him at all.
Because of that, a faint smile appeared on Sengoku's face.
He turned and began walking out.
Creak.
The door opened.
Just as Sengoku stepped one foot outside the conference room, a voice sounded from behind him.
"Sengoku."
He stopped.
Turning back toward the Five Elders, he respectfully replied,
"Yes, elders? What is it?"
"For the position of Fleet Admiral… step down for now."
"As for who is suitable to replace you, you should understand better than we do."
After speaking, the Five Elders slowly closed their eyes.
"We five old men are no longer as capable as we once were."
"And when you leave, don't forget to shut the door tightly behind you."
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