Promotion

"Are you sure" Kong asked for the second time in a row.

"Yes sir I am" Percy said with a clear determination on his face.

"Why?"

"I believe the best way to utilize my abilities and skills are to help ensure justice around the world" Percy began, "to do so, me becoming admiral will provide me the best opportunity to help those in need."

"I guess you don't understand your real responsibility is then" Kong stated as he stared at the window and back at his soon-to-be admiral.

"What is it?" Percy asked.

"The admirals are really tools used by the world nobles. The celestial dragons and me are the only ones who can command you to do anything. Therefore, they are your superiors in a sense. Their wish is your command."

"I don't understand" Percy asked confused, "I thought that admirals would be able to influence a lot of things in Marineford and the world."

"What do you mean?" Kong asked with a frown on his face.

"What I mean is, I want to create a peaceful environment for all to live happily and carefree. To do this, I aimed for the admiral position. Your now telling me that I'm going to be merely a weapon for the celestial dragons to use on a whim?"

"Yes." Kong said in a matter of fact tone. "However, when you are not being ordered by them, which is not often, you are free to try accomplish your mission as you see fit; assuming that it doesn't compete with the marine doctrine."

"I see" Percy nodded in understanding. "I could work with that, should not be an issue."

"?!" Kong had a shocked look on his face

"What?" Percy asked.

"Nothing, just surprised. When I told the other admirals their duties, they had horror filled looks on their faces before they calmed down after a little while. You, on the other hand... you just accepted it, just like that."

"Oh, I figure that as long as I can instill my justice on the world, I can play with those world nobles now and then."

"I see" Kong said with a unreadable expression on his face. "Either way, since your about to be promoted to admiral, you need to head to Mary Geoise."

"For what?"

"Two things. One, you need to familiarize yourself with the world nobles since they are mainly the people you will be serving. Your going to be visiting most of the families in Mary Geoise so be prepared."

Percy nodded his head in understanding,

[that makes sense] he thought to himself, [and it helps me make a mental map for me and Dragon in the future].

"Two" Kong continued, "you are going to meet some of the higher-ups. They are mainly located in Pangea castle and you need to greet them since you will be interacting a lot with them in the future."

"Okay" Percy said as he stood up, "I'll set sail for the Red line now."

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Percy arrived in Mary Geoise in the elevator. He was surrounded by guards and escorted to the Pangea castle.

[So this is where all the real decisions are made] Percy thought as he stared at the huge building in front of him. [I wonder what it will look like when I set it on fire].

He didn't need to show any identification and was led directly inside, where he was stunned by the amount of wealth displayed.

[Holy s*it!. Isn't this a bit too much, and it's only the entrance!] Percy gawked at the amount of treasures on the walls.

There were paintings, sculptures, portraits, weapons made out of gold, too much wealth. As Percy was looking around, he noticed that he was being left behind by the guards. He quickly caught up and followed them for another 10 minutes before they stopped in front of a large door.

The guards saluted and pulled open the door. They gestured Percy inside which he complied. He walked in to see 5 old men sitting or standing in the middle of a room.

[Gorosei!] Percy thought as he instantly recognized them.

The first man he saw was an old man with dreads and a huge scar on his left eye. He was sporting a walking cane. The second was a very tall man with white long hair and a long mustache. Thirdly was a man who had birthmarks on his forehead, bald, and a huge white mustache. The fourth man in the room was also bald, but he had a white gi on and had a samurai sword in his hands. The last person seemed the youngest and he was very tall as well. He had blond hair and beard which differentiated him from the rest of the elders.

"We are the five elders" the tall man with the long hair said.

"We care not for who you were before, all we need you to do is obey us and the world nobles. Understand?" the man with dreads said as he spoke next.

"Yes sir" Percy said as he lowered his head.

"Good" the bald man with the sword replied.

"Your name is Percy, correct?" the birthmarked man asked.

"That is correct. I am Percy."

"Wrong!" yelled the youngest of the elders, "you are now admiral Percy. Remember that."

"Yes sir" once again, Percy lowered his head.

"Good" the birthmarked man said. "As long as you continue to serve the world nobles, we will provide you with many benefits."

Percy nodded his head in agreement,

[What more could they offer?] he thought as they continued to speak.

"You may leave now" the man with the long hair said, "And remember to answer your den den mushi when it's us. We don't like to wait for our tools to answer."

Percy left the room with a grim expression on his face,

[they sure are intimidating. I wonder what their expressions will be on their faces when I tear this place down.]

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"Aren't you a little young to be the new admiral?" asked the head of the Donquixote family.

"Are you sure your an admiral?" Saint Rosward asked as he looked at Percy.

"Can I even trust you?" another noble asked. These questions kept coming from the nobles as he went from mansion to mansion.

Percy spent the second half of his trip trying to console the world nobles that he was indeed and admiral and he was capable enough to protect them in case of emergency.

*sigh* Percy was getting depressed. He never felt so small in his entire life. He was informed over and over again that he was merely a weapon or tool for the celestial dragons to wield at any moment.

Percy looked at the last mansion in Mary Geoise and took a deep breadth,

[relax, Percy] he thought as he tried rein in his anger, [one day this will all change.]

*knock knock knock* Percy waited as one of the slaves opened the door.

"May I help you?" the slave asked timidly as she saw the marine's uniform.

"Is this the mansion of Matthus?" Percy asked with a fake smile on his face.

"Y-yes" she clamored.

"Tell St. Barlo that the new admiral is here for a visit."

"Y-yes" she said as she closed the door and quickly ran to let her master know the news.

A few minutes past before the door opened again and a butler opened the door and motioned Percy inside.

"His holiness will see you now" he said with his head down.

Percy nodded, he went inside and was led by the butler to an open garden in the middle of the mansion.

He looked towards the middle, and there, sitting in a gazebo was 3 men and 2 women. Percy walked up to the family and bowed his head.

"My name is admiral Percy and I am here to make my introductions."

There was a silence before one of them started to speak,

"Your young" the father said as he looked at Percy. "Can you take care of my family?"

Percy immediately responded as if he said it a million times, "Yes your holiness I can. I was made an admiral not only because of my strength, but because I am able to protect my people as well."

"So your saying that you would protect me as if I was a marine, like those commoners?" the man said as he started to raise his voice

Percy inwardly sighed, the conversation always started like this.

"No St. Barlo. What I mean is-"

"Then answer the question!" yelled the woman next to St. Barlo with a scowl on her face. "Is the marines stupid by promoting you to an admiral? Do I need to have a talk with them? Fix this now Barlo!" she yelled again.

"...your holiness" Percy tried to explain

"What you mean is what?" the woman sneered at Percy. "Hurry up and speak"

There was silence in the room as no one spoke for a couple seconds.

"Well?" the woman asked.

"I'm waiting" Percy replied

"For what?"

"For you to finish" Percy said pointily at the noble.

"How dare-" she started before Percy cut her off.

"Your holiness, I didn't get to my position because I am a nice and fair man. I got here because I get the job done, nothing more, nothing less. If you can't handle that, then speak with the fleet admiral or the elders. I can wait."

St. Barlo was quiet as he looked into Percy's eyes. They stared at each other for a while before he smiled,

"I like you. You can remain admiral" he said.

"But Barlo" the woman complained

"Thank you" Percy bowed his head and turned around.

"But" Barlo said stopping Percy in his steps, "you still need to prove your worth."

Percy nodded his head and agreement and left. Before exiting the garden, he heard the woman who was clearly his wife yelling and screaming at Barlo who was silent and continued to drink his tea.

[Not bad] Percy thought as he evaluated Barlo. [It seems like there are some people who are not complete idiots.]

Percy needed to rest, the next day will be as taxing as today. Tomorrow, he would be visiting the Cipher Pol offices.