One Piece: Rising to Fleet Admiral Through a Coup

While the world beyond churned with unrest, Marine Headquarters maintained an illusion of perfect tranquility.

The officers and soldiers whose destinies had been irrevocably altered by Xayuki's emergence over recent years continued their duties with methodical precision. Each performed their assigned roles, ensuring the Marine's vast war machine operated with seamless efficiency.

Those who had not actively participated in the coup, though swayed by Xayuki's compelling oratory, harbored deep-seated anxieties. They feared marginalization for their lack of contribution, or worse, retribution for not having pledged immediate allegiance to Xayuki.

However, these concerns evaporated instantly when they received their salaries for the coming year—a full year's wages distributed at once. With renewed vigor, they returned to their posts, many silently vowing to demonstrate unwavering loyalty to Fleet Admiral Xayuki during the transformative period ahead.

Marine Headquarters, Outer Fortress

Several soldiers stood vigilant at the artillery batteries, scanning the boundless ocean beyond the towering walls with heightened alertness.

Nearby, two officers in captain's coats smoked leisurely. Both had previously served under Vice Admiral Doberman, who had been eliminated during the coup's initial phase. As Doberman's subordinates, they were naturally classified as potential security risks.

When forces loyal to the coup surrounded their dormitory, they had not immediately stormed the building, but rather issued strict orders prohibiting anyone from exiting.

Many, unaware of the unfolding situation, had rushed outside, believing their officer status would command respect. Instead, they were summarily gunned down the moment they emerged.

It was in that horrific instant that the reality became clear—a military coup was underway at Headquarters.

Faced with this sudden siege, no one else dared venture outside. Even the more powerful rear admirals who attempted to carve escape routes through sheer force were systematically cut down by the encircling officers.

In those dark hours, despair had consumed them, each convinced that once the coup concluded, they would face inevitable purging.

Yet, astonishingly, newly-appointed Fleet Admiral Xayuki not only spared them from elimination, but granted them identical compensation to those who had actively supported the coup. Most remarkably, he now entrusted them with guarding this strategic fortress.

"Captain Oak, how do you plan to allocate your windfall?" one captain asked, extracting a premium pack of cigarettes he typically couldn't afford. He offered one to Captain Oak while continuing thoughtfully, "Once this situation stabilizes, perhaps we could travel together?"

"Truthfully, I envy those colleagues who pledged allegiance to Lord Xayuki from the beginning," he admitted, shaking his head. "Take Stoke, for instance. During the coup, he secretly commanded a warship to the East Blue. I witnessed him leaving the dormitory wearing a captain's coat! Undoubtedly, he's been dispatched to assume command of a branch base. When he first arrived at Headquarters, he served under my command!"

"And countless other officers who participated in the coup have received double promotions. A commander who once reported to me is now a commodore—my superior!"

"Curb your envy, Captain Snaik," Oak replied, accepting the cigarette and inhaling its aroma before offering a measured smile. "Lord Xayuki not only spared us from purging but granted us a full year's salary. What further consideration could we reasonably expect?"

After lighting the cigarette and drawing deeply, Oak exhaled a cloud of smoke before continuing, "As for traveling, that's not feasible. I've already remitted my entire salary to my family. You're aware of my circumstances—my parents' health is fragile, and I have three younger siblings to support. If I squandered these funds on personal indulgence, they would suffer genuine hardship."

"Incidentally," Snaik interjected, suddenly recalling something, "while in the mess hall earlier, I overheard Lord Xayuki discussing something with Vice Admiral Gion about 'dependents' academies.' Apparently, once this transition stabilizes, he intends to establish educational institutions near Headquarters and major branch bases. Children of Marine officers would receive completely subsidized education, with all expenses covered by Headquarters and the respective branches! Upon graduation, these students could either enlist for military training or return to their communities to contribute to local development."

"Truly?" Oak's eyes brightened with unmistakable enthusiasm. "Fleet Admiral Xayuki is—"

Before completing his thought, Oak abruptly halted, his expression shifting dramatically. He swiftly raised the binoculars hanging from his neck and trained them toward the horizon.

Across the water, several massive warships were advancing toward Marineford with alarming velocity. The lead vessel's mast prominently displayed a flag emblazoned with the word "Justice."

"Warships from Enies Lobby?" Oak murmured, observing the "Justice" insignia with growing confusion. "Perhaps the Holy Land failed to establish communication with Headquarters and dispatched Judiciary Island representatives to assess the situation?"

"Their purpose is irrelevant!" Snaik declared, stepping forward resolutely. "I refuse to return to our previous existence of perpetual hardship. I acknowledge only Lord Xayuki as Fleet Admiral!"

Without hesitation, he turned toward the artillery crews and issued an unambiguous command: "All personnel, battle stations!"

"Snaik, exercise restraint!" Oak intervened sharply. "Report this development first. If they're diplomatic envoys from the Holy Land, your impulsiveness could undermine Lord Xayuki's strategic position—"

"What in the—?"

Mid-sentence, Oak's eyes widened in disbelief as his gaze shifted toward the rooftop of Headquarters' central tower.

Before he could process what he was seeing, a terrifying wave of pressure erupted from the tower's summit.

The previously cloudless sky darkened ominously as fiery vapor columns rose from the rooftop, distorting the very air around them.

"That's—"

After a momentary paralysis, Oak erupted in profanity. "Damnation! Headquarters is under attack! Sound the general alarm immediately!"

Simultaneously

Atop Marine Headquarters' central tower, an enormous pentagram materialized from nothingness. As fiery clouds ascended around its perimeter, the surrounding space warped with unnatural fluctuations.

Within moments, a figure emerged from the center of this arcane teleportation circle.

As this entity stepped forth, the previously serene atmosphere of Marine Headquarters shattered. Warning sirens wailed throughout the complex, their piercing clamor alerting every officer and soldier within the facility.

Near the mess hall, Xayuki had just concluded his meal and was exiting the building. He displayed no surprise at the sudden cacophony of alarms. Instead, he calmly lifted his gaze toward the central tower's rooftop, his expression betraying only mild interest.

"A teleportation circle?" he observed with remarkable composure. "The Holy Knights?"

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