Chương 1831: The Importance of the Calm Belt (3)

Take the mission of clearing out the South China Sea Revolutionary Army for example. In fact, this is a test for Aokiji.

As long as Aokiji can carry out the orders of the Five Elders without reservation, the Five Elders will still be willing to give face to the older generation of the navy and let Aokiji serve as the next Navy Marshal.

Of course, this is not because the Five Elders are soft-hearted, but because the current situation facing the navy is too serious.

The Five Elders are eager to end the internal conflict over the leadership of the Navy as soon as possible, so that the Navy can resume normal operations and regain its strength as soon as possible to launch a powerful blow against the pirates.

After all, for nearly a year now, the Navy has been doing almost nothing, like a dead machine.

This directly led to a sharp increase in the number of pirates and revolutionary armies in various places, but the navy remained indifferent.

This was not because Zhan Guo did not try his best, but because of the systemic paralysis within the navy.

Due to the dispute between Aokiji and Akainu over the position of admiral, the navy's grassroots generals have split into two factions.

In this situation, the navy is full of internal contradictions and people are divided. How can it possibly concentrate its strength?

It is commendable that they do not undermine each other or hinder each other.

Because of this, the various problems currently faced by the Navy naturally cannot escape the eyes of the World Government, and they are deeply worried about this.

So, after careful consideration, the Five Elders finally decided to compromise.

They put forward conditions to Aokiji: as long as Aokiji could resolutely and thoroughly carry out orders in this operation to wipe out the revolutionary army, the Five Elders would swallow their anger and recognize him as the next Navy Admiral.

However, Aokiji's performance was disappointing.

Faced with those rebels who dared to start a rebellion, he not only did not kill them, but secretly let some of them go.

Aokiji thought that he had done all this perfectly and no one would notice.

But he overlooked an important fact - the South China Sea region is full of CP organizations of the World Government.

These organizations are omnipresent, and even among the rebels there may be undercover CP agents hiding.

Aokiji's every move is closely monitored by the CP organization, without missing a single thing.

When the CP organization reported Aokiji's actions to the Five Elders, the Five Elders' anger reached its peak.

They had originally considered the overall situation and planned to let Aokiji take over the position of Navy Admiral, but now seeing Aokiji's actions, the anger in their hearts can no longer be suppressed.

After careful consideration, the Five Elders finally decided not to support Aokiji as the next Navy Admiral.

Nasu Shoulang Sheng stated categorically, "Aokiji must not become the next Grand Admiral! He hasn't even become Grand Admiral yet, yet he's already disobeying our orders. If he becomes Grand Admiral, wouldn't that mean he's outside the control of the World Government? Therefore, I have decided that the next Grand Admiral must be Sakaski!"

After hearing this, the other four Five Elders nodded silently in agreement.

After all, Aokiji's actions have seriously touched their sensitive nerves.

For a person who dared to openly disobey orders from his superiors, the Five Elders really couldn't let him sit on the throne of marshal.

However, getting the Navy to accept this decision was not easy.

Sartan Saint proposed: "We need to think carefully about how to get the Navy to agree to this arrangement."

After all, the position of the Navy Marshal is not so easy to determine. It not only depends on the unilateral decision of the Five Elders, but also requires close cooperation within the Navy.

At this moment, Nasu Shoulangsheng's face suddenly darkened, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes. He then said, "What's so difficult about this? We just need to let Akainu and Aokiji have a duel, and decide the winner based on their strength. This way, it will be fair and just, and I believe the navy will have absolutely nothing to say!"

"duel!"

Upon hearing this proposal, the other four people looked at each other at the same time, seeming a little surprised by the idea.

Saint Maz hesitated for a moment, then said, "This... fighting is no small matter. The two of them are almost equally strong. I'm worried that even if a winner is decided, both of them will be seriously injured. It's even possible that both will be injured and perish together!"

However, Peter Saint held a different opinion. He said firmly, "There's no better way now. We have to do this. If the position of Admiral is not decided quickly, I'm afraid the morale within the navy will be completely lost. The consequences will be disastrous! So, this is the only way!"

"Indeed, the navy's behavior has become increasingly outrageous over the past few months. It's as if Zhan Guo has completely abandoned his responsibilities, ignoring the navy's affairs and allowing them to develop. If the navy continues to be in chaos like this, the situation at sea will surely become increasingly worse!"

Saint Vochuli also echoed.

"That's true! Ever since that old fellow Whitebeard died, pirates have been popping up like mushrooms after rain, and the number is increasing. Although we have cleaned out some of them, it is simply a drop in the bucket and there is no way to stop them from pouring in like a tide."

Peter Saint said solemnly, "Right now, in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line, the member states of the World Government are being harassed by pirates every day. Calls from these countries are pouring in like snowflakes, demanding an explanation. Even some kingdoms in the South China Sea have united. If we can't guarantee their safety, they will stop paying their Heavenly Gold next year!"

Hearing the three words "Gold in the Sky", the other four Five Elders frowned tightly.

Heavenly gold is a vital source of finance for the world government!

"There are only a few member states left in the World Government now, less than two hundred. Furthermore, of the Heavenly Gold submitted this year, only a little over one hundred and twenty kingdoms have not defaulted on their payments. The rest have been consistently delaying their payments. Clearly, they've figured the World Government is too busy to care for them, so they're deliberately holding back!"

Nasu Shoulangsheng continued, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness and anger.

"That being said, we can't generalize!"

Saint Mazi argued.

"This year, the South China Sea Revolutionary Army has been stirring up trouble, plunging the entire region into chaos, like a pot of boiling porridge. A large portion of the kingdoms that have delayed their payments are located in the South China Sea. They are indeed facing many difficulties and challenges, and we need to give them some time to resolve the issues."