Among the five, only the highest authority of the Administration Council, Marcus Mars Saint, who oversees history, technology, and publicity, still somewhat supports the Police Affairs Department.
After all, the separation of military and police forces benefits the stability of public order in various regions. Moreover, with the addition of a new police force, there will undoubtedly be a need for a batch of new technological equipment, right?
Additionally, in the future, when the Publicity Department organizes large-scale concerts or speeches, the police will be required to maintain order as part of their duties.
Unlike the current Navy branches, which are often indifferent, every time they need to be involved, they have to first notify the high-ranking officials at Marine Headquarters, and then the orders are relayed layer by layer.
It's only when it comes to the Poneglyphs that they take things seriously.
However, Marcus Mars Saint knows that the Police Affairs Department will face resistance not only from within the World Government but also from various member nations externally.
After all, this is about seizing their judicial authority.
Currently, most member nations handle civil disputes and conflicts by entrusting them to local city-hired peacekeepers, who then adjudicate based on their own domestic laws.
In reality, it's often the subjective judgment of the king or other nobles, as very few kingdoms bother to establish comprehensive legal codes. A too-complete legal system can often become a constraint on the nobility.
But the lofty Lord Imu doesn't care about this resistance or that resistance!
"First, use the member nations in the first half of the Grand Line as a pilot to establish the basic framework of the Police Affairs Department."
"By December next year, every member nation's capital must have a Police Station, with workers temporarily hired locally."
"Marine Headquarters must transfer at least ten thousand sailors into the police force."
The Five Elders maintained their kneeling and bowing posture, but each of their faces bore different expressions. Yet, no one dared to voice the slightest objection.
"We humbly obey your will!"
They knew that under Lord Imu's command, the establishment of the Police Affairs Department was unstoppable, and it would inevitably stir undercurrents in the nations of the first half of the Grand Line.
The next day, at 1 PM.
In front of the current World Government office building in Mary Geoise, two rows of Holy Land Garrison soldiers, clad in high-quality armor and holding spears, stood on either side of the path leading to the entrance, serving as the most imposing backdrop.
[Tap, tap, tap, tap]
Moments later, the first to arrive was a middle-aged man dressed in full golden armor, with a white cape draped over his back and medium-length coffee-colored hair.
He carried a faceplate-style helmet in his left hand, his cold eyes scanning the soldiers on either side.
"It's the Marshal."
The Holy Land Garrison soldiers present were all too familiar with this man—his figure was practically etched into their souls.
Every person his gaze swept over instinctively straightened their posture even more, and even their helmeted expressions remained unchanged.
Their eyes didn't dare to follow him as he walked through the entrance, truly not looking sideways!
"Knock, knock, knock."
The Marshal of the Holy Land Garrison arrived outside the meeting room of the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government. He first adjusted his breathing and then gently knocked on the door.
"Enter."
"My Lord."
As soon as he saw the person seated at the head of the conference table, he immediately lowered his head and greeted respectfully.
"Emori, I had a feeling you would be the first to arrive. Please, take a seat," Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said with a stern expression as he looked at the man before him.
The First Generation Kitetsu, a sword he had always cherished, lay quietly on the conference table in front of him.
"Yes, sir!"
"Relax. Although this matter is related to your Holy Land Garrison, it's not directly connected. Just listen carefully."
"Understood," replied Emori, the Marshal of the Holy Land Garrison, sitting upright with a respectful tone.
Meanwhile, outside the World Government Headquarters building, three men and one woman had gathered. Judging by the epaulettes on their Justice Coats, they were two Marine Admirals and two Vice Admirals.
"Huh?"
"Why are you here?"
Sengoku looked at Sakazuki, who was dressed in a red suit, with clear surprise. Beside him, Kong also wore a puzzled expression. Sakazuki calmly replied, "I received a notice from the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government."
"It's indeed strange. Normally, I wouldn't be qualified to attend a meeting of this level, but..." Tsuru frowned, her confusion evident.
Under normal circumstances, even though she was the Chief of Staff of Marine Headquarters and Sakazuki was a Marine Admiral candidate, they both still held the rank of Vice Admiral. If there was something they needed to know, it should have been relayed to them after Marshal Kong or Sengoku returned.
"Since Sakazuki is here, what about Borsalino and Kuzan?" Sengoku asked.
"I don't know," Sakazuki answered straightforwardly.
Kong knew the answer. He explained, "Kuzan has already been dispatched to the Polar Ice Continent for a mission, and Borsalino's G-0 Branch has just started operations. Perhaps that's why they weren't called."
In contrast, Sakazuki's G-1 Branch was located right next to Mary Geoise, making it very convenient for him to attend.
"Let's go inside. We'll find out everything soon enough!"
Kong, as usual, took the lead and walked toward the entrance of the World Government Headquarters. Sengoku, Tsuru, and Sakazuki followed in order.
When they entered the already open conference room, they were greeted by the sight of three individuals already seated at the table.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Chairman of the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government!
Lemoncheese, the current Commander-in-Chief of the World Government!
Emori, the current Marshal of the Holy Land Garrison!
The first one needed no introduction, while the latter two both held the rank of General. Together with Kong and Sengoku, this meeting room now gathered four of the World Government's top military leaders.
Zed should have been here as well, but he was busy treating his asthma on Drum Island and had to miss the meeting. As for participating via Visual Den Den Mushi in a video conference, such a high-level military meeting would never allow such a thing.
There was no such rule yet!
"Let's begin."
Once the four Marines had taken their seats, the Five Elders didn't wait for them to ask questions. With a wave of his hand, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro signaled to the government officials standing by.
The black-suited officials didn't say a word but efficiently placed the prepared documents in front of each leader.
Next, servants placed cups of matcha on the table, and then, under the guidance of the officials, they quickly left the conference room, closing the door tightly behind them.
In an instant, the aroma of matcha filled the room.
This was Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's preference.
"Take a look first."
At this moment, Sengoku and the others had already noticed that the stack of documents was quite thick, estimated to be two to three centimeters. Upon hearing the command, they silently opened the files and began reading.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, on the other hand, was in no hurry. He leisurely savored the aroma of matcha, paying no attention to the increasingly astonished expressions on their faces.
Unnoticed, time slipped away amidst the fragrance of tea. The six of them spent nearly an hour just reading through the documents.
The contents were truly astonishing, and the complexity of the matters involved was overwhelming. The sheer volume of information made everyone in the room furrow their brows.
After finishing, they exchanged glances, unsure of where to even begin.
At this point, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro looked at them with a stern expression.
"Let's start with the matter of the Stargate."