"No," Tsuru said firmly, cutting through the tense silence. "This is completely impossible."

She set her teacup down with deliberate precision, her weathered features set in an expression of certainty born from decades of experience.

"Even if you completely mastered electromagnetic manipulation, controlling planetary bodies would remain beyond reach. In theory, yes, everything from a needle to a planet has magnetic properties that could be influenced. But have you considered the physical requirements?"

Her piercing gaze focused on Luffy, who seemed unfazed by her skepticism.

"The amount of raw power needed to affect objects on that scale is unfathomable. Without physical strength that exceeds even the most monstrous beings we've encountered, how could you possibly channel such abilities? This remains purely theoretical—implementing it in practice is simply beyond human capacity."

After listening to Tsuru's authoritative analysis, Sengoku and the others visibly relaxed. Several shoulders slumped in relief, and the atmosphere in the room lightened considerably.

That's right, they collectively realized. If such power were attainable, why would the World Government maintain its elaborate power structures? If Luffy could truly manipulate planetary bodies, the entire concept of the Three Great Powers would become obsolete overnight.

The Marines wouldn't need three Admirals anymore—Luffy alone could dominate the seas with a gesture.

Luffy scratched his head, looking genuinely disappointed. This was the frustrating reality of Devil Fruits in their world—abilities were intrinsically linked to the user's physical constitution. To achieve truly world-altering effects, one needed bodily strength that defied all conventional understanding.

However, the young Marine wasn't one to be discouraged for long. He narrowed his eyes at the visibly relieved officers and said with undisguised pride:

"What are you all looking so happy about? Even if I can't control entire planets, I believe I could still manipulate dozens of islands simultaneously, just like Shiki the Golden Lion did with his Fuwa Fuwa no Mi."

His grin widened, revealing a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

"Besides, electromagnetic fields can accomplish incredible feats that would make your abilities seem trivial by comparison."

Even the stoic Akainu felt a wave of irritation at Luffy's naked contempt, but found himself unable to formulate a counterargument. The boy's words stung because they contained an uncomfortable grain of truth.

Damn, he thought bitterly. Comparing yourself to others truly is a path to frustration.

The Goro Goro no Mi had always been recognized for its versatility, naturally combining speed, power, and elemental transformation in ways that most other Devil Fruits couldn't match. Now that Luffy had developed these unprecedented magnetic applications, how could traditional Logia or even Mythical Zoan users hope to compete?

Thankfully, the Admiral reminded himself, this extraordinarily gifted youth was a Marine. If Luffy had followed his father Dragon's path, rebelling against the Marines to join the Revolutionary Army or become a pirate, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Just imagining that possibility was enough to make the future of the Marines look bleak.

When Sengoku considered this alternate reality, a chill ran down his spine. This boy was developing at such an alarming rate that his power might already have surpassed the Fleet Admiral's own.

If Luffy ever turned against them, the Marines would face an enemy unlike any they had encountered before. It might be better to disband the organization entirely than face such a threat.

What Sengoku didn't realize was that his worst fears had already materialized, though not in the way he imagined.

Unlike the Revolutionary Army, which openly opposed the Marines and World Government, Luffy harbored ambitions that were far more audacious than anything Sengoku could conceive.

The boy planned to rise through the ranks, become an Admiral of the Marines, and then lead the entire organization to independence from the World Government's control.

After that, he would unite all those oppressed by the Celestial Dragons and their puppet regimes to overthrow the entire world order that had stood for eight centuries.

Sengoku had no inkling that he had unknowingly dug himself into a hole so deep that the World Government might never recover from it. Worse still, he was eagerly helping Luffy climb the very ladder that would eventually lead to revolution.

"Luffy," the Fleet Admiral said, mercifully unaware of the young Marine's true intentions, "I've already submitted your nomination for promotion to Admiral."

He stroked his goatee thoughtfully before adding, "However, unlike Vice Admiral or even Admiral candidate positions, full Admiral rank must receive approval from the World Government—specifically from the Five Elders themselves."

Sengoku's expression became more serious. "That means you'll need to present yourself at Mariejois for their evaluation. There's no way around it."

"Mariejois?" Luffy's face fell instantly. "I'd really rather avoid that place if at all possible."

The mere mention of the holy city seemed to drain all enthusiasm from the usually energetic young Marine. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, his shoulders slumping noticeably.

Sengoku's heart tightened at this reaction, and the other high-ranking officers averted their eyes, uncertain expressions flickering across their faces. The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees.

Fortunately, Luffy didn't leave the Fleet Admiral in suspense for long. After a moment of visible reluctance, he straightened his posture and nodded in acceptance.

"Alright, I guess there's no becoming an Admiral without jumping through a few hoops," he conceded, though without his usual enthusiasm. "But speaking of which, after I become an Admiral, you won't station me in Mariejois, will you? I think I'd lose my mind if that happened."

Sengoku's mouth twitched at Luffy's blunt words. Thankfully, everyone present shared a healthy distaste for the Celestial Dragons, so there was little risk of Luffy's candor being reported to unwelcome ears.

Garp erupted into thunderous laughter, slapping his knee with enough force to rattle the teacups.

"BWAHAHA! You little brat! If you hate those parasites so much, then don't become a damn Admiral in the first place!"

His grin widened as he puffed out his chest proudly.

"It's much better being a Vice Admiral like your grandfather. We don't answer to those self-important nobles, and the perks aren't much different anyway!"

The three Admirals' expressions tightened simultaneously at Garp's tactless remarks. Aokiji rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly while Kizaru raised an eyebrow. Akainu's perpetual scowl deepened to dangerous levels.

"Ara ara," Kuzan said helplessly, "Vice Admiral Garp, the three of us are sitting right here. Perhaps a little tact wouldn't hurt?"

Garp responded with a dismissive snort, clearly unmoved by the suggestion that he should show more respect to the Admirals. In his mind, they were still wet-behind-the-ears rookies who had risen through the ranks too quickly.

Aokiji scratched his head uncomfortably but ultimately decided to let the matter drop. There was no winning an argument with the Hero of the Marines once he'd made up his mind.

An Admiral might command tremendous respect throughout the seas, but to Garp—who had refused the position multiple times—it was a title weighted down by bureaucracy and political obligations. In his eyes, the role was hardly different from a glorified puppet.

Luffy understood his grandfather's perspective perfectly, but he had his own ambitions that required a different path.

"I can't help it, Gramps," he explained with a mixture of determination and resignation. "My goal is to eventually become Fleet Admiral. If I don't first reach Admiral rank, how could I ever be considered for your position, Sengoku-san?"

He gestured meaningfully to the elderly leader across from him.

"Since the founding of the Marines, there's never been a Fleet Admiral selected from among the Vice Admirals. It's simply not how the system works."

Sengoku nodded in agreement, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the three Admirals seated nearby. The implications were clear to everyone in the room—one of these men would likely succeed him someday.

Unless, of course, an extraordinarily gifted young Marine were to rise through the ranks at unprecedented speed, reshaping the institution from within before any of them realized what was happening.