One Piece: I am the Fleet Admiral?

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The port of Dressrosa is bustling with activity right now.

Many kings and nobles, dressed in their finest clothes, have gathered here, whispering among themselves.

However, amidst this group of arrogant and pompous individuals, there are two figures who stand out as being different.

Although they are dressed in luxurious attire like the others, their presence exudes strength and capability.

"Captain Graeme, why did we come here specifically?" 

The younger figure loosened his collar and asked curiously.

"Shut up, from now on, call me King Graeme," Graeme replied, a dark look crossing his face as he reprimanded in a calm voice.

At this moment, the two of them are no longer wearing the distinctive white uniforms and masks of CP0 that conceal their features.

Instead, they've revealed their true identities.

The younger CP0 member is not yet thirty, his face still full of youthful energy.

Graeme, on the other hand, has a more rugged appearance, like someone who has seen and experienced much in life.

Of course, even though they've revealed themselves, very few people in the world would recognize who they are.

"Oh! Sorry, King Graeme, it's just a habit," the CP0 member scratched his head and apologized.

Graeme didn't dwell on the matter, shaking his head slightly as he responded:

"Saint Nusjuro is curious about how the Marines plan to raise enough berries by selling the properties. 

That's why I was specifically asked to come here and investigate in person."

In reality, Graeme, a financial strategist, was also curious about how Fleet Admiral Akira planned to generate enough berries through real estate sales.

It's well-known that the Marines have to pay substantial salaries each month due to their efforts to recruit powerful individuals worldwide.

Adding to that are various other expenses, which can't be covered by just a few hundred billion berries.

Initially, Graeme thought the Marines were planning some grand financial maneuver.

But over the past month, aside from the relentless newspaper campaigns and 18-hour nonstop phone sales efforts by the staff, there hasn't been much of note.

The only thing that stood out was the integration of fish-men into the Marine system.

But that move had nothing to do with generating income.

In fact, it could even lead to more spending since fish-men, even if they don't receive pay, still need to eat, right?

Are the Marines seriously considering having them pay for their part-time work?

That would be completely unjust!

With nothing else to do, Graeme decided to personally bring his subordinates along.

Coincidentally, today marks the official opening of Akatsuki for sale, a development that has been widely advertised for nearly a month.

The salesmen made it a point to highlight that the Marines, unified under Fleet Admiral Akira, would personally escort the interested kings and nobles from Dressrosa to the Bertomy Passion Kingdom to view the properties.

Notably, the Marines even assured the kings that they would be safely returned home, no matter how remote their locations might be.

So, Graeme decided to play along, posing as the king of a non-affiliated nation, and joined his subordinates to see firsthand how the Marines intended to sell them these villas.

"But don't tell me...," Graeme muttered, glancing around with a surprised expression. "There are so many people here."

As far as the eye could see, there were seven or eight hundred kings, officials, and nobles gathered.

If each of them bought just one villa, and even if they went for the lowest-priced option, the Marines could easily rake in at least 3.5 trillion berries.

Calculating this figure in his head, Graeme couldn't help but take a deep breath.

If he hadn't come to witness this, he wouldn't have believed that so many kings and nobles from this part of the world would be drawn to Akatsuki.

Of course, it was unlikely that everyone would make a purchase, but even if only a fifth of them did, it would still be a considerable sum.

"And it looks like many of them brought their berries with them, intending to buy on the spot," the younger CP0 member noted, discreetly pointing to a specific area.

There, an exclusive section was heavily guarded by both private security and Marines, who formed a protective circle around a mountain of sacks.

One of the sacks had apparently been torn, and berries were spilling out, catching everyone's attention.

Luckily, most of the people present were wealthy or held high status, and the Marine soldiers were maintaining order. Otherwise, those berries might have been snatched up in the chaos.

Around the sacks, some kings and nobles who had clearly just escaped from war zones looked both panicked and desperate for safety.

In the New World, the Marines had not yet fully established their presence, and the Marine bank branches were far from covering all areas.

In many remote places, where the Log Pose didn't even point, some kingdoms were still functioning as they had before, with people—including kings and nobles—hiding their berries themselves.

When their kingdoms were attacked, these individuals had no choice but to flee with whatever wealth they could carry.

At this moment, the port suddenly became even more animated.

"King Graeme, Marine warships are here to pick us up," said the CP0 team member.

"Yes, I see them," Graeme replied, his eyes narrowing as he watched the approaching warships.

"Impressive, the hero Garp himself has come to escort us."

"It looks like these dozens of warships are all the Marines have in their arsenal, and they've been mobilized to this sea area. 

But as Fleet Admiral Akira, isn't he worried about leaving the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line unchecked, uh..."

Graeme trailed off, suddenly realizing that with the Marines having so many powerful clones, they probably didn't need to worry about pirate hunts as much.

What they lacked most now were vessels capable of long voyages.

Even though it had only been a few short months, the times had indeed changed.

Graeme smacked his lips and wisely decided to stay silent.

The surrounding kings were equally stunned.

"It turns out that Garp, the hero who drove the Pirate King to the brink several times, has come to pick us up. The Marines really are taking this seriously."

"I can finally rest easy, knowing that the next leg of our journey will be very safe."

"Indeed, just seeing so many warships and soldiers gives me a real sense of the security that Akatsuki has been emphasizing."

Under the eager gaze of everyone present, the warships lined up at the port and dropped anchor.

At the same time, several banners with red backgrounds and yellow lettering were hoisted high, displayed prominently for all to see.

The soldiers quickly disembarked, standing tall like pines and cypresses on either side, and began shouting the slogan written on the banners:

"On behalf of Akatsuki, we warmly welcome the arrival of all customers."

"Warm welcome! Warm welcome!"

The port fell silent as the kings and nobles watched the scene in stunned silence.

Even for kings, such a spectacle was something they had never witnessed before.

And to top it off, they were being saluted.

Not just by any soldiers, but by Marines led by the hero Garp himself.

In that moment, a sense of pride and superiority surged within them.

Unbeknownst to many, their desire to purchase the villas in Akatsuki grew a little stronger.

As the soldiers finished their three rounds of slogans, Garp stepped forward, having completed his headcount, and grinned widely.

"Everyone, please follow me. I believe Akatsuki will not disappoint you."

"In order to make you feel at home, leave the money... cough, cough!"

"To ensure your safe return home, Fleet Admiral Akira has gone to great lengths for all of you."

Graeme and the CP0 team exchanged glances.

Gone to great lengths? What does he mean by that?

But Garp didn't seem interested in explaining, as he simply waved his hand.

"Dear kings, please come with us. The next part of your journey will be aboard on one of our Rear Admiral's warship."

"My lords, we've arranged a lavish lunch and fresh fruit for you. Please follow me."

The soldiers then stepped forward, gently guiding and assisting many of the guests onto the warships.

Graeme and the CP0 team also followed the lead soldiers toward the nearby warship.

As they walked, the soldiers leading the group greeted the kings with gentle politeness, answering their questions along the way.

On the various warships, Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals also appeared, their faces warm and approachable, exuding a sense of hospitality.

"King, I must admit, the Marines' service is truly impressive," one of the CP0 members remarked. "It almost makes me feel guilty if we don't buy anything after this."

Graeme remained silent, a sense of unease gnawing at him.

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something odd about the way the Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals were looking at him and the other kings and nobles...

It was as if they were eyeing a dedicated account meant to funnel money directly into Marine coffers.

No matter how well they tried to mask it, his Observation Haki picked up on it clearly.