Looking up at Im, the Gorosei waited silently for their sovereign to speak.
Even most of the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise had never laid eyes on the mysterious Lord Im. She was more than reclusive — she was the most enigmatic existence in the world.
"There are still four months until the time of the sacrifice. I will not allow anything to disrupt it."
At last, Im's voice broke the silence. Calm, measured — yet her words carried unshakable authority. Even spoken softly, they rang clear in the ears of the Gorosei.
"Sacrifice…"
The Gorosei exchanged glances. At once, they understood. The sacrifice was paramount — more important than war, more important than anything.
What Im referred to was the sacred pilgrimage to a forbidden island. That island was erased from every map in circulation, its existence preserved only in the deepest secrets of the World Government: a permanent log pose and an ancient chart.
The God Valley.
It was the resting place of the so-called creators, the tomb of generations of Celestial Dragons, and the site where the ancient weapon Uranus was hidden.
It was the holiest ground of the Celestial Dragons.
When Rocks had attacked the God Valley long ago, he had been destroyed before reaching its true depths.
After that incident, the leaders of the World Government had ordered every trace of the island erased. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the highest ranks of the Marine believed the island had been sunk. In truth, it still existed — and its secrets were kept from all but a handful.
Now, Im had spoken: four months remained until the sacrifice. The Gorosei understood the warning.
The world was in upheaval. The Yonko — Elior among them — were more active than ever. The Revolutionary Army moved in the shadows.
Nothing could be permitted to interfere with the sacrifice.
"Lord Im" one Elder vowed, "we will not allow anything to endanger the ritual."
Im's gaze sharpened. "That brat… Elior. Eliminate him. If necessary, use the weapon."
The Gorosei stiffened.
That weapon.
Not Uranus — but another devastating armament hidden within Mary Geoise. Not as world-shattering as Uranus, perhaps, but still a tool of annihilation.
Im called it "extinguishing the lights" — a cleansing of history itself.
"Rocks was nothing compared to him" Im said coldly, though her expression betrayed no rage.
The Gorosei fell silent. They knew she was right.
Xebec had been destroyed only by the combined might of Roger and Garp.
But Elior's strength was beyond such measures. Even if Roger and Garp fought side by side again, they would not defeat him.
His danger already eclipsed Rocks, perhaps even Roger himself.
And if Im was willing to authorize the use of the secret weapon, it proved beyond doubt how formidable Elior had become.
Neither Rocks nor Roger had ever warranted such a declaration.
Im continued: "Poseidon is about to awaken. Pluton lies buried in the deepest ocean, but if Poseidon wills it, the Sea Kings can raise it with ease."
"The Mermaid Princess…" one elder whispered.
Even Im's eyes darkened at the thought.
Eight hundred years ago, it had been Poseidon who sealed Pluton away in the abyss. The weapon could not be destroyed — merely hidden. For centuries it had slumbered, indestructible, waiting to be reclaimed.
Though the blueprints were long destroyed, Im knew the truth: the moment Poseidon recognized Pluton's existence, she could command the Sea Kings to drag it forth.
"Poseidon… Pluton…" The words weighed heavy in the chamber.
The Gorosei shuddered. "Has Poseidon already appeared?"
"It should be about time" Im answered. "The prophecy foretold it."
"Prophecy?" One elder frowned. "Can we even trust the visions of our ancestors? What if it was a mistake?"
"No one knows for certain" another muttered.
Few in the world knew of that prophecy — fewer still than those who knew of Im herself.
It spoke of a war that would overturn the world. If the Celestial Dragons endured it, their reign would continue. If not… their dynasty would end in ruin.
Neither Im nor the Gorosei were willing to accept such a fate.
And now, with Poseidon's return, the prophecy seemed closer than ever to fulfillment.
Every few centuries, a Mermaid Princess would inherit the will of Poseidon. The last had appeared over 800 years ago. The reemergence of such a power could only herald chaos.
For Im, it was unsettling.
The Mermaid Princess possessed the ability to command every Sea King — to marshal the beasts of the deep against the world itself. With such power, she could crush the World Government in its entirety.
And now… Elior controlled Fish-Man Island. Sooner or later, he would learn of Poseidon.
Just as the ancient kingdom had once been overthrown, so too could their empire fall.
For eight centuries, the World Government had erased history, silenced truths, and reshaped the world. But that fragile order was at risk.
The conversation between Im and the Gorosei dragged on, heavy with unease.
Unaware of their plotting, Elior was elsewhere when Doflamingo's voice reached him — with news of the Flame-Flame Fruit.