Time passed, and two days went by quickly. However, these two days were definitely not easy for Mary Geoise. The high-ranking Celestial Dragons finally realized that the War Ghost had been killed. An existence so terrifying it transcended the understanding of this world was dead, and they didn't even know where the body was. As for Elior, nothing had happened to him at all. The senior leaders of the World Government had no idea where the battle had even taken place.
At this moment, the high-ranking Celestial Dragons were trembling as they stood before Imu. She was both shocked and furious. She simply could not imagine that the War Ghost, who had eliminated countless powerful enemies for her in the past, had been destroyed without leaving behind a single trace of information. She had never believed he could die because his combat power was even greater than her own. Imu's true power lay in her authority and her ability to grant immortality to the creature, not in her personal physical strength. For the first time in eight hundred years, fear rose in her heart.
Imu went to check the heart of the War Ghost, which she had extracted and preserved long ago. The heart that once beat steadily had completely withered. There was no doubt that her champion was truly dead. The sovereign who had ruled for centuries was trembling. Her feelings toward Elior had shifted from disdain to genuine terror. However, she did not reveal her unease to the Gorosei. She remained the supreme ruler.
"Prepare to summon our full strength," Imu commanded. She knew that if the Celestial Dragons did not prepare for war now, Elior certainly would. The Gorosei and the others quickly responded with respectful acknowledgment, relieved that Imu had not killed them in her anger. An hour later, the World Government began mobilizing its forces and notified Marine Headquarters.
However, there were few people left at Marine Headquarters who were truly capable of fighting. Fujitora, Kizaru, Gion, and Tsuru were all that remained of the top brass, as the vice admirals had been nearly wiped out in the previous war. This was the tragic consequence of their last encounter with Elior. If he had not chosen to spare them then, no one would have survived. The question remained: would the Marines still be willing to fight for the Celestial Dragons?
That very night, Elior appeared directly inside the Fleet Admiral's office. Inside were Fujitora, Kizaru, Gion, and Tsuru. Tsuru remained silent while Kizaru sat on the sofa calmly drinking hot tea. Elior sat opposite Fujitora, and Gion stood behind him, gently rubbing his shoulders. Fujitora, the new Fleet Admiral, looked at Elior solemnly.
"What will you do after overthrowing the Celestial Dragons?" Fujitora asked. The fact that Fujitora and Kizaru could sit here calmly was the result of extensive ideological work by Tsuru and Gion. The leadership had grown cold toward the Celestial Dragons, realizing they had become nothing more than high-ranking slaves to a corrupt nobility.
"Issho," Elior said calmly, using Fujitora's real name, "do you want to build this world into one of democracy, equality, justice, friendship, and the rule of law?"
Elior did not answer the question directly, but instead asked one of his own. Fujitora was stunned. He had always dreamed of such a world, but he had blinded himself because he could no longer stand to look at the darkness and corruption of the current one.
"Do you want it?" Elior asked again.
"Of course," Fujitora replied without hesitation.
Elior explained his vision.
"After the Celestial Dragons are exterminated and I finish dealing with this world's affairs, I will leave for other worlds. You will take control of this world and govern it. As long as I am here, piracy will never rise again."
He revealed that he was not from this world, but from a much more powerful one, which explained his overwhelming strength. While everyone else was shocked, Gion remained calm, as Elior had already promised to take her with him when he eventually moved on.
"You only need to understand this: I come from beyond this world, and there are forces out there far stronger than anything here. I am absolutely confident that I can destroy all the Celestial Dragons," Elior continued. "What your Marines need to do is simple: join my side and fight the Celestial Dragons alongside us. Issho, seize this opportunity. Make your choice. It is extremely important."
Elior looked at the shocked Fujitora, giving him time to process the revelation. The Marines had reached a crossroads, and it was finally time to choose their side in the coming apocalypse.