"Are you from another world?"
Fujitora and the others were all shocked. The idea that there were other worlds beyond their own was truly astonishing. For a moment, Fujitora found it hard to accept. However, when he thought about how unimaginably powerful Elior was and the countless abilities he possessed, he finally took a deep breath. Elior was simply too strong, powerful beyond imagination, and moved with a mystery that was incomprehensible and unfathomable.
"Are there really other worlds?"
Fujitora couldn't help but ask. This was simply too difficult to believe. Elior responded calmly, explaining that in addition to the world they were familiar with, there were other worlds, some even more powerful. He compared them to a frog living at the bottom of a well, believing the small circle of sky above was the whole world when the reality was far larger. Elior made it clear that even if they chose to become hostile toward him, he didn't care.
"It's time for you to let go of your hatred and prejudice against me, isn't it?"
Elior continued. He looked directly at Fujitora, acknowledging that while he might have killed people important to them, the Fleet Admiral needed to understand what truly mattered. He asked if personal hatred was more important than the greater stake of justice and the future of the world. In truth, Fujitora was the most difficult one to deal with, and Elior needed his agreement, a total surrender of the Marines' leadership.
Elior was essentially choosing a spokesperson to govern the world on his behalf. After the Celestial Dragons were destroyed, Elior would not be able to remain in this world for long. Once he reached the very peak and the world became his, staying would lose its meaning. He intended to wipe out the Celestial Dragons in one decisive stroke and believed Imu stood no chance against him.
A wise decision, Fujitora murmured to himself. What Elior called a wise decision was for Marine Headquarters to submit to him, wait for the fall of the Celestial Dragons, and then take over the governance of the world. It was as if the Marines were simply changing masters, but Elior was not like the Celestial Dragons. Fujitora had visited Elior's territories and seen that the people lived in peace. Compared to other Yonko, those lands were stable, and the taxes were low and fair.
Within Elior's territory, the system was built on stability, low taxation, and the absence of pirates or a criminal underworld. It was a place civilians longed for, standing in stark contrast to the nations affiliated with the World Government. Under the current regime, countries that failed to pay the Heavenly Tribute faced execution, exile, or slavery. The World Government had fallen into decay over eight hundred years, yet it remained because of the terrifying power it controlled.
Fujitora could no longer see Elior merely as an enemy. The implication was clear: they couldn't defeat him anyway, and now Elior was extending an offer. The Marines had only two choices: continue following the Celestial Dragons or follow Elior. Deep down, Fujitora was unwilling to serve the nobles who treated the Marines like dogs and never cared for their lives. He felt a strong premonition that total destruction was coming for Mary Geoise.
"Do you want Marine Headquarters to help you take over the world?"
Fujitora asked directly. Elior confirmed this, explaining that while Kaido and the others were useful for suppressing turbulence with force, they were not suitable for long-term governance. Chaos must be ended through violence, but what followed required something different. Elior planned to take his warriors with him to fight in other worlds, leaving a trusted spokesperson like Fujitora to rule the peace he left behind.