As Kozuki Toki entered the sacred chamber...
Michael had already announced his presence to the entire world.
The deserted island beneath him convulsed under the onslaught of his Conqueror's Haki—rocks shattered, dust swirled, and daylight itself seemed to dim.
Meanwhile, Michael himself had transformed through his divine ascension, now clad in angelic runic armor.
The Holy light surrounding him had condensed to liquid form, verging on solidification.
He'd become a being rivaling the sun's radiance...
Perhaps... Even more brilliant.
The World Government agent in Mariejois detected his presence immediately.
"What should we do now?"
The Five Elders' conference room held more than just its usual occupants today.
Members of God's Knights and Figarland Garling himself stood among them.
All eyes were fixed on the sanctified figure transmitted by the Video Transponder Snail.
Yet unlike worshipers who might prostrate themselves before such divinity...
Every person present wished death upon this being, their gazes sharp with murderous intent.
Michael represented the Sword of Damocles hanging over all Celestial Dragons.
All except one—Figarland Garling.
After a single glance at Michael's image, he simply lowered his head and calmly flexed his newly restored arm.
If the World Government could reconstruct Shiki's severed legs after decades, replacing Garling's recently lost limb proved trivial.
"Damn it! How dare he provoke us like this!" Jaygarcia Saturn smashed the table in front of him with his fist.
"Nusjuro! Haven't you reported this to Imu-sama yet?"
"Of course I reported Michael's appearance to Imu-sama immediately!" Nusjuro's expression was equally grim, yet there was a trace of helplessness between his brows.
"But... Imu-sama is currently preoccupied—busy conversing with Lady Kozuki Toki."
Nusjuro's words instantly clarified the situation to everyone present...
It meant Imu-sama didn't consider Michael's matter more important than the current affair.
"Esteemed elders, must we dwell on this so much?"
"He's merely another so-called 'strong warrior'..."
"No matter how strong he is, could he possibly surpass Joy Boy of the past?"
A voice echoed from outside the conference room.
The next moment, the doors swung open.
A man strode in, a long sword at his waist.
His appearance was identical to that of the Warlord "Red Hair" Shanks.
"Ah, Shamrock." Figarland Garling rose to his feet, approaching with the warmth of a doting father.
"Now that you've become the newest member of God's Knights, you truly carry some of your father's legacy... Oh, wait, I'm not dead yet."
Shamrock cast a cold glance at his father, clearly unwilling to engage.
"Ah, such an attitude breaks your old man's heart."
"I have no father like you." Shamrock snorted disdainfully. "A stray dog exiled to the seas after falling into someone else's trap—how could you possibly qualify as my father? All your past glories only bring me greater shame after what happened."
Far from provoking outrage, Shamrock's words garnered nods of approval from many present.
This... was simply the Celestial Dragons' way of upbringing.
Blood ties? Familial bonds?
Nonsense!
Only unbroken glory was their eternal pursuit.
One could say...
Doflamingo was no exception among the Celestial Dragons.
Yet...
Figarland Garling remained utterly unfazed.
Instead, he laughed heartily, clapping Shamrock on the shoulder before pulling him into an embrace.
"True, you're absolutely right. After being outmaneuvered by Michael, I was exiled to the seas... By all accounts, a Celestial Dragon cast out of Mariejois should be nothing but an insect." Garling gestured around the room with a smile.
"But look—even in exile, when I stand here, do God's Knights, the Five Elders, or even Imu-sama voice a single objection? No!"
Suddenly, Garling gripped Shamrock's chin, forcing him to meet his gaze.
"Because... I am strong enough. Even if not as strong as Michael, adding me to the hunt increases the odds of success."
"But you... my son, you're not yet strong enough to trample your father underfoot. In fact, I doubt whether you could even defeat my pirate son now."
With that single sentence, Figarland Garling shattered Shamrock's mental defenses.
Although he had been appointed by the Five Elders as the new leader of the God's Knights, it felt somewhat like forcing a duck onto a perch.
While Shamrock was undoubtedly the most terrifying among the young Celestial Dragons in terms of both strength and talent, he had yet to truly step into the realm of Admiral/Emperor level in absolute power.
No one knows a son better than his father.
Figarland Garling was certain that if Shamrock had been in Shanks' position...
Shamrock would never have been able to sever his own arm.
The fleeting trace of regret in Garling's eyes was instantly caught by Shamrock.
"Want to test whether I can trample you underfoot right now, you old disgrace to our family?"
"Enough! Can you two save your family drama for later?"
Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, abruptly cut through the tense standoff between father and son.
With an angry shout, Conqueror's Haki erupted from Mars, radiating outward with terrifying force—its intensity no less than that of Charlotte Linlin or Kaido.
"My apologies, I lost my composure."
Shamrock gradually suppressed the hatred on his face, returning to his usual poker-faced expression.
"Really now, Mars, what's the point of scaring my son for no reason?" Garling shot Mars a helpless glance.
"Since we're all so conflicted, why not hear me out?"
"What do you suggest?" Shepherd Ju Peter asked coldly. "Are you proposing we mobilize our full force?"
"Ah, so you already know the solution?" Garling grinned oddly. "Last time the Marine pursued Michael, they deployed Admirals like Aokiji and Akainu, with Garp and Zephyr backing them up—along with nearly all the elite Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters..."
"And they failed."
"They did fail, but don't forget—there are five Elders here!" Garling exaggeratedly counted on his fingers.
"Or do you all think your aging limbs can't match the Admirals in their prime?"
"So you mean..."
"What I mean is, if two Admirals weren't enough... then six individuals on par with Marine Admirals and Emperor-level pirates should suffice, no?"
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