"Send CP0."
Inside the Room of Power, after a brief pause for thought, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro gave this suggestion.
His stiff face was framed by glasses, their lenses reflecting the cold gleam of the long blade in his hand. As a swordsman, he had always acted decisively and directly.
Hearing his words, the other Elders hesitated for a moment, but then listened as he continued:
"If Orin is still alive, simply hiding, then eliminating this impostor would serve as a friendly signal."
His analysis was thorough. After all, he was an ancient monster who had lived through endless years—his mastery of schemes had long since reached perfection.
"If…"
"If Orin has truly vanished, then this will also be a massive blow to the remnants of his forces. On the surface, the World Government's prestige will once again reach its peak!!!"
Yes—no one wanted to bow their head.
Not even the World Government, who had always seemed like spineless background extras before Orin.
If possible, they were the ones who most hoped Orin would disappear, so that they could once again seize control of the seas.
After all, who wanted to keep being the "boss," only to suddenly feel a gun barrel pressed to their forehead?
And Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's suggestion quickly persuaded the other Elders. They nodded one after another, thinking this was a strategy that could advance or retreat.
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
...
Ten thousand meters under the sea, above Fish-Man Island.
At this moment, chaos reigned. Screams and cries of pain spread everywhere. Countless forces from the underworld and pirates who idolized Orin had all gathered here at his call.
They wanted to give the fish-men a taste of the Black Emperor's wrath!
"They're just lowly fish-men! How dare they offend Orin-sama!!!"
"That's right! Don't they know he was once a crew member of the Pirate King, a great man even the World Government had to respect?!"
"That Tiger bastard… how dare he!!!"
These people, who had rallied under "Orin" and viewed him as both leader and spiritual pillar, vented their fury without reservation against the insult to the Black Emperor's prestige.
Even the fish-men themselves, beaten and suffering, began to secretly complain in their hearts.
Why had Tiger done such a thing?
If he hadn't acted on his own, Fish-Man Island wouldn't be suffering this calamity!
Without the Sun Pirates—the top combat force of the fish-men—Orin's followers thrashed the fish-men as easily as bullying children.
Weeping and wailing filled the island. After only a few years of peace, Fish-Man Island was once again mercilessly ravaged by the god they had once revered.
"Orin-sama, we've captured many beautiful mermaids for you!!!"
Unlike his subordinates who were busy burning, plundering, and pillaging, "Orin" sat calmly at the bow of the ship.
He was desperately suppressing the excitement in his heart, forcing himself to remain indifferent and composed.
Just like the real Orin.
At only eighteen, young Bentham had already drifted through the Grand Line for quite some time.
As a boy, he had once set sail with nothing but innocence and confusion in his heart—until he met that man.
The Black Emperor, Orin.
A man of overwhelming power, who for the sake of his captain dared to face the entire Marine Headquarters, and at the execution platform split the heavens with a single blade…
Deeds that shocked the seas, a man who stood up without hesitation for those he cared about—this man had become young Bentham's idol.
From that day on…
He too wanted to become such a man—a real man who would risk everything for those he cared about!!!
For that, he had even used his Devil Fruit powers to disguise himself as one of the most beautiful women on the seas, sneaking into bars in the red-light districts just for a chance to glimpse Orin-sama up close.
By pure chance, while disguised as a waitress delivering drinks, his hand brushed against Orin's long hair.
From then on, he preserved that image of his idol with reverence, so that he could gaze upon it whenever he wished.
But he hadn't expected it—Orin-sama had vanished for barely a year or two, and already people stirred up storms on the seas, acting as though Orin was dead and they could run wild as they pleased!
He, Bentham, was a man of loyalty—fueled by both fierce devotion and boundless admiration.
How could he possibly allow Orin—the Boss he had unilaterally sworn to follow—to be slandered and disrespected like this?
So, after watching Orin's subordinates do nothing to defend his honor, he had boldly donned Orin's visage, rallying the crews once again, and made the ungrateful fish-men—who had spurned Orin's sincere heart—taste true fear!!!
And as Orin's number-one fan, he knew his Boss's bearing well. At this moment, he simply waved his hand and gave a faint smile.
"I have no interest in these. Leave."
A gesture that displayed both aloof coolness and prevented him from being exposed.
Hearing this, his subordinates broke into uncontrollable smiles of awe and excitement.
It faintly resembled how Buggy's followers would one day act:
"As expected of Orin-sama! To be unmoved even by the beauty of mermaids—what inner strength!"
"Truly awe-inspiring, the stuff of legends!!!"
"To be commanded by Orin-sama—it makes life feel meaningful~"
In the distance, King Neptune and his Royal Army watched helplessly as countless forces ravaged Fish-Man Island. Tears of pain and regret filled their eyes.
Especially Neptune himself, who longed to personally apologize and make peace with Orin. But before he could even see him, he was stopped by a giant subordinate.
"You cannot disturb our king!!!"
The truth was undeniable—Orin's foundation remained solid.
Even with his prestige damaged, even after two years of absence, there were still countless powerful fighters willing to serve for the sake of the Black Emperor's name.
The situation was spiraling out of control. Just as tensions reached a breaking point…
A new figure's arrival instantly changed everything.
From the distant depths, a coated pirate ship slowly approached Fish-Man Island.
Its flag looked ordinary, as though it belonged to some no-name crew. But the figure standing at the bow with arms crossed drew every gaze.
"What? Another pirate dares come here now…"
"No—look! Look at the figure on the bow!!!"
His face had matured, a flamboyant hat resting on his head. With one hand, he tipped the brim, revealing eyes calm yet piercingly sharp.
Circles within circles, like the gaze of a hawk, piercing straight into the soul. A black cross-shaped blade rested on his back. His whole figure radiated the air of a solitary noble.
Looking down over the battlefield, his magnetic, steady voice carried across the chaos:
"I may have come in haste, but I'm here to confirm one thing…"
"Orin—is he truly here?"