The New World. Dressrosa.
"Fuffuffuffu…"
Inside the opulent palace, Donquixote Doflamingo lay sunk deep into his sofa.
One hand propped against his forehead, a bitter smile crept across his face.
Before him, a Den Den Mushi projected live footage from Marineford.
As a man who had dominated the seas for years, Doflamingo was not surprised by the Navy's victory.
That old relic Whitebeard belonged to a bygone era. Being crushed by the Marines was an inevitable ending.
What truly unsettled him was how the Navy had achieved this victory with almost no losses, tearing apart the Whitebeard Pirates, a crew that had ruled the seas for decades.
And it was not over yet.
Even the Red-Haired Pirates, who had arrived to stop the fighting, were on the verge of being driven away.
This was bad. Very bad.
The Navy's strength had expanded to a level he could not comprehend, one that genuinely frightened him.
Doflamingo could not help but think.
Once the Navy finished purging all the Emperors of the Sea…
Would their next target be the Seven Warlords, those who only cooperated with the World Government in name?
A chill ran through him.
"Fuffu…"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
After all, he was Donquixote Doflamingo.
Once a lofty World Noble.
He still held secrets of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, in his hands.
Because of that alone…
The Five Elders would protect him.
The Navy would not dare touch him.
Absolutely not.
"Fuffuffuffuffu!"
That wild, defiant grin returned to his face.
"Birth decides everything."
...
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Five aged figures sat quietly on their sofas.
Before them loomed a massive Den Den Mushi screen, each of them wearing a different expression.
The destruction of the Whitebeard Pirates was well within their expectations.
A remnant of the old era had reached its time to exit the stage.
Before the operation, Sengoku had submitted a detailed battle plan along with an enormous military budget request.
That request had been suppressed.
A disobedient dog wanted rewards?
The appearance of the Red-Haired Pirates, and the Navy's subsequent response, were completely beyond their expectations.
Sengoku knew Shanks' identity.
So why had he allowed that Marine rear admiral, Renn Hawk, to act without restraint?
The Navy had gone too far.
...
"The rest of the Red-Haired Pirates can die," Saint Mars broke the silence first. "They are pirates. Their deaths would be deserved."
"But Figarland Shanks…" Saint Warcury continued, his mustache trembling slightly. "He cannot die."
"His bloodline traces back to the World Nobles."
"If the others in Mary Geoise find out, it will cause unnecessary panic."
Saint Peter nodded. "Then inform Sengoku. End this farce at once."
...
Saint Nusjuro remained silent, but the cold aura radiating from him made his stance unmistakably clear.
In the end, all eyes turned toward Saint Saturn.
Saint Saturn slowly raised his hand and dialed Sengoku's Den Den Mushi.
"Burururu…"
The call connected. Before Saturn could speak, Sengoku's booming voice rang out.
"Five Elders, has the Navy's military budget been approved?"
...
The words Saint Saturn had prepared instantly lodged in his throat.
A brief, suffocating silence fell between the holders of power.
The other four Elders froze for a heartbeat.
At a time like this…
When a man of noble blood was about to be killed in front of the entire world…
You were still thinking about funding?
"Heh…" Saint Saturn forced a dry laugh, dragging the conversation back. "Sengoku, there is a more urgent matter you must address immediately."
"No funding?" Sengoku replied calmly. "You know how many people the Navy has to support."
"Without funds, it's hard to get things done."
Veins bulged on the foreheads of the five elders at once.
What was going on?
Once. Twice. Three times.
How did Sengoku dare speak to the highest authority in the world like this?
The Five Elders exchanged glances, suppressing their anger.
Stopping the war came first.
"Sengoku, you are aware of Shanks' identity," Saint Saturn said, his voice heavy with authority. "He is connected to the commander of the God's Knights."
"The rest of the Red-Haired Pirates may die, but Shanks must live."
"So end the war."
"End the war?" Sengoku replied. "So that's what this is about. I can't do that either."
"What?!" Saint Saturn's voice shot up. "You are the Fleet Admiral. How can you not stop it?"
"Yes, I am the Fleet Admiral," Sengoku answered righteously. "But the supreme commander on the battlefield is that kid Hawk."
"Mercy under the fist?" Sengoku said flatly. "Take it up with Hawk."
The line went dead.
The Five Elders stared at one another.
"He's gone too far!" Saint Warcury roared. "Sengoku is openly defying the World Government!"
...
The atmosphere in the chamber grew unbearably heavy.
At that moment, Saint Nusjuro spoke slowly. "How is CP0's infiltration of G-3 Base progressing?"
"No progress," Saint Saturn said, rubbing his temples. "Everyone we sent disappeared. The answer we got was that no one was seen."
"Then send the God's Knights," Saint Nusjuro said, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt of the First Kitetsu. "And ask Garling about his stance on Shanks. After all… he is his son."
The five exchanged glances and quickly dialed a special Den Den Mushi.
"Garling, the Navy's G-3 Base requires investigation. Have the God's Knights make a trip."
"And watch the broadcast while you're at it. Regarding Shanks… what do you think?"
From the other end came a faint snort, belonging to the former ruler of God Valley, now commander of the God's Knights, Saint Figarland Garling.
"I understand the matter of G-3 Base. Someone will go down shortly and clarify it."
"As for Shanks, being entangled with a Marine rear admiral for this long…"
"Disgraceful."
"If he wins, I, Figarland Garling, have two sons."
"If he loses, I have only Shamrock."
...
The chamber fell silent once more.
All eyes returned to the screen.
"Gurarararara!"
The Emperor of the Sea, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, let out the final roar of his life.
"Magma brat!"
...