The Rulers Observe the War
In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, high atop the towering Red Line, resided the Chains of Command—the ultimate center of power in the world. The Gorosei, the five individuals who openly governed this global authority, were silently observing the war.
Before their eyes, a small screen—broadcast solely through a dedicated Den Den Mushi—showed Whitebeard, the man known as the world's strongest, unleashing the destructive force of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
Even from this great distance, high above the Red Line, the five Gorosei could still feel the entire room subtly tremble.
"Clink, clink, clink!" The plates and teacups on the table rattled with a crisp sound.
"To unleash the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to this extent... as expected of Whitebeard," stated Makasu Mazu Saint, the Legal God of War, slowly scanning his gaze over the other four members.
Unlike the sheer terror displayed by the Marines on the screen, the five Gorosei remained completely calm as they watched the mountain-sized tsunami appear.
"Hmph, what does it matter? He's old, after all!" It was Izanbaron V. Nasujuro Saint, the Science Defense God of War, who spoke, gently polishing the first-generation Kitetsu blade in his hand, his eyes cold and sharp.
"And now Kaido is heading this way, isn't he?" asked Shepherd Ju Pit Saint, the Agricultural God of War.
"Hmph, wasn't that already expected? Pirates are inherently untrustworthy!" replied Saint Topman Warcury, the Legal God of War, speaking slowly. "Besides, someone has already been dispatched to deal with that threat."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Science Defense God of War, finally ended the minor discussion with a single, definitive sentence: "What is most important for us now is to decide how to handle the resulting global unrest after this war is finished."
This war on the screen had a massive impact on the world, pitting Whitebeard, the strongest man, against the imminent arrival of Kaido, the strongest creature—both being Emperors who dominated the New World. Yet, to these five individuals who controlled the highest power in the world, these Emperors seemed to be nothing more than the small-time thugs they saw on the screen. They didn't even care to speak their names more than once.
Dealing with Defectors
At that moment, Saint Topman Warcury, the Legal God of War, seemed to recall something and asked, "Do we have any information on the CP9 agent who helped Kaido's daughter invade Impel Down?"
"Yes," replied Makasu Mazu Saint, the Legal God of War. "It's one of the people involved in the Enies Lobby incident." Makasu Mazu Saint didn't even bother to mention Blueno's name.
The others slightly raised their heads, their eyes reflecting an icy chill. They were all thinking of a past failure they preferred not to acknowledge.
"The Enies Lobby incident? It seems these individuals chose to defect to Kaido after failing their mission."
"Have Spandine handle this," commanded one of the Gorosei. "We absolutely cannot afford to have another Who's Who appear in CP9."
"Understood."
The five people wielding the world's supreme authority had never once considered the possibility that Kaido might be involved in acquiring the Pluton design blueprint.
Firstly, their arrogance prevented them from considering such a possibility. They might treat the Marines like dogs, and the CP agents might hold a higher status, but in their true estimation, were the CP agents not also just their "dogs"? They paid no mind to a "once-in-a-century genius." If a mission failed and the results were so disastrous, there was only one acceptable outcome: death.
Secondly, the plot had slightly changed during the Enies Lobby incident. Franky truly did not possess the Pluton design at that time, which introduced an error in the World Government's intelligence. This error led them to believe that Iceberg and Franky genuinely never possessed the Pluton design. Franky had not been foolish enough to reveal that the Pluton design had been lost. Iceberg had warned him that even if the World Government believed they lost the blueprint, the mere fact that the two of them once had possession of the Pluton design was enough reason for the World Government to execute them.
Combining these two factors, the Gorosei simply did not consider the possibility that Kaido had already secured the Pluton design blueprint!
The Tide of Battle Turns
Meanwhile, on the screen, the Three Admirals used their unique Devil Fruit abilities to directly clash with the Whitebeard Pirates' commanders, signaling a full engagement. The Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates were now completely locked in battle.
Countless lives were lost every passing moment.
On the side of the Whitebeard Pirates, Little Oars Jr., a descendant of Oars, led the affiliated pirate crews in a relentless invasion of the headquarters' defense perimeter.
Fortunately for the Marines, the Seven Warlords of the Sea (Shichibukai) finally made their move, causing the battle to enter a state of fierce, heated deadlock.
Seeing Little Oars Jr. fall after the Shichibukai intervened, Izanbaron V. Nasujuro Saint, the Science Defense God of War, commented, "These scumbags finally decided to make themselves useful, didn't they?" His face showed undisguised disgust for the pirates.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Science Defense God of War, however, asked thoughtfully, "Has Doflamingo received the new order?"
Saint Topman Warcury, the Legal God of War, nodded. "Yes. After this war ends, Doflamingo will bring Moriah over."
"That is excellent! I am quite interested in that man's Devil Fruit ability," said Makasu Mazu Saint, the Legal God of War.
Watching the oppressive effect the Shichibukai's intervention was having on the Whitebeard Pirates on the screen, Makasu Mazu Saint looked at the other four and suggested, "These scumbags have become far too comfortable in their Shichibukai positions for all these years. This might be a perfect opportunity for us. We've already captured Kaido's daughter and Dragon's son."
The other four listened, their faces contemplative.
It was Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Science Defense God of War, who spoke: "Kaido can be considered, but... the Straw Hat..." At this point, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn looked at Garp, who was sitting cross-legged beside Fire Fist Ace on the screen. "We can ignore the others, but Garp..."
"Yes," agreed Izanbaron V. Nasujuro Saint, the Science Defense God of War, nodding. "After we eliminate Whitebeard, we will deal with Kaido. He has been far too active lately. It's time to make these pirates truly understand who the absolute ruler of this sea is... Hmm!?!?"
Izanbaron V. Nasujuro Saint was cut short. A sudden, dramatic change on the distant battlefield shown on the screen directly interrupted his words.
A Marine warship suddenly plummeted from the sky.
This was accompanied by joyful and urgent shouts: "Ace, we're here to save you!!!"
Kaido's daughter and the Straw Hat Pirate, leading countless prisoners from Impel Down, burst violently onto the battlefield.
For the first time, the faces of the assembled Gorosei changed. Saint Topman Warcury roared furiously, "What in the world is happening? What is Magellan doing?"
A messenger ran into the room in a panic. "N-no good! Impel Down has been breached! The Shichibukai Blackbeard Teach ambushed Warden Magellan..."
Truly, misfortune never came alone.
Just then, another messenger rushed in, equally frantic. "No good! Kaido... Kaido's figure has appeared at Red Port!!!"
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