"You all may not be able to find it, but that doesn't mean I can't!"
Garling sneered, summoned a CP0 agent from outside, whispered a few words, and the agent quickly left.
Not long after, he brought back a photograph, carefully placing it on the table.
The gaze of the other Five Elders instantly focused on it.
——It was a rather sleazy-looking middle-aged man with dark skin, an afro, large yellow teeth, and loose-fitting clothes, looking quite comical.
"Who is this guy?"
"Festival House, or also known as Festival Shop."
Garling crossed his legs and said calmly, "These two titles are quite famous in the underworld. You all have been in elevated positions for hundreds of years, so it's normal not to know. I encountered him by chance during a mission in the Lower Realm and worked with him."
"This guy's real name is Buena Festa, and he's an out-and-out ambitious person whose greatest desire is to host a grand pirate expo and have all the famous pirates participate."
Saint Garling tapped the photo with his finger, "And what's in his hands... happens to be something that even the Four Emperors cannot refuse, which can serve as the ultimate prize for the expo."
"Oh?" Saint Nusjuro squinted, "What is it?"
"Roger's claimed treasure, ONE PIECE."
Saint Garling let out a cold laugh, "To be precise, it's an Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale!"
Eternal Pose?
The Five Elders were all astonished.
What does this mean? It means whoever gets this won't need to painstakingly gather the four red Road Poneglyphs and can directly lock onto the coordinates of the final island, Laugh Tale!
"Is it real?"
"Unknown."
Saint Garling took a sip of red tea, "But that doesn't matter to us, does it? As long as spreading the word makes those pirates skeptical, that's enough."
That's true...
The three remaining Five Elders nodded instinctively. Once news of the Pirate World Expo spread, Red Hair, the former Roger Pirates' apprentice, might not attend, but Shano and Kaido would surely not resist going.
And coincidentally, Whitebeard had no interest in Laugh Tale or ONE PIECE at all.
Thus, this bait holds immense allure for the other three Four Emperors, but will not affect the movements of the Whitebeard Pirates, perfectly aligning with their needs.
"Brilliant plan!"
Nusjuro nodded, "Let's proceed with this. Garling, I'm beginning to see you in a new light!"
As long as the master trusts and values you, why would one need your recognition?
Disdain filled Garling's heart, but he maintained his composure and nodded slightly:
"You're too kind. Since you all agree with this plan, let's arrange for the CP Department to contact Festa as soon as possible to ensure the expo can be held while we launch our attack. As for the specific timing..."
Knock, knock.
At that moment, the door was knocked and then opened from the outside, revealing a veiled, beautiful young maid at the entrance.
Seeing this unannounced maid, the Five Elders did not chastise her but were taken aback, instinctively standing up.
"The master is already aware of your plan."
The beautiful maid spoke plainly, "Everything else is fine, but there's one part she isn't satisfied with and needs to be revised. So she asked me to invite you all to discuss it in the Flowers Room."
"The master wants to see us?"
"Not satisfied?"
The Five Elders exchanged glances, sweat beading their foreheads, but showed no hesitation, promptly nodding and nervously following the maid toward the Flowers Room...
——————
The first half of the Grand Line, Klaykan Island.
On the misty castle terrace, "Hawkeye" Mihawk, one of the current Seven Warlords of the Sea, put down the newspaper in his hand, gazing into the distance.
His eyes, remarkably similar to Imu's, narrowed slightly.
"Not only the Navy but even the Five Elders have become prey."
It's truly interesting.
Living long enough does have its advantages; you get to witness such rebellious acts against the heavens.
He glanced through the Five Elders' warrants and noted that both the newspaper and these warrants were marked with two lines:
"All Celestial Dragons are offered a ten billion Belly bounty, dead or alive!"
"Those fearing reprisal can seek refuge in the Endgame's domain, where Endgame guarantees your absolute safety!"
With this affair exposed, it's hard to predict how the top brass of the Navy and World Government will react, but as for those Celestial Dragons, they're probably scared out of their wits, not daring to venture outside the Holy Land.
Mihawk sipped his red wine, a mocking smile on his lips.
Those pampered Celestial Dragons, accustomed to wielding power arbitrarily, often descend to the Lower Realm to capture or purchase slaves.
Who would have ever thought they'd be publicly priced someday?
The ten billion Belly bounty, combined with the Endgame's promise of protection, would invite countless desperadoes to hunt them down should any Celestial Dragons, defying fate, appear in the Lower Realm.
Mihawk gazed toward the New World.
With Endgame's current momentum, they are indeed qualified to do this. However, it's unclear where this global storm will ultimately steer the seas.
The so-called tide of the new era is getting fiercer all the time.
Even a reclusive individual like himself can distinctly feel it.
Speaking of which...
His clumsy disciple must be living quite comfortably where he is now, right?
There's hardly a need to doubt it.
No matter what, it must be better than his own dilapidated castle, always returning bruised and battered by baboons, having to serve tea and water to his unreasonable master.
Recalling the bits and pieces of the past year spent together, Mihawk couldn't help but shake his head with a slight smile.
Broo~ Broo~
Just then, the seldom-used Radio Snail rang, breaking his train of thought.
"What boring meeting do they want now?"
Frowning slightly, Mihawk put down the wine glass and approached the Radio Snail.
As the recognized strongest among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the most reclusive, the Navy Headquarters found it difficult to contact him.
He almost never attended any Warlord meetings.
This time, he intended to ignore it as usual.
But recalling recent news reports of the World Government's embarrassing state, he smirked slightly, ultimately pressing the answer button.
"Hawkeye, it's Kong."
On the other end, a deep, authoritative old voice spoke:
"Within seven days, you must arrive at Marinfanto to attend a top-level meeting. As a Seven Warlords of the Sea, attendance is mandatory."
Mihawk narrowed his eyes slightly:
"Oh? It's the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies personally calling; seems this time is different, something big must be happening?"
"Indeed."
Kong's voice was steady, "Don't rush to refuse, I understand your mindset. You don't care about rewards, but as a Great Sword Master like yourself, you're always seeking worthy opponents, right?"
"This time, the opportunity has come. The World Government is about to initiate a war. Although I can't disclose the specific enemy due to confidentiality, I can assure you that in the opposing camp, there's a world-renowned Great Sword Master available for a one-on-one duel to satisfy your swordsman's cravings, how about it?"
Mihawk's expression indeed shifted.
"A Great Sword Master?"
His usually deep voice betrayed a rare hint of interest, "For you to describe it like this, could it be..."
"You should have guessed, in any case, whether you come or not..."
"I'll be at Marinfanto within five days, have the red wine ready for me."
Hawkeye dropped this statement and directly hung up the call.
Returning to the terrace,
he looked in the direction of the New World again, unable to resist drawing the black blade from behind, gently caressing it.
I've been waiting for this day.
Previously, time after time, I missed my chance on the vast sea.
Now, finally, is there an opportunity?
Swoosh!
The black blade returned to its sheath, Hawkeye's gaze turning resolute!
Don't blame me for standing against you, Shano!
The title of the world's greatest Great Sword Master has been snatched by you for some time now; it's high time I used this Black Blade Yoru to challenge the claim, to determine who truly deserves it!