While the entire world was in an uproar over the Battle of Totto Land...
Mary Geoise, the Room of Authority.
"So... he killed Big Mom and has now displayed the power to manipulate souls..." Holding the 'Shodai Kitetsu', one of the Supreme Grade Blades, the War God of Finance, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, adjusted his glasses. "We can basically confirm it now, can't we? He's the same man from God Valley all those years ago."
"We still can't be completely certain." Beside him, the War God of Agriculture, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, shook his head. "We're still missing the two most critical pieces of evidence. And at the moment, we still can't locate him."
"He'll show himself again eventually. Or we could make the first move and force him into the open."
"We can't act recklessly. If we alert him, we'll lose our chance."
"If we let this opportunity slip away, it won't come back."
"So we just keep waiting? Wait until he learns what Rocks did back then?"
For once, the Five Elders found themselves arguing.
Then... a thought echoed directly from the depths of their souls.
'Wait. Confirm his identity.'
The command was so overwhelming and absolute that it drowned out every one of their own thoughts.
'Once confirmed... eliminate him. At any cost.'
Another order followed immediately.
'Also, verify the security of Davy Xebec's legacy at once.'
The killing intent contained within that final command was so cold and terrifying that even the Five Elders felt a chill run through their very souls.
"It's Lord Imu!"
Although Imu wasn't physically present, the Five Elders immediately knelt in reverence.
"As you command."
'At any cost.' Those four words alone revealed just how deeply Imu feared Star Lord.
After all, even when facing Davy or Joy Boy in ages past, Imu had been cautious but had never issued such an uncompromising order. For someone who had lived through countless centuries, losing composure was an exceptionally rare occurrence.
Only after Imu's will gradually withdrew from their souls did the Five Elders finally exhale in relief and rise from their kneeling positions.
"Now then..."
"How should we handle the kings' proposal?"
No one brought up Star Lord again. Imu had already made the decision; their duty was simply to obey.
As he spoke, Saint Marcus Mars looked down from the Room of Authority. Outside the gates of the ancient city below stood a gathering of rulers. Every one of them was a king from a member nation of the World Government, nominally, the highest-ranking nobles in the world.
But it was obvious that Mars did not see them that way.
"They want the Reverie convened ahead of schedule."
"They're also demanding that the World Government fund a worldwide military draft to recruit powerful fighters and establish a 'World Allied Army' to protect the member kingdoms."
"And they insist that the army's command headquarters be placed under the kings' own control."
The Five Elders were already fully aware of the requests those kings had brought.
As expected, after witnessing what had happened in Totto Land, many rulers had become deeply uneasy, not only because of the Twelve Zodiac, but because of the rapidly changing balance of power across the seas.
Their visit to Mary Geoise had a simple purpose: they wanted the World Government, the representative of all member nations, to organize a military force dedicated to defending their kingdoms and preserving their rule.
Previously, the World Government did maintain the Allied Kingdoms Guard to protect member nations, but its strength was nowhere near that of the Marines. More importantly, it answered directly to the World Government rather than to the kings themselves.
What the kings wanted now was obvious: they wanted an army they controlled. The reason hardly needed explaining.
"It's not just because of the Twelve Zodiac," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro calmly pointed out the real issue. "It's also because of the Special Envoys for the Inspection of the Nations."
Yes. The reason so many kings had made this demand was also tied to the World Government's recent decision to send Special Envoys to inspect various countries. To them, it looked like the World Government was trying to take away their authority.
But therein lay the problem.
"When did that authority ever belong to them in the first place?" Saint Topman Warcury stroked his beard. "They even want an allied army under their own command? Those noisy little insects certainly know how to dream."
A world alliance? What a joke. Nothing disgusted the Five Elders more than the idea of the nations uniting under their own military command.
"Pick two of the ones making the most noise. Find an excuse and eliminate them."
"Leave it to Cipher Pol. Then install whichever heir is the most obedient."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
In just a few short exchanges, the fates of several kings were sealed.
After settling on how to "persuade" the restless member nations, the Five Elders moved on to the next major issue.
"What should we do about the Twelve Zodiac's growing reputation?" Saint Mars asked with a grave expression.
The others frowned as well. They had already received Imu's instructions. There was no longer any need to suppress information about the Twelve Zodiac; instead, every available lead was to be investigated in the hope of finding Star Lord.
That was why the Twelve Zodiac had been given such outrageously high bounties, and why the Special Envoys for the Inspection of the Nations had been dispatched.
But not suppressing information didn't mean doing nothing. After the Battle of Totto Land, the Twelve Zodiac's fame had grown far beyond what the World Government found acceptable. Something had to be done.
"Isn't there someone among the Marines' New Generation with the codename 'Black Qilin'?" Saint Ju Peter said thoughtfully.
"Yes. The one who defeated the Golden Lion," Nusjuro nodded. "He's quite capable. In time, he should become a very useful blade."
"I've heard quite a few people in the Four Seas already believe he'll become the Marines' main force against the Twelve Zodiac."
At that point, the other three Elders immediately understood what they meant. Whenever they needed someone to oppose "evil," whenever they needed to bury the truth... creating a hero for the public to admire was always an effective method. They had plenty of experience with that.
"Allocate some resources."
"Have Marine Headquarters start promoting him."
"The Twelve Zodiac's reputation is too overwhelming now. The Marines alone won't be enough."
"Then have the people at Enies Lobby join the campaign as well. Exaggerate his accomplishments a little. Give him a few extra achievements."
"He might refuse. Every era has a few idealistic fools like that."
"He doesn't get a choice. Garp refused as well, but in the end, he still had to accept."
"We can also use the newly appointed Warlords for publicity. Kuma has already agreed to the modifications, so he should cooperate."
"But we still haven't decided who'll replace Gecko Moria."
"I do have a candidate."
"Vinsmoke Judge of Germa 66, a ruler of one of the member nations, recommended someone."
Just as they always had, the Five Elders discussed matters that could reshape the balance of power across the seas.
Marine Headquarters, Enies Lobby, the Seven Warlords, the World Government's member nations... to them, they were all nothing more than pieces on a chessboard. Eight hundred years ago, it had been the same. Eight hundred years later, nothing had changed.
The true power of this world... had never left their hands.
(End of Chapter)
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