The flat-capped Elder waved dismissively.
"Fifth—relax. As long as he's from this world, he can't escape our control." His voice carried absolute certainty. "Not while that thing exists."
That thing.
The world origin.
Most of it sat in the hands of those three Celestial Dragon monsters. But the Five Elders—knowing its value—had spent centuries working to steal even a fragment. Only with the Prophecy Fruit's guidance had they succeeded.
That single sliver of world origin? It was the only reason they'd survived nine hundred years.
But he doesn't know.
The flat-capped Elder had no idea that Kai's essence mirrored the Celestial Dragons'. Neither were natives of this world. And both sought the same prize—
The world origin itself.
The difference? The Celestial Dragons' methods were more thorough. More monstrous.
Changing a world's fundamental nature wasn't impossible. But the cost? Extinction for every living thing bound to that world.
Why?
Simple biology. Creatures needed millennia to adapt to environmental shifts. A sudden world transformation? Even humans couldn't survive that—unless they'd reached power levels like Kai's.
The Five Elders opposed the Celestial Dragons, sure.
But they weren't heroes.
They clung to power. To their own survival. Without those motivations, these nine-hundred-year-old fossils would never dare challenge the three remaining Celestial Dragon elders.
After all—they'd lived through the Void Century. They knew exactly how terrifying those three were.
That's why they tolerated the current Celestial Dragons' stupidity. Their arrogance. Their cruelty.
Because they're descendants. That alone makes them untouchable.
"Understood, Boss." The white-haired Elder nodded.
Silence fell over the chamber.
Each Elder lost in thought. Even the bald swordsman—usually obsessed with polishing his blade—sat distracted. His hands moved mechanically over the steel.
Marineford
Fleet Admiral's Office
Sengoku set down the Den Den Mushi.
Tsuru's expression went grave. "What did they say?"
The special Den Den Mushi connecting the Fleet Admiral to the Five Elders was the most secure communication device in the world. Perfect sound quality. Absolute encryption. Even standing meters away, Tsuru couldn't hear a word.
"It's... resolved." Sengoku's voice came out bewildered. "They're not pursuing it."
"What?" Garp blurted out. "That's—wait, that's terrible!"
He froze mid-sentence. Scratched his head.
"Sengoku, you sure you heard right? Those five bastards never let anything slide."
"I'm not you," Sengoku snapped. Then his expression shifted. "I don't know why they made this decision. But it's not bad news for us."
He straightened.
"The World Government pressure is gone. Now we just need to handle the pirate problem."
His eyes locked on Kai.
Kai smiled awkwardly. "Uh... Fleet Admiral. If you need something, just say it."
He took the fall for me in front of the Five Elders. Saw it with my own eyes.
The favor meant little to Kai in the grand scheme. But he acknowledged it. And returning kindness? That was just proper.
Plus—maintaining good relations with the Fleet Admiral had obvious benefits.
Sengoku blinked. He hadn't expected Kai to be so... cooperative.
His tone softened.
"White Dragon Admiral. This situation started because of you—so you'll resolve it." He leaned forward. "Starting today, you're stationed at G-1 Branch. Five years. Full authority over New World operations."
A pause.
"I don't care how you do it. Just keep the pirates from running wild."
"Understood."
G-1 Branch, huh?
After the Summit War, G-1 would become the second Marine Headquarters. Fewer top-tier fighters than Marineford, sure—but equal troop numbers. Equal warships.
He's not just stationing me there. He's giving me complete control.
Kai kept his expression neutral.
Sengoku really trusts me.
Tsuru's eyes gleamed.
She'd caught the subtext immediately. Full authority over G-1. Complete control of New World operations.
He's grooming his successor.
Kai didn't think that far ahead. And honestly? Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
Fleet Admiral? Five Elders? If he wanted those positions, nothing could stop him from taking them.
News Coo Headlines - Next Morning
WHITE DRAGON DOMINATES WARLORDS!
New Admiral defeats all Seven Warlords single-handedly at Marine Headquarters!
"SEVEN WARLORDS OF THE SEA" ABOLISHED!
Replaced by new system: "Marine Seven Warlords"
WORLD GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING!
The seas exploded with the news.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
📚Dying to read more? Find it on Patreon!
Jump ahead to Chapter 70now!
Plus, unlock 10+ other exclusive novels!🔥
✨patreon.com/DarkGolds