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Koala would never forget it—the battle at the Holy Land of Mary Geoise six years ago that had shaken the foundation of the world.
Even though she had been very young at the time, tortured by the Celestial Dragons to the point of near-catatonia, the images of that battle remained etched in her mind. It was a scene so vivid it felt like it happened only yesterday, a brand upon her soul that refused to fade.
The Thunder Emperor, Arthur, standing alone against the backbone of the Revolutionary Army, striking down the Fish-man leader Fisher Tiger on the spot... At that moment, the Thunder God had descended, and his demon-like phantom had made the world tremble.
"A monster, huh?" Sabo grinned, looking genuinely intrigued. He was missing a front tooth, giving his smile a rakish edge.
Two years ago, just as he was preparing to set out to sea alone, he had been struck by the cannon fire of a Celestial Dragon inspecting the East Blue. The Revolutionary Army, having arrived in the East Blue to rescue refugees from the Goa Kingdom, found him by chance and brought him back to their base.
Unfortunately, having nearly died, he had forgotten his sorrowful and joyful past. He had even forgotten his two brothers, Ace and Luffy—without some form of severe shock, he would likely never recall his former life.
"What's up with Leader Dragon? He went silent the moment the Thunder Emperor was mentioned. He promised he'd train me personally today!" Sabo watched Dragon leave in silence, feeling a bit of adolescent frustration.
"Hmph, stop complaining... Hack is still waiting for us!" Koala raised her hand and rapped Sabo on the forehead.
"Even if it's rude, I'm going to go see what's going on!" Sabo's eyes darted around, and he began to stealthily follow Dragon's footsteps.
"Wait for me!!"
The two of them crept along together, trailing their leader.
In Leader Dragon's private quarters, he sat on the edge of his bed, clutching a photograph in his hands. In the photo, Garp's aged face was split by a hearty, boisterous laugh while he casually picked his nose...
"Thunder Emperor Arthur... the blood feud for my father... I won't let this go easily!" Dragon's expression was dark and terrifying.
To the Revolutionary Army, the ideal of ending the World Government's unequal rule stood above all else, but that didn't mean Dragon would abandon his family bonds while executing that mission. Their intelligence network had long since permeated the Navy and the World Government—obtaining the suppressed news of Garp's death had been trivial.
..............
World Government, Mary Geoise.
The Five Elders, draped in their great cloaks, walked side-by-side along the path leading to the Empty Throne.
They strode with heads held high. The guards on either side bowed respectfully, clearing the way for them to pass. These five men represented the highest known authority in the world, but the World Government was built upon the ruins of a Great Kingdom from eight hundred years ago. Having stood for eight centuries, its foundations were far deeper than any ordinary person could fathom.
Above the Five Elders, a figure known as Imu-sama loomed like a thick mist—shrouded in absolute mystery.
"The Thunder Emperor has obtained the Ancient Weapon, Poseidon, and actually had the audacity to announce it to the world. Along with that golden fortress that will be finished in a few years and those Lineage Factor soldiers..."
"We cannot allow him to continue developing. Such a restless entity must be erased!"
"To think Fish-Man Island possessed the Poseidon and never reported it to the Government... Had we known, a Buster Call should have leveled the place long ago."
"We've arrived. The fact that Arthur now holds two Ancient Weapons must be reported to Imu-sama. We must ask for his judgment!"
The five men looked incensed as they quickened their pace. The Thunder Emperor's growing power had truly made the World Government uneasy.
Repeated attempts at suppression had ended in failure, resulting in the loss of too many high-level combat assets. Men of the caliber of Kong, Garp, and Kizaru were not easily replaced. Furthermore, Arthur's actions were unlike those of a typical pirate—he wasn't just chasing a dream of freedom. He had assembled a crew of unprecedented strength, making the Government feel as if they were facing the ghost of the Pirate King, Roger.
The Giant Village and Fish-Man Island had been annexed—the Ancient Weapons Poseidon and Pluton were within his grasp—he had found a way to consume multiple Devil Fruits—he possessed the near-immortality of Pure Gold—he held Vegapunk's technology, which was five hundred years ahead of the world—and he possessed an army of thousands of clones modeled after himself.
Any one of these things, aside from Fish-Man Island itself, was enough to make the World Government wary. Combined with the fact that Arthur himself stood at the absolute summit of strength, their anxiety had become a fever pitch.
What happens when a man possesses peerless strength and a fleet capable of challenging the World Government? Does he settle for pleasure and indulgence?
Given Arthur's obsession with combat, the answer was obvious. One day, when he could no longer find the passion for battle elsewhere, would he turn his sights toward the World Government to challenge their very legacy and achieve true dominion over the seas?
The possibility was there. And as long as even a sliver of a chance existed, they had to prevent it.
"That cursed Thunder Emperor... what a headache!"
The crowds around them thinned until a towering palace that seemed to connect sky and earth appeared at the end of the road. It was taller than any other structure in Mary Geoise. Pushing open the massive, sky-high doors, the Five Elders felt as if they were entering another world.
It felt like an ancient deity was stirring from its slumber.
The Five Elders did not dare look up. These men, who held the highest authority in the public world, became as obedient as children, bowing their proud heads toward the Empty Throne. They knelt upon the floor in unison, respectfully seeking guidance from the mysterious entity above.
"We greet you, Imu-sama!!"
Their voices echoed through the vast, empty hall, followed by a deathly silence.
Ahead, the Empty Throne sat on high. Countless steps led upward toward it, divided into two distinct levels. Between the levels, rows of razor-sharp swords remained planted in the ground.
Receiving no immediate response, the Five Elders offered no complaint. They remained prostrate, prepared to kneel until the end of time if the figure on the throne did not issue a command.
Finally, there was movement on the silent throne. The five men looked up as one.
"Imu-sama, the Thunder Emperor Arthur now possesses two Ancient Weapons. Allowing him to continue unchecked will threaten the rule of the World Government. Shall we mobilize our full strength to erase him from history?"
"..."
A heavy silence hung over the throne. Then, on the table before the seat, a sharp blade pierced through three photographs with a soft thud.
The top photo was of the Thunder Emperor, Arthur. Layered beneath it were Princess Shirahoshi and the Revolutionary Leader, Monkey D. Dragon.
"Joy Boy... Poseidon..."
The mist-like Im finally spoke, his eyes opening to reveal a gaze like that of an apex predator, sending a shiver down the spine. The Five Elders quickly lowered their heads.
"Send men to bring back the Poseidon. If she cannot be brought back... then erase her. She will appear again eventually."
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