Chapter 175: The Five Elders' Decision
"If this continues, the direction of the world will become completely unpredictable," the blond elder said, his face turning grim. "But there's no doubt now—in the current New World, Blue Demon's strength surpasses all others."
"Indeed," added the long-bearded elder with a sigh. "With his power and charisma, he could reach the same heights as Rocks if he wanted to."
Everyone in the room fell silent, troubled. One Rocks was gone, and now another Blue Demon had emerged.
"You've seen the Viper's intel, haven't you?" the elder with the curved beard asked.
"We have," the other four replied.
The curved-beard elder stood up and looked out the window. "That man doesn't seem interested in expanding his influence. He left Warship Island without lingering, and it doesn't look like he plans to return either."
"After all, Warship Island is a strategic location capable of mass-producing warships. Anyone still harboring ambitions for conquest wouldn't abandon it. It's clear Blue Demon has his own distinct path."
Hearing this, the other four looked at each other in surprise. Luo Han 's choice had clearly defied their expectations.
"Could it really be, as CP0's psychological profile suggests," the elder with the cane said in disbelief, "that Blue Demon has no ambition to dominate the world and is truly a man content to go with the flow? The kind who won't get angry unless provoked?"
"It's hard to imagine a man with that kind of personality awakening Conqueror's Haki," the blond elder said in amazement. The others nodded. Normally, those with Conqueror's Haki were people of overwhelming will and ambition. But someone with immense power and such a laid-back nature… this was the first time the Five Elders had encountered such a case.
But still…
"No matter what kind of person Blue Demon is, it no longer matters. His power is real—and no one can ignore him," the sword-bearing elder said, casting a heavy gaze over the room. "The most critical thing is this: in 29 years, that Fruit will reappear. We will go to war with Blue Demon. And after what happened with Rocks, you should all understand the cost that might come with it."
The room tensed.
Just the thought of another battle like the God Valley Incident made their heads ache. The World Government couldn't afford that level of loss again. Otherwise, not just the New World—even the first half of the Grand Line, and the Four Blues—could slip from their control.
"So here's my proposal…" the curved-beard elder stepped forward. "We implement a total blackout policy on Blue Demon. After God Valley, his appearance changed drastically. No one will recognize him. We seal off all information about him and let his name vanish with Rocks in the dust of history."
"Without fame or a title, and with his disinterest in conquest, no new powerful allies will seek him out. That means no more groups like the Rocks Pirates forming around him. When the time comes in 29 years, we'll only have to face Blue Demon and Beastman Cole. The rest of his companions are negligible."
After some thought, the others nodded in agreement. It was worth a try.
"Alright, we'll proceed as you suggested," said the sword-wielding elder on behalf of the others. Then, frowning, he added, "What about Viper? According to the intel, Blue Demon's Observation Haki has extraordinary range. If she stays close too long, she risks being discovered. And she's still a high-ranking combat asset. Losing her would be unfortunate."
"I've already planned for that," the curved-beard elder replied, face emotionless. "When Blue Demon first returned to Warship Island, I gave her a long-term assignment. She's to remain close without reporting anything back. For the next 29 years, she's to focus on one goal—become his woman."
Ah, the classic honey trap.
The others' eyes lit up.
"That might actually work," one muttered. "Blue Demon's still only around twenty. He's young and impulsive. With his temperament, Viper might truly be able to bring him under control."
"Very well. We'll proceed with that strategy. Let the Navy handle the current chaos in the New World," the long-bearded elder concluded. Then he raised another question, "But what about the Fleet Admiral's position? Someone must take responsibility for this failure. The losses were too severe."
They all fell silent.
Eventually, the blond elder spoke. "Let's wait a few more years. It's too early now. When the time comes, let Kong take the post."
"Agreed," the others replied.
And so, the candidate for future Fleet Admiral was confirmed. Roger's era was slowly rising, and across the New World, powerful monsters were emerging. With the fall of Rocks, the suppressive force of his presence vanished—and the floodgates burst open.
In this transitional period between the Rocks Era and Roger Era, even Whitebeard and Golden Lion only shone in their own corners. Kaido and Big Mom went quiet, and little was heard of them.
As for Luo Han , the man known as Blue Demon, he completely vanished alongside Rocks—erased by the World Government's blackout protocol.
Years later, people only remembered the Lord of Eternal Night—Night King. The name Blue Demon was forgotten by all but the oldest generation. Only they knew how terrifying that man had been—the one who broke through Rocks' Haki with a single blow and could annihilate an island at the slightest provocation.
...
And that very man, now casually destroying islands when annoyed, after five days of sailing, finally crossed the Red Line by air as dusk approached.
Passing through the cloud corridor parted by Luo Han 's powers, the ship slowly descended toward the sea, heading to their next destination.
"It's huge…" Luo Han marveled, standing at the ship's edge, looking back at the Red Line flanking both sides. The landmass stretched beyond sight, its peaks lost in the clouds—it felt like they were truly at the end of the world.
"Yeah! Luo Han , this is my first time seeing the Red Line. I never thought it'd be so massive!" Aishi stood beside him, eyes wide with awe. Having spent most of her life in the New World, she'd never imagined such grandeur.
Ellis, on Luo Han 's other side, was equally stunned. She hadn't grasped its scale from the air, but down here at sea level, it was overwhelming. Even natural disasters like tsunamis or storms seemed trivial before this monolith. It was like nature itself bowed before it.
Only a landmass this vast could divide the seas of the world, Ellis thought to herself.
The calmest among them were Cole, Sister Shao, and Sora. Cole didn't care. Sister Shao and Sora had clearly seen it before—they didn't react like the others.
"Luo Han , we're heading to Sabaody Archipelago, right?" Sister Shao asked, her tone confident.
"Huh? We are?" Aishi gasped. "That's the island big sis always talks about!"
Luo Han paused, then smiled bitterly. "How'd you guess, Sister Shao?"
Everyone turned to her curiously.
Sister Shao chuckled. "It was my first choice too. I just didn't say it—I wanted to see what you meant by a 'dream island.' When I saw you sailing steadily in this direction, over the Red Line and into these waters, I figured your destination was probably Sabaody Archipelago."
"Well then, since we're in agreement—next stop, Sabaody!" Luo Han laughed, then accelerated the ship toward the cluster of islands.
(END CHAPTER)
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