Satan Saint leaned on his cane, the scar on the left side of his face appearing even more hideous in the dim light. He added in his deep, slow voice:
"Lest we forget, Rocks was not the only one who caused a massive disturbance in Mary Geoise back then. Harald was also one of those who incited the riot. It is highly likely that the two of them crossed paths at that time."
He thumped his wooden staff on the ground.
"Two equally arrogant individuals, both possessing formidable power... their alliance is by no means something we wish to see."
"They must be stopped!" In Saint Nusjuro's hand, the Shodai Kitetsu was slightly unsheathed, flashing with a cold light.
"Have CP0 dispatch their most elite agents to find ways to infiltrate, sow discord, or create incidents. We must not allow them to form a smooth alliance."
"Send people over?" Saint Warcury frowned deeply.
"It would be of little significance. Both Rocks and Harald are figures standing at the pinnacle, with firm wills and immense strength. Are they really the type to be easily swayed by mere agents?"
Saint Peter pondered for a moment before proposing a plan:
"Hasn't Harald always wanted Elbaf to formally join the World Government as an Affiliated Nation? Perhaps we can use this as a condition."
Saint Mars looked at him: "What do you mean?"
"Make him offer a pledge of loyalty." A cold light flashed in Saint Peter's eyes. "Have him kill Rocks with his own hands! Use Rocks' head to exchange for a ticket into the World Government."
Saint Peter slowly shook his head, his tone carrying deep concerns:
"But Elbaf... hundreds of years ago, they were supporters of 'that person' and one of the followers of 'D'. To let them formally join the World Government, that Great One might..."
At the mention of "that person" and "D", the expressions of the Gorosei grew even more somber.
The discussion reached an impasse. Whether it was sending CP or using the status of an Affiliated Nation as bait, there were risks and drawbacks that could not be ignored.
Satan Saint said slowly: "Rocks D. Xebec is also a member of that clan. He indeed did not obtain that legendary Devil Fruit, nor does he bear any resemblance to that person, but his own destructive power is already startling enough.
Furthermore, this fellow once broke into the 'Room of Flowers' and managed to escape from that person's hands; he surely knows many secrets! If we let him and Harald get mixed up together, it will definitely cause unimaginable impact on the world! But Elbaf was indeed a supporter of that person in the past..."
Satan Saint thumped his cane on the floor and made a decision: "This matter is of great importance and is no longer something we can decide alone. We must consult... Lord Imu."
No one objected.
The five men straightened their robes, their expressions solemn and even tinged with a hint of awe. They left the room and followed a hidden, majestic staircase toward the deepest part of Mary Geoise, to that supreme location—
The Chamber of the Empty Throne.
The massive circular hall was empty and lonely, as if it were a world of its own.
In the center of the hall stood a giant throne. The entire throne was cast from some kind of dark metal, with a high back carved with ancient patterns, as if it carried eight hundred years of time and secrets.
Strangely, surrounding the base of the throne were twenty weapons of various forms—sabers, swords, spears, axes—plunged into the ground in a circle. They symbolized the original vows of the twenty kings who founded the World Government, representing this place as a symbol of peace where "No King Shall Sit."
However, for some unknown reason, there were currently only nineteen weapons in this place.
The Gorosei arrived before the throne, ignored the symbolic nineteen weapons, and knelt in unison, bowing their heads deeply in a posture of extreme humility.
The empty hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The next moment, without any warning, a blurry figure that seemed to be outlined by pure shadow slowly emerged upon the massive throne that should have been empty.
One could not see its face or discern its form; one could only feel an aura as vast as an abyss, causing an instinctive shudder.
"Mu understands."
A flat voice, devoid of any emotion, echoed through the hall.
"Execute according to your plan. You may leave."
There were no questions, no explanations, only a brief command.
"Yes! Lord Imu!"
The five most powerful men in the world were now like the most submissive servants, rising respectfully and backing out of the hall. From beginning to end, none dared to look up at the figure on the throne.
The empty hall returned to deathly silence once more, leaving only that shadow sitting alone.
After a long while, Imu's unique voice echoed again like a whisper, the words carrying absolute indifference and the arrogance of looking down upon all living beings:
"Rocks D. Xebec... the troublesome D. Clan..."
"However, if you wish to subvert Mu's world, you alone are not qualified. Even with the entire Giant Race... it is the same."
The dark shadow seemed to move slightly, its gaze seemingly piercing through infinite space to land on that land named Elbaf.
"But if you truly succeed in winning over Harald as you wish, it would indeed bring quite a bit of trouble."
The shadow's finger tapped once on the cold armrest of the throne.
"Have God's Knights go and give a slight 'reminder'. As for Harald... if he is sensible, he should know that the era of Giants has long since ended."
The voice gradually faded to inaudibility, and the shadow on the throne quietly dissipated as if it had never appeared.
Leaving only the nineteen silent weapons still surrounding the empty throne... "Captain Linlin! A pirate ship has been spotted approaching us! It's this year's pirate Supernova, 'Bomberman' Smyke! Bounty: 150 million Berries!
This person's conduct is extremely vile; he is obsessed with throwing bombs everywhere and has been confirmed to have destroyed multiple innocent towns and villages! He falls within the scope of targets to be neutralized!"
From the lookout of the st. freya came the clear and calm report of a Heavenly Tribulation female warrior.
After several months of sailing, she had already understood Charlotte Linlin's code of conduct—scum like this who had no bottom line and harmed civilians were their hunting targets.
"Oh? Whose turn is it to act?"
Charlotte Linlin, who was sitting in a specially made beach chair enjoying afternoon tea and desserts, stood up.
"One of this year's Supernovas? It seems we are not far from the entrance to the New World, or rather, the end of that 'Paradise'."
With a slight thought, sci-fi-looking sniper rifles instantly appeared in her hands, their muzzles pointing toward the pirate ship that was recklessly approaching in the distance.
Gölz, who was struggling with a heavy medical book nearby with a bitter face, heard this and felt as if she had heard heavenly music. She immediately threw the book aside, her giant body stood up abruptly, and she waved her fist excitedly:
"It's my turn! It's my turn! Captain, it's my turn to go this time!"
In this nearly month-long period of tedious sailing and heavy "academic" work, only when encountering hostile pirates could Gölz briefly feel a bit of the "joy" of being a pirate.
Compared to gnawing on those difficult medical theories, combat had instead become a form of relaxation for her in a certain sense.
"Fine, I'll leave it to you." Charlotte Linlin nodded, but did not forget to remind her,
"Remember, don't be like last time, recklessly charging over alone while riding Zeus! You almost got shot down from the sky. If you fall into the sea, I won't be able to save you!"
"I know, Captain, I'll be careful!"
Gölz stuck her tongue out, grabbed Napoleon leaning against the wall, and called out,
"Napoleon! Zeus! Let's go!"
"Yes! Big Sister Gölz!" The two Homies responded in unison.
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