"Are you insulting me, you old bastards???" Rhett was not happy. "Me, Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido — the four of us get along great. Are you declaring war on us???"
The Five Elders' expressions all visibly relaxed for a moment.
Rhett: Idiots. That was for you. Me and Whitebeard get along great. Me, Big Mom, and Kaido share one brain cell among the three of us, hahaha. Praise Lord God Valley once again.
The moment Rhett finished speaking, the Five Elders' tense expressions clearly eased.
The Science and Defense God of Knowledge's attitude even softened. "Rhett, you jest. Don't you want to be the sole Emperor of the Seas? Don't you think dividing the seas into four is too many?"
"Is that so?" Rhett lounged lazily on the sofa, blood mist curling around his fingertips.
Saturn continued, "You raised Shanks. He's close to you. Shanks' identity as a Celestial Dragon can never be erased. If Shanks reclaims that identity, with him as a connection, the seas could finally have some peace. Wouldn't that make it easier for you to wait for the chosen one to appear?"
He looked at Shanks. "What do you think?"
Shanks, who had been eating fruit with his head down, looked up sharply.
Rhett watched Saturn indifferently. Shanks was still too young. The old man was going to lead him around by the nose.
The World Government had ruled the seas for eight hundred years. Setting aside Luffy, Roger had only taken two years to find the Poneglyphs. If you tried to tell Rhett that the World Government couldn't read them, he wouldn't believe you.
"Oh you're that confident, are you" Rhett teased.
The Legal God of Knowledge snorted coldly. "The World Government has ruled the seas since its founding..."
"Save it," Rhett suddenly sat up straight. His crimson eyes stared directly at the Five Elders. "You say Shanks is from the Figarland family, right? Where are his family members? Dead?"
Saturn pushed up his glasses. "The head of the Figarland family is currently carrying out important duties with the God's Knights. He cannot get away."
"Oh?" Rhett raised an eyebrow. "More important than welcoming back his own blood?"
The Environment God of Knowledge explained, "The God's Knights answer directly to Lord Imu. Lord Imu has seen the Poneglyphs, as you know. The priority of those missions..."
"Enough," Shanks suddenly interrupted. His eyes beneath his straw hat were sharp as a blade. "I'm not interested in reuniting with family. As for you all —" He looked around at the Five Elders. "If this is all you wanted to talk about, Big Brother Rhett, let's go."
With that, Shanks stood up directly.
The main reason Shanks could refuse so directly was Rhett. That was right. Rhett gave Shanks that confidence.
Shanks knew that as long as Big Brother Rhett was around, the seas could not fall into chaos. He and Rhett together could suppress the entire ocean.
Shanks stood up. His eyes beneath his straw hat were sharp and imposing. He looked at the Five Elders. His voice was calm, but carried an undeniable weight. "You old gentlemen, if this is all for today, then Big Brother Rhett and I will take our leave."
Rhett stretched lazily. Blood mist swirled around him. He grinned. "What? You're going to miss us? How about... buying us another meal?"
The Science and Defense God of Knowledge said, "Shanks, don't you want to know the truth about the Figarland family? Your bloodline, your destiny —"
"Destiny?" Shanks chuckled. He flicked the brim of his straw hat with his finger. "My destiny is on the sea, with my crewmates. Not sitting around a round table in Mary Geoise."
"Well said, little brother!"
The Finance God of Knowledge snorted coldly. "Arrogant! You think you and Rhett can take on the entire World Government?"
Rhett's eyes flashed red. His smile grew even brighter. "Old bastard, you want to try?"
The atmosphere in the chamber froze instantly. The servants held their breath. Seeing this, the Legal God of Knowledge tried to mediate. "You misunderstand. We're not trying to oppose you. We want to cooperate."
"Cooperate?" Shanks raised an eyebrow. "Cooperate on what?"
The Environment God of Knowledge took over. "The balance of the seas must be maintained. Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom — their forces are growing day by day. If this continues, the entire ocean will fall into endless war."
Rhett laughed scornfully. "What does that have to do with us? You think we're good people or something?! If everyone dies, no one pays the Heavenly Tribute. I won't say who would be upset about that."
Saturn said in a deep voice, "Shanks, you were one of Roger's crew. You should understand what the seas need. Rather than letting those madmen throw the world into chaos, why not let you lead a new order?"
Shanks was silent for a moment. His gaze swept over the Five Elders and finally landed on Rhett. Rhett shrugged. His expression said, "Do whatever you want."
"Lead a new order?" Shanks chuckled. "But I'm not interested."
The Agriculture God of Knowledge slammed the table. "How dare you! You —"
"Enough." Shanks cut him off. His voice turned cold. "I came here today as a courtesy. But since all you want to do is use my identity, this conversation is over."
Rhett stood up. Blood mist surged around him. He patted Shanks on the shoulder. "Let's go, little brother. Listening to these old bastards talk has given me ear wax."
The Five Elders looked at each other. Saturn took a deep breath. "Shanks, we didn't want to resort to this. But what if we offered to release all the captured members of the Roger Pirates we're holding? You know not all of them have Rayleigh or Jabba's strength."
Shanks stopped walking. Rhett's blood mist suddenly exploded. The Black Tide Greatsword cut through the air, swinging down at Saturn's head.
"Mother! You want to play dirty with me?!"
Saturn's glasses shattered instantly. He barely raised his scepter to block. The force drove him to one knee. The floor caved in beneath him.
"Are you insane, Rhett?! Aren't you afraid they'll die?!"
Rhett's Black Tide Greatsword clashed against Saturn's scepter, sending up blinding sparks. The strange runes on Saturn's scepter glowed with dark purple light, holding Rhett's attack at bay.
"You can actually hurt me?" Saturn's voice carried a hint of disbelief. His suit was torn open by the sword aura. A shallow wound oozed blood on his skin.
"What Rocks could do, I can do too." Rhett grinned. The blood mist suddenly contracted, condensing into countless hair-thin blood needles that stabbed toward Saturn from all directions. Saturn slammed his scepter into the ground. A black barrier rose up. The blood needles struck the barrier with a dense chorus of metallic screeches.