But Rhett didn't fall for it. The Five Elders immediately changed their attitude. They watched Rhett kill Celestial Dragons — or perhaps those people had been left outside specifically for Rhett to kill. Just as Rhett had guessed earlier, the Five Elders had never considered those idiots to be true Celestial Dragons.
Emperors send princesses for marriage alliances. The Five Elders send idiot Celestial Dragons. It made perfect sense. Although, putting it that way, it didn't sound very prestigious at all.
As for whether they released the prisoners in the original story, Rhett guessed that they did. Because Shanks had a tattoo on his right arm.
Once he got that tattoo, he would be under Imu's control. Imu could teleport him at will. His fate would be in Imu's hands.
So why not do Shanks a favor and release the prisoners? That would improve their relationship with Shanks. Then it would make sense for Shanks to bet his right arm on the future. You didn't really think the Lord of the Coast could bite off the arm of a future Emperor, did you?
Shanks was silent for a moment. Then he looked up at the Five Elders. A meaningful smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "Alright. Since you're so enthusiastic, I'll reclaim my Celestial Dragon status. But I don't want my identity to be known to outsiders."
It was best not to let things develop in the worst possible direction. The Five Elders felt as if they had seen this scene before. Then they remembered. Rhett had had the same attitude when he agreed to become a Warlord.
They glared at Rhett. Look at the soldier you raised.
But a glint of triumph flickered in the Five Elders' eyes. Saturn immediately stood up. His tone was gentle but brooked no refusal. "Excellent, Shanks. You've made a wise choice. Next, we will take you to the depths of the Holy Land to receive the 'Divine Blessing' — a power granted only to the most noble of Celestial Dragons."
Rhett had been lounging lazily on the sofa. When he heard this, he suddenly let out a cold laugh. "'Divine Blessing'? That sounds an awful lot like putting a collar around your neck. You're not going, little Shanks."
The Five Elders' expressions changed. The Finance God of Knowledge said in a deep voice, "Mr. Rhett, mind your words. This is a Figarland family tradition. Now that Shanks has returned, he naturally must receive the family's gift. It is a power that elevates one above all others. How else do you think we could sit comfortably above everyone else?"
"Gift?" Rhett scoffed. The blood mist churned around him. "Do you think I'm stupid? You're trying to fool me. Looks like you really don't see me as a friend after all."
Saturn's voice remained calm. "Mr. Rhett, we are simply following procedure. If Shanks is to return to the family, he must follow the family's process. Shanks will become stronger. That benefits you as well."
Rhett stood up. The blood mist suddenly spread. The temperature in the entire hall plummeted. He stared at the Five Elders and said, word by word, "Stop lying through your teeth. This 'Divine Blessing' of yours — isn't it just that undead old bastard Imu carving a tattoo onto Shanks's body so he can teleport him to the Holy Land at any time or even kill him on the spot? You hid the Celestial Dragons this time. Next time I come back, what can you do to me? You can hide them for a day, but I don't believe you can hide them for a year."
He couldn't mention the captured Roger Pirates now. The more he mentioned them, the bolder they would become. The more Rhett acted like he didn't care, the more the initiative would be in his hands.
The Five Elders' pupils contracted. The Environment God of Knowledge instinctively stepped back half a step. "You... how do you know?"
"Just a guess." Rhett grinned. The red in his eyes grew deeper. "Did you really think I would just stand by and watch you turn my little brother into a puppet?"
Shanks also smiled. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "You old gentlemen, you really know how to scheme."
Saturn's face darkened. He slammed his scepter against the ground. "Rhett! This is the law of the Celestial Dragons! Not even you have the right to interfere!"
"Law?" Rhett laughed. "My law is the only law!"
He suddenly raised his hand. The blood mist formed a giant palm and smashed the table in front of the Five Elders to dust. "Let me make this clear right now. Shanks can carry the title of Celestial Dragon. But if you so much as lay a finger on him, I will turn Mary Geoise into a sea of blood!"
The Five Elders fell silent. The air was frozen solid.
Finally, the Legal God of Knowledge spoke slowly. "...We can make a concession. Shanks does not need to receive the 'Divine Blessing.' But you must acknowledge your status as a World Government member nation. You will not be required to pay the Heavenly Tribute."
Rhett looked at Shanks. Shanks shrugged. "It's just a title. I don't care."