In the meeting room of the Fleet Admiral's office.
Only six people were present: Sengoku, Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Akainu, Kizaru, and Fujitora. Aokiji was still in the New World and didn't attend this meeting.
Brannew wasn't even allowed to listen in.
In no time, Kizaru laid out everything he had seen and heard in Mariejois. And right after that, everyone in the room looked completely stunned.
The entire meeting room stayed silent for three whole minutes.
"Borsalino, are you saying that the Five Elders—the top authority of the World Government—Commander-in-Chief Kong, and Saint Garling, all bowed down to that mysterious man?"
Akainu's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water.
The cigar in his mouth had been burning quickly ever since he entered the room, like it had caught fire on its own. In just a short while, he had already gone through four of them.
"That's right~"
"What we know for sure is, he's someone we've never seen before. But he's definitely a Celestial Dragon."
Even though Kizaru had done everything he could to calm the storm inside, ever since he left Mary Geoise, his emotions had been like crashing waves—surging up and down without rest.
"A king among the Celestial Dragons? Or maybe... the king of everyone in this world..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru stared blankly ahead, as if muttering to herself, or maybe asking the void.
"How many monsters like that are hiding among the Celestial Dragons? They've ruled this world for 800 years... who knows what other secrets they're still hiding…"
Fujitora opened his pale eyes and turned his head toward the window.
It was as if he was trying to see through it, to uncover the truth hidden in the darkness.
"If that's really the case... Tsuru, can your plan with the Dream Exploration Group still move forward smoothly?"
Kizaru's gaze was sharp like an arrow, shooting straight at Vice Admiral Tsuru, Sengoku, and Garp.
Akainu, sitting at the head of the table, looked like a silent volcano. His face was so grim it sent chills through the room. No one could guess what he was really thinking.
Just then, Sengoku finally spoke.
"No matter what hidden cards the Celestial Dragons still have, one thing is clear: the World Government must change. If not, the Marines will never be able to carry out our own version of justice!"
"I completely agree."
Fujitora's voice was calm like still water, yet carried a sense of unshakable resolve.
*Bloop bloop bloop~*
...
Right then, Vice Admiral Tsuru's transponder snail suddenly rang out, like a sudden bolt of lightning cutting through the heavy mood in the room.
"Kuzan, did something happen?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru quickly picked it up and asked Aokiji directly.
"Ah la la~"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, is everyone there?"
Aokiji didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked a question.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced around the meeting room and then said,
"We're all here. Just speak your mind."
"Looks like Borsalino's already back at HQ... then I won't hold back. Just now, Ryuen told me something huge…"
Aokiji's voice was low and heavy, like distant thunder.
"What happened? Just tell us, Kuzan!"
There was a hint of urgency in Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone.
"Everyone~"
"During the battle between Ryuen and the Five Elders at Mary Geoise, all of the Five Elders revealed the true forms of their Devil Fruits..."
Aokiji began to explain everything that had happened before Kizaru arrived at Mary Geoise.
...
"All of them are Mythical Zoan types... and they all have Conqueror's Haki? Heh heh... So this is the true power at the top of the World Government..."
Akainu finished speaking with a twisted grin on his face.
"Kuzan, are you sure what Ryuen said is true? That the Five Elders have regeneration powers?"
Sengoku's voice was as heavy as a block of lead.
"Knowing the kind of person he is, he would never make something like this up."
Aokiji answered seriously.
...
"Alright, we understand."
Vice Admiral Tsuru replied softly.
*Click~*
...
After the call ended, the six people in the room all had different expressions.
Even Sengoku, Garp, and Vice Admiral Tsuru—who had once fought in the intense battle at God Valley—had never seen the Five Elders actually fight, let alone know what Devil Fruit powers they had.
But now, not only did they learn what powers each of the Five Elders had, they also found out that these people had bizarre regeneration abilities.
This news made them start to waver.
Could they really change the Marines? Could they change a world government that held such overwhelming power?
No one in the room had an answer.
"Wahahahaha~"
"In any case, my resolve is solid as a rock. This world *does* need change. If not, we Marines will lose even the right to make our own decisions. What kind of justice is that?" Garp suddenly burst out laughing.
"Hehehe~"
"I completely agree with Garp. The Marines *must* have the power to make our own decisions," Akainu said—surprisingly, he was the first to back Garp.
The other four exchanged looks, then slowly nodded in agreement.
~~~~~~
Magiatsuka Kingdom.
Fifteen Marine warships had already left. Even though they had expected this, everyone still let out a sigh of relief.
After all, they didn't want to wipe out such a strong force like the Marines. In the long-term plans of the Dream Exploration Group, the Marines still had a very important role to play.
"What a bunch of rude Marines!"
"Hey!"
"You stupid woman! Why did Ryuen let them go?" At the edge of the port city, Hancock pointed at Nami like a proud peacock, full of arrogance.
"You're the stupid one! Your whole family is stupid! And why should I tell you anything? This is Dream Team business. It has nothing to do with you, woman!" Nami snapped back, furious.
The others stood by silently, pretending not to notice. None of them tried to break up the fight—some of them were even secretly enjoying it and wanted to stir things up more.
"Hehehe~"
"If I hadn't shown up in time, you'd all be blown to bits by the Marines right now!" Hancock looked down at the whole Dream Team, smug as ever.
...
Sabo and the others instantly backed away from the two sides like startled birds.
"Woman, do you want to see what it feels like to get cut?" Kuina drew her sword, Wado Ichimonji, and stood like an iceberg, staring coldly at Hancock.
Hancock's words had lit a fuse. Everyone in the Dream Team was now pissed off!
Even though this woman had deep ties with their group, at this moment, they all kind of wanted to cut her down!
Just then, Nami stepped up to Hancock and held out her hand.
"Stupid woman, what do you want?" Hancock glanced at Nami with disdain.
"The stupid woman wants her money back. Pay up. You've owed me for long enough." Nami stared at Hancock with a blank face, her voice as cold as ice.
Hancock's face instantly froze. She stammered, "Uh… I don't have that much Beli right now… So I can't pay you back yet…"
"You've got some nerve for someone who owes money!" Nami shouted angrily at Hancock.
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