World: "So this time, we're actually going to crush the Big Mom Pirates, huh?"
Bullet smiled. "Honestly? I've been looking forward to taking down one of the Yonko"
Everyone assumed the goal of attacking Whole Cake Island was simple — destroy Big Mom's crew.
The mood was a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Sitting at the head of the table, Elior spoke,
"We're not going there to annihilate Big Mom and her people. We're going to beat them down first, overwhelm them — and then form an alliance."
"Alliance?"
"What's the Captain thinking?"
People didn't quite get it.
Elior continued, "Put simply — we make Big Mom and her crew part of our power."
In truth, Elior intended to make both Big Mom and Kaido his subordinates. As long as he was strong enough, even a Yonko-level being like Big Mom would have to submit.
In this world, strength is absolute — and everyone bows to it.
The alliance Elior spoke of was just a stepping stone. First, form a temporary truce — then, absorb them into his command.
Even Bullet started as an "ally". Now he was loyal like a subordinate.
Elior pressed on,
"Once we've secured cooperation with Big Mom, we'll regroup — then wipe out the Red-Hair Pirates. Shanks is our next target."
"Destroy the Red-Hair Pirates?!"
Realization spread across the room.
Elior narrowed his eyes.
"That red-haired bastard — I've heard the Gorosei met with him personally. What's his true identity?"
"The Gorosei met with a Yonko?!"
"Is that even possible?"
"They actually received him?"
Everyone was stunned.
Elior said coldly,
"Maybe Shanks is a Celestial Dragon, or maybe he knows something dangerous about the World Government. Either way, he's tied to them. And when the time comes — he goes down."
In the original story, Shanks met the Gorosei, who told him:
"You shouldn't be involved in political matters."
That phrase stuck with Elior. "Involved in politics?" That could mean Shanks is a World Noble himself.
And based on his age, the theory lines up with the God Valley Incident.
Shanks is thirty-six. The God Valley Incident occurred thirty-eight years ago — just two years before Shanks was found as an infant by Roger. It all fits.
Elior was determined to eliminate Shanks — and send this so-called peacemaker to the afterlife, alongside Roger.
"It's hard to believe Shanks is linked to the World Government…"
"Unbelievable… but the pieces fit."
Elior added,
"If we make a move on Shanks, don't be surprised if the World Government tries to back him up. They won't just stand by. Be ready — the battle against the Red-Hair Pirates will be upon us soon. And after that, the Revolutionary Army must also fall."
He knew that attacking Shanks would draw more than just a pirate crew — the government itself might intervene.
That idea wasn't baseless speculation. It was calculated.
Anyone with the clout to personally meet the Gorosei couldn't be taken lightly. If Shanks fell, the World Government would likely retaliate.
As for the Revolutionary Army? Elior had already killed Sabo. That ship had sailed — they were now sworn enemies. Even if Elior didn't hunt them, they would come for him eventually.
He hadn't forgotten about Marco and the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, either. Someday, they'd come for revenge.
The meeting lasted about an hour. In the end, Elior declared:
"We depart for Whole Cake Island in three days."
Participants included Elior's core crew — plus World, Judge and his sons.
Among the women: Reiju, Yamato, Sugar, Bonney, and Baby 5.
Elior would also bring Tama, and planned to have Pudding modify her memories.
Elior's lineup was truly formidable. Their upper-level strength was overwhelming.
On Big Mom's side, aside from herself, only Katakuri posed a threat — and even he couldn't match the likes of Weevil or Bullet. Katakuri was on par with Shiryu, but far below Bullet in raw power.
Then there was World restored to his prime, around forty years old and terrifyingly powerful.
In terms of top-tier strength, Big Mom's side was already outclassed.
That's why Elior was confident. Not just in defeating Big Mom — but in forcing her to cooperate.
And that "cooperation"? Just the first step. Eventually, Big Mom would become his subordinate. Add Kaido into the mix…
The resulting force would be monstrous.
After the meeting, Elior returned to his chambers — only to find someone unexpected.
The Pirate Empress, Hancock, had arrived.
Elior was shocked. He hadn't even gone looking for her… yet here she was, standing at his door.
"I… I just wanted to see the Yonko' new legend… Lord Elior…"
She was blushing so deeply her face looked ready to explode. Her gaze was cast to the ground, her hands fidgeting nervously. For someone with such presence, she now resembled a flustered schoolgirl.
Everyone around was stunned.
Boa Hancock — known as the most beautiful woman in the world — possessed not only peerless beauty, but fearsome strength. A true embodiment of power and grace.
What did her appearance mean?
Reiju, having seen this before, quickly caught on: Hancock was clearly infatuated with Elior.
"This woman… another one for the list?"
Hiyori was even more shaken. She'd always thought her beauty surpassed the rest — Reiju, Bonney, even Yamato couldn't compete. But the moment she saw Boa Hancock, a deep sense of inadequacy overwhelmed her.
This woman wasn't just beautiful — her aura was commanding.
Hiyori felt like nothing more than a decorative doll in comparison.
Among all the women at Elior's side, Hiyori was the only one without powers or combat ability.
Reiju, Bonney, Yamato, Baby 5 — all were powerful. Even Sugar and Tama, still just children, had Devil Fruit powers.
Hiyori? She had beauty. But that was it.
It had been nearly half a month since her capture, and though her hatred for Elior had dulled… something else had started to take root.
Was this what they called Stockholm syndrome? Or maybe just proximity?
Either way, she knew she couldn't fight Elior — one of the strongest men alive.
As for Momonosuke… she didn't know he was dead. Neither did Reiju. No one had seen Elior kill him — it was as if it had never happened.
Another soul lost to the sea.