Chapter 167 - CHAPTER 167:This Era Is Called Sage of Six Paths

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"Inviting the Roger Pirates to join the battle against the Rocks Pirates in the Valley of the Gods was a mistake on our part," one of the Five Elders said coldly, a hint of regret in his tone.

Although the Roger Pirates had indeed helped eliminate Rocks D. Xebec, their actions had also resulted in the death of two Marine Admirals—Zhenwu and the Black Bat. Worse, they allowed monsters like Ayr to continue living and growing unchecked.

In the end, what seemed like a strategic move turned out to be a short-sighted gamble.

"Still, what's done is done. What matters now is the future of the sea," said the bald Elder with the scar. "Even though the Rocks Pirates have been disbanded, not a single core cadre among them has died."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the luxurious chamber in Mariejois.

"Ayr, Edward Newgate, Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, John, Silver Axe, Ochoku… All of them are still alive and dangerous. Especially Ayr. If allowed to grow unchecked, I fear this sea will produce another Rocks—or worse."

Despite Rocks' demise, Ayr remained a wild card—a warrior who'd already surpassed Zephyr, and even defeated Kong, the former Marine Fleet Admiral. His growth rate rivaled, perhaps even eclipsed, Rocks in his prime.

"If not for Lord Imu's orders forbidding us from interfering directly, Ayr would have been purged from this world long ago," the long-straight-haired Elder said, his expression darkening.

The Five Elders had long understood the cost of restraint.

The Battle of the Valley of the Gods hadn't played out the way they envisioned—not because they lacked the power, but because Imu had explicitly ordered them to remain within the Holy Land.

They were not to intervene directly, only guide Marine deployments and maintain the balance of the world.

Only when the established order faced true collapse would Imu grant them permission to act.

"Given we cannot descend upon the sea ourselves, relying solely on the current Marine structure will not suffice to eliminate what remains of the Rocks pirates," said the Elder with the long scar running across his face.

Marineford had already lost its commander-in-chief, Kong, and two of its three top Admirals.

It was a crippling blow.

With the New World brimming with monsters born of the Rocks era, the Marine's current firepower was woefully insufficient.

"What do we do now?" the Elder with the sword asked, sitting forward. "Shall we report the situation to Lord Imu and request direct intervention?"

"There is no need," the blond-haired Elder replied evenly. "Imu-sama is well aware of what transpired in the Valley of the Gods. If she has not summoned us, it means she does not yet deem the threat absolute."

Imu, the hidden sovereign of the World Government, always operated in the shadows—but there was no doubt she saw all. If she had not ordered their mobilization, then she still considered the situation manageable.

"Approaching her without reason will only displease her," he added. "Imu-sama does not tolerate overreach."

As the unseen ruler of the world, Imu always acted only when balance truly began to unravel.

So far, despite Ayr's rise and the growing strength of the Rocks remnants, she had not moved.

"That means…" the straight-haired Elder sighed, "…we have no choice but to allow these monsters to roam the New World for now."

"We cannot act," the blond Elder affirmed, "but don't forget—pirates may be our enemies, but they are also enemies of each other. Let them devour each other. So long as the foundations of the World Government remain intact, the chaos in the sea means little."

There was a cold, cynical wisdom in his voice.

The New World was already spiraling toward chaos, with no Rocks to unite its monsters.

Without interference, the remnants would naturally clash, tear at each other, and bleed.

And in the meantime, the Marines could regroup—through conscription, military reform, and the rise of a new generation of elite soldiers.

"The best solution is to let them destroy one another," the long-straight-haired Elder agreed.

"But Ayr must be watched closely," the blond Elder reminded solemnly. "His talent and growth already surpass Rocks D. Xebec. Given enough time, he might become not just another Rocks… but something far worse."

Among all the living pirates, only Ayr made the Five Elders feel a faint sense of dread.

He wielded the power of the Rinnegan—reminiscent of ancient power thought lost to myth—and commanded a full-body Susanoo, enhanced by both Conqueror's and Armament Haki. He was a fusion of forgotten ancient forces and the modern world's strongest techniques.

"We wait. If Ayr continues to grow and becomes a true threat to Imu-sama's rule… we will be forced to eliminate him ourselves."

The next day.

Marineford, the Navy's Headquarters.

As the command center of the world's strongest military organization, Marineford was heavily fortified. Artillery batteries lined the coastal walls, and thousands of elite soldiers patrolled every corridor and tower.

The defeat in the Valley of the Gods had shaken them. Rumors swirled that Rocks had died—but so too had a Marine Fleet Admiral and two top Admirals. It was the highest Marine casualty in history.

They could not afford a second blow.

Marine Infirmary, Recovery Ward.

Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr lay on their hospital beds.

Zephyr's condition was the worst. After being soundly defeated by Ayr, he had continued to fight alongside the surviving Marines. Now, his body bore the toll of a thousand scars.

Sengoku and Garp, on the other hand, were not seriously injured. But on Vice Admiral Tsuru's orders, they had been forced to rest.

A rhythmic clack echoed through the hallway outside.

"Kaka kaka kaka…"

The door creaked open.

Tsuru stepped inside, a stack of new wanted posters in her arms.

"I told you, Tsuru, I don't need bed rest," Garp grumbled the moment he saw her.

Despite being stuck in the infirmary, his spirit was undiminished.

"Being around Sengoku and Zephyr is great and all, but it's boring not being able to train!"

"Garp," Tsuru said sternly, "the doctor's diagnosis is clear. Even without visible injuries, you pushed yourself far beyond your limits. You're overworked. That needs to be corrected."

"Overworked? I feel fine!" Garp laughed, flexing his arms. "Look—fit as a Sea King!"

During the battle, Garp had faced Charlotte Linlin—one of the strongest figures from the Rocks era. Although she was on par with him in strength, her evasive style kept her from engaging in a full brawl.

As a result, Garp had burned through his stamina, but avoided serious wounds.

"Even if you feel fine, it's best to let your body recover fully before you return to combat," Tsuru said, her tone softening.

"We need all our strength intact for what comes next."

Sengoku nodded in agreement. "Ayr's still out there. So are Shiki, Kaido, and Newgate. If we're to stop them, we'll need you at full strength."

Garp sighed.

"I know my body, dammit. But I get it. Fine, I'll stay here a little longer…"

Tsuru handed them the new bounty posters.

Ayr's bounty had skyrocketed.

A new era was dawning—an era of monsters.

An era where legends would rise again.

An era that, in time, would be remembered as the Era of the Sage of Six Paths.

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