For eight hundred years the World Government has ruled the world. In all that time the Celestial Dragons have been "World Nobles," and no one has dared challenge their authority. Was that because they "created the world"?
No. It is because of force.
Powerful force that ensured no one could shake the Celestial Dragon rule.
Marines were one part.
CP organizations were one part.
Holy Knights were one part.
And most importantly, the figure hiding in history, the Victor!
History is written by victors.
So people heard that Celestial Dragons created the world, thus deserving to be World Nobles with supreme power.
Actually, the Celestial Dragons' means of seizing the world were not honorable.
So the Five Elders deliberately concealed this history.
And that victor likewise dared not expose herself to the masses.
But Silas's invasion was equivalent to rampaging through her backyard. If not for Silas's massacre of unevacuated Celestial Dragons, this victor would not have acted so easily.
Because Pangaea Castle still held numerous member nation dignitaries.
"What is happening?"
"Such terrifying Conqueror's Haki. I cannot even summon resistance."
"Did White Wolf Silas do this?"
"Have the White Wolf Pirates not invaded Mariejois?"
"Damn it, I demand answers!"
Inside Pangaea Castle, Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted and instantly made tens of thousands foam at the mouth and collapse, including Holy Land guards and CP agents.
Less than one in ten remained standing.
Member nation strength did not correlate with guard power, but those standing after such Haki had at least tens-of-millions-level bounty strength and more confidence.
So what ordinary dignitaries dared not ask, they did.
"What is really happening outside? Why will you not tell us the situation? Is it really the White Wolf Pirates invasion? Can one pirate crew achieve this?"
A member of the nation guard loudly questioned, drawing surrounding support.
"Exactly. Hours have passed!"
"At least tell us what happened!"
"We need explanations!"
The guards' duty was protection, but the sudden Conqueror's Haki burst had stunned 90% of member nation kings.
However, some kings possessed decent strength themselves.
But as the Five Elders' gazes swept over them, these member nation guards immediately quieted.
Though the earlier Conqueror's Haki was terrifying, the Five Elders' current gazes gave them equal terror of life and death beyond their control.
"Silence!"
Saint Saturn Jaygarcia's cane struck the ground heavily.
"Our power far exceeds your imagination. No one can threaten Pangaea Castle's safety. That power came from our World Government!"
As the highest World Government authority, Saint Saturn's words were like imperial edicts. Ordinary people need only obey.
But some did not buy it.
"Lord Saint Saturn, I want to know one thing!"
A member nation king said gravely.
"There are rumors a Marine Admiral betrayed the Marines."
"Is this true?"
This king's words made Saint Saturn fall silent.
If it were ordinary people, he could ignore them.
But the speaker was the king of Alabasta Kingdom, a major nation in the Grand Line's first half with over ten million people.
Even Saint Saturn could not ignore his words.
"It is true."
Finally Saint Saturn answered.
"A heartbreaking betrayal. Von Braun Rona was seduced by White Wolf Silas, betraying her sense of justice, the Marines, and the World Government."
They finally understood why the situation had deteriorated so badly.
A Marine Admiral's betrayal plus the White Wolf Pirates invasion. No wonder even the World Government was overwhelmed.
Only Alabasta's king knew things were not so simple.
He knew that Admiral.
She was straightforward, considerate, and people-loving—a good Marine.
Though he had courted her in his youth and been rejected, he believed she would never be seduced by mere pirates.
But seeing the Five Elders' displeasure, Alabasta's king knew he could not ask more.
"Lord Imu cannot act again."
"These dignitaries include many weak beings who cannot withstand Lord Imu's Haki."
"Stephens and Lucas must be held responsible!"
"It should be over, right?"
"Since Lord Imu acted, that pirate cannot escape!"
The Five Elders communicated through glances.
If not for these member nation kings, they would have long since charged out to dismember that damn pirate.
A mere pirate daring to invade Mariejois had chosen death!
Outside Pangaea Castle, after Imu's attack landed, Stephens and Saint Lucas's strikes followed, instantly tearing Silas's body.
Stephens' claws pierced Silas's shoulder blade, pinning him to the ground. Saint Lucas's sword stabbed his arm.
Working together, they finally subdued Silas.
"Hahaha, Silas! You have finally fallen into my hands!"
Seeing Silas pinned and powerless, even Stephens could not help laughing aloud.
"What use is strength? From challenging the World Government, you were already dead! I cannot wait to see you in Celestial Dragon hands, becoming the slave you most despise!"
"Finally over."
Compared to Stephens' excitement, Saint Lucas remained calmer.
To him, capturing Silas was natural. Rather, taking this long and forcing that lord to act was shameful.
"Bring Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs!"
Though Imu's attack had severely wounded Silas, and he and Stephens suppressed him together, Saint Lucas remained cautious.
"Right, use Sea-Prism Stone!"
Stephens smiled. Silas was a Devil Fruit user. However strong, Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs would make him a lamb for slaughter.
Though they could kill Silas directly, he had killed so many Celestial Dragons, unprecedented in history.
Direct death was too merciful.
So both planned to break Silas's limbs first, then control him with the Sea-Prism Stone.
Provided Silas truly lacked resistance.
As their words fell, Silas beneath them suddenly trembled.
The wound Imu had inflicted, deep to the bone, began writhing and healing visibly. Stephens found his restraining hand suddenly frozen. Saint Lucas discovered his sword caught by Silas's bones.
"Haaaa!"
Silas roared, muscles suddenly swelling beyond double size.
He admitted Imu's attack had severely wounded him.
But throughout, Stephens and Saint Lucas's attacks remained within his response range!
Direct confrontation with Imu had not been in Silas's plans.
But having invaded Mariejois, he had naturally prepared for encountering the Five Elders and this "crownless king" behind the Celestial Dragons.
However, though prepared, Imu's methods exceeded Silas's expectations.
Whether fruit abilities or Haki, in Silas's impression, except rare abilities, all would weaken with distance.
Yet across dozens of kilometers, Pangaea Castle's attack nearly tore his body apart. His first encounter with such powerful Conqueror's Haki gave him doubt about winning even in direct confrontation.
Now, Silas's full eruption made Stephens and Saint Lucas's expressions change drastically.
"Impossible!?"
"After taking Lord Imu's terrible strike..."
Even Silas could not directly break through two top fighters' blockade, but if he could not go up, he would go down!
"Open!!"
Ignoring Stephens and Saint Lucas above him, Silas roared, gathering all Armament Haki at one point.
Striking downward!
The ground beneath all three shattered like tofu under Silas's blast.
"Want to escape?"
"Do not even think about it!!"
Seeing Silas's intention clearly, if they let him escape now, Stephens and Saint Lucas could consider retirement after this ended.
But Silas never intended to flee!
Realizing capture was impossible, Saint Lucas's eyes hardened as he slashed Silas's arm, directly severing it.
But he had not expected his sword to cut through like tofu, as if Silas offered no defense.
Not good!
Saint Lucas turned to see Silas's remaining arm with fingers together, Conqueror's Haki coating it, pursuing ultimate penetration.
Could Stephens' Armament Haki defend against Silas's Conqueror's Haki coating?
The answer was no!
Always pressing forward to subdue Silas, Stephens never imagined Silas would sacrifice an arm for mutual destruction.
Stephens' attack actually aided Silas's offensive.
Splurt!
Silas's re-bestialized arm pierced Stephens' chest. Though Imu's attack had knocked him from human-beast form, within breaths Silas had re-entered the state.
Imu's Conqueror's Haki was indeed stronger.
But across dozens of kilometers, one attack could not completely suppress him?
"Get out!!"
Silas roared, dispersing all of Imu's Conqueror's Haki from his body along with his own flesh, erupting in blood mist.
But simultaneously, Silas re-entered his state, grabbing Stephens to hurl at Saint Lucas.
"Scram!"
Saint Lucas and Stephens flew together.
"Haha, Imu! You are nothing special!"
Silas laughed wildly. Unknown things inspired fear. Before truly facing Imu, Silas had always been wary of her strength.
But actually encountering her revealed he was not entirely powerless in battle!
"Silas!!!"
From Pangaea Castle, black-red lightning snakes shot skyward, like a pretentious woman's hysteria when her weakness was exposed.
Most importantly, why did Silas know her name!?
"Kill him!!!"
But Pangaea Castle's raging Conqueror's Haki was only impotent fury.
Imu's attack did not come.
Instead, black magic circles appeared around Silas.
Saint Saturn Jaygarcia!
Saint Venus Nusjuro!
Saint Jupiter Shepherd Ju Peter!
Saint Mercury Topman Warcury!
Saint Mars Marcus Mars!
In an instant, the Five Elders who had been in Pangaea Castle all gathered here.
"Haha, too late!!"
If Imu had initially sent five elders to coordinate with Stephens and Saint Lucas against him, Silas's operation could not have achieved such results.
But now, most Mariejois slaves had evacuated.
His objective was achieved!
But the Five Elders, who forcibly teleported beside Saint Lucas, disagreed.
"His condition is failing."
"Lucas, you disappoint us!"
"Lord Imu is angry."
"End this quickly!"
"White Wolf Silas, do not think of escaping!"
As the Five Elders spoke, their bodies began swelling and enlarging, emanating disturbing auras.
Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits!
Five of them!
This was the World Government's true foundation.
The Five Elders alone could match Marine top fighting power.
But Silas showed no fear.
"Haha, I have had enough fun. Time to leave."
Silas picked up his severed arm, reattaching it at the stump before everyone's grave gazes, and it actually reconnected.
"I will remember this slash!"
Silas grinned at Saint Lucas, then unhesitatingly ran toward Mariejois's other side, toward the Grand Line's second half.
"Think you can escape?"
"Stay here!"
Having revealed such ugly forms, how could the Five Elders let Silas escape?
Among them, Saint Mars Marcus Mars as giant bird and Saint Venus Nusjuro as skeletal horse led the charge.
Their speed actually exceeded Silas's by a notch!
Silas roared, dropping to all fours as a giant white wolf.
"Then let us see who is faster!"