If the World Government and the Celestial Dragons were not given a satisfactory explanation, Navy Headquarters would suffer immense losses.
Their reputation would also be tarnished.
Aokiji shifted his sleeping position, feeling it was a bit of an overreaction, and retorted, "Wouldn't that make the common people feel that the World Nobles lack magnanimity?"
"The dignity of the Celestial Dragons is inviolable!"
Akainu adhered to his philosophy of absolute justice.
If it meant damaging the power of Navy Headquarters, he would sacrifice even innocent civilians involved, let alone the mysterious man who caused such dire consequences.
He deserved to die.
This would serve as a perfect deterrent for the World Government; if the numerous cruel punishments of the Celestial Dragons were made public, it would surely instill fear in everyone, preventing such absurd and ridiculous acts from ever happening again.
"I second that."
Vice Admiral Tsuru pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
This was indeed the method with the least impact on the Navy, unless the Game Merchant possessed strength comparable to that of the Four Emperors in the New World.
Otherwise, arresting him was the best decision.
Vice Admiral Tsuru added, "Based on the images transmitted by the Visual Den Den Mushi and the intelligence gathered by various branch bases in the East Blue."
"The mysterious man who calls himself the Game Merchant seems to control a sub-dimension called the Reincarnation Game."
"That's the pitch-black tower."
She extended a finger, pointing at the incredibly conspicuous pitch-black tower in the image.
Vice Admiral Onigumo, wearing a helmet engraved with a double-dragon pattern, understood Vice Admiral Tsuru's meaning and asked, "I recall that Charlotte Brûlée, the eighth daughter under the Four Emperors Charlotte Linlin of the New World, is a Mirror-Mirror Devil Fruit user."
He recalled a past encounter with her and said, "Her Devil Fruit ability is to open up a mirror world. This Game Merchant is very likely similar to a Mirror-Mirror Devil Fruit user, having eaten a space-type Devil Fruit."
"That's right, that would also explain the voice ringing in our ears."
Chapon kept nodding in agreement, and after speaking, he secretly glanced at Momousagi.
The tall Momousagi looked straight ahead, completely ignoring him.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's lips curved slightly, agreeing with Onigumo's analysis. She said, "Therefore, the Game Merchant's strength is likely not weak. Even if we dispatch Vice Admirals and prospective Admirals, if we fail to control him with sea stone at the first opportunity, he might escape."
Space-type Devil Fruits are extremely rare, and the power increase brought by a user developing their Devil Fruit should not be underestimated.
The current Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, frowned slightly and asked, "What should we do?"
If it truly was a space-type Devil Fruit, capturing him would be quite troublesome.
Vice Admiral Tsuru stood up, her figure appearing very slender among the group of Marines. She said, "Don't act rashly. I will make contact with him first, ascertain the Game Merchant's Devil Fruit ability and power level, and then make a decision."
"I second that."
"I second that."
"I second that…"
Next came the discussion of detailed issues: countermeasures if the Game Merchant's strength proved too great after contact, countermeasures if the capture failed, and so on…
Just as the meeting was about to conclude,
Buru buru buru…
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out.
Sengoku pulled the Den Den Mushi from his pocket, and upon realizing it was the secret Den Den Mushi specifically used to contact the Five Elders, his head immediately began to throb.
He didn't even need to think; this was a call from the Five Elders to hold him accountable for the provocation of the World Nobles that had been exposed.
After all, with such a major incident stirring up the entire East Blue, and with Morgans, the newspaper president, fanning the flames, it would be difficult for the Five Elders not to know.
Standing up and leaving the room, Sengoku entered the adjacent lounge, gritting his teeth as he answered the Den Den Mushi, bracing himself for the coming storm.
"Is that Sengoku?"
"It is I, Saturn Saint."
Listening to the voice of the Godhead of Science and Defense coming from the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku only felt his head ache. This was the busiest of the Five Elders, and he hadn't expected him to call personally.
"Do you know about the situation in the East Blue?"
"Navy Headquarters has already received intelligence and is preparing to dispatch Headquarters forces to apprehend the Game Merchant and hand him over to the World Government for handling."
Sengoku finished speaking, feeling apprehensive.
Although he could be fearless of the Five Elders, he still bore the responsibility of Fleet Admiral. Once the Five Elders became enraged, Navy Headquarters, under his command, would likely face sanctions from various sides.
At that point, he, as Fleet Admiral, would be undeniably responsible.
After a moment of silence from the Den Den Mushi,
Saturn Saint's voice slowly came through, saying, "Put the apprehension on hold for now."
"Huh?"
Upon hearing this, Sengoku froze in place.
In the past, when incidents involving damage to the World Nobles' reputation occurred, the Five Elders' orders were always to eradicate the problem completely and without reservation, as a warning to all rebellious elements harboring lucky.
This time, they were asking to put the Game Merchant, who had provoked the Celestial Dragons, on hold temporarily?
Although he was inwardly puzzled, Sengoku answered without hesitation, immediately saying, "Understood!"
Saturn Saint's stern voice came through, "Dispatch personnel from Navy Headquarters to make contact with the Game Merchant. Without angering him, try your best to ascertain his strength and the nature of his Devil Fruit ability."
"This…"
Upon hearing this request, Sengoku's confusion deepened.
Not being able to anger the Game Merchant while also needing to ascertain his strength—this level of complexity was even more troublesome than dealing with the Four Emperors of the New World.
Was an ignorant Devil Fruit user worth such extensive efforts from the Five Elders?
Sengoku didn't know, and he didn't want to think about it.
Having reached the position of Fleet Admiral, his political awareness was quite keen, and he had already caught a whiff of something unusual.
Continuing to think about it would offend the Five Elders.
He could only say… the Game Merchant was not as simple as he seemed.
Just as he was about to hang up the phone, Saturn Saint's voice rang out again, "The pirate Buggy once served as an apprentice on the Oro Jackson and has been active in the East Blue region ever since."
Sengoku was slightly puzzled. Why bring up the pirate Buggy now?
Were they planning to apprehend Buggy, who had been harmed by the Game Merchant's reward?
"He is very likely a Celestial Dragon who was lost to the outside world. Pangea Castle has detailed genealogies and inheritance records. Do not overstep etiquette; you must bring him back to Mariejois completely unharmed!"
Saturn Saint's voice was like a heavy hammer striking Sengoku's mind.
Are you kidding me!
Sengoku's heart pounded. How could such a coincidence happen?
The Game Merchant just happened to choose the pirate Buggy, the prize was Celestial Dragon Bloodline, and then Saturn Saint immediately confirmed it?
The most likely explanation for this matter was that the Game Merchant possessed secret information about Buggy's Celestial Dragon identity, had planned in advance, and intentionally exposed Buggy's Celestial Dragon identity by issuing a reward.
Because he possessed secrets related to the Celestial Dragons, even Saturn Saint had to handle him cautiously.
It should be like this, right?
It couldn't be…
A mere pirate actually became a World Noble because of a lucky draw from the Game Merchant's roulette wheel?
What was that?
A god who could make wishes come true?!
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