Very few in the world know the name—but all who do revere it. Even the Five Elders could not remain indifferent when they heard it.
Blood Shadow.
An assassination corps directly under the World Government, made only of elites among elites. Each operative is chosen out of tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands—monsters with terrifying talent and, more importantly, three iron traits: no fear of death, a thirst for blood, and absolute loyalty to the World Government.
To keep the regime stable for centuries, Blood Shadow has culled countless lives that dared resist. Every last one of them is a butcher reeking of slaughter. Among all World Government organs, they are the supreme blade—answerable only to Imu and, beneath Imu, to the Five Elders. And even then, any order to Blood Shadow requires at least three Elders to approve before it can take effect.
So even Kong had to come in person to make the request.
"I see," the Third Elder nodded, then looked at the other four.
One approval wasn't enough. At least two more were needed.
"Clap, clap."
The First Elder signaled. Attendants entered to drag away the two kneeling CP0 agents.
"Spare us! We did everything we could!"
"We're innocent—we were hypnotized! Please—!"
Their pleas were cut off as their mouths were covered and they were hauled out. The doors shut again.
"I can't agree," the Second Elder said at once. "We plan to use Blood Shadow against the Revolutionary Army. If we redeploy to the New World now, those strays will revive."
Ever since the Government turned its gaze from the New World to the Revolutionary Army, the rebels had been driven into complete retreat, forced underground and far less brazen than before. The Five Elders had meant to use this opportunity to send Blood Shadow and net Dragon and his lieutenants all at once.
Who knew Kong would show up today asking to borrow the blade?
They hesitated, and they reflected—with some chagrin—that even for the World Government, opening two fronts at once was… taxing.
Perhaps they had grown too comfortable these years.
Without noticing, new forces had risen everywhere, daring to challenge them.
They each recalled Imu's words: too many "lamps" of history have been lit in this age; it's time to snuff some out.
"The Revolutionary Army is already a beaten dog. I agree to Kong's proposal. Opinions?" the First Elder decided at last, eyes sweeping the room.
"Seconded. The Elder Council's directive is to pacify the New World swiftly. Several Celestial Dragons have already been attacked there—one even fell," the Second Elder raised his hand.
"Not long ago, Imu's own kin nearly died to Big Mom in the New World. If not for Admiral Aokiji's selfless intervention… the consequences would have been unimaginable. The New World must be cleaned up," the Fourth Elder stroked his mustache and nodded.
Three votes—enough to mobilize Blood Shadow.
"This operation's codename was 'Thunderclap.' Change it," the Fifth Elder said, tapping his sheathed longblade against the floor, killing intent leaking from his eyes. "Call it 'Lamp-Extinguish.'"
"I suggest we wait a little," the Third Elder added. "Blood Shadow wounded the Revolutionary Army, yes—but their key cadres haven't suffered decisive losses. If we act, we should at least eliminate two or three of their generals. Otherwise this mission can't be called a success."
All eyes turned to Kong.
"The Navy's headquarters relocation will take another month," Kong replied. "But I can convene the Shichibukai immediately. Timelines will align."
"Fine. If there are no objections, so be it," the First Elder said, scanning the room. No one spoke. The meeting was about to end when—
"One more item," Kong said, and dropped a bombshell. "Among the candidates for the Seven Warlords, there is one Trafalgar Law, captain of the Heart Pirates. He delivered one hundred pirate hearts to the Navy, and he will join our grand convocation in service of the Navy. Therefore, I request—"
"I understand. Remove the 'candidate' qualifier. A small matter," the First Elder waved—then paused.
"One hundred hearts… Could it be?" the Third Elder narrowed his eyes, scenting something unusual.
"Yes. He's an Ope Ope no Mi (Op-Op Fruit) user," Kong said, frowning as he revealed the core.
"What?!" All five Elders shot to their feet, composure shattered.
Kong knew the affair with Creed. Now another Ope Ope user had appeared. The Elders felt as if heaven itself had played them for fools.
Two identical Devil Fruits cannot exist.
One of the two… must be false.
Or perhaps… a hierarchy of upper and lower variants?
"Damn it! Are you certain?" the Third Elder roared.
"Impossible… Creed must be the Op-Op user," the Fourth Elder muttered, losing his calm. They had coveted Creed's power back then, provoking him into rampaging in the Holy Land, defecting from the Marines, and becoming the New World's Fifth Emperor. Thinking back made their cheeks burn.
And yet, they had no better way to erase him now that he had grown into a storm they could neither ignore nor smother.
"If the original intel was wrong—if Creed never possessed the Op-Op Fruit—then behind this mess…"
"Doflamingo," the Second Elder hissed between clenched teeth.
The culprit was already dead; there was no one left to hold to account.
"Creed's power is still the Op-Op Fruit's beyond doubt," the First Elder said coldly. "We saw him graft a Celestial Dragon's head onto a dog—that is the stuff of legend, and it matches the fruit."
"That Law… the new Warlord," another Elder said, eyes flashing. "What do we do with him?"
"We proceed with absolute caution," Kong answered. "We cannot afford even a single misstep this time."
The council chamber fell into a long, heavy silence.
Outside, the light dimmed—as if a lamp had been covered by a ruthless hand.
(End of Chapter)
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