"Report to the Gorosei," Kong said respectfully, "Hawkeye Mihawk, Empress Hancock, and Doflamingo are currently supporting Ashveil."
"Hmph," Saint Jaygarcia scoffed, his voice sharp and disdainful. "Foolish rebels trying to stop a chariot with their bare hands. Those who fail to see the greater tide of this world will meet only one end—death."
A faint tremor ran through the air as the Five Elders' garments rippled in the wind.
Their Conqueror's Haki burst forth in unison, a suffocating wave of power that crashed through the plaza like a storm. It was directed squarely at the pirates assembled before them—an open warning to remind these opportunists who truly ruled the world.
Even the mighty Kaido and Big Mom fell silent under that pressure. Their monstrous confidence wavered slightly; before the Gorosei, it felt as if their every move and thought were being laid bare.
Kaido's jaw tightened. He remembered that during the God Valley Incident, two of these same Elders had forced him to his knees. Now there were five—each radiating an even greater power than before. Sweat gathered along his brow, though a smirk tugged at his lips.
Still, he was secretly satisfied. With these terrifying men in command, Ashveil's uprising would soon be crushed.
Big Mom, Katakuri, Shiryu of the Rain, Whitebeard Jr., and the others also stayed perfectly still. They had all heard of the Gorosei before, but seeing them in person was something else entirely.
It was no wonder the World Government had ruled unchallenged for eight centuries. Even without the Marines, these five alone could uphold the Celestial Dragons' throne.
Whitebeard Jr., ever the simple one, tilted his head.
"Mama, why are my palms sweating? They didn't even attack us."
Miss Bakkin's voice trembled as she whispered, "Quiet, son. That's Conqueror's Haki—a level so refined it can make even someone like you feel fear."
One of the Gorosei cast a brief glance their way. Instead of reprimanding them, he simply smiled faintly, and the immense Haki slowly receded.
The tension vanished at once, and the pirates exhaled in relief.
Then, Saint Marcus raised his hand.
"Now, I declare that the Government United Army is officially established. Our objective—subjugate Thorne Ashveil. Move out!"
His voice echoed across Marineford, carrying to every ship and den den mushi in range.
The world itself seemed to fall silent. It was the calm before an inevitable storm. Though time had passed since the Marineford War, the name Ashveil still dominated every conversation.
"Do you think Ashveil's defiance against the World Government will go unpunished?"
"Unlikely. But can the Government even win? I heard his strength rivals that of a god!"
"Nonsense. No god can shake an empire that's ruled the seas for eight hundred years. What's coming will be a war like no other!"
---
Far away on the open sea, a pirate ship sailed quietly over calm waters. Its flag bore the mark of a skull with three scars—the Red-Haired Pirates.
At the bow, Shanks held a bottle of sake while Benn Beckman smoked beside him. Neither spoke for a long while, gazing out at the endless horizon.
Finally, Shanks broke the silence.
"This sea… it's growing harder to understand, Beckman."
Beckman took a slow drag, his expression grim. "According to intelligence, the Marines are preparing to move against the Whitebeard Pirates. Should we act first?"
Shanks shook his head. "No. We're too few. Between these colossal forces, whichever side we take could doom us. The Red Hair Pirates must remain neutral."
Beckman nodded, lighting another cigarette. The smoke curled into the night as both men stared into the waves. The pace of history had quickened beyond their grasp.
Neither the Celestial Dragons nor the Whitebeard's legacy could be challenged—not by them. The Red Hair Pirates had stepped off the world's main stage, leaving the era to others.
A faint smile crossed Shanks' lips. "Hahahaha… Beckman, maybe we really are getting old. Whatever future this world has—it now rests on Ashveil."
"I hope that kid can change this rotten sea."
---
Just then, Beckman froze.
From the mist ahead, the silhouettes of hundreds of Marine warships emerged, their hulls glinting under the sun.
Shanks' bottle lowered. His expression hardened. "You've got to be kidding me. The World Government sent this many…?"
Then his eyes narrowed even further. On the lead ship, five familiar figures sat in plain sight.
"The Gorosei…" Shanks muttered.
The Marines drew closer, and one of the Elders, Saint Ethanbaron, his eyes like cold steel—spoke first.
"Shanks. Are you interested in joining the World Government to oppose Ashveil?"
His words carried a crushing resonance. It wasn't mere speech—it was Conqueror's Haki woven into his voice, shaking the minds of everyone who heard it.
The Red Hair Pirates gritted their teeth, barely standing under the weight. Even Beckman staggered slightly.
So this was the power Shanks had warned them about—beings who stood at the pinnacle of the world.
Shanks slowly released his own Haki, the air crackling between them as his aura pushed back against the pressure.
"I will remain neutral, Gorosei."
"Hmph. See that you do. But if you ever join Ashveil's faction… even you will be hunted, Shanks," one of the Elders warned coldly.
The Five Elders' gazes lingered on him for a moment longer before the warships continued past. The oppressive aura lifted, and the ocean fell eerily quiet again.
After a long silence, Shanks exhaled, his expression grave.
______
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