Holy Land Mary Geoise, within the Hall of Power in Pangaea Castle.
Five candlesticks burned quietly in the center of the round table, the flickering flames casting the shadows of the five elders onto the wall embedded with a world map. The hall was filled with the scent of sandalwood mixed with parchment, heavy curtains blocking out all sound from the outside.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, picked up a gilded teacup. The clink of porcelain was particularly sharp in the silent hall. "Hmph. He's nothing but a pirate. To think he dares to negotiate with the World Government just because he has a bit of strength!" His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the mahogany tabletop, the gemstone rings on his knuckles gleaming coldly in the candlelight.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, was intently polishing the Shodai Kitetsu in his hands, a silk handkerchief gliding back and forth over the blade. The blade reflected his deep-set eyes, a cold light flowing between the wrinkles. "Enough. He's just a mere pirate. Even if he has some strength, there's no need to be overly concerned." He spoke without looking up, his voice like a blade sliding over silk. "If you really can't stand the sight of him, just have the Marines exterminate him. It would also serve to suppress the Navy. Recently, there have been some... unfavorable whispers within the Navy."
Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, flashed a cold glint in his eyes upon hearing this. He adjusted his gold-threaded cravat and sneered, "Hmph, the Navy does indeed need a lesson. To dare harbor opinions against the World Government over a mere Zephyr..."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn set down his teacup, the porcelain clinking crisply against the table. He opened the gold-embossed report before him, the parchment rustling. "Suppressing the Navy is feasible. But as for Kaido... we should leave him be for now." He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. "After all, the World Government still needs the seastone produced in Wano Country." He paused, his fingertip tracing the data charts on the report. "Recently, Vegapunk's research has made a breakthrough. Ships loaded with seastone can safely pass through the Calm Belts. If we can obtain enough seastone, the benefits gained by the World Government will increase significantly." At this point, he frowned slightly, his glasses reflecting a cold light. "I also wonder how that brat Kaido managed to resolve the situation in Wano. I remember that country was particularly xenophobic, wasn't it?"
Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, stroked his gray beard, the golden rings tied at its ends swaying gently. He said thoughtfully, "The transaction is acceptable. But trading three Devil Fruits every year... won't that cause the Beasts Pirates' power to expand too rapidly?"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, suddenly revealed a meaningful smile. He rotated the jade thumb ring on his finger, the World Government emblem engraved inside faintly visible. "They are just ordinary models. Even if there are more, they are nothing but ants to the World Government." His voice was low. "Moreover, territory in the New World is limited. For an ambitious pirate like Kaido, once he stabilizes Wano, he will certainly expand his influence outward." He opened another file. "I recall Golden Lion Shiki has also been expanding his territory recently."
"Correct," Saint Topman Warcury took over, his fingers lightly rapping the table. "We can arrange for the moles embedded within the Golden Lion Pirates to secretly guide Shiki to expand his influence towards Wano Country."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro sheathed the Shodai Kitetsu, the gem on the hilt colliding with the scabbard mouth with a clear metallic sound. He pondered for a moment. "If I remember correctly, both Golden Lion Shiki and Kaido of the Beasts were once part of that pirate crew. Could this give them an opportunity to ally?"
"Overthinking it," Saint Marcus Mars said directly. He picked up a crystal glass and took a sip of red wine. "Whether it's Golden Lion Shiki or Kaido of the Beasts, neither pirate would submit to another now." He set down the glass, leaving a damp ring on the table. "If the two of them meet, they will be like fire and water. Even if they might hesitate to engage in a total death battle due to various considerations, they would absolutely never ally."
"Exactly," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter glanced at the other four, his gaze appearing particularly profound in the candlelight. "However, the cooperation with Kaido has given me an idea for a plan to severely suppress the Navy's arrogance."
Hearing this, the gazes of the other four Elders focused on Saint Shepherd Ju Peter. The candle flames danced in his eyes, as if burning with some dangerous notion.
"What do you say," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter slowly began, his voice mellow and dangerous like aged wine from a cellar, "if we were to officially pardon a portion of the capable pirates, granting them the right to legally plunder?" He paused, observing his colleagues' reactions. "Of course, this legal plundering right would only apply to those islands that are not member nations of the World Government." He unfolded a map, his fingertip moving between several islands. "This would serve two purposes. First, to warn the Navy, to tell them clearly that the Navy is nothing but the World Government's rag. Second, to intimidate those World Government member nations and non-member nations that have divided loyalties."
Saint Marcus Mars immediately shook his head in opposition, his white hair shimmering like silver threads in the candlelight. "No, that's too radical. It might provoke a backlash from the Navy."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro placed the scabbard on his knee, his fingers lightly tracing the patterns on the hilt. "Indeed. Right now, the Navy is just grumbling a bit because of the Zephyr incident." He looked up towards the ceiling relief featuring the Navy's emblem. "I still believe in the Navy's loyalty to the World Government. This proposal can be tabled for now. We can decide whether to formally present it later based on the Navy's actions."
"Seconded!" Saint Topman Warcury and Saint Jaygarcia Saturn spoke almost simultaneously, their voices creating faint echoes under the hall's dome.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter shrugged, seeming unsurprised by this outcome. He closed the map, the parchment making a dull sound.
Saint Marcus Mars cleared his throat, changing the subject. "Alright, let's end this topic here for now." He opened another gold-embossed folder. "Next topic. Recently, CP agents in the West Blue have疑似 discovered the appearance of that particular Devil Fruit. I propose directly dispatching CP agents from the West Blue to search for it."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro frowned in thought, the wrinkles forming deep grooves in the candlelight. "Aren't the CP agents in the West Blue too weak? Should we dispatch CP0 instead?"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter shook his head, the golden pocket watch chain on his chest swaying gently with the movement. "Unnecessary. I think dispatching CP9 would suffice."
The meeting continued, the voices of the Five Elder Stars echoing in the spacious hall. Attendants silently replaced the candlesticks. The newly lit candles stretched the elders' shadows even longer. Outside the window, Mary Geise's night remained tranquil. But within this center of power, every decision could alter the pattern of the entire world.
When the final topic concluded, the golden clock hanging on the wall struck twelve times. The Five Elder Stars rose one after another. Attendants immediately stepped forward to pull out their carved chairs for them. They each tidied the documents before them, the parchment rustling, the expressions on their faces returning to their usual majesty and composure.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn took one last look at the scattered documents on the round table, the candlelight casting a final reflection on his lenses. The door to the Hall of Power slowly closed, locking all secrets within this ancient room. Outside, the starry sky of Mary Geoise remained brilliantly clear, silently bearing witness to every decision made in this center of the world's power.
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