The Five Elders all turned their dignified gazes toward the Seraphim.
Seven of them bore the youthful appearances of the Seven Warlords.
Even the three Admirals had their likenesses reproduced.
Gray skin. Black wings wreathed in flames.
It was clear that the Lunarian bloodline factors had been used.
Not bad… not bad.
The Five Elders nodded slightly.
However, appearance alone meant nothing.
The elder with long white hair spoke in a commanding tone.
"Looking impressive isn't enough. What about their combat power, Sengoku?"
Hearing this, Sengoku merely curled the corner of his mouth.
He said nothing.
Just wait.
Once I show you the full power of the Seraphim…
Let's see if you five old men don't get shocked out of your wits.
And more importantly—
My funding will finally be secured.
He led the Five Elders to the training ground beside the villa.
Under Sengoku's command, the Seraphim began their demonstration.
First came the laser beams.
They were nearly identical to those of the Pacifistas.
The Five Elders showed little reaction.
Next came demonstrations of strength and speed.
At Sengoku's order, the ten Seraphim moved simultaneously.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The sound of feet stepping on air echoed.
In an instant, they arrived near a massive artificial rock formation in the training field.
Then, they all raised their fingers toward it.
The next moment—
Ten compressed air shockwaves shot out simultaneously from their fingertips.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The terrifying force slammed into the rock formation.
The enormous structure collapsed instantly.
Not even fragments remained.
The entire thing had been blasted into powder.
Seeing such destructive power, the Five Elders couldn't help but murmur in surprise.
Hmm?
Those rocks had been purchased from across the world at great expense.
They were the strongest stone materials available.
Yet they had been reduced to dust in a single moment by these ten small figures.
This level of destruction had already reached Vice Admiral-level power.
Far stronger than Pacifistas.
"Their strength is quite impressive."
"And they've mastered the Six Powers as well. Excellent, excellent," the elder in the white kimono praised.
"This is only the beginning."
"Next, show the healing ability."
Sengoku was secretly delighted.
If this already impressed them…
Just wait until they see the rest.
At Sengoku's command, the Seraphim attacked each other, intentionally leaving wounds.
Then—
Within a single second—
All the wounds healed completely.
"…?"
"A machine… possessing something like human blood?"
"And such powerful regeneration… This almost looks like a Zoan-type ability!"
The Five Elders looked astonished.
It was hard to believe that such terrifying war machines had been created by a child.
But the evidence stood before their eyes.
Whether they believed it or not didn't matter.
"It's impressive… very impressive."
"I've never seen machines like this before."
"They are indeed far superior to Vegapunk's Pacifistas," said the blond elder excitedly.
"Yes. Pacifistas have a major flaw—once damaged, they are extremely difficult to repair."
"These Seraphim not only possess immense strength, but they also solve the technological problem of repairing war machines."
"Very impressive."
The slightly plump elder with white curls nodded in satisfaction.
The other elders also showed pleased expressions, praising the Seraphim repeatedly.
It seemed Sengoku's request for funding could now be approved.
But Sengoku smiled and continued.
"That's not all."
"These are merely their basic abilities."
"Their true combat power… can reach Warlord-level."
The moment Sengoku said this—
The Five Elders froze.
Then all five of them stood up from their seats.
Wait.
These abilities already surpassed the Pacifistas…
And you're saying this isn't even their full strength?
And what did you just say?
Warlord-level combat power?
When Sengoku had previously spoken to them, he had only promised machines that would greatly surpass Pacifistas.
He had never said they could rival the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
The meaning of that statement was enormous.
As the men standing at the pinnacle of power, the Five Elders understood its implications better than anyone.
It meant the balance of the three great powers on the seas would be reshuffled.
The entire world could face dramatic change.
"…Did we hear that correctly?"
"You're saying they possess Warlord-level strength?"
They asked again, just to confirm.
Sengoku smiled calmly.
"Of course."
"I guarantee it with my position as Fleet Admiral."
"My words are absolutely true."
After receiving confirmation once more, the Five Elders were shaken.
Then their faces lit up with excitement.
"In that case, show us everything!"
"What other abilities do they have?"
They were eager now.
If what Sengoku said was true…
Then not only the Navy—
But the Celestial Dragons themselves would gain unprecedented protection.
Perhaps even rebellions could be eliminated entirely.
This was truly a revolutionary invention.
Sengoku straightened his Navy uniform.
Then he spoke calmly.
"They have mastered both types of Haki."
"And they possess the Devil Fruit abilities of the former Warlords."
"…?!"
What?!
Both Haki types… and Devil Fruits?!
The Five Elders' eyes widened in shock.
Every expression on their faces froze in disbelief.
Machines…
Possessing Haki and Devil Fruit powers?
Didn't that mean these machines themselves were essentially Seven Warlords?
No—
Even better.
Warlords might not obey orders.
But these machines would follow commands absolutely.
To the Navy, these Seraphim were far more valuable than the Warlords themselves.
How was this even possible?
It sounded like pure fantasy.
Watching the Five Elders' stunned expressions, Sengoku felt secretly amused.
What a group of old men who had never seen the world…
He had completely forgotten that when he first witnessed the Seraphim's terrifying abilities, his own expression had been even more exaggerated than theirs.
"I've already personally verified it."
"Seraphim, demonstrate your Haki."
The next moment—
Black armor appeared on the arms of the ten small figures.
The Five Elders instantly recognized it.
Armament Haki.
And judging by the density of it…
Their Haki levels were far from weak.
Then the Seraphim paired off and began attacking each other.
The training field quickly filled with advanced Haki clashes.
Yet the Seraphim elegantly dodged every incoming strike.
Even the Five Elders—
Men standing at the peak of global authority—
Were now staring with their mouths open in disbelief.
They really had mastered both types of Haki.
And even more frightening—
Their Haki levels truly reached Warlord-level strength.
Seeing their stunned faces, Sengoku smiled again.
"Seraphim, demonstrate your Devil Fruit abilities."
At once, the Seraphim activated their powers.
Magma.
Light.
Ice.
Strings.
Petrification.
Ability after ability appeared in dazzling succession.
The Five Elders were completely overwhelmed.
They swallowed nervously.
Their hands trembled.
Their expressions were filled with shock.
Even Devil Fruit powers…
These machines possessed them too.
To calm themselves, the Five Elders grabbed cups of tea and began drinking quickly.
No matter how extraordinary this invention was…
It wasn't appropriate for the men ruling the world to appear this emotionally shaken in front of their subordinate.
After a moment, they finally regained their composure.
"Yes… yes… these little ones truly possess the strength of the Seven Warl—"
"Wait."
Sengoku grinned.
"In fact… they also possess a special cooperative technique."
"With it, they can withstand a full-power attack from an Admiral… or even a Yonko."