A crafty glint flashed in Sengoku's eyes.
"A Warlord-level Seraphim costs about 2 billion Berries to produce. As for an Admiral-level one, it isn't much more—about 10 billion."
"But those figures are based on countless failed experiments."
"The real expense comes from all the failed research during development."
The Five Elders naturally understood this.
Back when Vegapunk developed the Pacifistas, the research costs alone reached 50 billion Berries.
These Seraphim were clearly even more advanced.
"Cutting-edge technology like this burns through money. I understand."
"But right now pirate forces are rising everywhere. We've spent a great deal suppressing them across the seas, so funds are somewhat tight."
"How about this—let's allocate 100 billion Berries first?"
"Fifty billion for research."
"The other fifty billion to produce twenty Warlord-level Seraphim and one Admiral-level Seraphim."
The Five Elders spoke cautiously.
After all, money didn't fall from the sky.
Even they preferred to save where possible.
"Of course, this is only temporary funding," they quickly added.
"Let Xia Yu continue the research first. Once the Admiral-level Seraphim are completed and verified, we will provide additional funding for mass production."
Hearing this, Sengoku was thrilled.
Not only would the money he had personally advanced be reimbursed—
He had also secured hundreds of billions more for Xia Yu.
As for the Admiral-level Seraphim…
The Five Elders wanting to produce only one initially was perfectly reasonable.
After all, they hadn't yet seen such a machine.
Some doubt was understandable.
Once the Admiral-level Seraphim were completed, there was no way these old foxes wouldn't invest even more money.
"Then on behalf of Xia Yu, I thank the Five Elders."
Sengoku maintained a calm expression, though inwardly he was delighted.
Seeing that Sengoku had no objections, the Five Elders also relaxed.
To be honest, 100 billion Berries was merely their starting offer.
Such powerful war machines were dozens of times more valuable than Pacifistas.
Their true worth was far greater.
Just as Sengoku prepared to leave—
The Five Elders stopped him.
"Wait."
"There is another mission for the Navy."
Their expressions returned to their usual authoritative calm.
"Oh?"
Sengoku turned back, slightly surprised.
The Five Elders continued.
"There is a pirate called Blackbeard."
"He has captured Ace and demands the position of Seven Warlord in exchange."
"The exchange will take place the day after tomorrow."
"Location: Banaro Island, in the Grand Line."
"Fire Fist Ace…"
Sengoku's expression immediately became serious.
That man carried the bloodline of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.
Capturing him would have enormous significance for the Navy.
"Hmph."
"That Blackbeard fellow thinks too highly of himself if he believes he can negotiate with us."
"With the Seraphim now available, the Seven Warlords are no longer necessary."
"Bring Ace back."
"If Blackbeard refuses…"
"Kill him."
The Five Elders spoke coldly.
"Handle this mission with the Seraphim."
Unbeknownst to them—
Because of the existence of the Seraphim, Blackbeard's fate had already begun to change.
Having spent decades navigating the political world, Sengoku immediately understood the Five Elders' intentions.
They wanted to test the Seraphim in real combat.
After all—
No matter how powerful a machine appeared…
If it failed in battle, it was nothing more than scrap metal.
Their concerns were completely reasonable.
It seemed that the Navy personnel sent on this mission should not be too powerful.
Otherwise, the Five Elders might suspect the results were manipulated.
"Understood."
After receiving the mission, Sengoku departed from Mary Geoise.
At the same time…
Inside a secret office at the G-5 Marine Base.
Vergo immediately reported the results of the Seraphim tests to Donquixote Doflamingo.
"Young Master," Vergo reported seriously.
"The new Seraphim have successfully entered mass production."
"There are ten units, and every one of them possesses Warlord-level combat power."
Inside the royal palace of Dressrosa, Doflamingo gritted his teeth and fell into silence.
Standing beside him were two of the Donquixote Family's top executives—
Trebol, the snot-dripping user of the Sticky-Sticky Fruit,
and Pica, the massive man with a shrill voice who possessed the Stone-Stone Fruit.
After hearing Vergo's report, both men widened their eyes in shock.
Previously, Doflamingo had mentioned this matter to them.
But they believed the idea of Warlord-level war machines was absurd.
They hadn't taken it seriously at all.
Once the tests happened, they expected the truth to be revealed.
And they assumed the result would be failure.
Yet—
Xia Yu had succeeded.
Not only that…
He had produced ten of them at once, each at Warlord-level strength.
This completely stunned them.
"What did you say, Vergo?"
"Warlord-level machines… and ten of them?! That's ridiculous!" Trebol exclaimed, snot dripping from his nose.
"Yeah… Caesar himself said it was impossible!"
"Even Vegapunk couldn't produce so many powerful Seraphim in such a short time."
"Is that eight-year-old Xia Yu some kind of god?" Pica shouted in disbelief with his high-pitched voice.
Even Doflamingo himself found it hard to believe.
After all, only three days had passed since the previous report.
Could such terrifying war machines really be mass-produced in three days?
And every single one successful?
"Vergo…"
"How reliable is this information?" Doflamingo asked with a frown.
"I was on duty during the test."
"I saw the Seraphim's power with my own eyes."
"Even Sakazuki, the strongest among the three Admirals, was completely suppressed when facing ten Seraphim."
"Even his ultimate technique, Meigou, which is said to be able to pierce a Yonko, was blocked by the Seraphim's combined defense."
"These war machines are truly terrifying."
Vergo spoke solemnly.
Trebol and Pica still looked skeptical and were about to argue—
But Doflamingo raised a hand to stop them.
"I understand, Vergo."
"That's enough for now."
"Make sure the Marines don't discover you."
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Vergo sighed softly.
Then the call ended.
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