At the same time—
In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, deep within Pangaea Castle, inside the private estate belonging to Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
Heavy velvet curtains sealed off the outside world, shutting out all natural light. Within the study, only a few dim crystal wall lamps burned, casting a muted, amber glow that deepened the shadows.
After his communication with Aramaki had been forcibly cut off, Saturn sat alone behind a massive desk carved from a single block of stone, his expression grave.
He did not summon the other four Elders.
Instead, through a discreet and highly restricted channel, he arranged a secret audience with a "guest" of extraordinary status.
The side door of the study slid open soundlessly.
A tall, slender figure stepped in without a trace.
She wore a simple, elegant gown reminiscent of an ancient court attendant, its hem embroidered with intricate, obscure patterns. A thin white veil, light as mist, covered most of her face—revealing only her eyes.
"Saint Saturn."
Junzi's voice was soft and melodious. She stopped several paces from the desk and offered a slight bow, her posture flawless—every movement precise, refined.
Yet unlike the ingrained deference she showed toward the Five Elders or the God's Knights—
After bowing, she did not wait for Saturn's acknowledgment.
Instead, she moved naturally to the side of the room and sat down on a plush sofa.
Saturn showed no surprise.
Nor the slightest displeasure.
Because he knew exactly who she was.
She was not merely Imu-sama's most trusted attendant—
She was also a being who had signed the highest-tier Abyss Contract, possessing eternal youth, immortality, and an undying existence.
Her youthful appearance alone was proof that she had obtained this supreme contract long before the ancient histories of many Celestial Dragon families.
Even Saint Figarland Garling, Supreme Commander of the God's Knights, had never received such a gift.
This was something closest to the favor of a "god."
In a sense, she was an extension of Imu's will.
Her standing and foundation even subtly placed her above the Five Elders themselves.
"Junzi," Saturn said in a low voice. "Apologies for the sudden summons."
Junzi gave a slight nod. Beneath the veil, her expression remained unreadable.
"It is no matter. If Saint Saturn has called for me personally, it must be for something important."
A faint pause.
"Is it… about Egghead?"
Her directness did not surprise him.
Saturn nodded, leaning slightly forward, his hands clasped atop the desk.
"Yes. My communication with Aramaki… has encountered an anomaly."
His tone was heavy.
"From the last fragment of information he transmitted, the Blackbeard Pirates have already landed on the island. However… they do not appear to be strictly following the agreed plan."
"Aramaki's transmission was forcibly cut off by one of their subordinates. Their attitude… was brazen."
He paused, his gaze locking onto Junzi.
"This 'hyena' is even more greedy—and more unstable—than we anticipated."
Then, more pointedly:
"And yet, Blackbeard was a 'piece' personally arranged by you under Imu-sama's directive."
"Now that signs of losing control have appeared… I find myself uncertain how best to proceed."
He spoke slowly, weighing each word.
"Should we continue to allow it, applying pressure from the shadows… or… take more direct measures?"
The question hung in the air.
It was both a request for instruction—and a test.
He wanted to know just how much tolerance Imu had for Blackbeard.
And more importantly—
When a piece attempted to step off the board…
How would the one controlling the game respond?
Junzi did not answer immediately.
Instead, she reached for the teacup that had already been prepared on the table beside her. Lifting the lid, she brought it beneath her veil and took a small, measured sip.
Only after setting the cup down did she finally speak.
"Saint Saturn… you worry too much."
Her voice remained calm, unhurried.
"Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard—is indeed the most important piece in this phase of the plan."
"His greed. His ambition. The fusion of the 'Darkness' and 'Quake' Devil Fruits…"
"All of these are indispensable elements."
Her words affirmed Blackbeard's value—
But at the same time, made clear his nature as nothing more than a tool.
"Therefore, there is no need to overly concern yourself with his temporary 'instability' or 'arrogance.'"
"As long as his actions, in essence, continue to serve the greater objectives—eliminating 'Nika,' disrupting the Navy's attention, and exhausting the forces of all factions—"
"Then a certain degree of deviation and greed… is an acceptable cost."
At this point, her tone shifted—subtly.
"However, Imu-sama has already anticipated such developments."
"A piece may be useful… but it must never be allowed to believe it can become the player."
"Nor can it be permitted to truly disrupt the overall structure of the board."
Her eyes lifted, meeting Saturn's directly.
"For that reason, Imu-sama has issued a clear directive."
"If necessary, the Five Elders may personally descend upon Egghead—acting as the voice of 'God'—to stabilize the situation and ensure the completion of key objectives."
A brief pause.
"I believe… you are the most suitable candidate for this task, Saint Saturn."
"Personally descend upon Egghead?" Saturn's white brows furrowed slightly.
"Without using the Red Line's long-range teleportation array?"
Junzi inclined her head slightly.
"Egghead's 'Five-Star Array' has been in place for many years… but certain irregularities have emerged."
"To ensure its full activation and proper function, it may require a bearer of the Abyss Contract to be physically present—to stabilize and guide it."
"You, as the Warrior God of Scientific Defense, possess the deepest understanding of Vegapunk's technology and the island's structure."
"And you also hold the power of the contract."
"There is no one more suited to carry out this mission."
Her reasoning was precise.
Complete.
Unassailable.
Saturn fell silent.
To personally enter the front lines—especially Egghead, where a battle at the level of Emperors or beyond could erupt—
Was undeniably dangerous.
Even for one of the Five Elders, armed with an Abyss Contract and immense power, there were no guarantees.
Yet at the same time—
Junzi's words made one thing clear:
The chaos on Egghead… was, in essence, his responsibility.
And, from a certain perspective, sending him as the executor—
To clean up the situation.
To ensure the core objectives were fulfilled.
From both logic and authority…
It was the most fitting choice.
After a moment of internal deliberation, Saturn slowly raised his head.
"…I understand."
His voice was low, resolute.
"In that case, I will personally make a trip to Egghead."
"To meet that disobedient 'hyena'…"
"And while I'm there—"
"To cleanse the island of its 'vermin.'"
He had made his decision.
Junzi gave another slight nod.
"Then I wish you success in your mission, Saint Saturn."
Her tone remained as calm as ever—devoid of any discernible emotion.
"I will report your decision to Imu-sama."
…
After leaving Saturn's estate, Junzi walked through the vast, silent corridors of Pangaea Castle.
Her veiled face remained expressionless.
But within her mind—
Everything was crystal clear.
Saturn believed that what Imu valued was Egghead's technology… and the elimination of Nika.
He was wrong.
What Imu truly intended to calculate… to observe… and ultimately to claim—
From beginning to end—
Was the man who had greedily devoured the powers of two of the world's most formidable Devil Fruits.
Marshall D. Teach.
Egghead…
Was nothing more than the perfect arena.
A colosseum designed to test the final quality of that "hyena"—to observe his potential, and measure the extent of his danger.
And sending Saturn there in person—
Was merely an additional safeguard within this "trial."
A failsafe…
To ensure that the arena itself did not collapse before the experiment reached its conclusion.