Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Hall of Power.
This was the pinnacle of the world, a room where direct light was never permitted. Beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, clouds churned like an ocean, yet the curtains were drawn tightly shut, allowing only a few slivers of oppressive light to pierce through, illuminating every speck of dust floating in the air.
Five figures were scattered across sofas, their silence itself a manifestation of authority.
"Kong seems to be developing quite a mind of his own," said Topman Warcury, the Financial War God, his long white beard flowing and a dotted scar visible on his forehead. He tapped his cane lightly on the carpet, his voice devoid of warmth.
"He rejected the proposal to cut lower-level military funding to replenish the Celestial Tribute again."
"His prestige has grown too high," remarked Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the bald swordsman clad in a white martial arts robe. He held the First Generation Ghost Cutter in his arms, eyes closed, his thumb slowly rubbing the sword's guard. "After dealing with Roger, Whitebeard, and their ilk for so long, he's likely forgotten who his true masters are."
"It's time to move him from his position," rumbled Jaygarcia Saturn, the golden-haired giant, his voice like distant thunder. "The position of Commander-in-Chief of the Entire Military has remained vacant for too long."
"Grant him the highest honor, invite him to the Holy Land to live out his years in peace. That should also help the Navy regain some clarity."
"A fine proposal," Nusjuro's thumb continued its slow circles on the sword's guard. "And the position of Fleet Admiral?"
"Sengoku?" Warcury pondered. "Though he also preaches Justice, at least he understands 'order' and recognizes the bigger picture."
"Unlike that bastard Garp, who listens to nothing but his fists. If his reputation weren't still useful, he should have been dealt with long ago."
"Zephyr is nearing his end too, solely focused on retiring to teach, his edge gone," summarized Shepherd Ju Peter. "Our influence within the Navy's upper echelons is indeed weakening."
The room fell into silence once more.
They were the kings of the world, yet the Navy—their sharpest blade—was showing signs of slipping from their grasp. This discomforted them greatly.
Click.
Nusjuro sheathed his sword, the crisp sound like a verdict sealing a certain fate.
"We need fresh blood."
"To drive a new nail into the heart of the Navy for us."
This proposal drew the gazes of the other four.
"Speaking of which..." Nusjuro's voice echoed faintly.
"That newcomer named Kane."
Son of the Storm, Kane.
The moment this name was uttered, the atmosphere in the room shifted subtly.
"That foolish bird Morgans certainly knows how to coin a nickname," Peter's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the sofa.
"His record is clean—an orphan of the Navy, purebred. But his rise has been... too rapid."
Saturn's gaze was scrutinizing. "The key lies in his ability—the Natural Logia Storm Fruit. This fruit has been missing for eight hundred years, with only one phrase remaining in the encyclopedia: 'A walking natural disaster.'"
"Mastered to its peak, a single person becomes an army, even comparable to an Ancient Weapon. And it was actually eaten by some brat."
"Precisely why we must be vigilant," Mars, the Warrior God of Agriculture, said in a low voice.
"His reputation is too high."
"Look at his speech during the medal ceremony."
Nasujuro... picked up a newspaper from beside him.
The front page featured Kane's radiant profile as he delivered his speech, with the headline: "The Soul of the Navy, the Torch of a New Era!"
"'Shake off the cold air, just keep moving upward'?"
"'If there is no torch hereafter, I shall be the only light'?"
Nasujuro recited these lines, his voice dripping with undisguised mockery.
"Well-written, very inflammatory."
"But those with an excess of justice are the most troublesome."
"The only light?"
Saturn sneered, his scorn unmistakable.
"Arrogance."
"In this world, the only light can only be Imu-sama."
Topman Warcury shook his head as if listening to an unfunny joke. "Justice? On these seas, what we say is justice."
"A guy filled with empty ideals—the stronger his power, the greater the threat to 'order.'"
"Hence, this summons is necessary."
Nasujuro stood and walked to the massive curtain, gazing down at the cloud-shrouded world below.
"Bring him to Mary Geoise, to the center of power."
"Let him see with his own eyes how laughable his beliefs are in the face of the true 'world.'"
"Give him a choice."
"If he's smart enough to understand what true 'order' and 'benefit' are, we won't mind offering him a chance to rise instantly."
"But if..."
Nasujuro's hand rested on the hilt of the First Generation Ghost Cutter, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"If he's just a fool filled with naive delusions..."
"Then before he grows into a second 'Garp,' make him disappear in some 'accident' in the Grand Line."
"The fall of a genius can also serve to warn Sengoku and Garp."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
...
A white warship flying the World Government's flag cut swiftly through the waves, heading toward the Red Line.
On the deck, Kane stood draped in his brand-new Rear Admiral coat, the sea wind whipping the hem fiercely.
He gazed at the distant outline of the Red Line, which seemed to connect heaven and earth, contemplating the upcoming meeting.
The Five Elders? The kings of the world?
In Kane's eyes, they were merely five old men sitting atop the world's largest goldmine of Violation Value.
This summons was a crisis.
But also a tremendous opportunity.
"The higher the risk, the greater the reward."
Kane sneered inwardly; what he lacked least now was nerve.
"Rear Admiral Kane."
A cold voice sounded behind him, carrying the distinctive, unpleasant arrogance of Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.
"We will arrive at the Red Line shortly. A final reminder."
"The Holy Land Mary Geoise is the dwelling of the gods. Once there, discard the attitude you use at Marine Headquarters. Do not look where you shouldn't, and do not ask what you shouldn't."
"Most importantly, watch your tongue."
Another CP0 agent picked up the thread, his tone dripping with condescension: "Before the Five Elders, even Fleet Admiral Kong must kneel when answering."
"No matter what they ask, you only need to reply with 'yes.'"
"Any unnecessary explanation could bring disaster upon you, or even your superior, Sengoku."
"We're doing this for your own good, understand? Rear Admiral."
The words sounded like a reminder, but the haughty tone was no different from scolding a dog.
Kane turned around, his face still wearing that gentle, spring-like smile.
"Thank you for the advice, both of you."
"I, Kane, have grown up in the Navy since childhood, and I understand 'rules' better than anyone."
"As the sword of Justice, I naturally hold the world's helmsmen in the highest regard."
His heart remained utterly calm, even feeling a slight urge to laugh.
'Giving me a warning? With just the two of you, who can't even take off your masks?'
Kane's gaze returned to the sea. Deep in his eyes, an almost imperceptible wisp of cyan energy quietly dissipated, merging into the seawater below.
'Alright, I understand the rules.'
'I just wonder if you understand physics.'
The smile on his lips grew even wider.
Suddenly, the steadily sailing warship lurched violently!
The deck beneath their feet tilted sharply. The once calm sea, without any warning, churned into waves several meters high, crashing fiercely against the ship's hull!
"What's going on?!"
The two CP0 agents staggered, nearly falling, their faces showing genuine shock for the first time.
But Kane stood firm as a rock, not even a corner of his clothes swaying.
He looked at the two masked men struggling to maintain their balance amidst the turbulence, his smile turning playful.
"Hold steady, both of you."
"The weather on this sea is just so unpredictable."