"How is this possible?!"
The sacred hall of the Five Elders was consumed by tense silence, broken only by the disbelief etched across the faces of the highest authorities in the World Government.
At least on the surface, they tried to maintain their composure… but failed miserably.
One of the men — bald, clean-shaven, wearing round glasses and a simple white karategi with sandals — clenched his teeth in fury. He was the only one among the Elders who didn't wear a suit.
"We cannot allow him to remain alive!" he roared.
This was Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance.
He snatched his Den Den Mushi and shouted:
"Cut the transmission immediately! Do not let the world see any more of this!"
Beside him, a very tall and thin man stared at the screen with sharp eyes. His long white hair, mustache, and beard flowing down to his chest swayed slightly. He wore a pristine navy-blue suit, with a buttoned white shirt and a black tie. Still, his fury was evident.
"Garp... and that damned bloodline of his..." he growled bitterly.
That was Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of the Environment.
Another Elder — younger in appearance, with blond hair, tanned skin, and a scar running from his chest to his armpit — placed a hand to his forehead in frustration. His dark brown suit and pants were partially unbuttoned at the collar, revealing his chest.
"This is a disgrace before the entire world..." he muttered through clenched teeth. "Sengoku... you fool! You let this mess spiral out of control!"
He was Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture.
The fourth Elder, bald with a broad white mustache and prominent birthmarks on his forehead, spoke firmly. His expression was the calmest of them all, but tension shimmered in his eyes.
He wore a black suit and pants, a white buttoned shirt, and a tie.
"Do not panic. Remain composed."
"First, contact Marine Headquarters. Tell them to shut down all live broadcasts. Now."
"Second: Whitebeard must be eliminated immediately. This is a matter of honor for the World Government."
"Third: Portgas D. Ace must die no matter what."
"And finally..." he paused significantly, "Monkey D. Luffy... cannot leave Marineford alive."
His name was Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice.
He spoke with chilling precision, issuing orders like a blade cutting through chaos.
That's when something strange happened.
A white butterfly drifted through the wide-open window of the hall and fluttered softly in the air. All eyes turned to it, confused.
The creature landed atop the Den Den Mushi. For a moment, it remained still.
Then… it turned toward the broadcast screen.
And there he was.
Monkey D. Luffy.
But not as he was before.
His hair and clothes — except for the straw hat, sash, and sandals — were completely white. His eyes glowed with red pupils shaped like concentric rings. White clouds of steam spiraled around his neck.
There was no mistaking it. This was the form of the Sun God — Nika, the Warrior of Liberation.
The Elders froze.
Behind them, an imposing shadow appeared.
A humanoid figure, with ringed red eyes, a disturbingly human-like hand, and a crown of four sharp, piercing points. Its black cloak billowed across the floor like dense smoke.
All the Elders turned simultaneously.
"Master Imu!"
They immediately dropped to their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor.
The figure watched the transmission. Its gaze remained fixed on Luffy.
"I am... impressed."
Imu's voice was serene. Each word carried centuries of existence and authority.
"Even after eight hundred years… this fruit still chooses a bearer. And of course… it would be one from the D clan."
Marcus Mars, head lowered, murmured reverently:
"Please, Master... tell us what to do."
Imu replied calmly:
"There is no need to panic. This is just one more light that must be extinguished."
Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, stepped forward:
"Should we… use that weapon?"
Imu did not answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the image of Luffy, laughing with a pure heart in the midst of war.
After a long pause:
"Yes. Do it. Extinguish this light... and one more thing."
"Gecko Moria... he must be eliminated as well."
"We will obey!"
The voices of the Elders echoed with fervor, but none dared raise their heads until Imu vanished.
---
New World — Music Island, Elegia
The abandoned castle of Elegia, once a symbol of art and glory, now lay silent.
In the grand hall, Uta played the piano. Her eyes sparkled as she watched the image projected by the Den Den Mushi.
"Uwaaah~ Luffy changed so much..." she whispered, enchanted. "He looks... so beautiful like this."
She spun on the bench and playfully tapped the keys.
"I know! I'll write a new song for him! Luffy, you're truly my lucky star~"
Her mind overflowed with ideas. Ever since she had found those Den Den Mushi on the beach, she had been watching every second of the war. But now, something stirred her deeply: the image of Luffy as the Sun God.
Now, seeing Luffy's current form, a new inspiration consumed her heart.
She was just about to turn that inspiration into music… when the door opened.
"Uta, lunch is ready," said Gordon, her teacher and guardian.
She didn't even look at him.
"Just a minute, Gordon! The war's reaching its climax!"
With eyes locked on the screen, she asked:
"By the way… what's a Shichibukai?"
Gordon glanced at the screen seriously. One of the figures there seemed oddly familiar… but he didn't have time to respond.
The image vanished.
"Aaaaah!!"
Uta rushed to the Den Den Mushi, shaking it.
"Did you break?! Come on, work again! I want to see Luffy!!"
Gordon sighed, understanding:
"The Marines cut the broadcast. It's not the Den Den Mushi's fault."
Uta clenched her fists, frustrated:
"What's going to happen to Luffy now?! I want to know!!"
---
Sabaody Archipelago
Chaos.
The reporters were in a frenzy. Some dropped their coffee cups. Others let go of their microphones. But all wore the same expression: shock and awe.
"What the hell is going on?! Did Straw Hat Luffy betray the Marines?!"
Justice? Injustice?
Marines or pirates?
Good or evil?
None of it mattered.
All that mattered was the headline.
Quills flew. Headlines were born. The world was watching.
And across every corner of the globe… the broadcasts were falling. One by one.
---
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."