On the way back, Franky reluctantly accepted the reality.
He also understood that both Iceburg and the blueprint would only be safe if he boarded Luffy's ship.
But he couldn't help but ask:
"Since you have the power to create Pluton, why don't you just build it, Straw Hat Luffy?"
Luffy didn't respond.
Robin smiled and said, "Because my captain knows exactly where the real Pluton is."
Franky:
(What a sly pirate!)
"Shishishishi! Let's go. We need to leave Water 7 early—if we don't move soon, trouble's going to come knocking."
Luffy laughed and took the two of them back to the docking point.
All three ships were ready to depart.
"Wait, at least let me say goodbye to my crew..."
"No need. You'll be back here soon enough."
Leaving Franky on the Merry, Luffy led Robin onto the Sunny.
"Set sail!"
At their captain's command, the ships slowly left Water 7, where they had stayed for a month.
---
Holy Land, Mariejois.
Boom!
One of the Five Elders slammed his hand on the table in fury.
They stared at today's World Economic News with extremely sour expressions.
"Morgans, you bastard! How dare you publish this!?"
The article was explosive.
The headline read:
"Revolutionary Dragon's Shocking Discovery!"
The report was written in an interview format.
In Dragon's answers, he directly mentioned someone named "Imu," stating that this person was the true ruler behind the World Government—and even the Five Elders obeyed them.
Beneath that statement, Morgans even kindly explained the context to the readers.
In short:
Imu is the true supreme leader of the World Government, the one who occupies the Empty Throne, and to whom even the Five Elders bow and submit, no matter the consequence.
All kings are said to be equal.
The Celestial Dragons are gods and creators of the world—but are also equal among themselves.
That is the ideology promoted by the World Government and the legal basis of their global rule.
Now, that very foundation had been shaken.
The Five Elders had no idea how the kings of the major allied nations would react to this news—one thing was certain: they wanted Morgans dead immediately.
"Notify the CP0 at once to stop the spread of this news!"
One of the Elders gave the order decisively.
"Capture Morgans! If necessary—kill him!"
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinates quickly left to carry out the command. Just moments later, a new request came in:
Sengoku had asked to see them.
Though dealing with this crisis already gave them headaches, the Five Elders had no choice but to meet with the Fleet Admiral.
"What is the meaning of this, Sengoku?!"
Marcus Mars frowned at the letter of resignation in his hand.
"I take full responsibility for the Summit War. I am no longer fit to be Fleet Admiral. I hereby formally resign."
Sengoku spoke with a calm expression.
"What kind of joke is this? You made a mess, and now you just want to walk away like it's nothing?"
"I nominate Admiral Aokiji as the next Fleet Admiral."
Sengoku's words made the Five Elders furious.
"Rejected. Resign if you wish—but we decide who the next Fleet Admiral will be, not you," Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said firmly.
"Akainu is not fit for the position," Sengoku insisted.
Shepherd Ju Peter's face darkened. "Watch your tone, Sengoku. That is not for you to decide!"
Hearing this, Sengoku said nothing more about the next Fleet Admiral.
"I have three reports to make."
"First, Straw Hat Luffy, Gekko Moria, and Jinbei... have all lost their titles as Shichibukai. We now have three open seats."
"Second, during this war, Marine Headquarters suffered heavy losses. To restore order as quickly as possible, I propose we expand our recruitment and enlist soldiers from around the world."
"Third, regarding the reconstruction of Marineford."
Upon hearing this, the Five Elders were silent for a moment.
Three Warlords down at once—what a headache.
The Seraphim project wasn't complete yet, so at least for now, a new Shichibukai would be necessary.
As for the second and third matters, they boiled down to money.
Recruitment costs money—a lot of it.
"You'll get the funds you need. But what about the Impel Down prisoners? Has the list been compiled yet?"
"We're working on it. Thankfully, Magellan is alive, though he lost a leg."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment before asking:
"And about Straw Hat Luffy..."
Ethanbaron immediately cut him off: "Don't ask about things you shouldn't know. Leave. We'll have someone send the money later."
Sengoku frowned slightly.
He couldn't understand why the Five Elders were so fixated on Straw Hat Luffy.
Yesterday, after Whitebeard's death, Vice Admiral Tsuru had received orders to pursue the Straw Hats—ignoring Ace or any of the escaped prisoners.
He had never received an explanation from the Five Elders, but he could sense something was off.
Maybe Garp knew something he didn't. Sengoku decided he would ask him directly later.
"Very well. Goodbye."
He turned and left.
Once he was gone, a heavy silence fell over the office.
"We cannot allow Straw Hat Luffy to live!"
"The Straw Hats are likely still in Water 7. No—this brat isn't an idiot. He dared to betray the Marines to save Ace. That was obviously premeditated, which means this kid is smart."
"Should we send Akainu after him?"
Someone suggested—but the idea was dismissed.
Shepherd picked up a Den Den Mushi and quickly dialed a number.
Moments later, an elderly man with a katana at his waist entered.
He had a strange crescent-shaped haircut.
"I have a very important mission for you."
Upon hearing this, the old man narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What mission is so important that it requires the Divine Knights to act?"
"You haven't read yesterday's news, have you, Figarland Garling?"
Shepherd said in a grim voice: "During the Summit War, an intolerable traitor revealed himself. No questions—just kill him."
As he spoke, he handed over a bounty order.
Figarland took the bounty, looked at the face in the photo, and fell into deep thought.
"Monkey D. Luffy… 3.5 billion?"
"His combat strength is comparable to that of a Yonko. Do not underestimate him."
"Understood."
Casually discarding the wanted poster, Figarland turned and left.
As he did, the bounty paper floated in the air—sliced cleanly into seven pieces.
The Five Elders were a bit surprised.
His swordsmanship had improved again?
As expected of the Champion of God Valley...
The Supreme Commander of the Divine Knights.
---
(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."