Chapter 153: The Five Elders: Buggy Is a Lost Celestial Dragon!
If the World Government and the Celestial Dragons weren't given a satisfactory explanation, Marine Headquarters would suffer greatly.
Its reputation would be stained.
Kuzan shifted positions lazily and muttered, "Wouldn't coming down too hard make the common folk think the Celestial Dragons lack tolerance?"
"The dignity of the Celestial Dragons cannot be defiled!"
Akainu stood firm in his belief in Absolute Justice.
To him, even innocent civilians could be sacrificed if it meant protecting the might of the Marines.
So what if it was this mysterious man who caused trouble?
He deserved death.
This was a perfect opportunity to make an example. If the Celestial Dragons' cruel punishments were broadcast publicly, the world would tremble—and no one would ever dare such mockery again.
"Agreed."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded after a moment of thought.
This approach would cause the least damage to the Marines—
unless, of course, the Game Merchant possessed power equal to the Four Emperors.
Otherwise, capturing him was the best course of action.
She added,
"From the footage sent by the Den Den Mushi and the intelligence gathered from East Blue bases—
it appears that the mysterious man who calls himself the Game Merchant controls a subspace known as the Samsara Game."
"The black tower," she said, pointing to the imposing structure in the projection.
Vice Admiral Onigumo, wearing a double-dragon crested helmet, caught her meaning.
He asked, "That reminds me. The eighth daughter of Big Mom, Charlotte Brûlée, is a Mirror-Mirror Fruit user."
He recalled their previous encounter. "Her fruit allows her to create the Mirror World.
This Game Merchant's powers might be similar—perhaps he ate a space-type Devil Fruit."
"That would explain the voice ringing in everyone's ears," agreed Chaton.
Then, stealing a glance at Gion, the tall and elegant Momousagi, he went silent as she ignored him entirely.
Tsuru's lips curled faintly, approving Onigumo's theory.
She added, "If it's a spatial-type ability, his power could be immense. Even with vice admirals or admiral candidates, if we can't suppress him with Seastone quickly, he could escape."
Spatial fruits were incredibly rare—and devastating when developed.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku frowned. "Then what should we do?"
Capturing such a target would be extremely difficult.
Tsuru stood. Her slender frame made her appear small amid the gathered admirals,
but her voice carried weight.
"Don't act rashly. I'll approach him myself. I'll gauge his abilities, his strength, and his fruit—without provoking him."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed…"
What followed was a deep discussion about contingencies—
What if the Game Merchant was too strong?
What if they failed to capture him?
What would be the fallback plan?
Just as the meeting neared its end—
Bururururu...
A Den Den Mushi rang.
Sengoku reached into his coat and paled when he saw the line.
It was a private one—used only to contact the Five Elders.
He didn't need to guess.
With how huge the East Blue incident had become—and with Morgans fanning the flames—it was no surprise the Five Elders had caught wind of it.
He left the meeting room and stepped into a side lounge, steeling himself before answering.
He braced for a storm.
"Sengoku?"
"It's me. Saint Saturn."
Hearing the voice of the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Sengoku's headache intensified.
Saturn was the busiest of the Five Elders. The fact that he was calling personally meant this was dire.
"You know about East Blue?"
Sengoku answered, "Marine Headquarters is prepared to send forces. We plan to capture the Game Merchant and hand him over to the World Government."
He was on edge.
As Fleet Admiral, he might not fear the Five Elders directly, but the reputation of Marine HQ rested on his shoulders.
If the World Government blamed them, budgets could be slashed and subordinates punished.
He would bear all the consequences.
After a pause—
Saturn's voice came quietly through the receiver:
"Cancel the capture order—for now."
"...Huh?"
Sengoku froze.
In the past,
any insult to the Celestial Dragons was met with total eradication. The Five Elders would show no mercy—
not even to those who offended them in jest.
But now, this Game Merchant had made a public mockery of the Celestial Dragons…
And they were told to hold off?
Despite his confusion, Sengoku responded without hesitation.
"Understood!"
Saturn continued,
"Send someone from Marine HQ to make contact with the Game Merchant.
Gauge his strength and fruit ability—but do not provoke him."
"Understood…"
Sengoku's brow furrowed deeper.
Trying to probe someone's power without angering them?
It was harder than negotiating with a Yonko.
All this caution over some unknown fruit user?
Was the Game Merchant really worth this trouble?
He didn't know—and didn't want to know.
His political instincts, however, told him something unusual was going on.
Better not to dig deeper.
Just as he was about to end the call—
"One more thing."
Saturn's voice rang out again.
"Pirate Buggy.
Former apprentice aboard the Oro Jackson.
Has remained active in East Blue."
Sengoku frowned.
Why bring up Buggy now?
Did they want to arrest him for impersonating a Celestial Dragon after receiving that reward?
"He may be a lost Celestial Dragon.
There are records in Pangaea Castle's archives confirming a family lineage.
Bring him back to Mary Geoise—intact and unharmed."
Saturn's tone struck Sengoku like a hammer to the brain.
A joke?
Sengoku's heart pounded.
Could this truly be a coincidence?
The Game Merchant selects Buggy.
He spins the wheel and wins the Celestial Dragon Bloodline.
And now Saturn confirms that Buggy may, in fact, be a lost Celestial Dragon?
The most logical explanation—
The Game Merchant knew.
He knew the secret of Buggy's lineage.
And he deliberately used the prize to expose Buggy's identity to the world.
Because he had such secret knowledge—
even Saturn was treading carefully.
Yes… that must be it.
It couldn't be that—
A no-name pirate like Buggy won a lucky spin
and suddenly became a World Noble.
What would that make the Game Merchant?
A god who grants wishes?
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