Right at that moment, the Warrior God of Environment, Saint Mars, a man with long, straight white hair, spoke up with concern.
"It's just that the enemy's strength is immense this time. For that Emperor to make Big Mom and Kaido submit, his own power must be far greater than those two Four Emperors."
"Even if we Five Elders were to take the field personally against those three, we might win, but I'm afraid a few of us would be dragged down to the grave with them."
"In any case, I am not willing to do that."
Although the Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets was indeed incredibly treasonous, threatening to annihilate the Celestial Dragons, and Saint Mars was extremely furious in his heart, he simply hadn't lived long enough yet to throw his life away.
The other four fell silent upon hearing his words.
The raging anger in their hearts began to gradually subside.
Because the Warrior God of Environment was right.
If that terrifying Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets fought desperately, it was truly possible he could drag a few of them down with him.
Naturally, people who had climbed to their positions had no desire to die.
However, as Celestial Dragons and the heads of the World Government, they certainly could not tolerate the Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets being so arrogant and domineering.
The scene instantly quieted down.
They pondered a countermeasure; they couldn't use their weapon yet, but they also didn't want to act personally.
At this time, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Saint Saturn, spoke up.
"How about we temporarily agree to his demands for now, and wait until we secure the fusion reactor that creates the Mother Flame before we go and annihilate his empire?"
The Mother Flame was contributed by Vegapunk's clone.
It was an energy source capable of powering a massive weapon.
Furthermore, Vegapunk had already betrayed them and begun researching ancient history.
Even if such a person was a brilliant scientist, he still had to be purged.
The others were also aware of the situation with Vegapunk.
Once they purged Vegapunk and got their hands on the fusion reactor, they would be able to continuously produce the Mother Flame.
When that time came, firing a few rounds at the islands of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets would surely annihilate it effortlessly. Naturally, this included the Emperor himself, as well as Kaido, Big Mom, and all those rebels.
This wouldn't even require the Five Elders to take any risks.
Naturally, they expressed their agreement to this.
The Warrior God of Environment spoke up again at this moment.
"This plan is good, but it requires time. Killing Vegapunk and obtaining the fusion reactor won't be that simple."
"If we agree to the demands of the Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets..."
"Alabasta, the Dressrosa Kingdom, and the Fish-Men withdrawing from the World Government is one thing."
"But handing over the Merfolk slaves... I'm afraid we cannot agree to this demand on our own."
"I'm afraid this demand will require the approval of *that* person."
Although the Five Elders were the heads of the World Government, they were not the heads of the Celestial Dragons.
They could not order the other Celestial Dragons around.
The expressions of the other four changed.
The Warrior God of Environment was right. Handing over the Merfolk slaves required the approval of that person; otherwise, the other Celestial Dragons would never agree.
Therefore, the five of them made their way into Pangea Castle.
This was the residence of that person.
It was also a restricted area within the Holy Land.
In the spacious hall, the Five Elders faced the figure on the Empty Throne, dropping to one knee as they spoke respectfully.
"Lord Imu."
The figure looked down at the five men below and spoke slowly.
"What is it?"
The Warrior God of Finance among the Five Elders then recounted the previous events to Lord Imu.
This included the matter of the newly emerged Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets, as well as its Emperor's treasonous demand to release the Merfolk slaves and his threat to annihilate the Celestial Dragons.
Naturally, they also included their proposed countermeasures.
Imu frowned deeply upon hearing this.
A hoarse voice rang out.
"Another person who vainly attempts to oppose the Celestial Dragons. Is he from the Clan of D?"
The Warrior God of Finance reported.
"He shouldn't be from the Clan of D. His name is Uchiha Ryōsuke, and he suddenly emerged on the seas."
"However, he is a massive threat to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. I'm afraid he is no less of a threat than the Clan of D."
"Not only has he made the Four Emperors, Kaido and Big Mom, submit..."
"...he also intends to take twelve women as his wives."
"They are..."
Imu's frown deepened upon hearing this, more wrinkles appearing on her face.
'Not from the Clan of D, yet possessing such combat power... Is he an unexpected enemy?'
'This man actually took Princess Shirahoshi of Fish-Man Island as his wife, and even conquered Wano Country.'
'This is not a good thing.'
'That Princess Shirahoshi... if her guess was correct, she should be the Ancient Weapon Poseidon. She can communicate with the Sea Kings, is the sovereign of the Sea Kings, and possesses the power to destroy the world.'
'Could this guy have known about this, and that's why he married Shirahoshi? Or is he simply lustful?'
'In short, this is a man who severely threatens the rule of the Celestial Dragons.'
Looking at the Five Elders below, Imu spoke indifferently.
"Very well, proceed according to your plan. Hand over the Merfolk slaves, take control of the fusion reactor capable of producing the Mother Flame, and then use the massive weapon to annihilate the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets."
"Yes, Lord Imu."
After leaving Pangea Castle, the five men notified the other Celestial Dragons to release the Merfolk slaves.
This was all to placate that Emperor of the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
Now was not the time to start a war.
Once they obtained the fusion reactor and produced a massive amount of the Mother Flame, they could set about destroying the Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets.
They could even use it to deter the world once again, letting everyone know what kind of punishment awaited those who rebelled against the World Government.
It would once again brand the terror of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons into the minds of the people of the world.
However, such a measure naturally met with opposition from the majority of the Celestial Dragons.
In their eyes, when had they ever been so stifled? They clamored one after another.
"On what grounds? How dare the Five Elders issue such an order?"
"We let them manage the world, so how did they end up managing us?"
But upon learning that this was a directive from the one residing in the restricted area of Pangea Castle, they immediately dared not speak another word.
Although the status of most Celestial Dragons was basically equal, there were also Celestial Dragons with monstrous authority, and that person was even above them.
She was an unspeakable, taboo figure.
Even for Celestial Dragons like them, discussing this person was a grave sin.
They would be punished by the Celestial Dragon Enforcement Squad.
Subsequently, they released all the Merfolk slaves at the shores of the Red Line.
The Merfolk slaves stared dumbfounded as their shackles were unlocked, and they were told...
"You are free."
Although the Merfolk slaves looked completely bewildered, they eventually reacted, and wild joy immediately filled their hearts.
They didn't know what had happened.
But one by one, they dove into the water.
They submerged into the deep sea.
Each of them was filled with disbelief.
Those running dogs of the Celestial Dragons actually hadn't killed them.
Then, they swam toward Fish-Man Island in the deep sea.
They had no idea what kind of madness had possessed the Celestial Dragons to release them, but it was definitely not safe here.
Firstly, they feared the Celestial Dragons would go back on their word, and secondly, they feared those Merfolk traffickers would capture them once again.