In the grand and imposing Holy Land of Mary Geoise, within the sacred walls of Pangaea Castle, Fleet Admiral Sengoku once again stood before the Five Elders the highest authorities of the World Government. His expression was grave, his steps heavy. Deep inside, he was groaning silently. This year, he felt cursed, as if bad luck itself had taken a personal interest in tormenting him. He had barely recovered from one ordeal before finding himself dragged back into another, and now, once again, he was standing in this suffocating chamber facing those five terrifying old men.
After delivering his concise report on the recent incidents, Sengoku remained silent, hands clasped behind his back. This time, unlike before, Commander-in-Chief Kong had not accompanied him. As the public face of the Government's military, Kong had more than enough responsibilities to occupy his time, leaving Sengoku to handle the brunt of the Five Elders' wrath alone.
Then, suddenly
BANG!
The marble floor cracked open beneath a thunderous strike, sending shards of stone scattering across the pristine hall. Everyone turned to see Jaygarcia Saturn, one of the Five Elders, his face flushed with rage, his plump features distorted into something beastly. His cane was still pressed into the fractured floor. The fury radiating from him made even the air feel heavy.
"Outrageous! That insolent fool Eli Winters dares defy the World Government itself! He had the audacity to slaughter our most sacred Celestial Dragon!" Saturn roared, his voice booming through the chamber like thunder.
But his fury was met not with shared outrage, but with thinly veiled exasperation. The other four Elders exchanged subtle glances. None spoke it aloud, but the thought crossed each of their minds What did you expect, old fool? You sent assassins after him. If he struck back, that's only natural.
Topman Warcury finally broke the silence, his tone measured but firm. "Saturn, I understand your anger. However, you must control yourself. This operation failed because we underestimated Eli Winters' true strength. If we want him eliminated, we'll need to gather forces far beyond what we initially dispatched."
Shepherd Ju Peter nodded gravely in agreement. "Indeed. From the strength Eli has shown, I'd estimate we'd need at least two 'King-class' combatants acting together to have even a chance of suppressing him. His mastery of the Spatial Fruit is particularly dangerous its ability to distort reality itself makes him unpredictable and nearly impossible to counter." His voice carried a rare note of genuine dread.
Marcus Mars leaned forward, his tone cautious. "However, requesting the mobilization of two King-class entities would require permission from that being."
The room fell into a heavy silence. None dared to say the name aloud.
After several tense seconds, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nasjuro finally spoke. His expression was solemn, his sharp eyes cutting through the silence like a blade. "It's still not time to awaken him. If direct confrontation fails, we must change tactics. Instead of attacking Eli Winters head-on, we should target his allies. Isolate him. Strip him of his support. Only then will he be vulnerable."
The others nodded in unison. As much as they hated to admit it, Nasjuro's logic was sound. Eli's strength might rival even the great powers of the world, but his companions his heart could be used against him.
Saturn's breathing slowed as his rage subsided. He adjusted his robes and spoke again, his tone deceptively casual. "Then perhaps we should entrust this matter to Saint Sigurdell."
The other Elders exchanged looks. None spoke, but their expressions said enough they all saw through Saturn's ploy. His suggestion wasn't born of strategy, but spite.
Still, he pressed on, feigning nonchalance. "Sigurdell has been far too idle in recent years. As the supreme commander of CP0, he's more than capable of handling a task like this. Besides, his strength shouldn't be underestimated."
After a brief pause, the others relented. It was, in truth, the most practical option.
Topman Warcury then turned his gaze to Sengoku. "As for you, Sengoku, do not involve the Marines in this matter for now. Your priority is to stabilize the situation in the New World. Crush anyone foolish enough to stir chaos in this vacuum."
"Yes, my lord," Sengoku replied, bowing slightly. "However, with Admiral Akainu's death, the Navy's Three Admiral system is incomplete. I intend to nominate a replacement."
The Five Elders exchanged murmured deliberations. Finally, Warcury nodded. "Very well. Choose whoever you deem fit but remember, he must prove his worth in battle. The title of Admiral is not given, it's earned."
Relieved that the meeting had finally concluded, Sengoku exhaled deeply and departed from the chamber.
June 8, Year 1509 of the Sea Calendar
That morning, the world awoke to a headline that shook every sea, every kingdom, and every pirate cove to its core.
"Shocking! The Divine Emperor Eli Winters Slays a Celestial Dragon in the East Blue! Admiral Akainu Falls The True Reason Revealed!"
Within hours, the story spread across the seas like wildfire.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, Marco strode briskly toward Whitebeard, clutching the day's newspaper. The old man, caught mid-drink, looked momentarily embarrassed before breaking into a booming laugh.
"Gurararara! My beloved son, what brings you here so tense? Don't tell me the Navy finally decided to retire me?"
Ignoring the act, Marco handed him the paper. "Read it, Pops. Something big happened."
Whitebeard took the newspaper lazily but as his eyes scanned the front page, his smile slowly faded. When he reached the end, his booming laugh returned, louder than before.
"Gurararara! I like this boy more and more! That Eli Winters he's got guts! The World Government must be fuming right now!"
Marco frowned. "Pops, this isn't something to laugh about. Eli's power is terrifying. If he sails into the New World, he could destabilize everything including us."
Whitebeard shook his massive head, smiling knowingly. "Don't worry, Marco. That man isn't driven by ambition or greed. He's guided by compassion. A man who avenges the helpless is not one to destroy for pleasure."
Marco sighed. "You've never even met him. How can you be so sure?"
Whitebeard took another swig from his jug. "Tell me, Marco would you risk your life to avenge strangers who can't defend themselves? That's the difference. That's what makes him a man of great heart."
Marco fell silent, realizing there was truth in those words. Eli's compassion was as terrifying as his strength.
Meanwhile, in Wano Country, Kaido sat slumped on his throne, the newspaper crumpled in his fist. His face twitched with disbelief.
"That brat Eli… he's grown that strong? He took down Akainu?"
King stood beside him, his voice low. "Boss, do you think he'll come after us for what happened before?"
Kaido scowled. "How the hell should I know? If I were him, I might."
"So what do we do?"
Kaido glared. "We do nothing stupid! I'm going into seclusion for a while. You handle Wano's expansion. And tell Jack to stop running around causing chaos if he doesn't train properly, I'll break his legs myself."
Though Kaido often boasted about wanting to die in battle, deep down, he wasn't nearly as reckless as he claimed. "No need to tempt fate," he muttered. "This place has enough seastone to keep even Eli Winters cautious."
In the Flower Country, old Chinjao was putting his grandsons through brutal training, shouting orders while they gasped for breath. When a subordinate brought him the newspaper, his grandsons nearly fainted with relief.
"See this?" Chinjao roared. "Eli Winters is about your age and he's already killed a Marine Admiral! And you two can't even handle push-ups without whining! You're a disgrace to the family!"
One grandson grumbled, "You couldn't beat him either, Grandpa…"
The air froze.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" Chinjao's kick sent the boy flying into the nearest ship's mast.
The other grandson broke into a cold sweat.
As the two fled, Chinjao looked down at the newspaper again, a grin tugging at his lips. "Go on, boy," he muttered. "Turn this world upside down. Let those arrogant Celestial bastards tremble for once."
Across the seas, every island buzzed with the same name Eli Winters.
Big Mom laughed heartily in Totto Land, ordering her children to expand their empire. Zeff read the paper at Baratie and sighed, "Kids these days… frighteningly strong."
In East Blue, at Shimotsuki Village, Kuina's eyes widened as she read the article her father handed her. "Master might be in danger!"
Her father, Koushirou, shook his head gently. "Your teacher is far too strong for that. If he can't win, he'll simply escape."
Kuina pouted, clutching the paper. "Hmph. That stupid teacher hasn't even visited me once since he left."
Koushirou smiled faintly, saying nothing.
In Cocoyasi Village, Nami and Nojiko read the same article in shock. "He killed an Admiral and a Celestial Dragon?! Will they come after him now?" Nami cried.
Bell-mère only sighed softly. "He's strong enough to protect himself, Nami. The Marines can't touch him now."
And in the Foosha Village mountains, Dadan nearly choked on her drink as she read the headline. "That Eli guy… took down an Admiral?! Even Garp can't do that! Damn, and I took one of his gold bars too…"
Moments later, she was calling out, "Luffy! Ace! Sabo! You boys want to see something wild?"
Within seconds, her door was kicked open.
"WHERE?!" Luffy yelled, eyes shining.
"Luffy, fix that damn door or you're not eating tonight!" Dadan snapped.
Sabo smiled politely. "Miss Dadan, about that newspaper…?"
"Sure," she said slyly. "But you're covering the food bill for the next three days."
Ace crossed his arms. "Deal."
Moments later, Luffy was screaming, "Whoa! Eli's amazing! He's so cool!"
Ace groaned. "You can't even read, idiot!"
"But look at the picture! He's awesome!"
Sabo chuckled. But as he read the article, his smile faded into awe. "He killed a Celestial Dragon. Do you two realize what that means?"
Luffy tilted his head. "A bad guy?"
Sabo nodded slowly. "The worst kind of bad guy. The ones who think they own the world."
Luffy clenched his fists. "Then I'll be like Eli someday! I'll knock every last one of them down!"
Ace and Sabo both froze.
"Shut up, idiot!" Ace hissed, covering Luffy's mouth. "You can't just say that out loud!"
As the brothers argued, laughter filled the small mountain cabin. None of them knew that, years later, the boy shouting those reckless words would one day stand before the world as the man to challenge its very foundations just like the hero he idolized.
And somewhere, far beyond their reach, Eli Winters smiled faintly as the winds carried his name across the seas. The world would never be the same again.
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