Something is wrong...
It has been a while since I came to Mariejois.
The talks between the Navy and the Government were mostly settled. We got extra supplies for the West Blue, increased pensions for the victims' families, and special pensions for survivors who can't work anymore.
That's fine.
That's good.
The problem is my plan.
The Five Elders are working together way better than I expected.
I sat at the table in my guest room, listening to the silence. I tore five small pieces of paper—I could sense Marines and Cipher Pol agents guarding and watching outside, so I had to be subtle.
My first goal was to understand the inside of the Five Elders. And if possible, cause a crack in their system...
Based on their roles and number, I thought they would have some conflict. Actually, it's natural to have conflict.
Even as top leaders, they have different roles. One holds the money. Conflict always happens in government.
I heard the guy with the katana handles finance. If so...
Whether it's work or personal, the usual pattern is three against two.
I placed three paper pieces on the left and two on the right.
Or, a two-against-two setup with one neutral person in the middle.
I moved one piece up to make a pentagon shape.
If it was three-vs-two, I would side with the two. If it was two-vs-two-vs-one, I would get close to the neutral one. I hoped to create a situation where they needed 'Black Cat' pressure to keep the balance.
I wasn't going to force it, just hoping to find an opening. But I couldn't find any. I mean, in terms of negotiation, the Celestial Dragons are unpredictable, so there are plenty of openings there. But the Five Elders themselves? I don't see any cracks.
They might be hiding their flaws because they see through my plan... but they are too well-organized.
"...Time to change the plan, maybe," I whispered to myself.
I can't really see the ultimate goal of the Celestial Dragons—the World Government. If they want world unity, they should get rid of the discrimination system and make non-member countries into territories. It sounds bad, but if there are no human rights in non-member countries, they could just say, "Everyone is a slave starting today!"
It's hard now, but I can't believe they didn't have a chance in 800 years. Well, aside from dealing with troublesome pirate bases.
I thought their hidden goal might be written down like a Poneglyph, or passed down by word of mouth...
In the original story, Corazon... what was his real name again? That clumsy spy said he heard about 'D' when he was a kid. It wasn't a formal teaching, just something to scare kids, but the past still remained.
But even then, different interpretations would cause conflict... or rather, that's a weak reason for no conflict. If there is a strong reason they don't fight... or can't fight...
It would mean there is a higher-up with more power watching them.
Is... there?
Don't tell me there's a King above the Five Elders?
Hina, Admiral Zephyr, and Spandine taught me about the 'Empty Throne'. If the symbol of their oath is a lie, the World Government is wrong at its core. One wrong step and things will get messy. Very messy.
And even if there was a King, there must be succession.
Kings get old. Kids are born. They have to raise the kids. Raising the next King is like controlling the next government. It always causes fights. Those fights would leak out... honestly, the Celestial Dragons would probably destroy themselves. It would be a huge mess.
So, no.
Unless the King is immortal...
My mind flashed back to intelligence I had gathered, fragments of conversations and legends.
–
--- That's how valuable the ability is!
--- Personality 'transplant surgery' too... and one more thing!
--- Do you know!? If a talented person uses the "Op-Op Fruit"—
...Hmm.
Okay, let's change the tactical goal.
Let's just secure the results and finish this deal quickly. I shouldn't think too deeply. Just focus on what's in front of me. Cherish life!!!
"The problem is whether the Navy feels the World Government showed enough sincerity with just money and supplies..." I muttered, rubbing my temples.
Even excluding Kuzan and Garp, the Navy cares about face—or rather, feelings.
If the Five Elders... no, even if just the Celestial Dragon who bought the Marine apologized, it would be different...
An apology is harder than a thank you. If they show attitude like "Tch, so annoying," it's over. Expecting a Celestial Dragon to behave is too much. That means only the Five Elders can do it.
But we haven't cornered them enough to make the top leaders bow their heads. And the setting isn't right.
The pieces to end this aren't fitting together. That's why even someone with Sengoku's political sense couldn't solve this sooner...
….I'll rest a bit.
I poured some tea from the pot Hina had brought (and tested for poison) into a cup. It was lukewarm. I drank it and looked out the window.
I saw a small orange line on the dark horizon. Dawn is coming soon.
I stayed up all night again.
...Well, compared to staying up all night being chased by Mihawk and Rayleigh with real swords, this is nothing.
After a short nap, I'll ask for a meeting with the Five Elders. I need to see how much they can compromise as individuals... hmm?
The sky was still dark, but something felt wrong.
I squinted and stared at the sky above the Holy Land.
"...?"
There was a ship.
Huge amounts of ship wreckage... were covering... the sky.
"---Ha."
As if my open mouth was the signal, a roaring laugh echoed from the clouds.
--- Jihahahahahahaha!!!
A rain of destruction began to fall on the Holy Land.
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Only 50 Powerstones before next bonus chapter, more than 100 people reading this daily Btw.