In the awareness of the Five Elders, Ancient Weapons are the most terrifying force in the world. Apart from the Netherworld King and the weapons that the shipwrights of the legendary Water 7 can create to counter the Netherworld King, they can't imagine what else could rival it.
"Wano Kuni is intact, so it's definitely not the Netherworld King, but that's not important. Whether it's manpower or weapon power, it means the Hundred Beasts have acquired an ultimate weapon.
This thing can return our attacks, which means it can unleash even greater power!"
The bald Five Elder's voice interrupted their argument and clarified the key point.
This is not the so-called Bloodline Factor technology. We need to understand how the power came to be; it's a terrifying deterrent comparable to Ancient Weapons.
The user, the manufacturer, none of these matter. What matters is that they have the ability to launch destructive attacks on Navy branches, member countries, and even the World Government.
"As long as that's there, Mary Geoise's security should be fine..."
"Delay some actions. Forcing them into a corner won't be a good thing. Let Lord Imu handle this matter when he awakens."
"I second that. Let's also delay any action against Queen; this Arceus, who has usually been insignificant, is the real trouble."
Previously, they didn't care and could maintain order on The Sea, which is why they allowed pirate activity, only sending subordinates to handle special issues.
But things are different now. The force displayed by the Hundred Beasts forced them to pay more attention to these monsters. This brief clash made them choose to temporarily abandon forceful actions and instead strategize other plans.
"The top war wasn't successful. Since Kaidou has targeted Whitebeard, so be it."
"Fine, but the broadcast there..."
"Send someone to cut it off. It's bad if the remaining footage gets out."
They've already decided to end the war, but the outward message must not suggest the World Government is retreating voluntarily. They'll only convey the intent to the Navy, leaving them to make their decisions, but before that, they decided to cut off the Radio Snail's signal.
The new orders were handed to the present members of CP0, who also had fresh actions to take.
At this moment, the person criticized worldwide by photographers as a useless individual crawled out from the ruins.
From the moment Zephyr detonated Explosive Rock, Buggy realized this war wasn't his scene, so he used diversion as an excuse and led his followers around in circles, beginning to distance themselves from the center of the battlefield.
Just when Buggy thought he'd escaped danger, a greater crisis emerged.
...
"Ha! What is this thing! How can the Navy possess such a terrifying thing!"
Due to being overly emotional, Buggy's body had already split into several parts, and the hand holding the Radio Snail waved up and down, causing journalists watching the broadcast to once again shower him with curses.
"Captain Buggy! Brother 3 just got knocked unconscious and was then kidnapped by the Rhinoceros Beetle beside the Straw Hat Kid!"
"What did you say?? The Rhinoceros Beetle kidnapped Mr. 3?? Fine, let's slip away first; there's no time to bother about him now. I will remember you, Mr. 3..."
Buggy mumbled his thoughts with a slightly sad expression; the recent explosion had dizzyingly stunned these pirates, with many bleeding from their ears. Unlike Arceus's protection, their hearing had declined considerably.
Mr. 3's Candle Barrier could resist a certain degree of impact but was very limited, only slightly reducing some damage.
Due to impaired hearing combined with Buggy's exaggerated expressions, they automatically filled in some absurd dialogues.
"Save Brother 3!"
"Defeat the Straw Hat Kid, save Brother 3!"
"Enough from you all!"
Buggy angrily stared at the pirates in front, but his head directly flew up, catching sight of a blue scythe blade striking the ice behind him.
"Who is it! How dare you ambush me!"
Looking back, someone dressed in a white suit, wearing a clown mask, was staring at Buggy.
"Clown Buggy, hand over the Radio Snail in your possession immediately."
"In your dreams! My grand plan for fame hasn't started yet; you won't stop me!"
Despite fleeing, Buggy hadn't given up his previous plans. To him, escape and fame aren't contradictory, just requiring some minor maneuvers.
"A mere 15 million Belly bounty criminal, Clown Buggy, you're overestimating yourself."
"Do you think I'm the same as before? You guys! Catch him for me!"
Due to inexplicable fearsome luck, these prisoners willingly served Buggy.
However, they overestimated themselves; these second-layer prisoners weren't opponents against CP0 at all.
Under his adept Rokushiki, the charging pirates quickly retreated, soon being beaten into disarray.
The second-layer prisoners were mainly those from the First Half of the Grand Line. If they were Four Seas prisoners, they'd usually be detained nearby, with only a few being sent to Impel Down.
They could bully ordinary people, but facing the elite agents of the World Government was far beyond them.
"Captain Buggy! This guy is incredible!"
"Captain Buggy, please act quickly; we're no match for him!"
The surrounding underlings looked at Buggy eagerly, waiting for him to showcase his might, and those glances once again pushed Buggy into the spotlight, making him indecisive about running or fighting.
"Captain Buggy, are you afraid? Watching your men fight while you retreat!"
"I... I... actually...."
Just when Buggy was hesitating, CP0 had broken through the pirates' attack, reached Buggy, and was about to grab his head. At this moment, a terrifying killing intent enveloped the CP0.
"This is my brother; can you give me some face and halt your actions for now?"
...
"Did you... did you hear that? He actually called Captain Buggy his brother!"
"I heard it; it's Red Hair Shanks! To be buddies with Red Hair Shanks, he's worthy of taking Whitebeard's head."
"I get it! Captain Buggy came here to find Red Hair! He didn't want Red Hair interfering with his battle, so he came here to block him!"
"Captain Buggy, we will follow you forever!"
The prisoners once again fell into self-induced emotion, while the CP0 sweated profusely, staring at the Red Hair before him, facing the Four Emperors, which was not his desire.
"Red Hair Shanks, this is an order from the World Government..."
"I'll only say it once, move aside."
"..."
This CP0 didn't wish to oppose the Four Emperors, but he carried orders from the Five Elders, and with orders as a premise, the CP0 wouldn't hesitate to act, whether interfering in Kaidou's fight or disregarding Red Hair's face, to them it meant nothing.
"Soru."
Facing Shanks, the CP0 initiated an assault on Buggy, but awaited him only Gryphon's blade.
Effortlessly resolving the CP0 before him, Shanks turned to Buggy.
"Long time no see, Buggy."
"Long time no see... You're still the same guy! Seeing you fires me up! Have you forgotten, my feelings for you are only hatred!"
"Huh? Is that so? Didn't I just save you? You should be thanking me, right?"
"Who's thanking you! Bastard! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have mistakenly eaten the Devil Fruit and turned into this! Who do you think is to blame for all this!"
Red Hair Shanks, the youngest of the Four Emperors, a monster in the New World, and the man Buggy fears least.
In front of Whitebeard and Kaidou, Buggy could only feign composure, but facing Shanks, he genuinely dared to show his true colors.
"Wait, why did you come here, you bastard!"
Bellowing for half the day, Buggy suddenly realized this was Marinfanto, for a Sea Emperor like Shanks to come here, wasn't a good sign.
"Me? I came to offer some advice, this war should end."
With that, Shanks sheathed Gryphon, dusted off his clothes, and headed toward Origin...