Right now, the news hasn't spread yet, but the impact of those words can be imagined even without the Five Elders using their brains.
Back then, Roger's last words triggered the Great Pirate Era, leading to the emergence of countless powerful pirates on the sea. Many years have passed, and under the intimidation of the Four Emperors, this momentum has temporarily slowed down somewhat.
But Whitebeard's last words are like throwing a barrel of gasoline into the fire pit again.
The pirates believe in Whitebeard's integrity and don't think he would lie. One can foresee what the sea will become.
"Then why don't you take action?"
"Sengoku, do you know what you are saying?"
"I am well aware. Whitebeard, Kaidou, Red Hair, these three monsters are all concentrated in Marinfanto, and your demand is for a ceasefire. What else can be done!
Moreover, the final attack was also arranged by you, wasn't it? Half of the casualties among the Navy's grassroots soldiers were caused by the aftermath of this attack! Shouldn't you also reflect on this!"
The position of Navy Admiral seems glamorous, but whoever sits on it knows that underneath is a bunch of obstinate Navy with each having their personality. When executing orders, problems always arise.
Above them are the troublesome Heavenly Celestial Dragons and Five Elders giving orders, making him, the Navy Admiral, caught in the middle.
"Zephyr is dead, Marinfanto is destroyed, soldier casualties are severe, the Flying Dragon Team is wiped out, and the Peacekeeper Corps suffered over half losses; isn't all this due to your decisions!
Forcibly initiating a war at an inappropriate time, this is the result!"
Regarding the Summit War, Sengoku has always been an opposition. Now that he's been accused, he won't Bide any longer.
"I take responsibility for the Navy's failure, and I will resign from the position of Navy Admiral. As for the new admiral candidate, I recommend Kuzan."
Sengoku came this time intending to resign. Someone needs to take responsibility for the Navy's failure, and on the other hand, he doesn't want to endure this anymore.
He wants to learn from Garp and directly ditch the responsibilities. Whoever wants this admiral position can have it; he's done.
Sengoku's series of statements and resignation request actually pushed back the unspoken words of the Five Elders. If Sengoku continued as admiral, they had a reason to blame him, but Sengoku directly expressed resignation, leaving them without any reason to reprimand.
However, admitting their mistake is absolutely impossible, and no matter what, the Five Elders themselves will never be wrong unless Imu says they are wrong.
Seeing Sengoku's resignation, the Five Elders, although not admitting it, softened their tone and started a new topic. Individuals like Sengoku are best left within the Navy, as really pushing him to the edge wouldn't benefit them either.
"Sengoku, don't be so agitated. However, the choice of the new admiral still requires discussion. During this period, the Navy still needs you to take charge."
The failure of the war certainly needs a responsible party, but the Five Elders didn't wish to rush it like this, however, Kuzan doesn't quite fit their preference.
"The situation in Marinfanto is dire, and it's the same in other areas. A large number of prisoners escaped from Impel Down, and Judicial Island was also attacked by an unknown weapon. The World Government is having a tough time too."
"Isn't this the result of your agreed transaction? If it weren't for that Blackbeard guy, how could so many people have escaped from Impel Down?"
"The matter has already happened, and we've called you here to explore how to handle this issue."
"I have asked Magellan to compile information on the escaped prisoners, and new bounties will be issued soon."
"No, you cannot issue bounties. If the public learns that so many prisoners have escaped, what about our dignity?
Once so many dangerous criminals are exposed, it will cause panic."
Issuing bounties has always been the most direct and effective method, but the Five Elders directly vetoed Sengoku's idea, caring not for the lives of the people but only for the World Government's face.
Concealment would indeed bring misfortune to unprepared areas, but compared to causing large-scale panic, they would rather endure some casualties.
"Not only can you not issue bounties, but you also cannot openly arrest those people. This matter must be handled secretly, understood, Sengoku?"
Sengoku doesn't want to agree to this requirement, but he can't do anything about it. Orders from the World Government cannot be disobeyed by the Navy. To mobilize troops on a large scale requires an order from the World Government, and only individuals like Garp can act as they please.
Even if Sengoku disagrees, the World Government still has ways to restrict the Navy's actions.
The number of escapees this time is too large; without assembling heavy forces, recapturing them all will be an extremely long task.
If it were in the past, he might have reluctantly agreed, but this time, Sengoku did not give any response, only protesting silently.
"This matter is settled, and next is the issue of the Hundred Beasts. Undoubtedly, they have become the biggest threat on the sea.
That attack was indeed orchestrated by us, but unfortunately, it didn't succeed. However, it also made it clear to us that the Hundred Beasts is the real threat to us."
A screen appeared in the meeting room, replaying the scenes of the Summit War and freezing on Origin and Arceus.
"Arceus, the vice-captain of the Hundred Beasts crew, is also what they call a god in their religion.
Queen still has an inseparable relationship with the technical sources of the Hundred Beasts, but it can be confirmed that this self-proclaimed god has terrifying power, and it was he who thwarted our attack."
Whether the attack was from the ship or from a person, they can still tell, but their next words were enough to collapse Queen.
"When setting the bounty for the Hundred Beasts, attribute this part of the power to Queen."
"Why?"
"Do you want to admit that someone can counter such an attack with their own strength? Do you not know how severe a blow this would be to the morale of the future navy?"
Unlike before, previously Queen's troubles were unknown, and the World Government wasn't clear on what those things were.
This time they grasped the truth but didn't want to reveal it.
Some matters are destined not to be made public, like the works of Arceus.
If an enemy possesses a terrifying weapon, there are still means of balance, but if the enemy themselves can exert world-destroying power, it would cause a devastating blow to morale, as it's difficult to instill courage to resist an invincible individual.
Even the current World Government does not wish to provoke the Hundred Beasts further, and luckily, Arceus doesn't act much, allowing the World Government to feel time is on their side.
Before Imu awakens, they are not planning to initiate a new conflict with the Hundred Beasts; maintaining the status quo is their intention.