"Tap… tap…"
"Tap… tap…"
In the quiet, wind-swept night, rows of lights flickered unnaturally against the darkness.
Inside the vast castle, the crisp echo of footsteps rang out—like a strange, eerie melody.
On the polished floor, shadows stretched long… each figure with a blade hanging at their waist.
After a short while—
the World Government agent stopped before a massive door.
Turning around, he said respectfully:
"This is the place."
Without waiting for a reply—
he pushed the doors open.
"Please, go in."
"Mm."
Everyone stepped forward.
…
Inside—
the lighting was dim, but it didn't hinder their vision.
Four elders sat on sofas ahead, left and right—
clearly waiting.
Originally—
they intended to intimidate the group.
But the moment Madara and the others stepped in—
cold sweat formed on all four of their foreheads.
Because what they felt—
was not weakness.
But overwhelming presence.
Each one—
a monster.
At that instant, the same thoughts crossed their minds:
Where did these people come from?
How did Is find them?
Why would they follow him?
…
"Huh?"
Tatsumaki looked around.
"Why isn't Is here? Wasn't he also summoned?"
"Did we come to the wrong place?" Acnologia added.
"That seems unlikely," Yoriichi said calmly. "We were led here."
"You're not mistaken."
The sword-bearing elder finally spoke.
"The Five Elders are not one person… but five."
"Is is currently meeting the fifth elder elsewhere."
"So…"
Madara smirked faintly.
"You called us here separately?"
"Correct."
The white-haired elder spoke slowly.
"There is no hostility in this. Everything we do… is for Is."
Unohana smiled gently.
"If Is himself doesn't agree, then speaking to us won't change anything."
The elders ignored that point.
"This is not some grand matter," one of them continued.
"It is a small matter—yet beneficial to us, to Is, to the World Government… and to the entire world."
…
Silence.
Then—
"Pfft—!"
Acnologia burst out laughing.
"Sorry… couldn't hold it in."
"You call something that benefits everyone… 'a small matter'?"
Madara stepped forward slightly.
"No need to waste time."
"Get to the point."
…
"Very well."
The sword-bearing elder stood up and slowly approached.
"We want your help."
"Convince Is… to join the power structure of the Celestial Dragons."
"That is the correct path for him."
Unohana replied calmly:
"You couldn't convince him yourselves. Why would we be able to?"
But the elders continued regardless—
"As long as you help us…"
"We can give you anything."
"Money. Power. Women. Status."
"Whatever you desire."
"Choose freely."
…
"If that's all you wanted to say," Madara replied coldly,
"then you've come to the wrong people."
"We won't interfere in Is's decisions."
"Discuss it with him directly."
"If there's nothing else—"
"We're leaving."
One after another—
they made their stance clear.
No hesitation.
No temptation.
None of those things mattered to them.
…
The elders' expressions darkened.
They already knew—
this wouldn't go as planned.
But reality—
was harsher than expected.
…
Suddenly—
"SHING!"
The sword-bearing elder drew his blade.
Armament Haki coated it instantly.
Despite his aged body—
his speed was terrifying.
In a flash—
he appeared above Madara and slashed down.
"Clang!"
Yoriichi moved instantly—
drawing his blade and intercepting mid-air.
A violent shockwave exploded outward.
Madara smirked.
"So this is your idea of 'discussion'?"
At that moment—
the entire hall filled with killing intent.
A suffocating pressure.
Like beasts awakening.
…
But—
the elder didn't press further.
He landed lightly—
and sheathed his blade.
"Having you by his side…"
"Is truly fortunate."
He returned to his seat calmly.
"You may leave."
"Our offer still stands."
"If Is joins us—regardless of whether you persuaded him or not—"
"We will honor everything we promised."
…
"Let's go."
Madara didn't respond further.
They turned—
and walked out.
Not even bothering to close the door.
…
After they left—
the hall fell silent.
The elders sighed deeply.
"As expected…"
"This has gone far beyond our expectations."
"I tested them just now…"
"They're not illusions."
"Every single one of them…"
"Is among the strongest."
…
One elder leaned back slightly.
"That boy… Is…"
"Becoming more and more interesting."
"From the Roger Pirates incident… to Mary Geoise…"
"And now these followers…"
"…things are getting very interesting indeed."
"Indeed."
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