Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
Holy Land, Mariejois.
In the top-floor office of the World Government, the light was bright, but the atmosphere among the Five Elders was oppressively heavy. The source of this tension was unmistakable: the direct call from the Den Den Mushi, which bore the visage of Alex.
"I told you," Alex's voice came through sharply. "This was a game I had to win from the start. I only came to you to minimize my losses. If the Beasts Pirates hadn't arrived late, my forces might've stumbled ."
His words carried an edge. "Even with the battlefield tilted by their interference, I didn't see any of those coalition forces you mentioned. And now, here you are, brazen enough to demand I honor our agreement?"
The Den Den Mushi's expression twisted further as Alex added mockingly, "Do you take me for a philanthropist? Or just a fool?"
Silence immediately fell between the powers.
Words wielded like that could cut deeper than blades.
After a long pause, the Elder clad in a kimono and gripping Shodai Kitetsu spoke in a grave tone, breaking the silence. "You've claimed the entire Totto Land territory in the New World. Many would envy such a feat. Even as a sea emperor, there are always fools willing to challenge you—let alone Whitebeard."
"The last time was Marine negligence. This time, we won't repeat that mistake. CP-0 will assist."
The Elder responsible for diplomacy suddenly interjected, his tone measured. "There is... another path. Considering the scope of Wanokuni under your control, we could extend a sincere invitation for you to join the World Government as a special member state. You wouldn't even need to pay the Heavenly Tribute."
The room shifted. The other Elders wore expressions of shock. This proposal was not only unprecedented—it was unthinkable. Since the formation of the World Government, no nation had ever joined without paying the Heavenly Tribute, let alone a nation born of piracy and defiance.
The Den Den Mushi's eyes widened briefly, followed by a burst of laughter.
"If your goal was to make me laugh, congratulations—you succeeded."
The diplomatic Elder's face darkened, but he continued. "Member states receive the Marine's protection. They gain access to global trade, accelerating development. We ensure fairness among all member nations, and your voice would carry weight at the Reverie, where global concerns are addressed."
"Fairness?" Alex's voice dripped with disdain. "You expect me to believe that childish nonsense? Do you think I've come this far only to be swayed by hollow promises?"
He knows about the so-called 'Empty Throne' and the one who sits upon it—Im, the absolute ruler of this world.
'The idea of no singular king ruling this world has always been a lie.'
"A franchise nation? I couldn't care less. Besides, have you forgotten your place? It's not my choice on the table—it's your desperation."
"I won this war alone. If anyone—Whitebeard, your World Government, or anyone else—wants the spoils, they can come and take them."
The Den Den Mushi went silent as the line abruptly disconnected.
Whether through words or actions, Alex had managed to ignite anger in many.
Still, none of the Five Elders allowed their frustration to show outwardly. Instead, their expressions were uniformly grim, brows furrowed in deep thought.
"It seems completely defeating Big Mom and Kaido has boosted his confidence considerably," one of them remarked.
"He's not only absorbed the power of the Beasts Pirates but also claimed their territories and resources. Even after the toll of war, his forces remain vast. Combined with the inherent might of Wanokuni, his position in the New World is unmatched."
The blonde Elder continued, "From the start, he orchestrated this with precision. By proactively defending Wanokuni, he brought his army back home while simultaneously absorbing the warriors of Wanokuni into his forces. He's also acquired Big Mom's Soul-Soul Fruit and has formed an alliance with the new ruler of Amazon Lily. Step by step, he's consolidating power and deepening his foundation."
"This is no ordinary pirate. He's a beast, constantly growing stronger. And once he fully develops, there's no guarantee he won't set his sights on the World Government."
The Elder previously in charge of diplomacy spoke, his tone weighty. "Allowing Wanokuni to join as a franchise nation wasn't just about weighing the benefits—it was a way to test Alex's intentions."
"Given the situation, perhaps we should report this to him. If left unchecked, Alex could very well become the next Rocks."
But one of the others shook his head. "During the Rocks era, we informed that figure as well. Yet he showed no interest, offering no orders or intervention. At the time, even though Rocks D. Xebec targeted the Valley of the Gods, the Lord remained silent. Alex's threat, while concerning, hasn't reached that same level. It's unlikely he'll act now."
"It's a thorny issue," the blonde Elder muttered. "If that's the case, the decision falls to us. Even if we can't eliminate the threat outright, we must take steps to restrain Wanokuni during the cleansing period mentioned by the Lord."
"Restraint?" the Elder with a birthmark scoffed, his tone laced with frustration. "We've discussed such measures time and time again, yet every attempt has failed. Meanwhile, the innovations revealed by Wanokuni are things we need—man-made Devil Fruits, energy weapons that shone on the battlefield, and those advanced combat suits."
The room fell into a heavy silence as the Five Elders exchanged glances. Each knew the truth of his words.
Alex's confidence, his audacity to speak to them so brazenly, stemmed from these technological advancements. And as things stood, the Marines were in no position to mount an effective strike against Wanokuni, especially in the New World.
To make matters worse, with the Totto Kingdom now under Alex's control, any attempt to counter him had grown exponentially more difficult.
"Marine equipment is, to some extent, still lacking," the Elder wielding Shodai Kitetsu admitted. "Meanwhile, Wanokuni continues to gather superior resources and power reserves. We cannot ignore this imbalance."
"Whether as a precaution or for the sake of future developments, we should consider strengthening Marine forces. I propose we expand the Marines' reach and implement the plan for a World Military Draft."