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In a lavishly decorated conference room, five men of differing statures sat around an ornate sofa. Their faces were etched with cold severity, and the room was thick with an oppressive atmosphere.
This wasn't their usual meeting, where one of them convened as the initiator. Instead, the Five Elders—wielding the highest authority in their respective domains—had independently set aside all pressing matters to address the aftermath of the Summit War.
They all knew the monumental impact these recent events would have on the world.
The resurgence of the Great Pirate Era? That much they could accept. Such instability could be managed, even corrected in time. After all, the prophesied Year of Correction was approaching, and their Seraphim project was nearing completion.
But there was one thing they could not tolerate: the power Alex had displayed in the war and the trajectory of his growing momentum, especially after acquiring Whitebeard's abilities.
In the past, the existence of the National Treasure and "that person" awakening in due time had tempered their anxiety over Alex's rapid growth.
More-More Fruit combined with Float-Float Fruit: Continental Fall.
More-More Fruit combined with Quake-Quake Fruit: World-Class Destruction.
Just the thought of it sent shivers through them.
"It's fortunate Alex hasn't sought out the Final Island, Raftel, like Roger once did, but his actions are far more dangerous than Roger's adventurous ambitions ever were."
"That man shows no signs of stopping. He continues to consolidate power. It's hard not to draw parallels to Rocks' ambitions."
"It wouldn't be wise to challenge him directly right now," the Elder with the Whitebeard file admitted, his face dark as he leafed through reports on Alex and the Sky Kingdom. "The Float-Float Fruit makes large-scale naval warfare against him impractical. Add Whitebeard's powers, and the risks are insurmountable."
The bald Elder with the katana adjusted his glasses. "But aren't his abilities rooted in his two weapons? If we can destroy—or seize—those weapons, his power could be diminished."
"Are you suggesting we sacrifice Stussy for this operation?"
Taking a sip of tea, the bald Elder replied with a calm tone. "The restart is imminent. Stussy's role in capturing Alex isn't as vital as we once believed. Moreover, she hasn't met the expectations we set for her. Whether it's Alex's forces or the capabilities shown by Big Mom legion, the stakes have changed."
The others nodded in agreement, swiftly marking Stussy as a dispensable piece on their strategic chessboard.
"Then we'll have the Shields take on this mission. While they're at it, they should attempt to steal data and materials related to Alex's artificial weapons."
The Five Elders turned their attention to another pressing concern: the Big Mom Legion.
No one could have foreseen the Sky Kingdom's ability to produce humanoid weapons with such speed and devastating effectiveness. These weapons vastly outperformed the World Government's Seraphim project.
The Seraphim had been modeled after the former Warlords of the Sea, integrating their abilities and combat potential. But the Sky Kingdom had achieved something far more potent by directly replicating Big Mom—a natural-born destroyer and a figure of nearly indestructible power.
Comparing the gap between the Warlords and the Four Emperors was no contest. The Sky Kingdom had crushed them completely.
"Based on the remnants of Big Mom units recovered from the battlefield," the blond Elder began, clasping his hands tightly as he spoke, "Vegapunk has determined their structure incorporates a special alloy. It boasts extraordinary anti-corrosive, anti-impact, and resilient properties. Its strength is comparable to, if not surpassing, seastone."
The room stirred with renewed interest.
"But that's not all," he continued. "The true value of this alloy lies in its ability to retain memory forms of living beings. In other words, it allows biological factors to function at their maximum potential—mechanically."
The other Elders exchanged glances, their faces lighting up.
For all their expertise, they hadn't grasped the full implications. But they knew this: Vegapunk's research had long stalled on this exact hurdle.
"Can this alloy be reverse-engineered?"
"It will take time," the blond Five Elder said with a shake of his head. "And as for Vegapunk, he's insisting on heading to Egghead Island for additional technological experiments."
"It doesn't matter," another Elder replied. "It's likely tied to his dream of creating unlimited energy for humanity. That works in our favor, as long as he stays within acceptable boundaries."
"Indeed. As long as he doesn't tamper with certain forbidden technologies."
While the World Government debated intensely in their chambers, events elsewhere were brewing.
On a remote island in the Grand Line, the atmosphere was starkly different.
The air was thick and smoky, and the wind was faint. The barren land stretched endlessly, its white sands shimmering under the sun. This desolate, uninhabitable island served as the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
Inside a large conference room, Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, stood at the head of the table. A newspaper was crumpled in his clenched fist, reduced to scraps in seconds as the wind carried the fragments away.
Below the rooftop, the spacious meeting room was filled with the army's key commanders, each holding their own copy of the same newspaper.
Though they had received the information later than usual due to the recent chaos, the headline on the front page was unmistakable.
"Whitebeard has fallen!"
"In this war, Fire Fist Ace and Whitebeard both perished!"
"And look here," one of the commanders exclaimed, his voice wavering. "Straw Hat Luffy… he's your son?!"
Dragon nodded calmly, his expression unchanged. "Yes."
"WHAT?!" A chorus of stunned voices filled the room, shaking the walls.
Among them, a young blond-haired boy in a blue outfit froze in place. His hands trembled as he reached for a newspaper, staring at it in disbelief.
"That's your son?! Why have we never heard of this?"
"Does it matter?" Dragon responded evenly. "At the war's conclusion, Luffy and his crew vanished."
He turned his gaze across the room and continued. "They were rescued by Kuma. Based on the information I've received, they're being transported to Revolutionary Army territory."
Dragon's words quieted the room, though tension lingered in the air. "At this moment, they should still be airborne."
Suddenly, a sharp cry of pain pierced the silence.
Everyone turned as one of their own collapsed to the ground. "Sabo!"