Red Line, Holy Land Mariejois.
Pangaea Castle.
It's the heart of Holy Land Mariejois, a place even challenging for members of the nineteen Celestial Dragon families to casually enter.
Only the five elders, considered the highest authority in the world government, have the privilege of spending extended periods in this unassuming conference room.
Now, inside this expansive meeting space,
The five elders, a group of elderly individuals, were either seated on sofas or standing, holding a knife and displaying various expressions.
However, without exception, all their gazes were directed at the den den mushi that had just been placed on the coffee table before them.
"What are your thoughts on the Marines' request?" inquired Saint Nusjuro, one of the Five Elders, holding the suspected Shodai Kitetsu with a profound tone.
"This war seems like a mockery. Is the Marine aiming to further extend its influence through this?" questioned Saint Saturn, distinguished by a black hat and white hair, with a chill in his voice.
Clearly, he had harbored long-standing dissatisfaction with the Marine's top leadership, led by Sengoku.
From the beginning, they hadn't endorsed this war. It was entirely initiated by the Marines. Yet, they now sought recognition and rewards somewhat sheepishly. Wasn't this underestimating themselves too much?
"We can't agree to all of the Marine's requests, but..." pondered Saint Mars, stroking his white beard and furrowing his brow.
"We might consider accepting one or two of them."
"Such as implementing a global conscription? Or establishing a dedicated Admiral position for Hakuryu? Or even directly promoting Issho to the rank of Marine Candidate Admiral?"
Saint Nusjuro posed a rhetorical question.
*Dong Dong——!*
Saint Peter, with his yellow hair, tapped the table twice. When he noticed the attention of those present turning to him, he nodded contentedly.
"You must comprehend that the global conscription is a genuine boost to Marine's strength. By granting them positions, we incur no cost, yet we can secure some of Marine's loyalty."
"The prowess of Hakuryu hasn't just been witnessed by you and me; it's been broadcast worldwide. Whether he attains the rank of Admiral or not, his influence at sea already surpasses that of a Marine Admiral."
"Granting him the title of Marine Admiral wouldn't be detrimental. As for the individual named Issho, he's already aligned himself with the Marines, and altering this reality is beyond our control."
"....."
A brief silence followed, during which those present bowed their heads, contemplating the practicality of Saint Peter's declaration.
"Now, how should we handle those individuals who escaped from the sixth floor of Impel Down?" Saint Nusjuro nodded, endorsing Saint Peter's viewpoint, and then posed another inquiry.
"Let the Marines handle it. Above all, we must keep this incident from becoming public. The reputation of the World Government must be preserved, at the very least."
"Furthermore, despite the breach at Impel Down, if we can divert some of Marine's resources, it would be advantageous."
"Marine's current prominence needs to be curbed."
.....
In the Grand Line, in an unfamiliar sea expanse.
A small sailboat glided leisurely, its lightweight frame rocking with the forceful waves.
Clearly, the craftsmanship of this ship is not exceptional.
It's likely that anyone accustomed to living on solid ground would experience vomiting and diarrhea amidst this intense turbulence.
On the ship's deck,
A somber group was seated on the floor, led by a red-haired man sporting a straw hat.
He clutched a crumpled newspaper, his expression weighed down.
"Rayleigh lost his right arm, and Gaban... we're uncertain about his fate."
"Captain..."
Beckman and the others seemed somewhat concerned, hesitating to voice their thoughts.
"It's alright; let's press on with our adventure in the New World. Perhaps we can achieve a feat akin to Captain Roger's!!" Shanks wore a smile again, offering Beckman and the others a reassuring nod.
As a captain, he couldn't afford to falter at a moment like this.
"Captain, I mean, we should consider changing our ship."
Their ship had been seized randomly from a pirate crew, and its quality undoubtedly paled in comparison to that of the Red Force.
However, there was no alternative. The Red Force was currently impounded at Marine Headquarters, and attempting to reclaim it through sheer strength was nothing short of wishful thinking.
Unless another Summit War erupted, a scenario even more implausible.
"A vessel of this caliber simply can't endure the harsh conditions of the New World."
"...True. How about I approach Uncle Tom to assist us in constructing a new one?"
Shanks' expression froze, and he inquired tentatively.
"Are you referring to Fishman Tom, the one who constructed the world's mightiest pirate ship for Roger, in the Capital of Water?"
Beckman frowned, "However, Fishman Tom appears to be occupied with the sea train now and might not have the time to assist us."
Some time back, they had been attempting to trace Shanks' whereabouts.
He went through the latest newspapers and scrutinized everything in detail.
Even seemingly minor things like sea trains weren't overlooked.
"That's settled then. Let's head to the Capital of Waters first and secure a skilled craftsman temporarily to construct a ship capable of navigating the New World."
"Later on, we can visit Elbaf to obtain materials from the Treasure Tree Adam for building another ship. It just so happens that I've visited the Elbaf alongside Captain Roger and developed some camaraderie with the Giants."
Shanks scratched his head in embarrassment; it was a rare occasion for his thoughts to be so focused.
"Then... what would be a fitting name for our ship?"
"Should we stick with Red Force? The design can also replicate the original look."
"That works; it sounds quite fitting."
Amidst this discussion, the pirate ship subtly changed its course, heading toward the Capital of Waters.
With their considerable sailing expertise, the Red Hair Pirates were undoubtedly well-versed in navigating the waters leading to the Water 7.
Indeed, the Capital of Water is renowned as a gathering spot for craftsmen from across the globe.
Seafarers making a livelihood on the ocean often find themselves in the Capital of Water at some juncture for ship repairs.
This is precisely why shipwrights hold such esteemed positions in the Capital of Water.
However, it's important to note that the Capital of Water is also a congregation point for pirates.
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