At the same time.
Holy Land, Mariejois.
The seat of the World Government.
"Has Morgan been notified?"
The mostly empty top-floor meeting room exuded an air of authority. A Five Elder with long, straight white hair and a flowing beard sat on the sofa. He raised his head, a sense of oppression radiating from him, and looked toward the front of the meeting room.
At the door of the room knelt a masked CPO member on one knee.
Sensing the weight in the Elder's tone, the CPO member nodded hastily and reported:
"Masters Five Elders, all the prepared news has been sent to the World Economic News Agency. Our people will personally verify every piece of content before it is published. We can guarantee that no mistakes will occur."
Hearing this satisfactory answer, the white-bearded Elder nodded slightly.
"Good. You may leave. Await further orders."
"Yes, Lords Five Elders."
The CPO member stood, bowed respectfully, and silently guarded the corridor leading to the meeting room, ensuring no one dared interrupt.
Inside the meeting room.
Another Five Elder, this one with a birthmark on his forehead, watched the CPO member leave before speaking.
"Don't worry. Morgans is a shrewd man. He knows exactly what to do and what not to do. He understands the consequences of defying the World Government."
The birthmarked Elder picked up a bounty notice and continued coldly:
"By controlling the news disseminated by the World Economic News Agency, we hold the power to shape the public opinion of the entire world. Whether it's the untouchables living in the Four Seas or the dregs of the Grand Line and New World, they are not entitled to the truth."
"Agreed," said another Five Elder, this one with short blond hair, nodding in approval. "Now we only need to wait for Kong to send back the good news and eliminate that sinner. Afterward, it will be Whitebeard's turn. Then Kaido. Next, we will clean up the first half of the Grand Line."
As his voice fell, another Elder, seated nearby, added in an icy tone:
"In my view, the World Government's silence has lasted too long. It has made the world forget who its true rulers are."
The bald Five Elder, cradling the First Generation Kitetsu in his arms, stood by the window overlooking the world beneath Mariejois.
Taking in the view, he said, "This is the perfect opportunity. Let's remind those foolish enough to oppose us just how futile their rebellion is."
"Indeed." The other Five Elders nodded in agreement. Their conversation carried on casually, as though the decision to 'cleanse' the first half of the Grand Line was a mere administrative task.
To them, the inhabitants of that region were little more than livestock raised under the benevolence of the World Government.
Suddenly.
"No! Something's gone wrong!"
A panicked voice echoed from the corridor outside.
The Five Elders collectively frowned.
"Let him in," one of them ordered sharply. "What's going on? Why the commotion?"
A frantic intelligence officer entered the room, his expression painted with fear.
The blond Elder's tone was tinged with displeasure. "What is it? Did Naval Headquarters fall to Whitebeard?"
"No! No, my lord!" The intelligence officer shook his head violently.
"Then what?" The blond Elder's face darkened. His frustration seemed to grow with every passing second.
At this rate, one might think the enemy had already stormed Marineford.
"It's... It's news about Marshal Kong!"
"Kong?!"
The Five Elders exchanged tense looks, their expressions hardening.
"What happened to Kong?" barked the bald Elder holding the First Generation Kitetsu, his voice laced with authority. A suffocating aura of power radiated from him, forcing the intelligence officer to bow lower.
"Just now... Marshal Kong's life card burned out!"
Silence gripped the room.
Then:
"What?! How is this possible?!" The blond Elder shot to his feet, disbelief written across his face.
The other Elders mirrored his astonishment.
A life card was a unique tool of the New World—a special paper connected to its owner's vitality. It would shrink when the owner was weakened and burn out completely if the owner died.
For someone of Kong's stature, the notion of his life card burning out was unfathomable.
"Not even Kong could handle that sinner?" muttered the white-bearded Elder, his voice tinged with disbelief.
The operation to eliminate the target had been meticulously planned and personally authorized by the Five Elders. They were well aware of the resources Kong had at his disposal: ten experimental Seraphim prototypes, each comparable to a Vice Admiral, along with Kong's own formidable strength. Such power was more than enough to annihilate even a Four Emperors pirate crew.
How, then, could a lone "sinner" have bested him?
The ringing of a Den Den Mushi interrupted their thoughts.
The blond Elder answered. The call came from their fleet stationed in North Blue.
Moments later, he clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles whitening.
"The North Blue operation also failed," he growled. "What in the world is happening?"
The Elders sat in stunned silence, their minds racing.
Finally, the Elder sitting at the head of the table, a man with white curly hair, a fluffy beard, and a flat hat, opened his eyes. A scar ran down the left side of his face. He had remained silent until now.
He raised a hand, silencing the blond Elder's rant.
"There's no use panicking. Since the second phase of the 'Demon Slaying Plan' has failed, we will move to phase three. Follow me. We must consult 'that person.'"
The other Elders froze.
"Phase three?" murmured the blond Elder, his voice tinged with unease. "You can't be serious... If we proceed to phase three, the Sabaody Archipelago might be obliterated!"
The white-bearded Elder spoke firmly. "The Sabaody Archipelago is expendable. It's nothing more than an entertainment hub. The people living there are irrelevant. Even if only a fraction survive, it's acceptable. What matters now is eliminating that sinner."
His tone left no room for debate.
"Do you want another Rocks to rise?" he asked coldly.
At the mention of Rocks, the room fell into a grim silence.
The Five Elders rose, striding purposefully toward the depths of Mariejois.
For the World Government, the stability of their rule was paramount. There was no room for a second coming of Rocks in this age.
Elsewhere.
Boom!
"Hot Breath!"
Kaido stood tall, his presence dominating the sea. Like a demon torn between two worlds, he prepared for the battle to come.