182 With the Justice System

New World, Dressrosa.

The King's Plateau.

"Fufufufufu..."

Inside a lavish palace, Doflamingo sank deep into his sofa.

With one hand pressed against his forehead, he wore a bitter smile.

Before him, a video Den Den Mushi was broadcasting the images from Marineford.

As one of the emperors who had ruled the seas, the Marines' victory did not surprise him.

That old man Whitebeard was, after all, a relic of the previous era. His destruction at the hands of the Marines was inevitable.

But—

Why?!

Why did the Marines annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates—who had ruled the seas for decades—without suffering even the slightest injury?!

And that wasn't even the end of it!

Even the Red-Haired Pirates, who came to stop the fighting, were about to be wiped out!!!

Terrible!

This was far too terrible!

The Marines...

The Marines' power had grown to a level he couldn't comprehend—one that even made him feel fear!

Doflamingo thought instinctively.

Once the Marines cleansed the seas of every Yonko...

Would their next target be the Shichibukai—the so-called "allies" of the World Government?

He felt a flicker of unease.

But not much.

"Fufufu..."

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.

What was there to fear?

He was Donquixote Doflamingo!

A former Celestial Dragon—the nobles who once ruled above all others!

In his hands lay the secrets of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

With that alone...

The Five Elders would have to protect him!

The Marines wouldn't dare touch him!

Absolutely not!

"Fufufufufufu—"

That unruly grin once again stretched across his face.

"Lineage... is everything!"

...

Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

The Room of Authority.

Five aged figures sat solemnly upon their sofas.

They watched the enormous video Den Den Mushi in silence, each with a different expression.

The fall of the Whitebeard Pirates had been expected.

A remnant of the old era—it was their time to disappear.

Before acting, Sengoku had already submitted a detailed battle plan and a massive military budget request.

That request, of course, had been denied.

But—

The sudden appearance of the Red-Haired Pirates, and the Marines' response that followed, were completely beyond their expectations.

Sengoku knew exactly who Shanks was.

So why... did he allow that Marine Rear Admiral named Rayne Hawke to attack without restraint?!

The Marines had gone too far!

"..."

"The rest of the Red-Haired Pirates can die," said Mars Saint, breaking the silence first. "They're pirates—death suits them."

"But Figarland Shanks..."

Nusjuro continued, his moustache twitching slightly.

"He cannot die!"

"His blood... is that of a Celestial Dragon!"

"If the other Celestial Dragons learn of this, it will cause unnecessary panic!"

"Hmm."

Saint Peter nodded. "Then inform Sengoku to end this farce immediately!"

Nusjuro said nothing, but the sharp aura around him made his stance clear.

Finally, all eyes turned to Saturn.

He slowly raised his hand and dialed Sengoku's number.

"Burururu~"

Click.

The line connected—before Saturn could even speak, Sengoku's booming voice came through.

"Five Elders, has the Marine budget request been approved?"

"..."

Saturn's prepared words got stuck in his throat.

The chamber fell silent again.

The other four Elders froze for a split second.

Budget?

Sengoku!!!

Now, of all times?!

A Celestial Dragon's descendant was about to be killed live before the whole world...

And he's still thinking about money?!

"Heh..."

Saturn forced out a dry laugh, steering the conversation back.

"Sengoku, there's something far more important you must handle immediately!"

"Oh?"

"No budget?"

"You do realize, Five Elders, that the Marines have countless mouths to feed. Without funds, it's hard to get things done!"

"???"

"!!!"

The veins on all five Elders' foreheads throbbed in unison.

What was this?!

Once, twice, three times now—

How dared Sengoku speak to the world's highest authority in that tone?!

"Hmph—"

They exchanged glances, barely suppressing their anger.

The priority now was to stop the war.

"Sengoku," Saturn's voice turned low and commanding. "You're aware of Shanks's identity—he's connected to the leader of the God's Knights!"

"The rest of the Red-Haired Pirates may die, but Shanks must live!"

"So stop this war immediately!"

"Stop the war?"

"Oh, that... I can't do."

"What?!"

Saturn's voice spiked. "You're the Fleet Admiral! How can you not stop it?"

"Yes, I'm the Fleet Admiral," Sengoku said, sounding completely self-assured. "But the one commanding the battlefield... is that brat Hawke."

"If you want someone to hold back, tell Hawke yourself!"

Click!

The line went dead.

Leaving the Five Elders staring blankly at one another.

"???"

"!!!"

"Rebellion!"

"This is outright rebellion!!!"

Nusjuro roared, "Sengoku is openly defying the orders of the World Government!"

"..."

The air grew heavy, oppressive.

Then Nusjuro spoke slowly. "How's CP0's infiltration of the G-3 Branch going?"

"No progress," Saturn rubbed his temples. "Everyone we sent disappeared. When asked, the answer's always the same—they never saw a thing..."

"Send the God's Knights," Nusjuro said, tapping the blade. "And ask Garling for his thoughts on Shanks. After all... it's his son."

"Hmm."

The five exchanged glances, then quickly dialed a special Den Den Mushi.

"Garling, the Marines' G-3 Branch requires investigation. Send the God's Knights there."

"And take a look at the broadcast while you're at it. About Shanks—what do you think?"

"Hmph—"

A faint scoff came from the other end, belonging to Figarland Garling—the former King of God Valley, now the leader of the God's Knights.

"I'm aware of the G-3 situation. Someone will descend soon to handle it."

"As for Shanks... to be tangled up this long with a Marine Rear Admiral..."

"How disgraceful."

"If he wins—then I, Figarland Garling, have two sons."

"If he loses—then I have only one, Shamrock."

"..."

The chamber fell silent once more.

All five pairs of eyes turned back to the massive screen.

"Gurararara—!"

The Sea Emperor, Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—let out the final roar of his life.

"Magma brat—!"