Buggy? Shanks?

All in all,

based on their assessment of Austin's current threat and potential,

they had even cast aside their reservations about the possibility that Austin had reached Laugh Tale.

After all, if they allowed Austin to continue wreaking havoc, the World Government's control over the seas would undoubtedly enter an extremely dangerous state.

And then Lord Imu...

Having considered the consequences, the Five Elders no longer displayed their usual majesty and arrogance before their subordinates and the Marines. Cold sweat trickled down their faces as their pupils trembled uncontrollably.

Thus, during their conversation with Austin, they did not display any air of superiority.

They were seasoned politicians.

They understood that pride was the most useless thing in the world.

"So, have you considered it?"

They quietly awaited Austin's answer.

"Wiping the slate clean and becoming a pirate with legal plundering rights? That does sound like a tempting offer, so...

I refuse."

A faint smile rested on Austin's face, but he suddenly changed course.

"What?!?"

Feeling as though they had been toyed with, the Five Elders frowned and exchanged looks.

Whether for the sake of benefits or the World Government's dignity, this was the answer they least wanted to hear.

Anger and displeasure surfaced in their eyes.

After a long silence,

Saint Warcury's chilly voice slowly came through the Den Den Mushi again.

"Dotol Austin, you understand, don't you? Even if we cannot do anything to you, your businesses and friends in the Sabaody Archipelago are living right under the government's watchful eye..."

Temptation had failed.

Now they switched to threats.

They could not handle Austin directly, but according to intelligence gathered by their spy agencies, Sammy and the others in the Sabaody Archipelago had close ties with him.

If they could seize control through those bonds,

then even the strongest person would have to dance to their tune.

Just like Roger and Whitebeard, who were both deeply loyal and sentimental people.

Judging from their future actions, the World Government truly loved using this tactic, just as they used Ace to draw out Whitebeard.

And according to the intelligence, Austin's feelings for those women in the Red-Light District, if they could...

"Sure. Kill them all if you want."

Austin's sudden words interrupted their thoughts.

What?

Saint Warcury's expression stiffened.

Some of the other Five Elders, however, looked as though they had expected this.

The Den Den Mushi before them still wore a smile, but perhaps it was merely their imagination—there seemed to be a faint chill beneath it.

"Those people in the Red-Light District are nothing more than tools for making money. Do whatever you like.

But if you make me unhappy, I'll uproot every Marine branch in the New World, one by one. Next, I'll hijack Celestial Gold, and after that, I'll destroy the allied nations..."

Austin's expression barely changed, and he still wore that faint smile.

His tone was as relaxed as if he were talking about eating and drinking.

Yet the contents of his words made the Five Elders' hearts seize at once.

Useless...

This kind of emotional blackmail could never work on Austin...

They quickly reached that conclusion.

The negotiations fell into a deadlock.

But Austin's next words seemed to place one final fig leaf over the faces that had been repeatedly slapped.

"You really don't need to treat me as your number one enemy."

Austin shook his head helplessly. These scheming old men were indeed boring, repeating the same few tricks over and over.

He did not want to waste any more time. The execution was about to begin.

"I have no interest in overthrowing the World Government. Lord Imu, Joy Boy, the Void Century, and the 'D'—I'm not interested in any of it.

Most of what I do is simply for my own whims and amusement.

Though that unpredictability may seem like a threat to you, still..."

"As long as the World Government shows me some respect, I'm more than willing to show you some respect as well."

Click.

The Den Den Mushi call was disconnected.

On the other end, inside the Chamber of Power,

after hearing that conclusion packed with explosive information, the Five Elders remained silent for a long time, solemnity lingering in their eyes.

"Dotol Austin... where did he hear about these things? Did Roger tell him?"

"Not necessarily. It could have been on the Final Island..."

"What a troublesome fellow. It seems we'll have plenty of trouble with him in the future."

"Still, he does not show obvious hostility. Perhaps he can be useful to us at times. We can make appropriate concessions in certain matters in the future."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

After discussing it among themselves, the Five Elders ultimately decided on the World Government's stance toward Austin—

appropriate tolerance and concessions.

For these politicians, it was the smartest approach they could come up with for now.

"Hey, Austin, over here! Where did you just go?" Shanks and Buggy had already squeezed their way to the front and called out to the late-arriving Austin.

"Nothing. I just made a phone call."

"Don't run around anymore. Captain Roger is about to come out!"

The three of them settled into position before the platform.

As time passed second by second, the execution drew closer and closer.

During that time, Austin spotted quite a few familiar faces.

Moria, with his pointed mouth and fangs, looking like a demon. He had not yet become the fattest shut-in pirate in the world. Instead, he was brimming with ambition, hoping to become the Pirate King.

Though Austin thought he was overestimating himself.

The King of Cold Sweat, Monkey D. Dragon, stood in the distance beneath a green cloak, watching. His face did not yet bear the mark of Garp's Supreme Great Drag.

A still-young, fair-faced Hawk Eyes, the future World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.

Doflamingo, who should have appeared here, had been taught a lesson by Austin and was still confined in punishment, unable to attend.

And then...

Hm?

At that moment, Austin noticed a figure who seemed somewhat familiar.

But he was not entirely sure.

Slicked-back hair, a horizontal scar across the face, and a coat draped over her shoulders—those features perfectly matched someone he knew.

But...

Who the hell are you, gorgeous?

The voluptuous woman standing not far from him was someone Austin almost did not dare recognize.

Was this really Old Sand, the guy I was evenly matched with?

A sexy, fiery body, an icy expression, and that scar did not diminish her beauty at all. Instead, it gave her the air of a Queen of the Underworld.

So it was true.

Crocodile really had gone to Ivankov for that kind of surgery...

The moment he saw Crocodile, Austin's inner prankster awakened once more.

What if he stopped Ivankov from performing surgery on Crocodile?

Crocodile?

Or perhaps he could have him perform that kind of surgery on someone else...

Austin was startled by the amusement he had just thought of. It was too crazy.

"Hey, Austin, what are you spacing out for?" Austin felt himself being shoved twice and instinctively looked toward his two best buddies.

Buggy?

Shanks?