That night, in Mary Geoise, in Pangea Castle, in the Room of Heaven.
The Five Elders stood in neat rows by the window, gazing thoughtfully outside.
Facing the twinkling starry sky, someone suddenly spoke.
"How about we go for a walk outside?"
Let's go.
Someone answered, and then one by one they left the Room of Heaven, passed through Pangea Castle, and headed towards the edge of the Red Line.
Standing at the very edge of the Red Line, wearing glasses and always carrying a knife, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro let out a long sigh.
Just as he sighed, bald Saint Shepherd Ju Peter looked down at the Red Line.
In his eyes, the faint lights visible on the sea were the Dark Bird Ship.
"Why."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter sighed.
"Who would have thought that the one Awakening the ability to Voice of All Things in this generation... the so-called prophesied one, would actually be one of us... the Celestial Dragon."
Shanks has already given us a lot of trouble. He's determined to inherit Roger's will, and who knows when he might actually stand against us.
But she has her own plans, and with her Pops's support, there's really nothing we can do about her.
I thought that with Gawain emerging as a member of this generation, and with Gawain and Shanks keeping each other in check, the next generation of Celestial Dragon could take over.
Unexpectedly, Gawain, this unassuming little devil, actually understood the world better than Shanks.
To Voice of All Things, one must first understand all things.
But if one truly understands all things, how can one tolerate privilege being placed above all things?
At this point, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter closed his eyes sadly. The junior he had once thought highly of had ultimately chosen the opposite side of everyone.
Beside him, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro quietly took off his glasses and began to wipe them.
As he wiped, he couldn't help but say something.
"Don't be so absolute, Shepherd Ju Peter. Gawain... even if Awakening the ability to Voice of All Things, he may not be a figure like Roger who wreaks havoc on the world."
In the past year, Gawain has single-handedly suppressed all the islands through which the Sea Train passes, relying on his own abilities and boundless creativity.
But aside from his strict control over crime, he made no attempt to implement any so-called democracy or freedom in his jurisdiction.
Moreover, everyone in the Dark Bird Alliance calls Gawain "Emperor." If it were a boring title like "Pirate King," that would be one thing, but the title "Emperor" doesn't seem like they're trying to promote equality.
Where there are emperors, there will be ministers; where there are ministers, there will be nobles; where there are nobles, there will be commoners.
In this way, although Gawain understood everything, he didn't follow Roger's boring path after understanding everything; instead, he tried to forge a new path for himself.
At this point, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro put his clean glasses back on.
At the same time, the blond-haired Shepherd nodded slightly and continued speaking.
"Indeed, even if Gawain is the so-called savior in the prophecy, that prophecy may not actually be accurate."
After all, Gawain ate the Rumble- Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
The child of prophecy, haha, that should be the Nika Fruit.
The owner of the Nika Fruit is Monkey D. Luffy, a member of Gawain's new generation of subordinates, and the Sun Tzu of the Garp the Hero.
In this way, unless the Drums of Liberation is sounded, ancient criminals such as Zunesha will not have the opportunity to be liberated.
As long as those criminals cannot turn their lives around, even if Gawain turns against us, even if Gawain simply defeats us and Lord Imu, the world will still be a world where the Celestial Dragon are emperors!
Shepherd's eyes lit up with an amused smile as he glanced at the others around him.
Meeting the thoughtful gazes of the others, Shepherd continued.
"Perhaps Imu also considered this point, so even though Gawain Awakening the ability to Voice of All Things and truly bore the fate of all things."
Even more Gawain actually went head-to-head with Lord Imu!
Even so, Lord Imu still did not list Gawain as a beacon that needed to be extinguished.
We've worried for a whole year, but even now, we haven't received orders to extinguish Gawain, have we?"
"That's not necessarily true, Shepherd!"
As soon as Saint Shepod finished speaking, Saint Saturn, wearing a hat, said to him meaningfully.
"Lord Imu did not list Gawain as a beacon, but that doesn't necessarily mean Imu Im thought Gawain was without problems."
Have you ever considered that Lord Imu... might not actually be absolutely certain of defeating Gawain?
Gawain demonstrated many abilities in that war that had never been seen on the high seas before.
His subordinates also learned those abilities one after another. At first, only Dracule Mihawk showed swordsmanship far surpassing his previous skills. Soon after, even Issho and Bullet started shouting inexplicable terms like the Eight Gates.
Even more surprisingly, it seems that Kizaru of the Navy has developed some inexplicable Flying Thunder God Mode based on the Pika Pika no Mi?
That power seems to be called chakra, and everyone has chakra within them, but we've never actually discovered it.
That kind of thinking is like that of an alien. If I didn't know Gawain's origins, I would even think that Gawain, like our ancestors, was an alien who came into this world from another planet, an alien from a place even more distant than us."
As soon as he finished speaking, Saint Saturn cautiously turned his head and glanced at the distant Pangea Castle.
I wonder if Imu heard our conversation at this moment.
While Saint Saturn was being cautious, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke up nonchalantly.
"Heh, Saturn, don't think about such dangerous things."
If Imu Im really can't defeat Gawain, or even... if she's simply no match for Gawain.
If this speculation comes true, what should we do?
Gawain was considered a descendant of emperors, and even the chair he used to rule the world was called the Golden Throne by his supporters.
With such a title, do you think he would kneel down quietly before Imu like we would?
Or perhaps, bearing such a title and the recognition and obedience of half the world, he is destined to become our future enemy.
Should he replace our Five Elders?
There's no way he could agree!
His eyes were never on us!
He only had eyes for that supreme position, and his only rival was Lord Imu!
But these are his and Lord Imu's problems, their problems, and it seems we have no right to get involved.
What I'm worried about now is... what will become of the five of us old guys...?
Are we truly destined to stay with Lord Imu until the very end? Is the mission Lord Imu has given us truly more righteous and sacred Gawain's goal?
Even if Gawain wins, even if Lord Imu loses, the world will still be ruled by us Celestial Dragon. Is such a world truly unfit for five old men?
Although we have been slandered by those guys at sea for a long time.
But when it comes to experience in managing the world, the five of us probably far surpass any of Gawain's subordinates!
Most importantly, my old friends!
Before Lord Imu, we are juniors; we should obey and have no right to resist.
But in front of Gawain, we are the elders, if, and I mean if!
If Gawain truly possesses the strength to defeat Imu, and also the ability to succeed Lord Imu as the beacon of the world...
Those of us working for Gawain will at least be subject to far fewer constraints than before, right?
Even if we don't put on airs in front of Gawain, as his elders, our status will be much higher than it is now!
We have never been emperors; we have always been managers under the highest authority.
But what if changing to a higher position would make us more relaxed and comfortable, and might even bring us more freedom and rights?
Should we do that?
Our becoming one of the Five Elders wasn't just Imu's choice; it was more of an achievement we earned through our own strength.
In this process, we don't owe Lord Imu anything. As long as we don't do anything to betray the overall interests of the Celestial Dragon, why should we care who sits in the highest position?
Even the above are just superficial expressions; let's talk about something deeper.
Lord Imu knows us too well; they know our strengths and weaknesses, and everything about us leaves us with absolutely no chance of turning the tide.
Lady Imu appeared far before us; she is truly too mysterious, and we have absolutely no ability to counter her.
However, if Gawain were to take the top position, although he would be stronger, his youth would inevitably lead to weaknesses.
In that case, what if we help Gawain to take the highest position?
After that, will we gain the qualifications to go further and sit in the highest position?
What do you think?
At this point, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro stared intently into the eyes of everyone present, paying close attention to the changes in each person's expression.
Meeting Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's gaze, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter was the first to shake his head.
"Don't look at us like that, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro."
The five of us have worked together in one room for centuries; who knows each other better than the rest of us?
Rather than coveting some so-called highest position, we'd rather lay down our burdens and, like the other old guys at sea, quietly enjoy life.
Shepherd likes fishing, but he can only catch those idiots trained by CP to catch fish as soon as they're thrown into the ditch in a small pond.
Topman Warcury likes to keep fish, but our fish tank isn't big enough. We can't even keep a fish that's over 100 meters long. Our biggest and favorite octopus is only about 40 meters in diameter. It's so boring.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, you love swordsmanship, but how long has it been since you had a proper sword fight with a swordsman?
It's probably been two hundred years!
Don't you want to take a stroll on the seas now, especially to have a serious battle with Mihawk, the strongest swordsman of our time?
As for me, I really want to cultivate a field, grow crops, and watch the wheat ripen with my own eyes. The feeling would be unimaginable. But right now, I don't have the luxury of wasting time enjoying life like that.
How many years have we been working?
It's been a long time.
That kind of work seems to have really... become something I'm tired of!
So, I'm actually quite looking forward to Gawain doing more.
Just like how Sora always talks about quitting his job, Sengoku always wants to quit his job too.
We are all getting old, even if we have many more lives.
When you get old, you should do things that older people do.
I really don't know how long it will take me to successfully resign.
I can't wait!
"Yes, I really can't wait!"
"That's right, I was originally thinking of having Gawain take over for me."
"But he can only replace one person."
"Or maybe even more, but I don't care anymore. Anyway, Imu still has the God's Knights to protect him."
"I can't wait!"
While the Five Elders and others were having a good time talking, in Mary Geoise, in the Room of Arms.
The Air Force Commander-in-Chief sat with Fleet Admiral Sengoku, chatting over their drinks.
Sengoku took a sip of wine, then a bite of a donut, and said...
"We just received the latest news: Gawain has stepped down from the Golden Throne."
He summoned all his subordinates, and even all the Admiral and veteran heroes of the navy.
Now, even my words carry less Gawain than Gawain's. The moment that kid summoned him, Borsalino rushed over in a hurry.
Even Sakazuki and Kuzan, who had been arguing the whole time, rushed over together immediately.
Besides, that old guy Garp has been going to Reverse Mountain to drink with Rayleigh and teach his two Sun Tzu a lesson for half a year now. This time, he should also accompany his Sun Tzu to the Dark Bird Ship.
Even Ah He and I received his summons.
I can only keep you company for a short while at most. I can delay Gawain's summons a little, but I certainly won't miss that kind of banquet.
Teacher Kong!
As soon as he finished speaking, Sengoku put down his wine jug and looked at Kong with a smile.
Looking at the freedom and order written in Sengoku's eyes, Kong nodded slightly and smiled.
"Go ahead, go ahead. Even in Mary Geoise, there are already dissenting voices against Gawain."
In the past year, the Celestial Dragon from the Donquixote Family, Rosward Family, Zambaron Family, Marcus Family, and Topman Family have all been cheering for the Gawain Family.
Anyone with eyes can see that the Five Elders are behind it all.
Even the Five Elders are subtly supporting Gawain's meteoric rise, so why should we be the ones to stand in his way?"
As he spoke, Kong rubbed his goatee.
"Not to mention you, even I'm starting to look forward to Gawain's banquet."
The last time I saw him was three years ago. Back then, he was knocked down by a Celestial Dragon trash with a single punch, and I was the one who sent him to the Five Elders.
In a mere three years, even the shadow hidden behind the Five Elders was blocked head-on by that kid!
That's terrifying! That kid seems to be favored by fate; I always feel like he's destined to usher in a new era.
Most importantly, whether it's you or anyone else, all people living on this sea have been longing for reform and a new era for far too long!
Even if people don't know whether the new era is good or bad, they are still more willing to bring about a revolution in the world.
After all, the present is far worse than the past era when we were dominated by the Celestial Dragon and nobles from various countries.
That's really terrible!