Just then, an old and dignified figure appeared silently outside the crowd.
The newcomer also had dazzling red hair, but with strands of silver tinged with age, and it was meticulously combed. He wore the white robes typical of Celestial Dragons, but his every move exuded an aura of iron will and majesty far surpassing that of ordinary World Nobles.
He was Figarland Saint Garling, one of the candidates for the Five Elders.
Ignoring the stares directed at him, Gringo walked straight through the crowd with a grave expression to the edge of the pit.
The navy, CP Agent, and even members of the Knights of God behind him instinctively stepped back to the sides.
Gringo's gaze fell on Shanks, who was lying in a sorry state in the deep pit. His eyes were complicated, containing both cold anger at Shanks's lack of ambition and a subtle, almost imperceptible, emotion.
" Shanks, you should have come back a long time ago!"
After a brief silence, Gringo suddenly sighed and continued, "The situation on the Grand Line today is far more complex than you see. Not only is the Grand Line facing a reshaping of its order, but the World Government is also undergoing an unprecedented reshuffling! Under such circumstances, no matter what ambitions or other ideas you have, you are nothing more than a speck of dust on the ocean. No matter how much you struggle, you cannot even make a ripple!"
Shanks released his hand from his chest, then forced himself to stand up straight and meet Gringo's gaze. He spoke calmly and without complaint, "Are you lecturing me, Father?"
"A lecture?" Gringo a slight pause, then stepped forward, looking down at Shanks with an air of superiority. " Lord Akira sent you from the New World to the Holy Land not just to let you return for a Holy Land, but to give you a chance! If you still insist on returning to the Grand Line, this pit will be your final resting place!"
"So Shanks, will you choose to return to the Holy Land as a member of the Figarland Family, or will you continue as a mortal from the lower realms and remain here forever?"
Before Shanks could react, Gringo suddenly changed the subject, making the choice for Shanks directly, "Very well, since you've chosen to return to the family, then come back with me!"
After a slight pause, Gringo immediately turned to look at Shamrock: "Take him back."
"Yes, Father."
Shamrock responded, and in a flash, he appeared beside Shanks, picked him up, and returned to Gringo's back.
Surprisingly, Shanks offered no resistance. Although he was out of immediate danger after being "sent" back to the Holy Land by Akira, the surging blood within him constantly reminded him not to act rashly. He was now in the most heavily guarded Holy Land, and any casual movement could attract the attention of Doflamingo and his Donquixote Family members, who were currently eyeing him covetously, as well as the surrounding group of Navy officers and soldiers eager for military merit!
Of course, none of this matters.
Akira didn't kill him, but instead sent him flying from the New World back to the Holy Land, clearly giving him a final choice! He wanted to see what changes had occurred in the Holy Land under Akira's management!
Escorted by Gringo and Shamrock, Shanks staggered out of the artificial forest and entered Pangu City under the watchful eyes of many.
As soon as Shanks stepped into Pangu City, his pupils constricted involuntarily.
Because what came into his view was no longer the Holy Land Mary Geoise he remembered! On the street, a Celestial Dragons who used to enjoy abusing slaves and was always surrounded by a retinue whenever he went out was now dressed in a smart World Government uniform, carrying a stack of documents and running hurriedly toward the World Government headquarters building.
As he passed another "colleague" also dressed in uniform, this Celestial Dragons actually stopped and bowed slightly to greet him politely.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon. This report needs to be delivered to the Five Elders' office as soon as possible. Go quickly!"
"OK."
The two exchanged a few polite words before going about their own business.
He was a gentleman throughout, polite, and efficient.
Shanks stopped in his tracks.
What did he see?
The Celestial Dragons actually participated in the work? And they even greeted each other politely?
Just as Shanks stopped, the gate of a Celestial Dragons's mansion not far away suddenly opened, and two Celestial Dragons walked out side by side. There were no servants, no slaves, and no bodyguards protecting them.
As the two men stepped out the gate and saw a patrol of naval soldiers across the way, they suddenly stopped, straightened their backs, raised their right hands, and solemnly shouted in unison, "Loyalty!"
Upon seeing this, the patrolling soldiers raised their hands in return as they walked.
Only after the patrolling naval soldiers disappeared around the corner did the two Celestial Dragons withdraw their hands and then very naturally walk quickly in another direction.
Seeing this, Shanks thought he had come to the wrong place and subconsciously looked around.
The clean and tidy streets, the hurried yet polite World Nobles, the naval soldiers patrolling around Pangu City —everything about them gave Shanks the illusion of being in a dream.
What exactly happened?
A storm raged within Shanks ' heart.
Is this the Holy Land under Marshal Akira's management? Such a change! Is it right? Is it real?
How can Holy Land expect these Celestial Dragons, who claim to be descendants of the Creator and whose pride and privilege are ingrained in their very bones, to take off their holy robes, get to work, and learn manners?
This is not something that can be achieved by force alone; it is a complete subversion of the entire world order from its very roots!
Just as Shanks was reeling from the shock, Gringo, who was walking at the front, seemed to have read his mind. He suddenly stopped, turned around, and said calmly, "Surprised?"
Upon hearing this, Shanks quickly regained his composure and said incredulously, "I knew Akira was reorganizing the World Government, but I didn't expect it to be this thorough. Is this still the Holy Land I remember? It's simply... unbelievable!"
Gringo nodded and smiled, "Putting aside strength, I strongly agree with one of Lord Akira's points. Rather than letting external forces constantly challenge and try to overthrow the World Government, it would be better for the World Government to carry out internal reforms!"
After a slight pause, Gringo walked slowly to Shanks, patted him on the Shanks, and said earnestly, " Shanks, it's time to return to the Holy Land!"
"From now on, whether it's the Holy Land, the Grand Line, or the Four Blues, although there will no longer be a distinction between lower-world citizens and World Nobles, for the World Government to operate stably, someone must stand in a suitable position to wield power!"
" Lord Akira is sending you back to the Holy Land to give you a chance to choose your own place."
At this point, Gringo's tone suddenly turned cold, carrying a chilling murderous intent. "But if you choose to leave without hesitation as you did back then, you will be the next one to be publicly executed!"
"Not only will you be publicly executed, but your identity as Shamrock's twin brother will also be revealed to the world before your execution!"
"Because executing no one is more intimidating than executing someone who simultaneously holds the identities of Yonko and Celestial Dragons!"
-