The Five Elders' Fear

Before the long table, candlelight flickered gently.

The flames cast long, thin shadows from the metal candlesticks across five aged, imposing faces.

After a long silence, Saint Nusjuro finally spoke.

"...You've all read the report, haven't you?"

He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Kaido was captured alive without a scratch."

"And he's a monster of a pirate, second only to the likes of Whitebeard and Roger."

His words fell silent.

The air seemed to sink under an invisible hand.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter slowly picked up the thread, his voice low. "As I understand it, the Marines have captured Kaido many times before."

"But every time, he escaped."

He paused, his gaze passing over the other four faces.

"And whenever he reappeared, he was stronger."

The candlelight trembled, and the flames seemed to shrink.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter lowered his voice further.

"What's more, according to our intelligence, during one battle—"

"Kaido demonstrated advanced techniques, including Conqueror's Haki Coating."

A brief silence followed.

Then—

"...What?!"

The other four snapped their heads up almost as one.

For the first time, Saint Warcury's expression visibly changed.

"You mean—!!!"

"A powerful pirate with a Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Form and Conqueror's Haki Coating—"

"Rock captured him alive without taking a scratch?!!"

"Strong" could no longer explain this.

Saint Mars spoke slowly, his voice darker than usual, as though suppressing a trace of unease.

"And it isn't just Kaido."

"The intelligence from some time ago has been confirmed."

"Rock has personally been leading Sakazuki, Kuzan, Bullet, and other Marine elites..."

He deliberately slowed his speech. The candlelight danced.

"In learning Garp's signature technique."

"Fist Bone."

His words fell silent.

The five lapsed into silence once more.

What rose in their minds now was no longer the text of the report.