"Report!"
Aokiji was sitting in the Fleet Admiral's Office when someone called out from beyond the door. It creaked open, and in walked Brannew, Marine Headquarters' press officer.
"Oh? Is it time to eat already?" Aokiji scratched his messy hair and stretched as he started to get up.
Brannew's face fell. "Fleet Admiral Aokiji, it isn't mealtime yet. We've just received an urgent message from the Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders want us to capture the Pirate Empress immediately!"
Aokiji's listless expression vanished. His eyes widened. "What did you say? Capture the Pirate Empress?"
Brannew nodded. "That's right. The Five Elders have solid evidence that Hancock is very close to Ye Chen. They want us to seize her, lure Ye Chen into a trap, and then capture the entire Grim Reaper Pirates."
"That's absurd! Now is no time to start another conflict!"
Aokiji was furious, but he felt helpless too. An order from the Five Elders was almost certain to stand. Yet the Summit War had only just ended. Anyone could see that the Marines had suffered a crushing defeat. Their strength was depleted, Marine Headquarters lay in ruins, and countless matters needed attention. They could not afford another conflict now.
Aokiji called the Five Elders himself and explained his reasons, hoping to persuade them to leave Hancock alone for the time being. But they refused to budge. At last, Evil Sword Scott gave him a stern order. "Aokiji, remember your position. This is what the Celestial Dragons want. Carry out the order. Their commands must never be defied!"
"The Celestial Dragons?" Aokiji froze.
The Celestial Dragons were the undisputed rulers of this world, much like emperors of old. An ordinary citizen might be capable of beating up an emperor, but rank was another matter. Even ten thousand commoners' lives