The Five Elders

Lu Ge casually stretched out a hand and opened a large door before the ship. He guided the vessel through it, and in an instant, they were already several nautical miles away.

Looking at the island that had nearly vanished from sight, Boa Sandersonia asked excitedly, "Sister! Did we... really escape?"

At Boa Sandersonia's question, Hancock immediately burst into tears of joy. "Yes! We escaped! We—we're free now!"

Upon hearing that, Boa Marigold immediately stood on the deck, took a deep breath, and wore an intoxicated expression. "Ah~ Freedom feels so good!"

Then the three sisters suddenly turned serious and all knelt before Lu Ge. "Lord Lu Ge, thank you so much for this time. If it weren't for you, us three sisters probably..."

Before they could finish, Lu Ge had already helped Hancock to her feet. "All right, there's no need for this. If you really want to thank me, just treat me to a big meal after we get back."

"Yes. Not just one meal—even for a lifetime, I would be willing." After saying that, Hancock suddenly realized what she had said. Her face instantly flushed crimson, and she covered her pretty cheeks with both hands. "Ah~ What am I even saying? This is so embarrassing!"

Seeing this, Rayleigh immediately teased them. "Speaking of which, I did put in some effort too. Why are you only thanking Lu Ge and not thanking me?"

"Ah~ Please forgive our rudeness, Grandpa Rayleigh. Thank you as well for your help..."

"Hey, hey, hey~~ I was only joking. No need for formalities."

After fooling around for a while, Lu Ge immediately began cultivating. This great battle had benefited him greatly, and he had gained an increasingly refined understanding of how to use his abilities. While the feeling was still fresh, he had to digest each insight one by one. He believed his strength would definitely rise another level.

As Lu Ge entered cultivation, Hancock and the others also quieted down. Hancock especially rested her chin in her hands and stared straight at Lu Ge, never looking away for even a moment.

Under Rayleigh's control, the ship headed toward the Sabaody Archipelago...

Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Five Elders' residence, conference hall.

Fleet Admiral Kong sat calmly in his seat. Facing the Five Elders' stares, he met them frankly. "The failure of this incident was indeed my dereliction of duty. I am willing to take full responsibility."

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro snorted coldly. "Take responsibility? Can you bear such responsibility? Four Celestial Dragons were killed in Holy Land Mary Geoise, on our territory, right before everyone's eyes! Such utter contempt for the law must be answered with a bloody lesson. Otherwise, wouldn't our World Government and our Celestial Dragons become a joke?"

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter wore a stern expression. "This matter must be handled severely. Otherwise, once word spreads that Celestial Dragons can be murdered, the authority of us Celestial Dragons will be utterly ruined. If others no longer fear the heavenly might of the Celestial Dragons, order will inevitably collapse!"

Saint Marcus Mars said, "We have already discussed and decided that the criminal named Lu Ge will be the lamp extinguished from this era of history. Kong, I believe you know what to do."

Kong was greatly startled inwardly. Had that one above already given the order?

He immediately rose to his feet and said solemnly, "That Lu Ge is not only highly skilled with the sword, but also possesses two Devil Fruits: the Door-Door Fruit and the Heat-Heat Fruit. The Door-Door Fruit in particular has been used by him to an incredible degree. Capturing or executing him would be extremely difficult. Without a countermeasure, the chances are practically zero."

After hearing this, Saint Topman Warcury looked utterly surprised. "A mere Door-Door Fruit has rendered you helpless? Has this generation of Marines become that useless?"

Kong's expression was grave. "We had all underestimated the Door-Door Fruit before. Through Lu Ge's development, his Door-Door Fruit allows him to open doors at will. Not only can he travel freely through them, he can also use the properties of doors to redirect attacks. He can even open a hidden door around his body, making it impossible for anyone to approach him and allowing him to ignore all attacks."

Jaygarcia Saturn Saint looked surprised after hearing that. "Oh~ He developed a mere Door-Door Fruit to such a degree? Has it awakened?"

"We are not certain. We did not see the light of Devil Fruit awakening on him, but the possibility of awakening cannot be ruled out."

Saint Marcus Mars said, "Hmm~ That ability does sound somewhat troublesome, but it is not without a solution. Among the pirates we know of, there is someone who can deal with it."

Kong asked, "You mean Whitebeard? But he will not obey our orders."

Saint Marcus Mars said, "Why would he need to obey? We only need to create a conflict between them."

Kong asked, "How... would we do that?"

Saint Marcus Mars said, "If we publish in the newspapers that Lu Ge has surpassed Roger, surpassed Whitebeard, and is the strongest man in the world today—the undisputed emperor of the seas—what do you think those bandits at sea will do?"

Saint Topman Warcury said, "Praise him to kill him, borrow a knife to murder, and make them fight like dogs. It will also weaken the pirates' strength—killing two birds with one stone. Brilliant!"

"Hmm~" Kong pondered for a while, then asked seriously, "Then what bounty would be appropriate?"

Saint Topman Warcury said, "Add one billion for each murdered Celestial Dragon, plus another two billion for the destruction he caused in Holy Land Mary Geoise."

Kong looked shocked. "Six billion? That already surpasses Roger!"

Saint Topman Warcury said, "Otherwise, how would we demonstrate that he has surpassed Roger and Whitebeard, and is the 'undisputed' strongest emperor of the seas?"

After hearing that, Kong could not help but sigh inwardly. This move was truly sinister. Once this news spread, Lu Ge would become the enemy of the entire world, and every pirate would see him as a target.

Saint Topman Warcury said, "As for your punishment, step down from the position of fleet admiral. Do you have a candidate to succeed you?"

Kong seemed to have expected this and was not surprised in the slightest. "Admiral Sengoku is the best candidate."

"Sengoku... Hmm, indeed. Both his seniority and achievements fully qualify him. Then let him take your position and become the new fleet admiral!"

"Understood."

The next day, Lu Ge brought Hancock and her three sisters ashore on the Sabaody Archipelago and arrived at Shakky's Rip-off Bar.

When Bolan and the others saw Hancock and her sisters, they naturally rushed over to hug them, shouting joyfully for quite a while. Then they all surrounded Lu Ge, their pretty faces flushed red with excitement. "Lord Lu Ge! Look! Look! You're famous! You're really famous this time!"