Chapter 133: Seeking Imu’s Permission, Let’s Join Forces

A gloomy atmosphere hung over the skies of Mary Geoise. The Five Elders each had their heads lowered while the Marine Vice Admiral delivering the report trembled on unsteady legs.

Suddenly, Saint Saturn glanced at him.

Bang!!

As if struck by an invisible force, the Vice Admiral was blasted away. The guards at the door dragged the body out, cleaned up the blood with mops, and then left with their tools, as if nothing had happened.

"Fourth Division Commander Thatch, Seventh Division Commander Rakuyo, Twelfth Division Commander Haruta, and Fourteenth Division Commander Kingdew, all four possess the same phoenix abilities as First Division Commander Marco," Saint Nusjuro said, turning to Saturn.

"Clearly, the Whitebeard Pirates have mastered the cloning of Devil Fruits," remarked Saint Peter.

"But has anyone truly perfected Devil Fruit cloning yet?" asked Saint Topman.

All eyes turned to Saint Saturn, as the Warrior God of Science and Defense. He was responsible for all scientific matters.

"Vegapunk began researching it long ago, but he declared the experiments a failure. However, he has found a viable method. His experiments on Bartholomew Kuma will soon yield success," Saturn replied.

"You're saying he can clone Devil Fruit powers?" asked Nusjuro.

"Indeed. The technology is already mature," Saturn nodded.

"We provided him with countless Devil Fruits for research. If he hadn't produced results, he would've been executed long ago," Topman said coldly.

"Once the true Pacifista project is complete, he's no longer needed," Saturn agreed.

"He has touched upon the forbidden," Marcus interjected.

"What about the Mother Flame? Has it been completed yet? If what he says is true and it can provide unlimited energy, it could power that thing," asked Peter.

"We can't kill him yet. Wait until his research is fully realized," Saturn said.

"For someone who's lived hundreds of years, you're still inferior to him," Topman remarked mockingly.

"Hmph!" Saturn glared at him furiously.

Topman met his gaze without fear. The two locked eyes, tension thick between them.

"Enough. Let's discuss how to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates. One thing is clear: they can now mass-produce Devil Fruits. Soon, we may face an entire army of phoenixes!"

The other Four Elders felt the weight of those words. And it wasn't just about phoenixes. What if they started cloning other types of fruits?

What if Logia-types were cloned?

The urgency was undeniable.

"Didn't the Marines want to act against the Four Emperors?" Peter said suddenly.

"Are you suggesting…?" The other four turned to him.

"Eradicate the Whitebeard Pirates."

"The Marines alone won't be enough."

"The Holy Knights… or perhaps even us…"

"Let us seek Imu-sama's permission!"

"Agreed."

"One year from now is the Reverie. If we eliminate an Emperor by then, we can silence the critics."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

The Five Elders rose and strode out of the chamber. At the entrance, they paused as five armored attendants draped cloaks over their shoulders.

In perfect unison, they marched toward a certain destination.

"Imu-sama, the Five Elders request an audience!"

"What is it?" a cold voice replied.

"I… I don't know," stammered a woman at the door.

Whoosh!

Flames erupted. The beautiful woman, not inferior in looks to Boa Hancock, was engulfed in fire. Her screams never even left her throat, reduced to ashes in an instant.

"Did you not think to ask?"

Another woman, trembling with fear, stepped out.

"Imu-sama demands to know the purpose of your visit," she said, barely able to stand.

"We seek Imu-sama's decree, should the Whitebeard Pirates be purged?" Topman respectfully handed a document to the attendant.

The attendant scurried inside, kneeling before Imu and presenting the file.

"Cloning…"

…...

The New World was in turmoil, and the Emperors' reactions varied.

In the war-torn lands of Elbaf, within the depths of the underworld, Red-Haired Shanks sat in a tavern.

"Captain, did you see?" Lucky Roux asked.

"I did," Shanks replied, his face flushed from drink.

"Four more phoenix users… The Whitebeard Pirates did it." Lucky Roux's voice was tense.

"The phoenix power… once only Marco's. Now there are four more. Who knows how many will appear in the future?" Yasopp added. "Kaido's dream… has come true within the Whitebeard Pirates instead."

"With such power, the Whitebeard Pirates will grow even stronger. What do we do, Boss?" Lucky Roux grinned.

"Beckman, what do you think?" Shanks, already tipsy, turned to his right-hand man.

Beckman, face red from alcohol, held a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other.

"The World Government won't ignore this."

Beckman was known as the smartest man in the world, and his thoughts were always several steps ahead.

"Think the Government will make a move?" Shanks asked seriously.

"Without a doubt. The Whitebeard Pirates now pose a real threat," Beckman said.

"That's a problem… The balance is about to break," Shanks muttered.

"This time, we can't intervene," Beckman warned.

"Unlike last time, huh?" Shanks chuckled.

"Pirates are still pirates. No matter how strong they get, they can't match the scale of the World Government. Ever since Akainu became Fleet Admiral, he's been targeting us. Wang Zhi was just collateral damage."

"This time, the Whitebeard Pirates won't just face the Navy. The World Government will step in. We can't get involved," Beckman said.

He feared that Shanks might get impulsive and throw himself into the chaos.

"I understand," Shanks said, lifting his cup. "Let's just keep drinking. Maybe we'll wake up tomorrow and none of this ever happened."

"Boss, stop overthinking! Let's drink!"

"Cheers!!!"

The Red-Haired Pirates returned to their drunken revelry. This coming war was no longer something they could afford to involve themselves in.

The scale… would be massive. Even the Whitebeard Pirates might not be able to endure it.

Meanwhile, back at Whitebeard's territory, the victorious troops had returned.

But there was no celebration. No grand welcome.

Everyone stood alert and tense.

Because Kaido had arrived.

One of the Four Emperors had entered their domain, targeting Whitebeard directly. After clashing, the two had paused to speak in private.

Inside the hall sat Roy, Kaido, and Whitebeard himself.

"You've crossed a line," Kaido said grimly.

"A line? Spit it out, or don't bother at all," Whitebeard said.

"…Let's join forces!"

.....

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