How many lives does Caelan have? How many times can he unleash such a devastating attack?
Not only were the Marines under Borsalino and Aokiji curious, but even the Red Hair Pirates led by Shanks were extremely concerned.
But Caelan wasn't going to tell them. And they couldn't force him to.
What if he got annoyed and turned that divine spear on them?
"Caelan, the Golden Lion is dead, and Tot Musica's been dealt with. How about we head somewhere else and have a proper drink?"
Shanks laughed heartily.
Caelan wasn't just a rare hero, he had also saved Uta. Showing some appreciation was only right.
"No problem. I'd be glad to." Caelan nodded without hesitation. Shanks was someone he had to interact with eventually regarding Uta anyway.
Soon, the two groups boarded their respective ships.
It was worth mentioning that Uta's other adoptive father, Gordon, had survived and boarded the Red Hair Pirates' ship.
He had been knocked out by the Golden Lion while trying to protect Uta, and was later shielded during the chaos. Aside from being a bit shaken, he was unharmed.
As for Uta, she boarded Caelan's ship.
Though Caelan couldn't quite figure out what was going on in her head, he was happy to let it happen.
Before long, Caelan and Shanks departed, leaving the Marines behind in Elegia to record the incident.
The Marines looked extremely displeased. They clearly didn't want two major forces interacting like this.
But they had no way to stop either Caelan or Shanks. All they could do was watch them leave.
"If those two team up, it's going to be a serious problem."
Aokiji rubbed his forehead, visibly troubled.
Either force alone was already more than the World Government could handle.
Put them together, and the consequences were hard to imagine.
"Actually, it's not worth worrying so much. We can't do anything about Caelan on our own anyway, so adding the Red Hair Pirates to the mix doesn't really change much."
Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses with a nonchalant look.
The phrase "Give up, and the world opens up" suited his mindset perfectly.
Caelan's divine spear that annihilates everything was an unmatched force, no matter how you looked at it.
Let the Five Elders and Fleet Admiral Sengoku deal with this kind of problem.
Aokiji didn't respond to Borsalino's cavalier words.
As the successor Sengoku had pinned his hopes on, he couldn't afford to start slacking off like Borsalino.
But… what Borsalino said did have a point.
Sigh…
Aokiji sighed heavily, feeling an indescribable sense of melancholy.
"Let's head back and report the situation."
Borsalino took a video Den Den Mushi from an intelligence officer and entered the warship to write up his report.
Aokiji remained on deck, staring out into the distance.
Sometimes, he wondered if he should seriously consider Caelan's invitation.
Staying with the World Government and becoming Caelan's enemy felt hopeless.
After all, Caelan hadn't done anything bad. He had defeated countless pirates, and the two major crises in the East Blue were both resolved by him.
"Kuzan, Kuzan, what are you even thinking about?"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku thinks so highly of you. So many people in the Navy are counting on you to lead change. How can you be thinking like that?"
Aokiji shook his head, trying to banish the thought.
Now, he was also entertaining the idea of reforming the Navy from within.
It wasn't that he thought he was more capable than Sengoku, but people like Sengoku and the other doves were already influencing the Navy's direction behind the scenes.
Under such circumstances, meaningful reform was at least something to hope for.
Well… as long as nothing unexpected happened—
…
In the Holy Land of Mariejois, inside Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders sat upright, their expressions grim as they stared at the video Den Den Mushi in front of them.
A Marine intelligence officer aboard the warship was broadcasting the events at Elegia in real time.
The strike that tore through the center of Elegia… the spear that pierced the heavens… these scenes deeply shook hearts that hadn't known fear in centuries.
"Did you see that? Those two attacks…"
Saint Nasujuro gripped the First Generation Kitetsu, his hands trembling slightly.
"It was like a miracle. Absolutely terrifying."
Saint Saturn's eyes were dark, still immersed in the shocking footage, unable to recover.
One strike had destroyed Tot Musica and split Elegia in half.
Another shattered the sky and caused a second sun to appear.
"Is he the Sun God Nika?"
Saint Warcury stared at Caelan's tall figure, unable to suppress his thoughts.
It wasn't strange for him to think this. Caelan's performance had been too close to the myth of the Sun God.
However, according to their intel, the Nika Fruit had already been eaten by Straw Hat Luffy. Moreover…
Even during the war 800 years ago, the previous Nika—Joy Boy—had never demonstrated such overwhelming power.
"In terms of sheer destructive power… it might even surpass the Three Ancient Weapons."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter rubbed his temple, completely puzzled.
Pluton was said to be capable of destroying an island with a single shot, and that was nearly identical to the power Caelan had just shown.
What was even more terrifying was that Caelan was a free, autonomous individual—unbound by any nation or law, and impossible to monitor.
At this point, Caelan was effectively a human-shaped, mobile ancient weapon.
"What if he aimed that thing at Mariejois?"
Saint Nusjuro asked, stroking his chin cautiously.
"He wouldn't dare!"
Saint Saturn roared, but his confidence quickly faltered.
Because Caelan really would dare.
He had always been reckless and had never shown even the slightest respect for the World Government.
Bombarding Mariejois was definitely within the realm of possibility for him.
The Five Elders looked at each other, already imagining a future where Mariejois was laid to waste.
The Celestial Dragons would surely perish. Even they, with their supposed immortality, could not be certain of surviving.
Tot Musica, a creature with terrifying regeneration, had still been completely obliterated by a single strike from that God Slayer Spear.
There was no guarantee the five of them would fare any better.
"We're finished…"
The Five Elders were furious, but also overwhelmed by dread. They didn't even dare to picture the scene too clearly.
Before, Caelan killing two Celestial Dragons hadn't been a big deal. Mariejois raised so many of them, and many died every year.
If not for the need to uphold the dignity of the World Government, they wouldn't have even bothered getting angry.
Back then, although Caelan was strong, he wasn't frightening. If the five of them acted together, they were confident they could kill him.
But now, Caelan truly had the strength to flip the entire board.
They had no choice but to remain on high alert.
"This is far too serious. We must report this to Lord Imu!"
The Five Elders exchanged glances, then grabbed the video Den Den Mushi and rushed off to find Imu.
In the Room of Flowers.
Imu silently put down the Den Den Mushi after watching the video.
That kind of power rivaled even the weapon in his possession.
"Quietly relocate some of the Celestial Dragons to a new residence."
"And also… build me a new palace."
Imu's voice was low and emotionless.
"Yes, Lord Imu."
The Five Elders looked at each other, understanding what he truly meant.
Seeing that even Imu was intimidated by Caelan's might, the Five Elders were deeply shaken.
This man… had just made someone who hadn't shown fear for centuries feel threatened.
But they understood.
No one would want to be hit by a divine spear that erased everything.
That night, the terrified Five Elders moved in secret, under the cover of darkness.
(To be continued.)
***
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