The Five Elders, who had always stood above all and looked down upon the world, were genuinely shaken.
"The Illuminati and the Neo Navy… This Caelan is truly ambitious!"
Saint Saturn spoke angrily, though his voice clearly carried fear.
Even he hadn't expected Caelan to make such a move, let alone announce it so publicly through the World Economy News.
"This Caelan is undermining the very foundation of the World Government. He's even more outrageous than the Revolutionary Army!"
Saint Nasjuro's face was grim.
Compared to the pirates rampaging across the seas, Caelan's actions were far more terrifying.
Just like the Revolutionary Army. Even though their overall strength didn't compare to that of a single Yonko, their unique position had caused the Five Elders to regard their leader, Monkey D. Dragon, as the most dangerous criminal in history.
But now, Caelan had replaced Monkey D. Dragon in their hearts.
Eight hundred years ago, the World Government had united twenty kingdoms to overthrow that ancient and terrifying kingdom.
Wasn't the so-called Illuminati just a reformed version of the World Government?
The Neo Navy was clearly a rival to the Marines.
And now, what Caelan was doing was mimicking their original path—only doing it better.
What has been will be again. What has been done will be done again.
If the ancient kingdom could be overthrown back then, there was no reason Caelan couldn't do the same to them now.
"What should we do?"
Saint Peter rubbed his temples, his tone full of frustration.
Watching Caelan grow stronger and more unrestrained, he felt increasingly uneasy.
Right now, the upper ranks of the Neo Navy were almost equivalent to half the strength of the regular Marines. And Caelan himself possessed overwhelming power that even the Marines couldn't match.
It was foreseeable that nations dissatisfied with the World Government would definitely turn to Caelan's Illuminati.
As for the remaining nations that hadn't yet defected, they didn't trust the World Government. They only obeyed it because of its strength.
After all, no one knows the weight of your sins better than yourself.
"We can't let him continue unchecked. He must be eliminated. The only real concern is that God Slayer Spear of his."
Saint Saturn's expression turned serious. He could no longer tolerate Caelan's behavior.
"There's no solution. The God Slayer Spear is on par with our National Treasure. We have no countermeasure."
Saint Nasujuro spoke with helplessness, then made a grim speculation. "And the fact that he dares to act so brazenly… it likely means he has a trump card. Could it be that the God Slayer Spear can be used more than once?"
"…"
The other Five Elders fell silent.
They, too, had thought of this possibility.
Even though the idea of the God Slayer Spear being capable of repeated use seemed absurd, Caelan's fearless actions kept reinforcing that message.
That was why the Five Elders were truly horrified by Caelan's creation of the Illuminati.
If Whitebeard had done something similar, they would've mobilized an army of a million to wipe him and his crew out.
To them, the so-called "Strongest Man in the World" could still be crushed easily.
But Caelan, the man who wielded the God Slayer Spear, was a different story.
What made it even worse was that this monstrously powerful man also wanted to reshape the world's ideology.
Caelan and his Illuminati were essentially an upgraded version of the Revolutionary Army—a weapon honed to slit their throats.
In comparison, Monkey D. Dragon, once their greatest headache, now seemed rather harmless…. If given the choice, the Five Elders would rather deal with ten Dragons than face one Caelan.
After a long silence, Saint Peter finally said, "How about asking Lord Imu to wipe them out using the National Treasure?"
The National Treasure was their ultimate trump card—capable of physically destroying entire countries.
Its power was so immense that Saint Peter believed it could take down Caelan.
After all, possessing the God Slayer Spear didn't necessarily mean one had impenetrable defenses.
If Caelan were struck by the National Treasure, he would die!
"Since Caelan killed two Celestial Dragons, all intelligence related to him has already been handed over to Lord Imu. If the time comes to use the National Treasure, Lord Imu will decide."
"But the cost of using the National Treasure is too high. It's not something we can deploy lightly."
Saint Saturn rejected Saint Peter's suggestion.
The National Treasure was the most terrifying weapon possessed by the World Government. Its destructive power was nearly apocalyptic—each use even causing sea levels to rise.
Moreover, the conditions required to use it were very harsh. The charging process took too long. If Caelan survived a single strike, there would be no second chance.
"I heard Vegapunk has made great strides in his research. Maybe if we wait a bit longer, the National Treasure can be used without limit."
Saint Peter's eyes sparkled with hope.
"If that day comes, one Caelan won't matter."
The other Five Elders were equally hopeful. They longed for a future where the National Treasure could be used infinitely.
With a weapon capable of erasing islands at will, no matter how many outcasts or rogue nations Caelan gathered, they could all be wiped away with ease.
"Let him enjoy his arrogance while it lasts. It won't be for long."
Saint Saturn said calmly.
Then he turned to ask Nasujuro, "How's the situation with the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Weevil has already agreed. Blackbeard also promised to deliver us a big gift."
"Good. As long as we're well-organized, Caelan won't be able to match us."
Saint Saturn nodded and finally found some comfort in the plan.
Although Caelan was the most dangerous enemy the World Government had faced in the last 800 years, he was still just one man. The power of the World Government was not something he could comprehend.
After concluding their discussion about Caelan, the atmosphere in the room returned to normal as the Five Elders turned to other pressing matters.
Saint Mars continued to glare at the newspaper featuring Caelan, his heart still filled with resentment.
What caught his eye was Morgans's glowing praise for Caelan.
"What a conniving bastard! What do you mean by 'I have no intention of vying for supremacy, but I understand the people's suffering'?! He clearly has evil intentions!"
"He wants to clean up a place and protect a corner of the world? How can anyone be so shameless?!"
Saint Mars muttered bitterly.
Wasn't this the same as them preaching about justice while ruling over the world?
Only, compared to the justice slogans they used, Caelan's words were deeper… and more convincing.
He could already imagine the excitement on the faces of the common people upon hearing such lines.
Once he figured out Caelan's hidden trump card, he would definitely make Caelan pay the price.
(To be continued.)
***
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