Red Line, Holy Land of Mariejois.
Inside one of the palaces, the Gorosei were either sitting or standing within a spacious room.
"We just received intelligence reports that Blackbeard Teach went alone to Nakor City, entered the Central Tower, and had a meeting with Golden Ring Aeridar," the Gorosei with the curved mustache, sitting on a sofa, spoke in a deep voice.
"The critical point is that Blackbeard Teach left completely unharmed. It seems those two reached some sort of agreement," the curly-haired Gorosei frowned in thought, his hand resting on the armrest of the sofa, his fingers tapping intermittently.
The straight-haired Gorosei looked around at the others, speculating, "It is most likely a negotiation regarding the Yonko title. It seems neither of them wished to waste their fighting strength in a mutual killing spree."
The blond Gorosei, who had been pacing in front of the coffee table, stopped and frowned. "If that's the case, since there is only one Yonko position open, it means one of them gave up the title."
"It's also possible they plan to take down one of the other three—Red-Haired, Beast, or Big Mom—leaving two open Yonko seats," the kimono-clad Gorosei, leaning against a load-bearing pillar with his sword in his arms, offered a different conjecture.
"That's possible, but unlikely to be practical."
"The cost is too high. That man, Golden Ring, would never agree to it."
The blond Gorosei and the curly-haired Gorosei shook their heads, disagreeing with the speculation.
"If he were to fight a Yonko, given the power of the Chris Pirates, it would be better for them to go all-out and destroy the Blackbeard Pirates. Then, if they also eliminate the Whitebeard Pirate remnants led by Marco, no one would be able to stop him from claiming the Yonko title," the blond Gorosei analyzed.
"Dammit! One moment of carelessness has led to two great threats!" the kimono-clad Gorosei gritted his teeth.
"It seems Sakazuki's request needs to be carefully considered," the curved-mustache Gorosei's brow furrowed into a 'river' shape, his mind turning to Sakazuki's proposal from a few days prior.
"Sakazuki's suggestion can be considered, but the World Military Draft has only just begun. We cannot interfere with New World matters for now. Let us first focus on our internal problems," the straight-haired Gorosei said flatly.
"Are you referring to the rumor that has been circulating within the government recently?" the curly-haired Gorosei raised an eyebrow.
"Although there is an understanding, we must take it seriously. After all, the World Government's true foundation lies with them," the straight-haired Gorosei said ominously.
"The 'Vigor-Vigor Fruit incident' long ago must have involved interference from someone among them," the blond Gorosei stated with certainty.
"Then let's send people to investigate it!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
"..."
The deliberations of the Gorosei continued, but the hidden, surging undercurrents were gathering bit by bit, threatening to erupt at any moment.
…
Mariejois, within the Celestial Dragon residential district, in a luxurious palace.
"How pathetic you look! Weren't you supposed to be infallible?" Saint Gustav stood on a high platform, mockingly looking down at Malha.
His arm was in a sling, and Malha's face was ashen. He had white bandages wrapped around his head and body, and faint crimson blood stains were seeping through, indicating his injuries were severe. He remained silent.
"Just now, I received a report from my secret line. Blackbeard Teach went alone to the Clifford Kingdom and had a meeting with that Golden Ring fellow," Saint Gustav said, gritting his teeth in hatred.
"What? That's impossible!" Malha cried out in disbelief, his expression full of astonishment.
No idiot would walk into a trap like that!
"Who knows."
Saint Gustav's expression was somewhat sinister, and he said darkly, "Although we don't know what they discussed, Blackbeard Teach left the Clifford Kingdom completely intact. And that Golden Ring fellow even personally saw him off!"
Upon hearing this, Malha instinctively felt something was wrong. He immediately calmed down and asked in confusion, "Could it be that that guy doesn't want to claim the Yonko title anymore? This was the best chance to take out that bastard Blackbeard!"
Hearing Malha's words, Saint Gustav looked at him and said with a sneer, "It seems your brain wasn't damaged by Blackbeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit powers after all!"
"Shut up!"
Malha's mouth twitched, annoyed, and he snapped coldly at the esteemed Celestial Dragon before him.
"Watch your tone, you bastard!" Saint Gustav chastised with a displeased expression. As a noble World Noble, a Celestial Dragon, he was rarely spoken to in such a manner.
"Hmph!"
Malha coldly snorted, but he didn't continue arguing with Saint Gustav.
Saint Gustav was one of the few sober-minded Celestial Dragons, which was why he cooperated with Malha on equal terms. He suppressed his displeasure and said in a deep voice, "Blackbeard Teach and Golden Ring Aeridar must have reached some agreement. Furthermore, having lost Benson and the others, we've practically had an arm severed; our strength is severely diminished."
"That bastard Blackbeard might reveal that we tried to cooperate with him. If that happens, my identity will definitely be exposed," Malha said gravely. "Next, my forces in the underworld are going to face an all-out crackdown, a true storm!"
Saint Gustav's brow furrowed tightly. The fact that Golden Ring Aeridar was the Underworld Emperor 'King' was a secret to others, but not to Malha, who was also an Underworld Emperor. Likewise, Saint Gustav had known this for a long time.
Moreover, Malha only controlled about two-thirds of the organization's power within the underworld. While his influence was strong, compared to the opponent's massive influence in the underworld, the difference was substantial.
If all of Malha's subordinates were wiped out, the organization's demise would not be far off.
Saint Gustav thought for a while before saying hesitantly, "Our only option now is likely to force Golden Ring Aeridar to become a Yonko, and then use the power of the Marines and the World Government to destroy him. Or, failing that, find an opportunity to assassinate him!"
"Difficult. Extremely difficult!"
Malha's brows were tightly knit.
Compared to the opponent's forces and his monstrous strength, both options would be incredibly hard to pull off.
"Then we'll have to take things one step at a time. Luckily, most of the industries you're involved in primarily serve the World Government and the Celestial Nobles. Even if there are losses, they shouldn't be crippling," Saint Gustav was also at a loss for options. The power gap between the two sides was too vast. If they hadn't been hiding in the shadows, they might have already been annihilated.
Since the death of Benson's group, the organization hadn't been able to muster a lineup capable of surrounding and eliminating the opponent, especially after the true nature of his power was revealed—no one dared to claim they could kill that monster.
"I hope so,"
Malha's brows were locked in a frown. He was not as optimistic as Saint Gustav.
Tap, tap, tap... Tap, tap, tap...
Suddenly, a set of hurried footsteps approached from far away.
A moment later, a man in a black suit burst in, anxiously exclaiming, "Gustav-sei, a major incident has occurred!"