Inside a lavish, majestic office.
All five rulers who symbolized the highest authority in the world were present.
As long as the existence of Im was unknown to the public, the status of the Five Elders was self-evident.
They were not merely "second to one, above ten thousand"—
they were simply above everyone.
In front of anyone else, the Five Elders were always lofty, solemn, and unsmiling.
But at this very moment—
Faced with the great pirate Red-Hair, smiles actually appeared on their faces.
If anyone else were to see this scene, their jaws would surely hit the floor.
The highest leaders of the World Government, the very embodiment of order on the seas,
being this courteous to a Yonko who openly challenged that order?
It was absurd.
Even more so—
Shanks was sitting at the same table as the Five Elders.
"Shanks, these past days haven't been easy for you, have they?"
The bald Elder was the first to speak, his tone sounding just like an old friend making conversation.
"Indeed."
Shanks sighed deeply. "With Alex around, no pirate sleeps well at night."
"Alex just killed Whitebeard and Kaido. That was only to be expected."
The bearded Elder spoke calmly from the side.
"So what exactly are you trying to say?"
Shanks' seemingly lazy gaze swept across the Five Elders.
"You're just going to let Alex do as he pleases and wipe out all the Yonko?"
By now, it was obvious to anyone with a brain.
The Navy was targeting the Yonko, using Alex to eliminate them—there was no doubt about it.
"If that were truly the case, we wouldn't have summoned you here."
The Elder in the hat spoke with deep implication.
"Stop beating around the bush," Shanks said bluntly.
"What do you really want?"
"Alex's next target will be Charlotte Linlin.
And his final target will be you."
"When Alex kills Charlotte Linlin, this entire affair will come to an end.
He will die at your hands."
The bald Elder laid out their plan plainly.
Shanks glanced at the Five Elders, his eyes sharp.
"So the Navy never had the guts for this. As expected, you're the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes."
The truth was now clear.
The Five Elders were using Alex to clear out the Yonko—
or rather, to eliminate the other three Yonko.
Because Shanks' status was special, he could not be treated like an ordinary pirate.
The Five Elders would never act directly against Red-Hair.
"Don't you think there are too many 'emperors' on the seas?"
The blond Elder did not deny it.
"The balance of the seas needs to change. One 'emperor' is enough."
"Even if I object now, it's too late, isn't it?"
Shanks couldn't help but reveal a faintly mocking smile.
Across the entire sea, he was probably the only one who dared to speak to the Five Elders in such a tone.
"Shanks, trust us. This outcome is best for everyone—
for pirates, and for the Navy alike."
The bald Elder nodded seriously.
Shanks understood very well that, in this matter, he no longer had any real choice.
So he accepted the arrangement.
"And how do you plan to get rid of Alex?"
Shanks asked after a brief pause, staring at them.
"I'm no match for him."
"You don't need to worry about that."
The bald Elder smiled meaningfully.
Shanks immediately understood.
"So… you're going to use that power?"
As the rulers of the world, if the Five Elders didn't possess a force that stood above everything else, how could they possibly sit so firmly at the top?
Especially when the Celestial Dragons themselves were nothing but trash.
What made the Navy obey them like dogs?
Bloodline alone?
That was obviously impossible.
The truth was—
The Five Elders controlled a terrifying force, one so vast that even the Navy feared it,
a force far beyond the level of the three Admirals.
They almost never deployed it.
Even within the Navy, very few knew of its existence.
But Shanks' identity was special—he was one of the rare people who knew the truth.
So the moment he saw the Five Elders' attitude, he understood their plan.
"Alex is simply too strong. This is the only way to eliminate him."
The bald Elder did not deny it.
"What choice do I have left?"
Shanks spread his hands helplessly.
…
"One of the Yonko—BIG MOM—has also been killed by Alex!"
"After Whitebeard and Kaido, Big Mom is dead too!"
"Is Alex really going to wipe out all the Yonko?"
"Only one Yonko remains now—Red-Hair! Can Red-Hair escape Alex's grasp?!"
Just as everyone had predicted—
After killing Kaido, Alex paid a visit to Whole Cake Island and casually took out Big Mom as well.
When the news spread, the entire sea once again erupted into chaos and shock.
The Yonko.
Untouchable, towering figures who stood at the pinnacle of the seas—
four great mountains pressing down on every pirate's head.
And now—
Within a single month, three of them had been killed!
And the killer was the same person every time!
Who the hell was this Alex?!
His strength was beyond absurd!
Killing Yonko as easily as slaughtering chickens!
Now that only one Yonko remained—Red-Hair—
Naturally, the eyes of the entire sea turned toward him.
As the last Yonko standing, could Red-Hair withstand Alex?
Not just the world—
The Red-Haired Pirates themselves were gripped by the same fear.
"Boss, how can you look so calm? This time it's really different!"
At the Red-Haired Pirates' base, first mate Benn Beckman looked grim to the extreme, his brows heavy with worry.
The other crew members nearby looked no better.
The atmosphere was unbearably oppressive, making it hard to breathe.
This was completely unlike the Red-Haired Pirates' usual mood.
They had always been relaxed, carefree, and unburdened—
Captain and crew alike, like a group of friends traveling the world together.
Such tension and pressure were exceedingly rare.
And it was all because of one name—
Alex.
"Yeah, Boss. Footage of Alex killing the other Yonko is already circulating."
Yasopp was frantic.
"That man is terrifyingly strong!"
Instant kills.
From the footage alone, Alex killing Yonko was nothing short of instantaneous—utterly horrifying.
Red-Hair stood no chance against someone like that.
Even if their entire crew banded together, they still wouldn't be able to oppose Alex.
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