"Red-Hair?"
Sensing Red-Hair's reaction, Alex shifted his curious gaze toward him.
"So… you really are a Celestial Dragon, huh?"
Alex asked with undisguised curiosity, voicing what had long been on his mind.
Back in his previous life, Red-Hair's true identity had sparked endless debate and speculation among fans.
But Oda had never clearly revealed the answer.
People argued back and forth, yet no one could reach a conclusion.
But now?
The Five Elders were actually working together with Red-Hair!
This relationship was far too extraordinary.
If Red-Hair wasn't a Celestial Dragon, Alex simply wouldn't believe it.
"That's not important."
Red-Hair shook his head, staring straight at Alex.
"What matters is this—are you really going to let this go?"
If Alex refused to stop, then even the Five Elders might end up like the Yonko—wiped out.
At that point, the entire sea would truly fall into chaos.
"Of course not."
Sure enough, Alex answered without the slightest hesitation, firm and decisive.
"No one gets to attack me and live—not even the Five Elders."
Red-Hair's lips twitched slightly.
After a long pause, he finally spoke:
"Could you… at least consider doing it for my sake—"
"You really think your so-called 'Face-Face Fruit' works on me?"
Alex chuckled and cut him off.
"The only reason you're still alive is because you never intended to make a move against me."
Boom!
After saying that, Alex wasted no more words.
He stepped onto his surfboard and shot straight into the sky.
Red-Hair stared in the direction Alex vanished for a long while, before finally shaking his head and letting out a long sigh.
"It's over… the sea is about to fall into complete chaos."
Alex would definitely attack Mariejois.
That alone was enough to shake the entire world.
Mariejois was the Holy Land!
When had the authority of the Celestial Dragons ever been challenged like this?
Before Alex, who had ever dared to kill a Celestial Dragon?
Once that precedent was set, it would awaken the world.
It would prove that Celestial Dragons were not untouchable gods.
They were not sacred, nor inviolable.
That alone was a fatal blow to their rule.
Given enough time, besides Dragon, entirely new revolutionary forces might rise across the seas.
That was the long-term picture.
But in the short term…
The Five Elders might not be able to stop Alex at all.
They might actually be killed by him.
Red-Hair couldn't just sit by and let that happen.
He wanted to do something—but painfully realized that there was almost nothing he could do.
Or rather, the only thing he could do…
Was pick up a Den Den Mushi and warn the Five Elders.
---
Mariejois.
As usual, the Five Elders were gathered inside the vast, imposing hall.
But this time, the atmosphere was noticeably heavier than normal.
None of them spoke much, as if waiting for some kind of outcome.
Especially the bald swordsman Elder holding the Shodai Kitetsu—
He paced back and forth before the desk, clearly growing impatient.
"For some reason… I have an uneasy feeling,"
After pacing a few rounds, the swordsman Elder stopped and made a decision.
"I'll go take a look myself."
"Relax."
The short, heavyset Elder remained much calmer, speaking to reassure him.
"You don't really think Alex can turn the tables, do you?"
They freely admitted that Alex was terrifyingly strong.
That was exactly why they had dispatched ten Arbiters.
No matter how powerful Alex was, he should have fallen.
After all, each Arbiter was monstrously strong—stronger than a Yonko.
Ten Arbiters together left no room for error.
And more importantly, the ten Arbiters wielded an extremely powerful and terrifying sword formation.
That formation's strength wasn't a simple sum of ten people—
It was equivalent to twenty Arbiters fighting together.
With such a force, how could Alex possibly win?
"Logically speaking, that's true,"
The swordsman Elder adjusted his glasses, frowning.
"But that uneasy feeling just won't go away."
At their level, something like this couldn't simply be brushed aside as "overthinking."
Especially with Observation Haki—
Subtle premonitions were entirely possible.
"How about this,"
After some thought, the bearded Elder spoke.
"Let's contact Red-Hair and ask about the situation."
Why not contact the Arbiters directly?
Because they might already be fighting Alex and unable to respond.
"Buru buru buru…"
But before they could call Red-Hair, a Den Den Mushi on the desk rang.
The Five Elders' expressions instantly turned uncertain.
Because that Den Den Mushi was the direct line to Red-Hair.
Red-Hair was calling them at this moment?
That alone was highly unusual.
Although Red-Hair had close ties with them, he almost never initiated contact.
For him to call now—
Something major had clearly happened.
Considering the current sensitive timing…
The Five Elders didn't even need to think hard.
The Arbiters' mission probably hadn't gone smoothly.
Otherwise, Red-Hair wouldn't be calling.
In an instant, all five Elders' expressions darkened, each struck by a sense of foreboding.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy and oppressive.
Whoosh!
Before they could even answer the call, the Elders' vision blurred—
And their expressions changed completely.
Because, ghost-like, someone suddenly appeared right before them.
Alex.
Alex had appeared in front of them!
The Five Elders could no longer remain calm.
Why was Alex here in Mariejois?
Had the Arbiters failed?
All ten Arbiters… defeated?
And in such a short time?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
The Five Elders were completely shaken, unable to maintain their composure, faces paling in shock.
"Alex… how did you come here?"
The swordsman Elder was the first to recover, feigning ignorance as he spoke.
"It's simple."
Alex shrugged casually.
"I'm here to send you all on your way."
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