At this moment, in the highest chamber of power in Mary Geoise, the Five Elders were listening to a report from a CP0 agent.
"So, you're saying you still haven't found any trace of the Blood-Eyed Ninja?" Saint Nusjuro said, his face grim.
Feeling the pressure, the CP0 agent immediately broke out in a cold sweat, lowered his head, and said, "Yes..."
"What a bunch of incompetents!"
So many days had passed, and they still hadn't found a trace of the Blood-Eyed Ninja... What on earth were these CP0 agents good for?
Were they all just freeloaders?!
"We've dispatched a large number of personnel, but we just can't get any information on him," the CP0 agent said.
He desperately wanted to find the man's location, but the problem was... it was simply impossible!
"Useless!"
The CP0 agent flinched in fear but didn't dare say another word.
After glancing at the CP0 agent, Saint Saturn spoke, "Is it possible that the Whitebeard Pirates are hiding them?"
"You mean..."
"Yes." Saint Saturn nodded. "During the war at Marine Headquarters, the Blood-Eyed Ninja helped the Whitebeard Pirates rescue Fire Fist Ace, and then helped them retrieve Whitebeard's body, so..."
"But the Marines reported that the Blood-Eyed Ninja refused the Whitebeard Pirates' protection," said Saint Shepherd.
The conversation between Whitebeard and the Blood-Eyed Ninja had been overheard by many Marines, so that information had naturally reached their ears.
"He said it, and you believed it?"
Saint Saturn shot a sideways glance at Saint Shepherd. "What if it was a deliberate smoke bomb?"
After all, the man was at Marine Headquarters at the time, so it was perfectly normal for him not to speak the truth.
Being rebuked, Saint Shepherd didn't get angry. Instead, he thought about it seriously, then nodded. "Yes, that's a possibility."
Having met Bartholomew Kuma in the Devil's Triangle, the Blood-Eyed Ninja naturally knew the World Government's objective. It was possible he had come up with such a method to evade their pursuit.
"In that case," Saint Warcury said after a moment of thought, looking at the CP0 agent, "investigate the recent activities of the Four Emperors and see if the Blood-Eyed Ninja is with them."
The CP0 agent: ???
Investigate the Four Emperors?
Him?
Wouldn't he be beaten to death if he got caught?
But when the CP0 agent saw Saint Warcury's expression, he fell silent. Then, steeling himself, he said, "Understood!"
"Go."
"Yes!"
After watching him leave, Saint Saturn turned his gaze to Saint Warcury. "You think... the other Four Emperors would also be interested in this kid?"
"What else?"
Saint Warcury retorted, "You don't actually believe those people aren't interested in the Blood-Eyed Ninja, do you? A ninja with a special bloodline, possessing all sorts of powerful abilities..."
Would those people not be interested in such talent?
Don't be ridiculous!
"Hmm... that seems to be the case," Saint Saturn nodded.
Hearing Saint Warcury's words, the first person Saint Saturn thought of was BIG MOM. That woman loved collecting people from various special races, so it was perfectly normal for her to be interested in a Bloodline Ninja.
Speaking of which, can that woman still give birth? Saint Saturn wondered to himself.
Perhaps having thought of something, Saint Saturn's expression turned a little strange.
"Kaido and BIG MOM will definitely be interested in the Blood-Eyed Ninja," said Saint Mars. "So I agree with Saint Warcury."
"Let's hope he's not in the hands of those two," Saint Saturn said. "Otherwise, things will become rather troublesome."
Although they weren't afraid of the Four Emperors, they didn't want to clash with those people if they could avoid it.
After all... they still relied on those Four Emperors to maintain stability in the New World!
"Is it still necessary to investigate Red Hair?" Saint Shepherd asked.
Although that man was a pirate and had become one of the Four Emperors of the New World, he was, in a sense, one of their own.
After all, that man was a Celestial Dragon!
"No, it's still necessary," said Saint Warcury.
"You think he can't be trusted?"
Saint Warcury fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said somberly, "He is, after all, a Celestial Dragon who grew up in the outside world..."
If the man had grown up in the Holy Land, he wouldn't have any doubts about him.
But... he grew up on the Roger Pirates, so they had to be on guard!
Recalling Shanks's past actions, Saint Shepherd nodded. "That's true."
Although the man was a Celestial Dragon, he hadn't grown up in the Holy Land, so his way of thinking would be vastly different from theirs. They had to be cautious.
"However... finding someone in the territories of those three is not an easy task," said Saint Nusjuro.
"Indeed."
Finding someone in the territory of one of the Four Emperors was no easy feat. After all... it could easily lead to a conflict with a Four Emperors Crew!
But to get their hands on the Blood-Eyed Ninja, they had to do it!
"He's not necessarily with the Four Emperors," Saint Saturn said.
"You mean..."
"Yes, the Blood-Eyed Ninja and Straw Hat Boy could also be hiding on some island in Paradise."
Relying on the Blood-Eyed Ninja's Water Release Technique, those two could go anywhere!
"Then let's get CP moving," said Saint Nusjuro. "One group will search the New World, another will search Paradise."
Although this seemed like a massive undertaking, when he thought of the potential benefits, he felt it was worth it.
After all... it was immense power!
"That's the only way."
Just then, Saint Warcury spoke up. "Do you think... the Blood-Eyed Ninja might take the initiative to come and cause trouble for us?"
As soon as he said this, the other four were stunned.
Then, Saint Saturn frowned and said, "He'd better not."
Although they were eager to capture this man, they didn't want him running wild in their Holy Land. After all... his abilities were indeed quite troublesome!
Thinking of this, Saint Saturn continued, "His abilities are very dangerous. If he comes to the Holy Land, he could cause immeasurable losses."
"That's what I was thinking," Saint Warcury nodded. "So we should try to capture him outside, then send him directly to Egghead."
Since the man had already rejected their recruitment offer, there was no need to treat him well. Just send him to be used as cloning material!
"By the way... why would you have such a thought?" Saint Shepherd asked curiously.
"Because Straw Hat Boy might die from this war," Saint Warcury said.
According to the intelligence they received, Straw Hat Boy was unconscious when he left. Combined with the fact that he had been poisoned by Magellan before, he judged that the boy might die!
"So you think that man might come to retaliate against us?" Saint Saturn said.
"Yes."
"Hmm... we can't rule out that possibility."
Saint Saturn thought for a moment, then said, "Then let's strengthen the Holy Land's defenses for the time being."
"Seconded!"
The others nodded, agreeing with Saint Saturn's idea.
After temporarily setting aside the matter of the Blood-Eyed Ninja, the group picked up another intelligence report from the table.
"These people have been quite active recently," said Saint Warcury, staring at the report's contents.
It detailed the recent movements of the BIG MOM Pirates and the Beasts Pirates.
Both groups had been attacking the territories of the Whitebeard Pirates and had already taken over many places.
"Their movements are not small," Saint Saturn said. "It probably won't be long before the Whitebeard Pirates are wiped out by these people."
It wasn't just the Four Emperors Crews attacking the Whitebeard Pirates' islands now; even some pirates who thought they could replace Whitebeard were attacking their territories!
It could be said that with the loss of Whitebeard, their pillar of support, everyone wanted to try their luck.
"Being wiped out is unlikely," said Saint Mars. "But they will probably be scattered."
"Scattered..."
"Yes." Saint Mars nodded. "If they're smart enough, they'll disband the Whitebeard Pirates and leave their territories. That way, the pressure on them will lessen."
Hearing this, Saint Saturn sneered, "Hah, Whitebeard is their pride. Would they do that?"
"That's their choice to make," Saint Mars said. "Pride or their lives."
Without someone who could carry the mantle, the Whitebeard Pirates were bound to disappear!
The only difference was whether they disbanded themselves or were eliminated by others.
"No, there's another possibility," Saint Nusjuro suddenly said, looking up.
"What possibility?"
"The Whitebeard Pirates re-establish themselves as a Four Emperors Crew!"
"How is that possible?" Saint Saturn retorted. "Without a powerhouse on Whitebeard's level, they can't possibly hold that position!"
The reason a Four Emperors Crew was called such was mainly because their captain possessed strength comparable to the other Four Emperors!
But Whitebeard was already dead!
So there was no way they could hold that position!
Unless... unless someone from the Whitebeard Pirates could step up again!
But was that possible?
Who else in the Whitebeard Pirates could match the other Four Emperors?
Marco?
Don't be ridiculous, that guy couldn't possibly defeat the other Four Emperors.
Just then, a name surfaced in Saint Saturn's mind.
Fire Fist Ace...
Could it be that Saint Nusjuro was referring to this man who possessed the bloodline of the Pirate King?
Thinking of this, Saint Saturn frowned.
"It seems you've thought of it too," Saint Nusjuro said.
Saint Saturn fell silent for a moment, then said, "What makes you think that kid with the Pirate King's bloodline can match the other Four Emperors?"
"Because he is the son of the Pirate King," Saint Nusjuro said. "With that man's bloodline, his potential is definitely not low."
"Of course, I'm referring to his potential, not his current strength."
"Potential..."
Saint Saturn frowned upon hearing this, but he didn't say anything more, instead lowering his head and beginning to ponder.
After a moment, he said, "Yes, what you said does make some sense."
"But that's on the premise that he can survive the siege of numerous pirate crews."
If he survived, it would prove he indeed had what it takes.
If not... it would only mean he was nothing special.
"In that case, this man is something of a threat," Saint Warcury said with a frown. "Why don't we send someone to eliminate him?"
"It would also solve this problem."
"Do we even need to act?" Saint Saturn said. "There's no shortage of people in the New World who want his head."
Not everyone would have a favorable impression of him just because he was the Pirate King's son. More would want to take his head to prove themselves!
So... the probability of his death was very high.
Yes, it was also possible he would be killed by members of another Four Emperors Crew.
"That may be true, but relying on pirates is not a sure thing," Saint Warcury said. "So I think it's better to send our own people to handle it."
"I agree with Saint Warcury's view," Saint Shepherd said. "After all... the remnants of the Roger Pirates are still alive!"
Although Fire Fist Ace was unwilling to admit he was Roger's son, the man was, after all, the Pirate King's descendant!
It would be bad if someone tried to make an issue out of it, so... Fire Fist Ace must die!
Saint Saturn thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let's do that."
"While monitoring the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, look for an opportunity to eliminate Fire Fist Ace!"
"Seconded!"
The other four elders nodded.
No matter what, that man had to die!
After confirming this matter, the group moved on from the topic.
"There are now vacancies among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea. Do you have any good candidates in mind?" Saint Shepherd asked.
Although there was also a vacancy among the Four Emperors, it would be filled sooner or later!
So... they needed to fill the Warlord positions soon!
"The Warlords..."
Saint Mars stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then said, "So far, I haven't seen any good candidates."
"What about that one called Clown Buggy?" Saint Saturn suggested.
"Him?"
Recalling the man who dared to broadcast live during the war at Marine Headquarters, Saint Mars frowned. "That apprentice from the Pirate King's crew...?"
"Yes."
Saint Saturn nodded. "If this man is willing to become a Warlord, wouldn't it be a perfect way to dampen the pirates' morale?"
Once that man accepted the title of Warlord, it would be equivalent to willingly becoming a dog for the World Government.
In that way... it would further display the authority of the World Government!
"What do you all think?"
"I see no problem with it," Saint Nusjuro said. "He is a good candidate."
They could even use Clown Buggy's status as a former crewmate of the Pirate King to their advantage, which would showcase the magnanimity of the World Government!
"I also see no problem."
Saint Shepherd and Saint Warcury also nodded.
"Then let's count him in," Saint Mars said.
They would send an invitation to that man after some time to see if he was willing to become a Warlord.
"What about the other vacancies?"
"If we can't find any good candidates for now, let's just leave them open," Saint Warcury said.
The positions of the Warlords were very important and couldn't be filled carelessly.
"That's the only way."
"Oh, right, one more thing!" Saint Warcury said as if he had just remembered something. "Sengoku has come to the Holy Land. It looks like he's going to see Kong."
"What is he here for?"
"He probably wants to take responsibility for this war," Saint Saturn guessed. "That's what he said during the war."
He had said it himself in front of everyone during the war, so he had to take responsibility for this matter!
"Take responsibility... is he planning to resign from the position of Marine Fleet Admiral?" Saint Shepherd frowned.
Sengoku was quite useful. If he just left like this... it might not be a good thing for the World Government.
"That's a possibility."
"Isn't that perfect?" Saint Mars said. "We can just replace him with a more obedient Fleet Admiral."
"You mean..."
"That's right, Sakazuki!" Saint Mars said, his eyes glinting. "This man is much more obedient than the others."
Whatever they told him to do, he would do. He was a very obedient dog.
Therefore... making him the Fleet Admiral would be more beneficial to them!
"Sakazuki..."
The men looked at each other, then revealed sly, fox-like smiles.
"Seconded!"
"I just don't know what his condition is right now," Saint Shepherd said. "I remember the Blood
-Eyed Ninja used his ability to open a hole in his body."
"That did happen."
Recalling the magma hole Meiser had blasted through Sakazuki's body, Saint Saturn's expression became somewhat grave.
If that man couldn't be healed, then their plans would come to nothing.
Thinking of this, Saint Saturn said, "Send people to the Marines to find him, and do everything possible to heal him!"
This man was the Marine Admiral who best suited their intentions, so... they absolutely could not let him die!
"Seconded!!"