"World Government… can you even control the Shichibukai anymore?"
Sengoku's voice wasn't loud, but it echoed crisply through the chamber of power.
"If you can't, the Marines won't mind stepping in… and slaughtering them all!"
"..."
The entire chamber fell into dead silence.
The Elders exchanged glances, seeing the same shock mirrored in each other's eyes.
What the hell was going on with Sengoku today?
He had barged in without notice, erupted in fury right off the bat, and his words dripped with outright defiance — not just against the Shichibukai system, but against their authority itself.
A Elder wearing a black suit and a flat hat, with a scar running down his left cheek, slowly extended his hand and picked up a document.
This was Jaygarcia Saturn, the "Warrior God of Science and Defense."
He began flipping through the pages.
"..."
With each page he read, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
By the time he finished, his expression had sunk into something cold and heavy.
Indeed… Doflamingo had crossed the line this time.
Though he was once a Celestial Dragon, his family had "betrayed" the gods of their own accord.
When Doflamingo later returned to Mary Geoise, the Celestial Dragon society refused to accept the "traitor's clan" back into their midst.
And now, he actually dared to plant a spy of Vice Admiral rank within Marine Headquarters?
That was… beyond outrageous.
Saturn's gaze swept across the other four Elders.
In silence, their thoughts linked.
"Saturn, what's the situation?"
The bald Elder in a dark suit, Topman Warcury was the first to ask through thought.
"Doflamingo's top executive, Vergo, infiltrated Marine Headquarters and has risen to the rank of Vice Admiral."
"This time, while Vergo was transmitting classified Marine intel to Doflamingo, Sengoku caught him on the spot."
"..."
"Doflamingo went too far this time."
The long-haired Elder with sleek white hair, Marcus Mars let out a cold thread of thought.
"But… just because of this, Sengoku dares to be this brazen? His reaction is far too extreme."
Shepherd Ju Peter sounded filled with confusion.
"Extreme? He's outright disregarding hierarchy!"
The Elder in a white robe, wielding the First Generation Kitetsu, Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro spoke sharply, his thoughts cutting like blades.
"He's questioning us! Has the Marine forgotten its place?!"
"And don't forget," Nasujuro reminded them, like a bucket of cold water splashing over their heads,"how Doflamingo became a Shichibukai in the first place!"
"…"
The other four Elders instantly stiffened.
Indeed.
Doflamingo, as a former Celestial Dragon, knew secrets about the World Government… and about Mary Geoise itself.
Back then, he used that knowledge to threaten them, and with the Heavenly Tribute incident on top of it, he forced his way into becoming one of the Shichibukai.
That man… could not be touched lightly.
If they made a move against him, the resulting chain reaction could shake the very foundations of the World Government's rule.
So…
Sacrificing the Marines… would have to continue.
Agreed.
Seconded.
"..."
Within an instant, the five reached consensus. The telepathic exchange ended.
Saturn raised his head and looked at Sengoku, his voice returning to its usual cold authority.
"Sengoku, we understand your feelings."
"Doflamingo's actions were indeed inappropriate."
"However, the Shichibukai system is a crucial pillar in maintaining the world's balance — it cannot be disturbed."
"We will investigate this matter."
"You may leave now."
"Heh—"
Sengoku laughed.
But there was no warmth in it. It was an icy, hollow laugh — a sound that sent chills down the spine.
He stepped forward, his entire presence exploding like thunder. The overwhelming pressure of the "Buddha" surged, flooding the entire chamber.
"Elders… I didn't come here to negotiate with you."
He raised two fingers.
"The Marines give you two choices."
"First, immediately revoke Doflamingo's title as Shichibukai. The Marines will openly hunt him down and execute him!"
"Second… if you insist on protecting him, fine."
"Compensate the Marines for every single Belly of damage caused by this incident!"
"BOOM!!!"
It was as though a bomb had gone off inside the Elder's minds.
They shot to their feet, composure shattered, their faces twisting with unrestrained anger and shock.
"INSOLENT!"
"Sengoku! Are you insane?!"
"Do you even know what you're saying?!"
"Are the Marines declaring war on the World Government?!"
"And next year's budget — does the Marine still want it?!"
"Ha—"
Watching their frantic outrage, Sengoku felt an indescribable satisfaction rise in his chest.
Once upon a time, he'd had to grovel pathetically for mere scraps of funding.
But now… things were different.
"For years, the Marines have retreated again and again!"
"But we're done retreating!"
"This time, if you don't give us a proper explanation, the Marines won't mind to ruin a past relationship!"
"And if you dare cut even a single Belly from our funding…"
"The Marines will withdraw from the New World altogether, lift surveillance on the Four Emperors, and unleash those four monsters onto the seas!"
"I'd love to see whether your precious CP system and the almighty Shichibukai… can stop the Yonko!"
"???"
"!!!"
The Elders froze mid-breath.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the same flicker of dread mirrored in the others' eyes.
A threat.
A blatant, undisguised threat!
Sengoku — the World Government's most loyal Fleet Admiral — was threatening them!
How dare he?!
The Marines' colossal expenses… without World Government funding, how would they even function?
But… Sengoku's eyes showed no sign of jest.
He was dead serious.
If he truly ordered the Marines to withdraw from the New World, the entire sea would erupt into chaos overnight.
And if the most reckless of the Four Emperors decided to march his Beast Army straight to Mary Geoise, "drunk and rampaging"…
Then even if the five of them went all out, even with the God's Knights… the Holy Land would still suffer catastrophic losses.
Celestial Dragon casualties. World instability.
The consequences… would be devastating.
They had to calm the Marines down.
That single thought struck all five minds at once.
"Sengoku… calm yourself."
Saturn was the first to speak, his tone softening as he tried to regain control of the situation.
"We will give you a proper response regarding Doflamingo."
He hesitated for a moment, as though making an enormous concession.
"Here's our offer — the World Government is willing to compensate the Marines with 10 billion Belly as reparations for this incident."
Ten billion.
To them, that was already an astronomical figure — more than enough to placate anyone, more than enough to extinguish Sengoku's anger.
However—
BANG!!!
Sengoku slammed his palm down on the table.
"You think I'm a beggar?!"
"One hundred billion!"
"Not a Belly less, or there's nothing more to discuss!"
...
(T/N: The chapter for 100 Powerstones, thank you)