Red Line Continent.
Mary Geoise.
Deep within a garden overgrown with flowers, in the heart of the palace complex.
This place was called the "Flower Chamber," and even the Celestial Dragons were usually forbidden from entering.
Now, within a palace deep inside the Flower Chamber.
The Five Elders, at the apex of the World Government's power, were all kneeling on the ground.
They had shed their usual arrogance, not daring to even look up.
If the Marines, other Celestial Dragons, or the CP organization were to witness this scene, they would surely believe they were hallucinating.
If it wasn't a hallucination, what person, what power, what entity could make these five old men, who considered themselves the world's creator gods and stood at the very top of the Celestial Dragons, kneel in unison?
Before the Five Elders lay a long, three-tiered ascending staircase, leading to a platform filled with swords.
Above the platform was another platform, followed by stairs that seemed to pierce the heavens.
Beyond that was a colossal, empty throne.
The armrests of the throne were golden statues of two majestic lion heads, and its back bore a giant emblem of the World Government's flag. Above that, faintly visible, was what appeared to be a map of the Grand Line.
At this moment, a figure slowly sat upon the throne, which had always been empty.
The figure was entirely cloaked in dark robes, and on its head was a crown with four tall spikes.
Due to the dim interior lighting, only a dark silhouette could be seen, and the person on the throne's appearance remained hidden.
However, the fact that this person could command the Five Elders to kneel suggested that this individual was, in essence, the true master of the World Government.
Indeed, the moment the figure took their seat.
The Five Elders, kneeling on the ground, lowered their heads even further and spoke in unison: "The Five Elders are here to pay our respects!!!"
The figure raised their head, and from within the black robes, a pair of long, narrow eyes, with irises like swirling vortexes and colored red, calmly stared down at the Five Elders.
"What... is it?"
A voice, indistinguishable in gender, as if it hadn't been used in a long time, with slight pauses and a hoarse quality, echoed throughout the palace.
Normally, the Five Elders would not disturb him, and if they came, it meant there was a matter they couldn't handle.
Therefore, the figure asked directly.
When the figure spoke, though their voice was calm, it carried an unparalleled presence. This was not actively exuded but naturally emanated, as if it were its inherent state.
The sheer power of this aura, though it came from outside, seemed to resonate within their very souls.
It caused the bodies of the Five Elders, whose strength was unknown but certainly not low, to tremble slightly and become even more respectful.
The bald Elder holding a sword did not look up, his head bowed respectfully as he said, "Lord Im, another very strong individual has appeared on the seas recently."
Seeing that no one responded, he paused before continuing, "This person is not like a regular pirate. They seem to harbor a deep animosity towards the World Government. They spare the Marines but not a single person sent by the World Government has ever returned."
"And that person..."
He hesitated before speaking again.
"That person killed Carthelise and two of the Seven Warlords, completely disrupting the balance of the seas."
They had been hesitant about whether to approach Im.
But upon hearing the news of Moria's death, they could no longer wait.
With the loss of two Seven Warlords, the tacit balance established over more than a decade between pirates, the Marines, and the Seven Warlords was very likely to be shattered again.
This was not something they wished to see.
The Seven Warlords system was established precisely to deal with the increasingly chaotic Great Pirate Era.
While not the strongest, these Seven Warlords, with their reputation and strength, served to intimidate the countless pirates who flooded the Grand Line like locusts each year.
This was particularly true for Crocodile and Moria, who were in the first half of the Grand Line.
Their deaths would turn the relatively calm first half of the Grand Line into complete chaos.
The countless low-level pirates would, like sharks smelling blood, relentlessly pursue fame and fortune, committing all sorts of crimes.
This would greatly increase the burden on the Marines, and consequently, on the World Government.
Furthermore, selecting new Seven Warlords was not a simple matter.
"Fire Fist" Ace, who had recently gone to the New World, was defeated by Whitebeard, became his adopted son, and then served as the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, would have been a suitable candidate.
However, he refused.
And among the pirates who had emerged recently with significant strength was "Silver Hair" Kota.
But it was obvious that Silver Hair would never become a Seven Warlord.
Moreover, his strength was not on the same level as the Seven Warlords.
As for other pirates, those with sufficient strength had already gone to the New World, and those without, even if given a Seven Warlord position, wouldn't be able to hold onto it.
Even though Moria seemed to be at the bottom of the Seven Warlords in terms of strength,
it depended on who he was compared to.
Without comparing him to the truly powerful, his strength in the Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line, was like a bug, a symbol of terror.
Otherwise, so many pirates wouldn't have been unable to escape the Thriller Bark's Devil Triangle each year.
Otherwise, Thriller Bark wouldn't have become the legendary, true Ghost Island.
Perona alone could have wiped out most of the pirates in Paradise.
Therefore, the position of Seven Warlord was not something just anyone could fill.
"Carthelise?"
A low murmur, devoid of emotion, echoed through the palace.
"Carthelise."
He repeated, this time with a hint of surprise.
Clearly, the shadowy figure, "Im," remembered who Carthelise was.
In his long life, Carthelise was someone who had left an impression in his memory.
Although they had only met once.
He knew Carthelise was not a weakling.
He knew of the Seven Warlords but didn't take them seriously.
They were like ants, easily crushed, so who would bother with them?
But Carthelise was different. While perhaps an ant in his eyes, this ant could still inflict a bite. And that was enough.
And the pirate capable of killing Carthelise had certainly entered his mind at this moment.
"What is this pirate called, what are their abilities, that you have come to me?"
If it were merely a matter of great strength, the Five Elders would not have sought him out.
He was well aware of this.
"His name is Kota. There is no trace of his past. He appeared in the East Blue at the age of five and was adopted by a dojo master."
Another Elder, with a mustache, spoke, "He set sail half a year ago and should be almost eighteen now."
"Eighteen?"
For the first time, a flicker of emotion appeared in Im's calm eyes.
He was not surprised by strength; in his long life, he had encountered many strong individuals.
After all, no matter how strong, they were merely larger ants before him.
But a powerful eighteen-year-old, someone capable of killing Carthelise,
this piqued his interest.
"Yes!"
The mustached Elder nodded and continued, "He is indeed eighteen. This individual possesses all three types of Haki and is an extremely formidable swordsman."
He paused slightly, a hint of gravity flashing in the depths of his eyes, "And these are not the abilities that leave us completely helpless."
"Oh..."
Now Im was truly interested. "Then what is it?"
"According to the information from the Marines regarding Carthelise's death, he is likely not an Devil Fruit user. However, he can manipulate space and perform spatial movements as easily as eating or drinking, at any time and place."
"This is why we are unable to do anything about him, and why we have come to you, my lord."
"Spatial movement?"
"Not an Devil Fruit user?"
"Hmm... then it must be a special race."
Im's interest deepened. This was the first time in centuries that he had shown interest in something in front of the Five Elders.
Devil Fruits, in essence, were borrowed power. For such powerful beings, even if the God-like Nika Fruit, known as the Drum of Liberation, were to reappear, he wouldn't be particularly interested.
This was because he had defeated the Nika Fruit user eight hundred years ago, and he could do so again today.
Although, for the sake of eternal life and certain reasons, he could not leave this palace, as the closest being to a god in this world, ordinary matters couldn't captivate him.
And learning from the Five Elders that a special race capable of arbitrarily using spatial movement had appeared in this world, even if it was just one person for now, piqued his interest.
With interest came a surge of murderous intent.
He would not permit, would not allow anything that could threaten him to exist in this world.
For example, the Lunarian tribe, who once lived on the Red Line, were a people with special abilities.
But now, no trace of that tribe could be found in this world; they had likely been exterminated.
He harbored a deadly malice towards any special race for which there was no means to counter their abilities.
As if sensing Im's killing intent,
the souls of the Five Elders trembled.
But the killing intent, like a swiftly passing wind, came and went quickly, not lingering here for long.
"Speak! What do you want?"
Im spoke again, his eyes and voice returning to their calm state.
While he was interested in Kota's special race, it was merely interest.
If, one day, Kota were to stand on the Red Line, come to Mary Geoise, and stand before him,
then he might consider Kota worthy of a second glance.
It was the first Elder, the bald one holding the sword, who voiced their final request, "We implore Lord Im to make this 'Silver Hair,' a light that has severely threatened the balance of the world and the World Government, disappear from history."
After speaking, the Five Elders bowed their heads to the ground, awaiting Im's answer.
He remained silent, and for a moment, the palace was unusually quiet.
Im pondered for a while before finally speaking.
"Very well."
His single word, however, was like a colossal hand from the heavens, dispelling the gloom in the hearts of the Five Elders, bringing forth smiles to their faces.
"Silver Hair, prepare to face divine retribution!"
"The true punishment of the gods."
Although he desired Kota's abilities, if they couldn't capture him, then he could only be made to die.