At the same time, in the Supreme Hall of Pangaea Castle, Mary Geoise—
The Five Elders, led by Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro and Saint Topman Warcury, sat in cold silence, their gazes fixed on the figure below. The vast hall was filled with an oppressive tension.
Warcury, dressed in a kimono and clutching a katana, scowled and was the first to speak, his voice sharp with anger.
"Sengoku, did you just say that Fire Fist Ace is the biological son of Gol D. Roger? Is this some kind of joke? Don't think you can use such a ridiculous claim to cover for that arrogant new admiral's recklessness."
"He didn't just capture Whitebeard's men—he went after Kaido's as well. He's provoked two Emperors and even laid hands on a Warlord we officially endorsed. He's ruined years of our careful planning."
"You should know full well—if the seas fall into chaos and Marine HQ can't contain it, the World Government's reputation will be in shambles."
"Don't forget—Marine HQ is merely a public-facing pawn of the World Government. Your job is to follow our orders, not act with such reckless disregard for protocol."
"If this spirals out of control, how will Marine HQ take responsibility?"
To the Five Elders, the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords were never the real concern.
They only cared about two things:
Whether Portgas D. Ace was truly Roger's son. Finding an excuse to suppress the unruly new admiral they couldn't control.
Sengoku, of course, had already guessed their intentions. His expression darkened as he replied:
"Warcury, let's cut the nonsense. I know exactly what you're thinking."
"You already know the truth about Ace's parentage. I'm only asking one thing: do we proceed with a public execution? As for Kaido, we'll deal with that separately."
"You—!"
Warcury was furious, stunned by Sengoku's bluntness.
Saint Marcus Mars raised a hand to stop him.
"That's enough, Warcury. Let me handle this."
"Sengoku, I know you want to protect that brat. But tell me—if we publicly execute Fire Fist Ace, and both Whitebeard and Kaido declare war, can you handle it?"
"If not, then that brat may have just doomed us all."
Sengoku hesitated.
Dealing with Whitebeard alone was already a nightmare.
Add Kaido to the mix, and it wasn't just one plus one—it was a catastrophe.
"What's the matter? You don't look very confident," Mars said with a smirk, about to press further—
—when a shrill alarm suddenly echoed through the hall.
Spandam, who had already returned to Mary Geoise, burst into the chamber.
"Lords! We have a situation—Impel Down has issued an emergency distress signal. The surveillance Den Den Mushi shows massive tsunamis surrounding the area. It appears to be under attack!"
Sengoku's face changed instantly.
Even the Five Elders were visibly shaken.
Warcury caught the shift in Sengoku's expression and sneered.
"I told you—this is what happens when that brat ignores our orders. He sent Kaido's men to Impel Down without permission. Of course it's under attack now."
"Let's see whether it's Kaido or Whitebeard who's storming the prison—and whether your precious admiral can survive it."
"Spandam! Bring me Magellan's Den Den Mushi. I want to know exactly what's happening."
Spandam froze.
He'd been waiting outside for an audience, already on thin ice. When he heard the alarm, he rushed in without thinking.
He hadn't expected this to involve the new admiral again.
A wave of unease crept over him.
"Lord Warcury, perhaps we should wait for confirmation. It could be a false alarm…"
"False alarm?" Warcury's face darkened.
"Spandam, you've failed repeatedly and were lucky to escape with your life. That doesn't mean you're qualified to question the Five Elders."
"Impel Down has never issued a false alarm. Now hand over the Den Den Mushi."
"If we waste time and the prison falls, we might not even get the chance to ask Magellan what happened."
"Against Whitebeard and Kaido, your so-called new admiral wouldn't last a minute."
Sengoku's face turned grim.
He was clearly displeased by the remark—but right now, all he wanted was answers.
Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, Spandam swallowed his nerves and handed over the Den Den Mushi.
Warcury snatched it and scoffed.
"Sengoku, you'd better pray that brat isn't already dead. Otherwise, he won't even live long enough to be punished."
"Magellan, this is Saint Topman Warcury of the Five Elders. Respond immediately. Who is attacking Impel Down—Whitebeard or Kaido? And is that arrogant new admiral still alive?"
A barrage of questions fired off like cannonballs.
Everyone's eyes locked onto the Den Den Mushi.
Even Mars and the others couldn't hide their anticipation.
As the seconds ticked by, Warcury's smirk grew wider.
To them, Marine HQ had grown too powerful.
If it continued to expand, it would slip from their grasp.
This was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Luo Yu—the unpredictable variable.
But just as that thought crossed their minds—
A deep voice finally came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Lord Warcury, apologies. The alarm was a false alarm. Impel Down was not attacked by any of the Four Emperors."
"The disturbance was caused entirely by Admiral Luo Yu. While escorting Fire Fist Ace and Jack the Drought to Level 6, he was provoked by the Conqueror's Haki of Douglas Bullet and Patrick Redfield."
"To make it in time for the end of his shift, Admiral Luo Yu unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki and subdued all of Level 6."
"All prisoners are now unconscious and heavily injured. There was no riot. I've already dispatched teams to repair the damage and re-secure the inmates."