In the end, the Big Mom Pirates avoided becoming the "chicken used to warn the monkeys." By offering up vast amounts of treasure, they spared their lives.
But Good's actions made the world recognize the Justice League's resolve to uphold peace.
Within days, countless distant nations and powers in the New World flocked to Kamabakka Kingdom, petitioning to join the League.
In just a short span, the Justice League expanded madly. The number of member states surpassed even the World Government — making it the single greatest force in the world.
With that backing, Shanks, Dragon, Whitebeard, Fujitora, and Fleet General Rayleigh marched on Marineford itself, demanding the release of Ace, Luffy, and their comrades.
Sengoku, pressured to the extreme, was forced to release Luffy and the other prisoners. But Ace was withheld. The son of the Pirate King, Roger — the "Devil's Child."
To release him would destroy Marine authority completely. Nations might abandon the World Government altogether to join the Justice League.
Thus Sengoku refused.
…
At the Holy Land, Mariejois.
Inside a pure white hall, the surviving three Elders of the Gorosei looked at incoming reports. Their expressions held unease and helplessness.
The air of supreme control they once exuded was gone.
"The Justice League is expanding too fast…" The Fifth Elder exhaled smoke.
The Fourth Elder muttered: "It's not as bad as it looks. Most joining are weak nations, starving and destitute. They'll only drag the League down."
The Fifth Elder shook his head. "No — our authority is crumbling. They forced the Navy to yield Luffy and others. Were it not for Imu's presence, even Ace would have been taken."
Imu's sudden appearance at Kamabakka had been a warning — a reminder that the World Government still had its trump card. Enough to delay a full-scale war.
Now, Good was the Justice League's nuclear weapon. Imu was the World Government's. Neither side dared unleash such destruction lightly.
The Second Elder sighed. "But… Imu spoke of summoning back his captain. It's been days. Still no sign. Is this even reliable?"
Just then, a mocking voice rang out:
"Imu wouldn't tolerate your doubts. And you dare?"
The Elders stiffened.
"Who!?" the Second Elder barked.
Someone was in the hall — yet none of them had sensed him.
For men whose Observation Haki rivaled the finest, this was unthinkable. The intruder was either monstrously powerful… or wielded a unique ability.
And then he appeared — a young man draped in a patchwork of colorful cloth, his grin wicked, his gait careless, as though he owned the very palace of the world.
Ferdis.
The man who had slaughtered a king on a distant star, wielder of the Black Hole Fruit — a Great Will Fruit.
He strolled up beside the Second Elder, dropped casually onto the couch, crossed his legs, and draped an arm over the Elder's shoulder.
"Nice to meet you. Name's Ferdis."
The smile he wore was devilish.
"You three… Imu's lapdogs, right? Old, frail mutts. Hardly cute."
The Second Elder's face twisted with fury. "Watch your tongue! We are the Five Elders — insult us, and it's death!"
The Fourth and Fifth Elders glared, ready to scold him.
But Ferdis's grin only widened. He patted the Second Elder's shoulder.
A black vortex bloomed where his hand touched.
The Elder's flesh began to unravel, devoured by that inescapable pull.
The Elder screamed, his body collapsing piece by piece into nothingness.
Muscle, bone, blood — all consumed.
And in moments… he was gone. Erased.
As if he had never existed.
The other Elders stared in horror, pale as corpses.
A top-tier powerhouse of the world… reduced to nothing.
The Second Elder was dead.
(End of Chapter)
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