Chapter 68: 68. The Supreme Council Of The Government

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- The Five Elders sat in tense silence, their expressions grim. Even the Elder with the sword, known for his temper and resolute nature, was wary of the sheer power Wanokuni now held under Alex's command. He understood better than the others the potential strength of Wanokuni, especially with Alex's strategic capabilities bolstered by the Float-Float Fruit. Wanokuni's position in the New World and the growing influence of Alex were enough to make even the World Government hesitate. Although they commanded vast resources, launching a full-scale assault on Wanokuni would be a costly endeavor, possibly even as costly as confronting two Emperors of the Sea like Whitebeard and Big Mom. Their role required maintaining the World Government's dominance without incurring unsustainable losses. Rushing to confront Alex without significant cause wouldn't align with the careful balance they had to uphold. If Alex had, for instance, seized Vegapunk or incited mass rebellion, then perhaps a more decisive response would have been considered. But with only Punk Hazard and the research efforts of Caesar Clown at stake, the risk felt disproportionate. Caesar, while second in command on the science team, was no Vegapunk; his unpredictable and morally dubious methods placed him on shaky ground with the World Government. The Elders, despite feeling that Alex's actions challenged their authority, weren't inclined to escalate. Alex needed to be kept in check, but they could not afford to waste resources on a hasty offensive. One of the Elders broke the silence, suggesting, "Why don't we consult the 'lord' and use the national treasure to resolve this swiftly and decisively?" "Don't be ridiculous!" snapped another Elder. "It's far too early for that—revealing the national treasure's existence, let alone its power, is unthinkable outside the prophecy period." A cold gleam appeared in the eyes of the Elder in the kimono as he spoke sharply. "Then let the pirates handle each other. Charlotte Linlin has shown interest in Wanokuni before; if she learns about Alex's control over the region, her greed might do the work for us." With that suggestion, the other Elders saw an opportunity and began to add their thoughts, forming a plan. "We can fan the flames by using the newspapers. Have Morgans portray Alex as the 'Third Emperor of the Sea,' a newcomer challenging the established order without the experience or territory of Big Mom or Whitebeard," one of them proposed. "That will spark envy among other pirates and the New World factions." Another Elder added, "We can also emphasize the link to Kozuki Oden, Whitebeard's former second division commander and rightful heir of the Wanokuni Shogunate. Such details could stir dissent among former allies and provoke those who seek power in Wanokuni." With this scheme in mind, the Five Elders found themselves with a plan that could potentially check Alex's ambitions without the need for direct intervention. By sowing discord and exploiting rivalries, they hoped to undermine his control over Wanokuni—and perhaps even see his empire torn apart by the very forces he sought to control. "If Alex were to use his Float-Float Fruit to escape, he could evade a direct confrontation and make it harder for Wanokuni to leverage its defensive terrain. Such an escape would also damage Alex's reputation in the New World, weakening his influence and disrupting the stability of his forces," one of the Five Elders mused. "But as we know, force isn't the only way to destabilize an enemy. The World Government, with control over information across the seas, has always excelled at manipulating public perception." Together, the Five Elders refined their plans, each contributing to the scheme with their unique insights. This collaborative strategizing was the hallmark of their summit meetings. As they reached the final touches, the plan was nearly complete, awaiting only implementation. Before concluding, however, the blond Elder—the meeting's main advocate—leaned forward, signaling he had further thoughts to share. "We must address the expanding threat of these monstrous pirate forces in the New World, and Alex's rise is a perfect example of the trend. Whitebeard commands what used to be half of the Rocks Pirates' territories and has amassed over thirty pirate ships under his command. Charlotte Linlin has her Totto Land, ruling over 34 islands, with an army of soldiers and pirates." He paused, letting the gravity of these statistics sink in. "The influx of pirates from all over the world, flocking to the New World and bolstering these pirate empires, is turning the second half of the Grand Line into a stable battleground. But this so-called stability only strengthens the Great Pirate Era's influence, swelling the armies of our enemies." The Elder with the sword added, "The traditional recruitment pool from the Four Blues once gave us a steady stream of loyal forces. But as piracy grows unchecked, more of these recruits are being drawn to the Grand Line, feeding the power of the New World warlords instead." With a grim nod, the blond Elder concluded, "If this continues, the world order we've built will gradually erode as the New World lords strengthen. The era of rampant piracy, started by Roger's words, is no longer something we can afford to let grow unchecked." One of the Elders then spoke up with conviction. "The Marines cannot yet deliver an absolute blow to these forces. Perhaps, as we're planning with Alex, it's more effective to use pirates against pirates." "Are you suggesting we refine the Shichibukai system?" another Elder asked, catching on. "Yes," the blond Elder confirmed. "The Shichibukai system is still new, with only a few notable members, like Crocodile and Bartholemew Kuma. To have real influence, it must be perfected with powerful and renowned pirates who can rival New World threats. The emperors are a serious obstacle, but the right Shichibukai could counterbalance them." There was a brief pause, then a spark of inspiration crossed the blond Elder's face. "If we succeed in destabilizing Alex's power in Wanokuni, what would you think of offering him a seat as one of the Shichibukai?" The other Elders exchanged glances, considering the bold proposal.