Finn had never personally met the Five Elders.
After so many years in this world, despite making a name for himself within the Marines and rising to the rank of Vice Admiral and Admiral Candidate, his current position still fell just short of direct contact with the supreme rulers.
He existed in that frustrating intermediate stage where he could often hear their 'voices' filtering down through the chain of command, could feel their influence on policy decisions, but couldn't see them face to face or engage with them directly.
However, regardless of whether he'd met the Five Elders or not, Finn had never made the mistake of regarding these five highest-ranking Celestial Dragons, openly acknowledged as the "supreme authority of the World Government," as incompetent fools.
The World Government was an eight-hundred-year-old institution spanning the entire globe. How could the people at the helm possibly be useless?
As it turned out, his assessment was correct. The Five Elders were indeed five extremely capable individuals operating at the highest levels of global power.
At the echelon they occupied, they had long since transcended so-called "vulgar interests." Things like petty corruption and personal enrichment were beneath their concern, completely irrelevant to their actual motivations. It was even more impossible for them to be like the idiot Celestial Dragons wandering Mary Geoise, those parasites whose only accomplishment was consuming resources and wasting oxygen.
On the contrary, the Five Elders genuinely hoped the World Government could move toward a better, more stable future.
They very much wanted to eliminate systemic corruption, to cut away the rotting flesh from the giant body of the World Government, to allow this already dangerously listing vessel to catch the wind and ride the waves once more.
They wanted to transform eight hundred years of accumulated decay into renewed vitality.
And the reason they maintained such a mindset was actually quite simple when examined from their perspective.
First, as the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons, they had transcended vulgar material interests. They understood with perfect clarity that all their power derived from the massive institutional behemoth that was the World Government itself.
If the World Government collapsed under the weight of its own corruption and moral decay, none of the five of them would face pleasant outcomes.
They would be no different from kings who'd lost their kingdoms, rulers without domains.
And given the ambitions these five men possessed, who the hell would willingly accept the role of a deposed monarch, a king of ruins?
Naturally, they had to find ways to perpetuate their power and make their authority even greater, more unassailable.
To achieve that goal, they needed to make the World Government progressively stronger and more legitimate. Otherwise, their plans were meaningless fantasy.
The second motivating factor might be termed idealism, strange as that sounded.
Occupying such elevated positions and being free from vulgar material concerns, they played chess with the entire world as their board. People at their level would, more or less inevitably, develop their own grand ambitions. Visions of reshaping civilization itself.
Building on the previous point, their concept of "changing the world" naturally couldn't resemble the chaotic, destructive approaches favored by pirates or madmen, making the world progressively more unstable and violent.
Therefore, on a fundamental level, their position inevitably required that their stated ideals be just, at least in framework. To change the world and guide it toward what they perceived as a better direction.
Otherwise, it would be like attempting to reverse the flow of history itself. And the consequences of trying to reverse history... were self-evident to anyone with political education.
If they dared to act with complete recklessness, flouting all historical precedent and popular will, they would inevitably face destruction. Their clans would be exterminated, their names cursed by future generations.
So from a complex web of interlocking motivations, it was absolutely true that the Five Elders were deeply selfish, acting primarily to consolidate and strengthen their own power. But what they actually did, what they genuinely thought and planned... was unexpectedly, yet reasonably, somewhat noble in conception.
However, the World Government had been deteriorating through corruption for hundreds of years. Even though the Five Elders occupied the highest positions, they were severely constrained in their ability to make swift, decisive reforms. Moreover, the Great Pirate Era had erupted at exactly the wrong moment. They didn't dare act too rashly with external chaos threatening stability.
Just as they themselves had articulated, governing a vast empire was like cooking a delicate fish. If you wanted to implement meaningful changes, given the enormous institutional scale of the World Government, you could only proceed step by careful step.
So from a macro perspective, it wasn't entirely unreasonable that the five of them appeared somewhat ineffectual to outside observers.
But if one wanted to be genuinely fair, should they personally bear all the blame for the World Government's systemic corruption?
Of course, this represented the standpoint and self-justification of the Five Elders. But there were more perspectives than just theirs among knowledgeable people in the world.
The five of them could be categorized as "constitutional monarchists" who wanted to slowly reform and guide the system from within its existing structures.
Dragon and the Revolutionary Army, on the other hand, were serious "radical reformists." They were people who had become completely disillusioned with the World Government's capacity for self-correction.
They didn't believe the top leadership of the World Government could complete the so-called "transformation" through their own efforts. That was nothing but self-deception, wishful thinking that ignored centuries of demonstrated failure.
Therefore, the Revolutionary Army was prepared to use forceful and radical methods to uphold the justice and ideals burning in their hearts, to forcibly guide the transformation of the era and society, to drag civilization into a new future whether the old order wanted it or not.
But because their fundamental positions were irreconcilable, there would inevitably be fierce, potentially existential competition between the two sides.
Therefore, the Five Elders regarded the Revolutionary Army as the only truly formidable enemy at this stage that could genuinely shake the foundational pillars of World Government rule.
Not pirates, despite their numbers and violence.
Not ancient weapons they couldn't access.
An ideology. A competing vision of legitimate governance. A movement that rejected the fundamental premise of Celestial Dragon authority.
That was the real threat.
As for the Marines, known as the overlord of the seas and the World Government's primary military arm, they currently occupied an awkward position. Neither rising to meet the Revolutionary Army challenge nor falling into irrelevance.
Because this fierce ideological transformation brewing beneath the surface... had absolutely nothing to do with the maritime security mandate and operational jurisdiction they'd maintained for hundreds of years.
They felt somewhat excluded from the central conflict, and it was difficult to contribute meaningfully to either side.
Therefore, whether it was Admiral Sengoku or Fleet Admiral Kong, their final strategic choice had been to turn a blind eye to the deeper conflict. Not to interfere beyond their mandate. Not to ask too many uncomfortable questions about the Revolutionary Army's origins or ideological foundations.
At this moment, as the Five Elders suddenly adopted a frank tone and openly mentioned the World Government's massive internal problems and the Revolutionary Army threat, both Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong felt deeply confused.
What exactly were they trying to communicate?
What was the real agenda behind this apparent candor?
Were they planning to transfer authority from the CP Agency to the Marines and assign them to eliminate the Revolutionary Army?
Considering how disheveled and angry Pask had looked when leaving this office earlier, that seemed plausible.
But soon, Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong discovered their initial assessment was completely wrong.
"The reason we're telling you both all of this," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said, his voice taking on a harder edge, "is not for any other purpose, but to make you understand that the situation has become critically deteriorated. We cannot allow it to continue declining at this rate."
His fist suddenly slammed down on the table with startling force.
"45 member nations have perished in less than three years! I ask you both directly: if we continue at this pace, will the World Government itself be destroyed within ten years?!"
His anger was palpable, filling the room like a physical presence.
However, Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong didn't immediately respond, both considering the implications carefully.
After Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's furious outburst, he quickly regained his composure, though his voice remained stern. "We've made it abundantly clear just now. The situation has deteriorated to this point for exactly two reasons: our own internal corruption and the Revolutionary Army's systematic spreading of subversive ideology. Do either of you have any objections to this assessment?"
Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong exchanged glances, then both shook their heads. "No objections."
There really wasn't anything to dispute. After all, the analysis matched observable reality.
"So, at this critical stage, what should be our most important task? I trust you understand?" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter asked, his tone carrying an edge of challenge.
Admiral Sengoku remained silent, his strategic mind already working through possibilities.
Fleet Admiral Kong thought for a long moment, then spoke carefully. "Destroy the Revolutionary Army."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter glanced at Kong, and something like disappointment flickered in his eyes. "You are a soldier through and through, Kong. Even though you possess outstanding capabilities and intelligence, your institutional position still limits the scope of your strategic judgment. Otherwise..."
He paused meaningfully.
"It would already be time to promote you to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Entire Military. To stand higher, to view the world with a genuinely broader perspective, Kong."
Kong felt momentarily stunned. It was obvious the Five Elders were not particularly satisfied with his answer.
But those words carried another implication, as if the Five Elders were suggesting they intended to promote him to Commander-in-Chief at some appropriate future juncture?
But Kong quickly steadied himself. Wasn't this simply classic political maneuvering by the Five Elders? Offer a sweet reward first, and who knew what massive burden or impossible task might follow?
As expected, before Kong could fully process the implications, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter continued. "The elimination of the Revolutionary Army is inevitable, yes. No matter what resources it requires, we must find a way to destroy these insurgents. Otherwise, they will eventually become an existential threat and shake our foundations to dust."
He leaned forward, his gaze intense.
"But this is not what your Marines should be doing, Kong. Let me make it perfectly clear to you. Right now, at this moment, our World Government has only two specific expectations of your Marine forces."
Kong and Sengoku both straightened in their seats, preparing to absorb whatever directives followed.
"It's not about annihilating the Revolutionary Army. That falls outside your operational mandate and institutional capabilities. And it's not about completely defeating the Great Pirate Era militarily. That's not something that can be resolved in any short timeframe, no matter how many resources we allocate."
He raised one finger.
"Two expectations. First, there must not be a second Pirate King appearing anywhere on the ocean. The Final Island locations must not be discovered again. Whoever shows the capability to achieve that goal must be destroyed before they can succeed!"
The reasoning was sound from the World Government's perspective. Roger's secrets were hidden on Final Island. Roger had somehow solved mysteries from eight hundred years ago. The so-called "great treasure" he'd mentioned before his death might appear to be material wealth in the eyes of common pirates, but the Five Elders didn't believe Roger would be so superficial.
One Roger had been catastrophic enough. The era had been corrupted to this dangerous extent largely because of his final words.
If another Pirate King were to appear, successfully reaching Raftel and uncovering whatever truths lay there, it wouldn't just involve the problems already discussed. It would likely completely destabilize the entire global order. The Five Elders could never accept such an outcome.
Therefore, they were now issuing an absolute directive to the Marines. No matter what it took, there must not be a second Pirate King.
There wasn't much to debate about this particular order. Whether it was Admiral Sengoku or Fleet Admiral Kong, as Marines dedicated to justice and order, neither wanted another Pirate King to emerge. A Marine King would be preferable!
Otherwise, where was the dignity of justice?
How could they protect the people across the seas?
Therefore, Kong replied with deep conviction, "Yes. Our Marines will dedicate every resource to preventing that outcome."
"Excellent." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter nodded with satisfaction, then raised a second finger. "Second, as I stated earlier, the Great Pirate Era is now an established reality. It cannot be quelled through temporary tactical advantages or single victories. We've observed this clearly over the past three years, so we will not force your Marines to attempt the impossible."
His expression hardened.
"Therefore, our second expectation of your Marine forces is this: balance the power dynamics across the seas as rapidly as possible and stabilize this chaotic maritime situation. In the next three years, if the number of eliminated member nations exceeds twenty, and if the overall count cannot be restored to at least one hundred and seventy, I will personally offer your head as a sacrifice to appease the crisis, Kong. Do you understand?!"
The final words were delivered with cold finality.
Kong's heart trembled at the stark threat, but he responded with equal gravity. "Yes, I understand completely."
After a brief pause, he continued carefully. "My Lords, balancing the ocean's power dynamics and stabilizing the current chaotic situation as quickly as possible will require tremendous additional manpower and material resources. With the current surge of pirate activity, our Marines desperately need more operational funding..."
This was a clear hint to the Five Elders: provide substantially more military appropriations, or it will be impossible to achieve these objectives with our current budget.
However, unexpectedly, Saint Topman Warcury asked with a tone of profound calculation, "Kong, if the World Government increases your Marines' total annual budget by fifteen percent every year for three consecutive years starting next year, can you meet our expectations?"
Kong was stunned for a moment, about to respond affirmatively despite his reservations.
But Admiral Sengoku beside him immediately interjected, his voice firm. "I apologize, but I must respectfully disagree. I don't believe we can accomplish that task under those conditions. It takes substantial time, far more than three years, for increased military spending to translate into actual combat power on the seas."
His tone grew more analytical.
"Maintaining the current situation would already be difficult with that level of increase. Furthermore, what you've described as 'balancing and stabilizing the ocean as quickly as possible' seems to me, with respect, to be unrealistic rhetoric divorced from operational reality."
Sengoku's bluntness was characteristic. He was pointing out directly that what they were proposing was functionally impossible given the resources being offered.
However, the Five Elders seemed to have anticipated exactly this response and didn't appear angry at the contradiction.
"So how long do you believe it would actually take?" Saint Topman Warcury asked Sengoku, his tone curious rather than hostile.
Sengoku was silent for a long moment, calculating, then said conservatively, "I'm afraid it would require at least ten years of sustained effort. Possibly longer depending on variables we can't currently predict."
"You make a valid point," Saint Topman Warcury said, remaining calm. Instead of showing anger, he asked with measured patience, "Do you believe the World Government can sustain continued institutional weakening over the next ten years?"
"If the maritime situation cannot be stabilized, continued decline is mathematically inevitable," Sengoku stated flatly.
"In other words, you, Sengoku, also believe that the most urgent priority is finding a method to rapidly stabilize the situation across the seas. Otherwise, the World Government will face cascading disasters, correct?" Saint Topman Warcury asked again, his voice taking on a leading quality.
Sengoku had the distinct feeling something was wrong with this line of questioning, but when he examined the logic carefully, it seemed sound enough.
So after frowning slightly, he nodded. "Yes, that's an accurate assessment."
"Very good." Saint Topman Warcury's expression showed satisfaction. "To summarize simply: we must stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, but your Marines are currently unable to accomplish this task alone, so we find ourselves in a strategic dilemma. Is that a fair characterization?"
"That's correct," Sengoku said, though his unease was growing. Still, he couldn't identify a flaw in the reasoning, so he answered honestly if reluctantly.
"Then examine this carefully," Saint Topman Warcury said with a slight smile, raising his hand to toss two documents onto the table before Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong.
Both officers looked down at the papers.
There, written in large, formal characters across the top of the document, was a title that would change the fundamental balance of power across the seas:
"Draft Plan for the Seven Warlords of the Sea"
Sengoku's eyes widened slightly as he began reading, his tactical mind already racing through the implications.
Kong picked up his copy more slowly, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the proposed system.
The pieces were falling into place now. The extended conversation, the careful logical progression, the impossible mandate paired with insufficient resources.
All of it had been leading to this moment, to this proposal.
The Five Elders had orchestrated the entire discussion to make the Warlord system appear not as an imposition from above, but as the only logical solution to an impossible strategic problem.
And as Sengoku read through the details, his jaw tightened.
Because despite his immediate instinctive rejection of the concept, he couldn't immediately identify a better alternative given the constraints they were operating under.
The Five Elders had trapped them perfectly.
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