The news of Rocks's son, Marshall D. Teach, being captured swept across the seas like a storm, only to calm down in the blink of an eye.
In a tavern, bounty hunters raised their glasses, laughing. "Rocks? Who's that?"
"I think he was a great pirate before Roger?" Someone answered uncertainly.
"Pfft, just Roger's defeated opponent," A drunkard waved dismissively. "Compared to that, the clash between Red-Haired and Whitebeard is what's worth watching."
Even in the newspapers delivered by News Coos, the report on Teach's capture was squeezed into a corner. The headline blared, "Two Emperors: Red-Haired and Whitebeard Clash."
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku put down the newspaper, shaking his head with a wry smile. "I knew this would be the reaction."
Vice Admiral Tsuru leisurely brewed tea. "After all, it happened thirty-six years ago. People only remember the victor's name."
Sengoku stroked his goat beard. "Speaking of which, I was worried Big Mom and Whitebeard might take some action. It seems they truly have severed ties with the Rocks Pirates."
Tsuru picked up her teacup, eyes narrowing slightly. "What true camaraderie exists among pirates?"
…
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Room of Authority.
Mars frowned slightly. "Didn't Chiaki Setsuna say he would hand Rocks's descendant over to us? Why give him to the Marines instead? And a public execution?"
Nusjurp played with Shodai Kitetsu, the blade reflecting his meaningful smile. "That youngster is currying favor with other Celestial Dragons. He probably heard about the turmoil Rocks caused at God Valley."
"Rocks back then endangered many of our juniors. Even now, many of our descendants harbor hatred for the name Rocks. A public execution might slightly vent their resentment."
Warcury felt relieved, smiling. "Always playing petty tricks. But that's fine. If it can lure out remnants of the D. Family, that would be a great merit..."
Just then, a CP0 outside announced. "Saint Figarland Garling requests an audience."
"Let him in."
A man with a crescent-moon hairstyle entered. His eyes swept greedily over the seats of the Five Elders before he suppressed his ambition and said. "Roswald and Charlos heard about the matter of Rocks's descendant. They entrusted me to make a proposal to the esteemed ones..."
He raised his head, a cruel pleasure flickering in his eyes. "Restart the Indigenous People Elimination Contest. Use that son of Rocks as the SSR-class [Rabbit]. Let those lowly pirates know the consequence of offending the descendants of gods."
"Restart the Indigenous People Elimination Contest?" Ju Peter nodded. "Such a beneficial and enjoyable contest indeed shouldn't have been abolished."
He didn't discuss with Saint Garling, instead looking at the other Four Elders. "Where do you think is a good location?"
"The Sorbet Kingdom," Saturn said calmly.
"The Sorbet Kingdom?" Warcury looked puzzled. "I recall that nation is a World Government affiliate, isn't it?"
"It was. Ever since Bartholomew Kuma drove out their king, it hasn't been," Warcury said coldly. "Bartholomew Kuma seems to be delaying the Pacifista Project. It's time to give him a small warning."
The other Elders didn't object. A mere Warlord… would he dare resist?
Not long after Garling left, a Den Den Mushi rang.
"It's Chiaki Setsuna. Is he calling to apologize for the matter of Rocks's son?" the Agriculture Elder smiled. "He acts quite fast."
The call connected. Setsuna's voice came through. "Esteemed ones, I'm calling with a small request... I hope you will approve."
The Finance Elder lightly tapped the table with his finger. "Oh? What request?"
Setsuna said gravely. "I wish to retrieve someone from Impel Down Level 6."
The Justice Elder frowned slightly. "Who do you want to retrieve?"
"Catarina Devon, the [Crescent Moon Hunter]," Setsuna said.
The Five Elders looked at each other. Saturn searched his memory. "Who? Is there such a person in Impel Down?"
"User of the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Kyubi no Kitsune," Setsuna added.
"I think I have some impression. Called the most heinous female prisoner in history," Mars looked confused. "You shouldn't have any connection with her. What do you need her for?"
The Den Den Mushi showed an ambiguous smile. "We're all men... why ask so clearly?"
The Five Elders' expressions turned strange.
"Wait..." Ju Peter's teacup paused mid-air. "You want to use the Kyubi no Kitsune's transformation ability?"
Setsuna's laughter came clearly through the Den Den Mushi. "Isn't that ability very convenient? With one woman, you have all women."
Room of Authority fell into an eerie silence.
Finally, Saturn uttered one word dryly. "...Approved."
After the call ended, the Five Elders had varied expressions.
Ju Peter shook his head, sighing. "Losing a goal is truly terrifying..."
He fiddled with a potted plant. "Chiaki Setsuna became the world's strongest, and now he's already corrupted and decadent."
Nusjuro, however, showed a gratified smile. "First, making a huge fuss over a concert for his woman. Now, abusing power without hesitation to satisfy his perverted desires. It seems he'll soon become a qualified Celestial Dragon."
…
Three days later, Impel Down Level 6.
"So scary~" Kizaru looked at the disheveled woman in the cell. "A criminal of this level, taken out just like that. Is this the small whim of power?"
Catarina Devon raised her cloudy eyes. Upon hearing she would be taken to Wano, her wrinkled face suddenly lit up. "Murunfufu~ Finally, a man with taste..."
After grooming and dressing up, when brought before Setsuna in Wano, she immediately swayed her hips, pressing close. "Master~ What look do you prefer? A vicious queen? An innocent princess? Or..."
Kizaru stood to the side, admiration in his eyes beneath his sunglasses. "Although the Kyubi no Kitsune ability is convenient... Setsuna-sama's taste is still too extreme..."
Setsuna glanced at him expressionlessly. "The Kyubi no Kitsune fruit is a crucial part of my plan. Don't spread rumors."
He wasn't worried about his reputation being tarnished. History is written by the victors. Once he reached the top, he could simply erase it from history.
After Kizaru left, Catarina's seductive smile froze on her face.
A purple-haired man appeared like a ghost. Zephyr's fist had already pierced through her chest.
"Why..." She couldn't finish her question before life faded.
The Devil that should have dispersed was captured in physical form by Zephyr's Yami Yami no Mi ability and guided into the nearby fruit.
Soon, a fresh Devil Fruit with spiral patterns was ready.
Setsuna reached out and took it. "The third one."