High above the Red Line, beyond the clouds and far from the world's suffering, lies the forbidden city: Mariejois.
An impregnable fortress built on the blood and bones of history, home to those who see themselves as gods.
The air here isn't just purer... it's saturated with arrogance, oppression, and absolute power.
Eight hundred years ago, twenty kings betrayed their lands, their people, and their very humanity. They abandoned their crowns to claim an even greater one: global dominion.
From their union, the World Government was born.
Today, their descendants walk among marble pillars drenched in gold, wearing robes woven from the taxes of the entire world.
They call themselves "Celestial Dragons."
And above them, shrouded in the shadows of a chamber where light dares not enter, five figures rule the world in silence.
The Five Elders.
At that moment, within a room decorated with portraits of ancient emperors and secret maps, an emergency meeting was underway.
Saint V. Nusjuro, "the so-called Warrior God of Finance," slammed a stack of reports onto the black stone table, his brow furrowed deeply.
"Two years."
His voice was deep and sharp.
"It's been two years, and our agents still haven't managed to infiltrate the Bounty Hunters' Guild. Instead of weakening them… they've grown!"
He grabbed the papers with barely contained fury, shaking them with scorn.
"Their economic power has reached unacceptable levels. Gild Tesoro controls twenty percent of the world's gold… and we didn't see it coming?! Where the hell were our intelligence networks?!"
The reports were alarming. On a daily basis, the guild handled ten percent of the global economic flow " just in open missions.
The alliance with Tesoro was merely a veil hiding something far more dangerous: a new rising structure of power.
If they openly turned against the World Government, they could crash entire economies in a matter of weeks.
Saint Warcury slammed the table with a clenched fist, making the chandeliers tremble from his barely contained rage.
"Worried about money? The Marines are on the verge of collapse!"
His tone dripped with venom, his gaze sharp enough to kill.
"This tension is unsustainable. If they break away from the Government, we'll lose our hammer of war " the arm that kept the world in fear!"
"We have CP agents infiltrated," Saint Saturn interjected, slowly interlacing his fingers like a snake preparing to strike.
"But that woman… that damn Monkey D. Kara… sends every single one of them on suicide missions. It's like she can identify them instantly. How? Haki? Intuition? Magic?"
He clenched his jaw.
"We should've dissected her when she was just a Vice Admiral. Now that she's one of the three Admirals… she's become a complex problem. Perhaps… it's time to summon the Holy Knights."
"No!" Saint Ju Peter raised his voice gravely.
"With the Revolutionary Army gaining ground, a direct strike would be a fatal mistake. The Marines and the Guild already have pacts… all thanks to that woman.
If we send the Knights and fail, they could all unite against us."
"Hmph," muttered Saint Marcus Mars, the so-called Warrior God of the Environment, narrowing his eyes as though inspecting a corpse.
"I'm convinced Kara has more than just a friendly bond with the Guild's leaders."
His tone dripped with poison.
"There are even reports she calls that monster 'father'… Gildarts the Destroyer " the same man who shattered half the New World.
It was thanks to him that Big Mom and Kaido formed their short-lived alliance."
"That name…" Nusjuro whispered, a shadow crossing his face.
"If that demon shows up, even our best soldiers would fall like insects. And Kara… that woman's surpassed all metrics. Facing her alone could destroy the Government's image."
"And as if that wasn't enough… Akainu!" Peter growled, with visceral hatred.
"That fool resigned at the worst possible time. When he left, thousands of marines followed " and now they answer to Aokiji and Kara.
Even some of the former Shichibukai seem to be working with them!"
"We didn't see it coming…" Saturn admitted, his voice heavy with frustration.
"The Marines, the Shichibukai… the Guild… they've become one.
If they move against us… the world's balance will collapse."
For a moment, silence reigned. Only the sound of their breathing echoed through the chamber.
Then, Saturn rose abruptly, his eyes bloodshot with fury.
"No! We must act now… before it's too late."
The torch flames flickered " as if they feared what was to come.
...
Meanwhile, in the Fleet Admiral's office…
Deep in the New World, an interesting meeting was taking place inside the most feared Marine headquarters. It's worth noting that Marineford had been relocated to this dangerous region a year ago, as part of a direct offensive against the Yonkou.
With the Bounty Hunters' Guild as the spearhead, the Marines advanced quickly, taking strategic territories one after another. Everything was going smoothly… until Kaido and Big Mom decided to play "best friends." That unexpected alliance forced them to halt the campaign.
Shanks, the other emperor, was continuing his usual role of "disappearing when context is most needed," popping in and out of the spotlight like a magician on strike. For now, the only constant headaches were Kaido and Big Mom.
BAM!
A huge stack of papers slammed onto the desk. Aokiji"rather, the current Fleet Admiral, Kuzan"looked at the person sitting across from him with that classic expression of "I'm tired of life but can't resign."
"What? "Kara asked with an innocent "wasn't me" face, eyeing the files like she was reading cooking recipes.
"Those are the damages caused by your... Fairy Tail friends "Kuzan grunted, slamming another even thicker file on the table". And this is what your so-called father did. It exceeds the others combined. By a lot.
"So what? I'm a Marine Admiral. Loyal to justice. And the law "Kara replied seriously, nodding to herself as if reciting a motivational mantra.
From a corner of the room, a loud laugh echoed.
"Puaajajaja! So now you're the boss, rookie "Garp laughed, lounging in an armchair like he was on vacation, munching on cookies without a care for the crumbs on his uniform. Beside him, Sengoku shared the snacks with quiet resignation.
Retired or not, Sengoku still showed up like he was on the payroll. He didn't even dye his hair anymore to look young; now he rocked a fluffy white afro big enough to hide a Den Den Mushi inside.
"Whoa! My dad destroyed an entire island? That's definitely my dad! "Kara exclaimed with sparkling eyes as she flipped through Gildarts' file.
Kuzan rubbed his forehead, clearly questioning all his life choices.
"Looks like Admiral Shironeko has a lot of free time. Maybe I should send her on a couple more missions "he said sarcastically, using Kara's codename, which obviously irritated her.
"Again!? You've given me like a hundred this year! "Kara whined, slumping dramatically onto the desk like a victim of the system.
"Quit playing the martyr. Everyone knows you just end up sending poor Zoro "Garp said without stopping his chewing.
"Shut up, old man! No one asked for your opinion. And what are you doing here anyway, huh? Your bestie Sengoku isn't Fleet Admiral anymore! "Kara snapped in frustration.
"But Sengoku's here "Garp replied while casually picking his nose.
"I'm not his best friend "Sengoku clarified without looking up from the snacks. Ever since he became Kuzan's advisor, he'd been showing up regularly… and Garp always ended up tagging along like a walking curse.
"Isn't Luffy setting sail again today? As his grandfather, you should be there to see him off "Kara asked, changing the subject with a forced smile.
"Nah, the brat didn't want me to. I had to beat him up before he agreed to leave "Garp grumbled, with a mix of pride and irritation.
"Stop changing the subject "Kuzan growled, turning his attention back to Kara.
"Tsk… It was more fun when you just slept all day "Kara muttered, arms crossed.
"Here's your mission. I don't care if you send Zoro, but at least send him with a team. He could get into trouble. And stay alert, just in case "Kuzan added, handing her a new document.
"And all this why? What's with the obsession with the guild? "Kara asked while scanning the file.
"Because you're going to pay for the damage they caused "Kuzan replied without hesitation.
"WHAT?! I'm not the president anymore! That old man is! Charge him! "Kara protested in outrage.
"His salary isn't enough "Kuzan replied with ice-cold calm.
Kara fell silent. Knowing the guild's income, if even the former president couldn't cover the damages, then Fairy Tail had probably done something close to a beta version of the end of the world.
"What if we just make them pirates and put bounties on their heads? "Kara suggested without missing a beat.
"Believe me, I'd like to. But they do more good than harm. They helped us recover several territories that once belonged to Whitebeard "Kuzan responded with resignation.
"Tsk… I always knew that guild was illegal. I was right all along! "Kara grumbled while grabbing the mission envelope and heading to the door.
"Aren't you going to pay? "Kuzan asked.
Kara didn't answer. She just took off running like her life depended on it... crashing through the door and leaving it in splinters.
"Puaajajaja! Those kids are hilarious. Shame not all of them joined the Marines "Garp said as he flipped through some files with half a cookie in his mouth.
Next to him, Sengoku also watched them… with a calm smile and one single thought in his mind: Good thing I retired in time.