Arakawa Zenkichi left without looking back. After killing the Celestial Dragon, he vanished.

Chaos erupted aboard the warship. Naval soldiers and Celestial Dragon guards were in complete disarray, as if the sky had collapsed.

A Celestial Dragon had been killed under their protection. They knew the punishment awaiting them could very well be death.

Still, the man who did it was far beyond their capabilities. And from what he said, it wasn't just blind aggression. It was because of the insultingly low bounty the World Government placed on him.

The Celestial Dragon's death was Zenkichi's way of making a point—his power was no joke.

Then, a shared thought passed through the ranks of guards and naval officers.

Pass the blame.

They could shift responsibility to whoever set that bounty. The navy officer who reported Zenkichi in the first place would also share some blame.

It might not save their own necks, but if they handled it right, their families could be spared.

---

Mariejois, Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons.

The heart of the World Government.

The Five Elders—the highest authority—sat in conference, grim-faced as they discussed the recent killing of a Celestial Dragon.

"How many years has it been… and now someone dares attack the Celestial Dragons again?"

"They're world nobles—symbols of our rule. This incident must be dealt with severely."

"The World Government exists to serve the Celestial Dragons. The world needs to see our response."

"No matter how strong he is, the one who did this—Arakawa Zenkichi—must pay."

The Five Elders' stance was unanimous. Zenkichi's actions had crossed a line, and they would not let it slide.

After all, they were gods. There was no way they'd let someone challenge their own caste and live.

"Have the Navy issue a new bounty."

"How high?"

"Based on the guards' and soldiers' reports, Zenkichi was frighteningly powerful. Saint Germaco's personal guard may not be elite, but to take them out so easily, he must be stronger than an average Vice Admiral."

"They also said he used Conqueror's Haki."

"Then it's settled. Set his bounty at 500 million berries."

"Done."

And just like that, the bounty was finalized. Arakawa Zenkichi became a major threat in the eyes of the world.

But the meeting didn't end there.

"These are turbulent times. The situation is worsening."

"The Four Emperors dominate the New World. The Government has all but lost control over the second half of the Grand Line."

"Luckily, the combined strength of the Navy and the Seven Warlords of the Sea still holds a fragile balance."

"Why can't those idiotic Celestial Dragons stop bringing trouble to us?"

"Because they have the privilege to be stupid. Their status allows it."

"If they didn't share our divine bloodline, I'd have the Holy Land Guard wipe them out."

The Five Elders let out sighs of frustration. Their true concern was the world order—ordinary people's suffering didn't matter to them.

They ruled to serve the Celestial Dragons, not the masses.

Still, now that a Celestial Dragon was dead because of naval corruption, the Five Elders were ready to clean house.

"What about those who failed to protect Saint Germaco?"

"Have them kill themselves. It'll erase further accountability."

"And the officer who set Zenkichi's bounty?"

"No need to investigate. We all know what happened."

"Probably a base officer trying to hide navy corruption."

"Have Sengoku conduct a full investigation. It's time to purge the rot."

The Five Elders had long known of corruption within the Navy but ignored it—so long as it didn't interfere with maintaining order.

Now, it had. A Celestial Dragon was dead. Someone had to pay.

---

Marineford, Navy Headquarters

In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku the Buddha sat grim-faced. Garp was with him.

"Five days ago, the Five Elders gave me an earful," Sengoku muttered, slamming down the receiver of a Den Den Mushi. "They're demanding a purge of navy corruption."

Garp stood by the window, silent for a long moment.

"He's not evil," Garp finally said. "That kid… he's not the kind of person who would kill without reason."

Sengoku turned to face him. "You fought him?"

Garp nodded, arms folded.

"I did. And I lost—easily."

Sengoku's eyes widened. Garp was a living legend, on par with the Yonko and Admirals. His words held weight.

"Are you serious?"

"I wouldn't lie about this," Garp replied, pointing at Zenkichi's face on the newly issued bounty poster. "He's that strong."

Sengoku went silent, thoughts racing.

"He wouldn't kill a Navy captain unless something serious happened first. There's more to this."

Garp picked up the bounty list again and sighed.

"It's a mistake… this whole thing. And now it's spiraled into a mess none of us can walk back from."

---

Support me by sending Power stones (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)