"Shouldn't we prioritize the frontline generals and soldiers?" Sengoku tone carried a hint of anger.
"Hmph!"
"We managed just fine before these miraculous medicines existed, didn't we?"
The muscular old man in a suit snorted disdainfully.
"Enough, Sengoku!"
"We'll grant you a special fund specifically for acquiring the Senzu Beans!"
"For the next batch, just hand over thirty percent to us!"
"You can distribute the rest as you see fit!" The long-haired, long-bearded elder interjected.
Hearing this, Sengoku realized that the Five Elders didn't care about anyone's life except for the Celestial Dragons, the world nobles!
Even the Marines, who had shed blood and sweat in their service, were nothing more than tools to them!
"Take what you can get, Sengoku!"
"This is a good deal for you!"
"We originally planned to keep the Senzu Beans under our control!" The chubby elder spoke kindly, but his tone betrayed impatience.
Seeing this, Sengoku decided not to say anything more.
Having served these people for so many years, he was already accustomed to such things.
"Oh, by the way!"
"I heard that last night, Whitebeard and Marco actually went straight to Marine Headquarters!"
One of the elders asked.
"Yes, I haven't had the chance to mention it yet!"
"This method was likely devised by Pryce, the inventor of the Senzu Beans!" Sengoku replied with a furrowed brow.
"What?!"
"Are you saying that Pryce isn't just a pharmacist, but also a scientist?" The chubby elder asked in surprise.
"That seems to be the case. After all, we're well aware of Whitebeard and Marco's abilities!"
"But we know absolutely nothing about Pryce!"
Sengoku nodded, sounding somewhat frustrated.
"What exactly are you Marines doing?"
"Such a remarkable scientist, and you have no information on him?"
"What have you been doing with all the funding you receive from the World Government?"
The muscular old man in a suit angrily scolded.
"Enough, scolding him won't change anything!"
"So how exactly did Whitebeard and the others get to Marine Headquarters?"
The sword-wielding elder waved his hand and asked Sengoku.
"According to our scientists' investigation, they likely used some kind of unique teleportation device!" Sengoku recalled the scientists' analysis.
"Teleportation range, limitations, number of people it can transport?"
"What about these details?" The chubby elder frowned as he asked.
"Unfortunately, we know nothing!" Sengoku shrugged, equally helpless.
"Damn it! If they can teleport to Marine Headquarters today, they could be in Mary Geoise tomorrow!"
"Where do you Marines place the safety of the Celestial Dragons?"
The sword-wielding elder now also glared and shouted at sengoku.
At this moment, Sengoku was finally rendered speechless and chose to remain silent.
After all, speaking would earn him scolding, and staying silent would still get him reprimanded.
Seeing Sengoku darkened expression, the long-haired, long-bearded elder waved his hand, signaling the angry Elders to quiet down.
"Alright, you may leave now!"
"Make sure to deliver the Senzu Beans on time!"
"And be sure to get to the bottom of this Pryce situation!"
The elderly man with long hair and a beard immediately issued a dismissal to Sengoku after speaking.
Sengoku, eager to leave, didn't say much and promptly exited the Room of authority.
Just as he reached the entrance of Mary Geoise, Sengoku spotted numerous Celestial Dragons heading toward the Room of authority from a distance.
It was clear they had learned about the Senzu Beans and were on their way to claim them.
Sengoku curled his lips in disdain.
While his subordinates were risking their lives on the front lines battling pirates, these so-called world nobles were hoarding something that could save lives for their own selfish purposes!
.....
Meanwhile, in the New World, in the Land of Wano.
On Onigashima, in the Beast Castle.
Kaido, the King of the Beasts, sat imposingly on his throne.
His massive frame exuded an aura of dominance.
At that moment, Kaido was drinking fine wine from a huge jug.
King, who was reading today newspaper, furrowed his brow.
"What's wrong, big brother?" asked Jack, who was busy stuffing his face nearby, noticing King troubled expression.
"This Pryce guy, a newcomer to the Whitebeard Pirates, has been given a bounty of one billion Berries right off the bat!" King pointed at Pryce bounty poster in the newspaper, clearly puzzled.
After all, it was customary for a pirate bounty to increase gradually over time!
Starting with a bounty of one billion Berries was almost unheard of!
Suddenly, King eyes widened as a thought struck him.
"Could this Pryce be the one who invented the Senzu Beans for the Whitebeard Pirates?" King stood up in shock.
"It has to be him! There's no other explanation!" he exclaimed.
"Otherwise, the World Government wouldn't have set his initial bounty so high!" Queen chimed in from the side.
Their conversation caught Kaido attention.
"Let me see that newspaper!" Kaido said, his curiosity piqued.
King quickly handed the newspaper to Kaido.
"This kid looks soft and delicate. He doesn't seem like much of a threat," Kaido commented dismissively after glancing at Pryce photo.
"Kaido-san, this Pryce is the one who invented the Senzu Beans!" King hurriedly explained.
"Speaking of Senzu Beans, didn't we ask Doflamingo for his scientist, Caesar Clown, some time ago?" Kaido frowned.
"Where is he?"
"That guy keeps finding excuses to delay the matter!" King replied.
"But according to our informants, Doflamingo is already aware of the situation. He's gotten his hands on the Senzu Beans and has started having Caesar Clown research them!"
"My plan is to let him continue his research for now. After all, we're still collaborating with him on the artificial Devil Fruits. It wouldn't be wise to break ties just yet."
"Once he's made significant progress, we'll just take it from him!" King laid out his strategy.
Kaido nodded in approval.
Suddenly, the castle doors were slammed open.
"Who dares to be so disrespectful?!" King roared, his brow furrowed in anger.
"Forgive me, King-sama! It's just that there's urgent news!" stammered a Beast Pirate crew member, trembling under King glare.
"You said that anything related to the Senzu Beans must be reported to you immediately!"