"Kong, can you give us an explanation? Why did something like this happen?"
In a solemn conference room, the Five Elders glared at the man standing before them, pressure thick in the air like a storm cloud.
Kong, his entire body wrapped in bandages, stood silently for a while. Feeling the weight of all five elders' gazes on him, he finally spoke.
"I didn't expect enemies of that level to appear for a prison break. Just one person! But even with me, Garp, Zephyr, and so many Vice Admirals combined, we were no match for him! And based on the way things played out, it wasn't just one enemy. There were at least three. One to keep us busy, another to hold off Sengoku and the others, and a third one—he must've been the one who rescued Roger. Honestly, only a monster could befriend monsters. Against opponents like that, what do you expect me to do?"
The Five Elders' faces darkened. One of them hesitated, then asked, "Were they really as strong as you say?"
"More than that," Kong said with conviction. "After waking up, Garp and Zephyr both told me the same thing—our opponent wasn't even serious when fighting us. Then, in just an instant, he crushed them both. I thought they were joking... but if that's true, I can't even imagine how powerful he really is."
"Hmph... is that so?" one Elder muttered gravely. If Kong's report was accurate, the World Government was about to face a threat unlike anything it had ever known. Their supposed invincibility could be shattered.
"This incident has gravely damaged the government's reputation. Several kingdoms are already expressing dissatisfaction with our leadership," another Elder said coolly. "For now, forget about Roger. The priority is calming public unrest and saving face. You, Sengoku, and the others are to immediately begin a global hunt for high-profile criminals. Restore the image of the World Government."
"Agreed," the other Elders nodded.
"I understand." Kong bowed his head briefly and left the room.
The Five Elders sat in silence in the now-empty chamber.
"Should we report this to Lord Imu?" one of them asked.
"We should. If what Kong said is true, then this situation has already exceeded what we can handle." With that, they opened a hidden passage and disappeared into the shadows.
New World – Whitebeard Pirates
"Gurarararara… that little brat really stirred up a storm," Whitebeard laughed heartily, his massive frame shaking with mirth as he downed a drink. "I bet even Roger never expected to come out of that alive! Gurararara…"
"Seriously, I can't believe it," Marco muttered, staring at the newspaper in disbelief. "Rimuru actually rescued Roger…"
"Gurarara… and that friend of his is a real monster. Not even I could pull something like that off." Whitebeard's eyes narrowed slightly, troubled. Kong, Garp, Zephyr—each of them was a powerhouse in their own right, at the level of an Admiral. Not even he could confidently face all three and expect to win.
On an island near Loguetown
"Our captain… has been saved." Rayleigh sat frozen, overwhelmed with emotion. Though Roger had willingly chosen death, how could his crew ever truly accept it? Now that he had been rescued, maybe—just maybe—they could all sail together again.
"Roger… you better come back soon, you idiot!"
Marine Headquarters
"This defeat has crushed our prestige as Marines," Kong sat at the head of the table, voice low and heavy. "Even if our enemy was stronger than we imagined, we cannot lose hope."
"Can we really defeat monsters like that?" Garp muttered with a bitter smile. He couldn't forget it—the overwhelming gulf in power.
His words left the room in total silence.
"Enough!" Kong slammed the table in fury. "This isn't the time for defeatism! Sengoku, give us an update. What's the current situation?"
"Yes, sir!" Sengoku stood, palms pressed together. "Pirate activity is rising across the seas. Incidents are occurring more frequently. We're already short-handed and need immediate reinforcements. But that's not the real concern…"
He paused briefly, then added, "The real danger is… what Roger and his people plan to do next. If they aim to use him to acquire that, then—"
"The One Piece?" a Vice Admiral said grimly.
Though none of them knew exactly what the One Piece was, they all understood one thing—it terrified the World Government for a reason. Whatever it was, it could shake the very foundations of their power.
Even Kong couldn't help but show visible unease.
Rimuru's World
"So, Roger… what exactly is this One Piece?" Rimuru asked curiously after the meeting, eyes sparkling with interest.
"The One Piece, huh?" Roger scratched his head, glancing at Rimuru's childlike expression. "It's just a bunch of filthy secrets… the rotten truth behind some really damned people."
"And the irrefutable crimes of one undead bastard."