Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Although events were unfolding precisely as Alex had anticipated and meticulously planned, he wasn't the type to grow complacent. This massive upheaval—an event that would shake the entire world—was his design. To ensure nothing derailed his vision, he scrutinized every piece of critical information, no matter how small. The probability of unexpected mistakes was minimal, but he refused to take chances.
Now that he had confirmation of the Summit War preparations, Alex needed only to bide his time, waiting for the grand spectacle to unfold.
For now, life in the Sky Kingdom continued unabated—a whirlwind of revelry and indulgence. Yet, a tinge of nostalgia crept into Alex's thoughts. The absence of certain young women, who had once filled the kingdom with youthful energy, left a noticeable void.
Of course, those currently at his side, like Toki and Shinobu, didn't share his sentiment. Whether through special methods of care or the miraculous properties of pure gold, they had managed to maintain their vitality, concealing any traces of age with purpose and poise.
Pure gold's unique ability to halt the passage of time ensured their youthful appearances remained unchanged, though it could not alter the unrelenting march of history.
As Alex's extravagant lifestyle carried on, another month passed seamlessly.
As Alex had predicted, Monkey D. Luffy—the so-called "Son of the World"—proved to be a disruptive force, a piece on the board capable of stirring global chaos.
In just one month, Luffy had made waves yet again.
The long-standing civil war in Alabasta came to an abrupt end when Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was exposed for orchestrating a sinister conspiracy to seize the kingdom. Even more shocking was the news that Crocodile had been defeated—not by a veteran warrior or a Marine hero, but by a fledgling pirate from East Blue.
"Did you hear about this? The Sand Crocodile, brought down by a rookie pirate!"
"A newcomer from East Blue again? The last time something like this happened, it was Fire Fist Ace who defeated a Warlord."
"Can you believe it? A pirate acting as a national hero! They're still pirates, though—thieves, at the end of the day."
As the world reeled from the news, opinions flared like wildfire. Crocodile's disgrace, paired with the collapse of his schemes in Alabasta, became a hot topic of debate.
The incident spread like wildfire, thanks to the relentless efforts of the World Economic News. Morgans, the ever-ambitious news tycoon, ensured the story reached every corner of the sea. The revelation sent shockwaves far and wide.
The fallout from Alabasta had far-reaching effects.
For one, it reignited discussions about the Seven Warlords of the Sea. While they were officially pirates, their role as "government-sanctioned criminals" blurred the line. As allies of the World Government, they held a tenuous position, seen by many as little more than "government lapdogs."
This perception was especially damaging to the Marines and the World Government, whose authority had been called into question.
Mariejois - The Red Line
Amid the lavish halls of Mariejois, the Five Elders convened, their expressions grim.
"Morgans has already published the news."
Under normal circumstances, Morgans could be bribed by the World Government to suppress unfavorable news.
This time, however, when the World Government attempted to control the narrative surrounding the Alabasta scandal, they found themselves outmaneuvered. By the time they approached Morgans, the newsbird had already spread the explosive story worldwide.
The fallout was immense.
Not only did the scandal further expose the flaws in the Seven Warlords of the Sea system, but it compounded the string of negative press already plaguing the World Government, delivering a severe blow to its credibility.
"That damn bird… Let's not discuss him now. We still need his news agency, no matter how frustrating this situation is."
The group's conversation turned to the true source of the issue.
"This entire mess boils down to that Straw Hat kid."
The World Government was well aware of Crocodile's true goal in Alabasta: the ancient weapon, Pluton. They had tacitly allowed him to proceed, knowing full well the implications.
Pluton, one of the most destructive weapons of the ancient world, was an object of intense interest for the World Government. The designs for its construction were rumored to lie in the shipbuilding capital of Water 7, and the Cipher Pol units had been covertly operating for years to uncover its secrets.
Crocodile was a pawn in their grander scheme. Alabasta's Poneglyph, believed to hold information on Pluton, had been deliberately leaked to lure him in. The plan was simple: allow Crocodile to retrieve the Poneglyph, then dispose of him and suppress the information as needed.
What they hadn't accounted for was an unexpected variable: Monkey D. Luffy.
"The rookie defeated Crocodile without even mastering Haki. He's the son of Dragon, after all. That bloodline is becoming an ever-growing thorn in our side."
"First the Revolutionary Army, and now a pirate, Garp's family is straying further and further from order."
Despite their complaints, the Five Elders refrained from taking direct action against Garp. His legendary role in the God Valley Incident and his standing as a Marine hero ensured his status among the Celestial Dragons remained untouchable—for now.
"For the moment, we'll have to focus on the next major confrontation to redirect the narrative and recover from this blow."
"This entire mess is just bad timing, the Seraphim Project is still in its critical experimental phase, and we need the Seven Warlords for their influence during this period. We can't risk dismantling the system prematurely."
"Indeed. And we must also prepare for the larger battle ahead."
The Elders' discussion shifted to Blackbeard.
From their intelligence, they knew Marshall D. Teach was no ordinary pirate. His scars on Red-Haired Shanks' face spoke to his ruthlessness and cunning.
"Blackbeard is a wild card, but he's capable. He'll capture Fire Fist Ace—it's in his interest to secure a place as a Warlord."
"To ensure success, we'll have the CPO assist him in secret."
"There's no excuse for failure. Ace must be captured."