64 Chapter 64
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The Five Elders, with their fluffy beards, felt an uncontrollable horror at that moment. They subconsciously turned their heads, looking out toward Mariejois behind them. As the highest authority of the World Government, the Celestial Dragons occupied the most elevated positions, holding power and status within the government. They were sufficiently qualified to know the core secrets of the World Government. Thus, in this world, no one understood the 'horror' of the recent attack better than them.
'Uranus' Uranus! It possessed the legendary power to truly destroy the world, one of the three ancient weapons alongside the infamous 'Poseidon' Poseidon and 'Pluton' Pluto, which had faded into history. With just a simple command, it could erase nearly any kingdom on the Grand Line in mere seconds. This extremely fearsome power was the backbone of the World Government's authority throughout centuries of history.
Even when kingdoms and forces arose to challenge the World Government, they ultimately could not withstand the might of "Uranus," succumbing to becoming a forgotten part of history buried by the government. The presence of 'Uranus Uranus' solidified the World Government's "absolute rule-making power" over maritime control.
Initially, they thought without doubt that the 'sinner' would perish under the "sanction ordained by God." Since the establishment of the World Government eight hundred years ago, the sparks of rebellion that each era attempted to ignite were promptly extinguished, leaving no trace of those kingdoms and forces. Historical records could only provide vague written hints, failing to affirm their past existence.
However, in the eyes of the Five Elders, such a formidable 'absolute power' seemed to falter when observing the reaction of Master 'Im' today. The other four elders looked visibly shaken, with sharply constricted pupils and cold sweat dripping onto the carpet of the Great Hall of Pangu City. Was 'God's Sanction' about to suffer its first defeat?
The Five Elders felt a storm of emotions. At this moment, Bai Ye's threat level in their eyes had reached, or rather, had completely surpassed that of the once-dominant 'Rocks' pirate group. Their intelligence revealed that a terrifying monster from the North Blue had, acting alone, achieved everything to this date.
This single individual had decimated the pacifist fleet with ease. When two Marine Admirals, the highest combat powers of the Naval Headquarters, challenged him, they failed; one died and the other was injured. Now, the Generalissimo of the World Government's military, 'Kong' Kong, had taken action, but news of another death reached them. Additionally, "God's Sanction" had experienced its first loss in hundreds of years.
The Five Elders could hardly imagine what would happen if the outside world became privy to the World Government's secret operation taking advantage of the Summit War. They questioned what this world, or rather, this era, would become in the future.
Block it... block it, they thought urgently. They needed to suppress their horror and act immediately. It was imperative to contain all news within the first half of the Grand Line at all costs. If word got out to the entire world, including the New World, the World Government's centuries of accumulated prestige, represented through the Marine government, would be jeopardized. Instead of eradicating the sinner, the image the World Government had cultivated over hundreds of years might become a mere footnote to enhance that person's legend.
Amidst these frantic thoughts, a sudden message from a communication bug arrived.
But the collective faces of the Five Elders changed again.
The emergence of 'Uranus' in the first half of the Grand Line sent shockwaves of terror.
In this world, if you're looking for the forces quickest to receive news, who could that be if not the World Government? The answer, of course, is World Economic News!
Its reach extends globally, with albatrosses in every corner serving as the eyes of the World Economic News newspaper.
This is complemented by a vast "subscription" base, which includes pirates, bounty hunters, various kingdoms, and the underground dark forces, among others.
Sometimes, this advantage can even surpass that of the World Government.
For this reason, the World Government's first action, before launching "Operation Demon Slaughter," was to send CPO members to forcefully monitor the World Economic News newspaper. They aimed to prevent any leaks while also preparing to use the news outlet to extend their influence.
They had even prepared 'big news' before the operation commenced.
But now, the action has failed.
The "big news" meant to sway public opinion has been completely discarded.
This was unacceptable news for the Five Elders.
They had underestimated that wily Morgans this time.
As one of the five titans of the underground dark world, the 'King of News', Morgans had managed to escape the clutches of the CPO's surveillance in the Grand Line.
In other words, the World Economic News was now out of the World Government's control.
Soon, perhaps within a week—no, even just one day—the whole world would find out about the World Government's unprecedented defeat.
Indeed, even the Five Elders viewed the current situation as irredeemably dire.
At this moment, in the New World, events were unfolding that would cause the Five Elders' worst nightmares.
As a titan among the underground dark world's elite, Morgans was well aware of what rebelling against the World Government entailed.
However, the idea of his own creation becoming subjugated to the World Government was intolerable.
With a businessman's sharp instincts, Morgans recognized a catastrophic yet lucrative opportunity with the news from the first half of the Grand Line.
An opportunity significant enough to warrant taking on the World Government!
Imagine: for the first time in centuries, the World Government had been defeated, with the commander-in-chief of the army even perishing in battle.
Such shocking news would send tremors across the four seas, the New World, and beyond!
It would set the whole world and era ablaze.
In such a scenario, World Economic News' sales could skyrocket, potentially by several multiples!
Torn between the World Government and profits, Morgans didn't hesitate to choose profit.
And, as one of the titanic five, how could he not wield considerable power?
Thus, after casting aside the CPO overseers sent by the World Government, Morgans decided it was time to relocate his 'base camp'.
A headline that would surely set the world trembling was taking shape in Morgans' mind.
Firstly, the World Government's first defeat in centuries had to be disseminated far and wide.
He couldn't overlook the critical aspect this time: the formidable powerhouse that had emerged from North Blue.
Wait... A monster?
Perhaps someone on par with the Four Emperors?
From Morgans' perspective, these elements were all subject to change.
After all, a single person had caused the Marine and World Governments to suffer consecutive setbacks.
Even with the advanced preparations for "Operation Demon Slaughter," Kong, the "General Fleet Admiral of the Army," had died in battle.
The Rocks pirates of old couldn't have achieved such a feat, correct?
Thus, this event belonged solely to one individual.
It signaled the dawn of a new era, one that could earn the title 'taboo' from the world. And it had just begun!
