Loneliness deepens the night, and in the darkness, it ascends.
The eternal full moon casts its cold, solitary light.
Even amidst the dense, twinkling stars, it finds no warmth.
It simply gazes silently upon the ancient castle below.
The center of the highest power on the planet, the universally recognized supreme sanctuary.
All these titles refer to the city perched atop the Red Line Continent.
Mary Geoise!
Even at night, it shines like the most dazzling golden crown.
And this ancient castle, known as Pangea Castle, is the very heart of the sanctuary.
Here reside the legendary Five Elders, who control the world's situation and direction.
But within the core lies an even more central existence.
The Empty Throne!
To the world, this golden-red throne symbolizes peace and equality.
It will forever remain as a symbol, placed upon the triple-tiered platform, never to be sat upon by anyone.
The moonlight streaming from above is the only source of light in this vast, empty hall.
Making the interior space appear vast and cold.
The towering, pointed throne bathes in most of the light.
But in the quiet of the night.
A deep figure sits on the throne, bathed in moonlight, his back to the World Government emblem on the chair.
Those golden, rippling eyes gaze down upon the five kneeling figures below.
The Five Elders!
"Lord Imu, Gol D. Roger has been successfully arrested by the Navy and is currently being escorted to Impel Down by Sengoku and Garp."
"His wife, Portgas D. Rouge, has also been placed under house arrest at Marineford as per your orders, guarded by the female troops led by Vice Admiral Tsuru."
Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro Saint was the first to speak.
Then, Topman Warcury Saint, kneeling to his right, took over.
"After discussion among the five of us, we are considering a public execution in Roger's hometown, Loguetown in the East Blue, to intimidate nations and regions worldwide and curb the increasingly rampant pirates. What do you think?"
"Denied!"
This response from the one above startled the five kneeling on the cold ground.
They were momentarily stunned.
They hadn't expected Lord Imu to reject this proposal.
From any angle, a public execution had many benefits.
And based on past experience.
For such 'minor matters,' Lord Imu usually didn't interfere much.
But what they didn't know was that the figure seated above.
Though his expression remained as cold and aloof as ever.
His heart was currently in turmoil.
As a transmigrator, he was well aware that, by conventional logic, a public execution would be beneficial for the World Government.
But precisely because he was a transmigrator, he also knew the subsequent developments that would follow.
Who knows, Roger might be waiting for the public execution! He didn't believe that the declaration that launched the Great Pirate Era was just a spur-of-the-moment response to someone's question.
He was convinced that even if no one asked, Roger would have shouted something similar.
Otherwise, wouldn't his surrender and death be in vain?
"The public execution will take place at Marineford to prevent any further mishaps. During the broadcast, only Sengoku's voice will be aired, and the rest will be muted to ensure Roger doesn't say anything he shouldn't before his death."
Seated upon the Empty Throne, Lord Imu devised a compromise.
The Five Elders pondered over the two key words that should not be mentioned by accident.
Soon, Marcus Mars Saint, kneeling on the far left, seemed to grasp something.
He first habitually stroked his long white beard that completely covered his mouth, then a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.
"Lord Imu is wise!"
The four on the right glanced over in confusion, what had he understood?
"The reason Roger became the world-renowned Pirate King is because he gathered all four Road Poneglyphs and reached Laugh Tale."
"In other words, he must have some understanding of the past history, so we must guard against any words he might say during his public execution."
"So that's it!"
The other four suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.
"Hmm."
Lord Imu hesitated for a second before tacitly agreeing.
Although it was somewhat different from what he needed to guard against, what the other said did make sense.
"Let's handle Roger's matter this way. Next, let's discuss the future, which is the main reason I summoned you here today."
But what he said next completely shocked the still kneeling Five Elders.
"I have seen the future!"
"Twenty-four years from now, an unprecedented rebellion across the four seas will erupt, a massive war that will directly threaten the rule and lives of all Celestial Dragons!"
Despite uttering such terrifying words.
Lord Imu's tone remained as cold and indifferent as ever.
As if nothing in this world could change his expression, his figure bathed in the cold moonlight seemed so lonely.
But the five below had drastically changed expressions.
Their eyes wide open, faces full of incredulity as they looked up, unable to speak for a long time.
What to say? That it's impossible? Such thoughtless words, one couldn't say them, or it would be treasonous.
Having been the nominal highest authority holders for decades, they wouldn't lack such composure and intelligence.
Secondly, they truly had no doubt about the ability to foresee the future.
Although it sounds fantastical, in this world, it is a real ability.
At most, it could be said to be rare, uncommon.
And for their great master, Lord Imu, to possess such an ability was only fitting!
So what shocked the Five Elders was only the future situation in the prophecy!
A rebellion across the four seas?
A massive war?
Lord Imu, however, showed no intention of considering their emotions, continuing to speak calmly.
"And the source of this rebellion and war lies with the slaves and the Celestial Dragons."
"In light of this, I will personally take control of the world's direction from now on. You five must cooperate well, all for the rule of the World Nobles."
After hearing this, the Five Elders' emotions gradually calmed down, and they understood Lord Imu's meaning.
Before this, unless there was a 'light' outside that needed to be erased from history.
Lord Imu had basically lived in seclusion within the Chamber of the Moon, enjoying the tranquility of the years.
But now, he was to personally steer the direction of the World Government's massive ship.
As for the five of them.
Although they still held the helm on the surface.
How to steer from now on was no longer up to them.
Even so, the Five Elders harbored no resistance in their hearts.
As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, but they were the opposite—knowing too much, they dared not entertain any improper thoughts.
"Your will be done!"
The synchronized voices of the five elders echoed through the vast, dimly lit hall, their heads bowing even lower as they knelt.
"Then, let us begin with this year's Levely."
Imu's gaze, which had always looked down upon everything, now shone with a resolute determination.
Since he had now become the ruler of the World Government, he would never allow the great upheaval that was to come in twenty-four years to occur.
The Revolutionary Army, the pirates, Elbaf—he would deal with them one by one! Imu looked up at the sky, where the stars and the Milky Way accompanied the giant bright moon.
"First, I will completely control this world, and then, using this planet as a ship, I will venture into the vast sea of stars."