Above Pilgrim Sky Island.
Under the fearful, reverent, and worshipful gazes of the island's citizens, two figures stood atop the mountain peak overlooking the battlefield below.
"A weapon capable of using Paramecia Devil Fruit abilities..."
Cero frowned as he turned toward God King Shirogai.
"My true body, who exactly created something like this? Turning Devil Fruit users into weapons is completely inhumane."
God King Shirogai smiled faintly.
"As expected of the version of myself where justice outweighs everything else. Your sense of righteousness truly stands above all."
Cero rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Stop mocking yourself. I am you, and you are me."
The God King chuckled softly.
"Even so, there are still differences between us."
"Enough nonsense."
Cero narrowed his eyes while looking toward the distant battlefield, where the enslaved Celestial Dragon was still fighting the others.
"This method feels familiar."
His suspicious gaze shifted back toward the God King.
"This has nothing to do with you, right? Turning Devil Fruit users into weapons that ordinary people can control feels awfully similar to how you turned Wapol and Enel into living production tools and energy sources."
The God King immediately looked innocent.
"How could that possibly involve me?"
He placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
"I'm an upright and righteous man. Why would I allow something so cruel to happen?"
"..."
Cero stared at him with clear distrust.
"Your righteousness is terrifying, and your evil is even worse."
Far below them, chaos continued to spread across Mary Geoise.
Inside the Holy Land.
Warrior God of Environment, Saint Marcus Mars, bowed respectfully before Imu inside the palace.
"Lord Imu, the two weapons you requested have been completed."
"..."
Imu slowly turned around and looked toward Saint Marcus Mars with an indifferent expression.
"We still cannot contact the outside world?"
"Yes."
Saint Marcus Mars inhaled deeply before answering.
"All Den Den Mushi communication has failed. Even the secret passages are unable to cross the strange barrier surrounding Mary Geoise."
His expression darkened.
"Any attack that touches the barrier simply disappears."
"Oh?"
Imu lifted his gaze toward the sky.
"So even your attacks are nullified."
His voice remained emotionless.
"Then this should be Shirogai's work."
Saint Nusjuro stepped forward with a solemn expression.
"After hiding in the shadows for over a year, Shirogai suddenly made his move. There must be a greater purpose behind this."
He adjusted his glasses slightly.
"At present, it is not the Sky Island Alliance that stands at a disadvantage."
"It is the World Government."
Saint Nusjuro's voice became heavier as he continued.
"The rise of the Sky Island Alliance has already caused severe economic losses for the World Government. Our expenditures and income have become increasingly unbalanced."
"Many member nations withdrew from the World Government and joined the Sky Island Alliance instead."
"We have lost an enormous amount of tribute and membership revenue."
The other Gorosei silently listened.
Saint Nusjuro carefully glanced toward Imu before lowering his voice.
"The greatest issue is the emergence of the Sky Island Alliance's currency system."
His eyes sharpened.
"'Belly Coins.'"
"Although their current circulation is still smaller than Berries, their expansion speed is frightening."
"Within the Sky Island Alliance's territory, Belly Coins possess greater purchasing power and can buy more resources at lower costs than Berries."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Why had the World Government urgently pushed for a so called World Peace Conference?
Because the Sky Island Alliance had struck directly at the foundation of the World Government's control.
For centuries, the World Government maintained authority over the world not simply through military strength, but through control over its economic lifeline.
Berries.
The globally accepted currency.
The power to manufacture and regulate Berries had always belonged entirely to the World Government.
As long as they controlled the world's currency, every nation remained under their influence.
That was why the Celestial Dragons spent Berries carelessly without concern.
To them, money itself held little value.
The World Government controlled the flow of Berries, reclaimed vast quantities through taxes and tribute, and manipulated their value however they pleased.
If a nation disobeyed the World Government, they could simply devalue that region's currency through regulations and economic control.
The result was simple.
Their money would become worthless paper overnight.
Even countries outside the World Government's authority had no choice but to rely on Berries for international trade.
That dependence allowed the World Government to maintain control over nearly the entire world.
Berries were not merely currency.
They were chains.
But now, those chains were breaking.
The emergence of Belly Coins introduced a completely separate financial system that no longer relied on the World Government.
Hostile nations finally had another option.
If the World Government refused to trade using Berries, they could simply use Belly Coins instead.
No tribute.
No manipulation.
No economic strangulation.
Saint Nusjuro's expression turned increasingly grim.
"If this continues, the value and influence of Berries will decline rapidly."
His tone became colder.
"And once that happens, the Sky Island Alliance will destroy the World Government without even needing to start a war."
Among the Gorosei, Saint Nusjuro had always been the strongest supporter of launching a full scale military assault against the Sky Island Alliance.
Unfortunately for him, that proposal had been rejected.
By Imu himself.
No one knew why Imu opposed direct war against Shirogai.
However, Imu had personally approved the World Peace Conference proposal.
And he had chosen Mary Geoise as the meeting location.
"God King Shirogai cannot possibly be unaware of our current situation."
Saint Nusjuro frowned deeply.
"If the Sky Island Alliance continues to expand, the World Government's influence will continue collapsing."
"Yet instead of pushing that advantage, Shirogai suddenly attacked Mary Geoise and completely isolated it from the outside world."
Saint Peter nodded slowly.
"Lord Imu, there must be another scheme behind all of this."
"Scheme?"
Imu finally turned fully toward the five elders.
His crimson eyes carried endless indifference.
"Schemes are meaningless before absolute power."
A strange smile slowly spread across his face.
Dark.
Sinister.
Eternal.
"Unless..."
"There is a devil hidden behind the scheme."
For countless years, Imu had sat above the world as its supreme ruler.
Watching challengers climb endlessly toward him.
They would overcome impossible trials, defeat powerful enemies, and finally arrive before the throne after exhausting themselves completely.
Only to be slaughtered by him in despair.
Until one day.
He lost.
To mortals.
Yet even then, Imu survived.
And once again reclaimed his place as the god of this world.
Sizzle...
Sizzle...
The sound of chains dragging across the ground suddenly echoed from outside the chamber.
The noise slowly approached the warm conservatory.
"..."
Imu turned his head toward the palace entrance.
The Gorosei immediately erupted with fury.
"Bastard!"
Massive waves of Haki exploded from their bodies as they glared toward the door.
"Who dares approach this place!?"
Creak.
The palace doors slowly opened.
An eerie black mist began creeping into the room.
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