Chapter 456 - 295

Chapter 296: Contract and Awakening!At the highest point of the Holy Land Mary Geoise, inside the Administrative Hall adjacent to the Empty Throne room, five candle flames flickered in the center of a long table.The dim yellow halo barely illuminated five aged and majestic faces.Saint Jaygarcia Saturn's fingers tapped on the report documents on the table, the parchment making a dull sound."Vergo has been arrested."His voice was like worn gears, raspy and cold."Doflamingo's clumsy Artificial Devil Fruit project is as laughable as a child's doodle in front of Sengoku."Outside the window, the eternal lights of Mary Geoise projected through the stained glass, cutting mottled light and shadow onto the floor inlaid with gold and ivory."Donquixote Doflamingo."Saint Topman Varcolica sneered."That clown who still thinks he's a Celestial Dragon. Thinking he can play with fire in the sunlight just by relying on his past title."Saint Shepherd Ju Peter slowly stroked his long beard:"But he does have the legal status of a 'Shichibukai'. Sengoku's actions this time have crossed the line a bit.""The question is what to do next." Saint Saturn's gaze swept over the other four."The secret of the SMILES has been exposed, and Kaido won't let it go easily. More importantly—"He paused for a moment, the candlelight dancing in his eyes:"The Revolutionary Army!!"The expressions of the five simultaneously turned solemn."Dressrosa!!"Saint Varcolica slowly stood up and walked toward the huge arched window."A country controlled by Doflamingo for ten years, a kingdom filled with slave trade, arms smuggling, and underground dealings.""If the Revolutionary Army wants a stage to showcase their 'justice'..."He didn't finish, but everyone understood."Dispatch CP0!!"Saint Peter made the decision."If the Revolutionary Army really appears...""Let them know that the World Government's eyes are everywhere."...As the meeting proceeded into the late night, the topic turned to another concern."According to intelligence, the Straw Hat crew is heading to Dressrosa."Saint Varcolica returned to his seat, his tone carrying a rare exhaustion."That Monkey D. Luffy..."Under the candlelight, a trace of imperceptible worry appeared on all five faces.They had controlled the world for eight hundred years and seen countless pirates rise and fall, but this time, some instinct told them that things were slipping out of control."Our top combat power is still insufficient."Saint Varcolica's voice was so low it was almost inaudible."There are only three Marine Admirals, and the elites of CP0 are limited. Meanwhile, in this world... more and more restless forces are appearing."After a long silence, he suddenly looked up: "It's time to use 'that'."The gazes of the other four all focused on him.Saint Saturn's brow furrowed."That's too dangerous. Lord Imu won't easily agree.""But if the situation requires it,"Saint Varcolica insisted, "We must have more pawns capable of contending with top-tier combatants. Not consumables, but true'shields'."They looked at each other, complex trade-offs flashing in their eyes.Finally, the five stood up simultaneously and walked into the shadows at the deepest part of the Administrative Hall.There was a door there, neither stone nor wood, its material difficult to identify, with a dull metallic luster flowing on its surface.The door opened silently.The space behind the door wasn't large, yet it held a suffocating sense of pressure.The air was bone-chillingly cold, as if even time were frozen here.At the end, a figure sat on an ancient throne, shrouded in layers of shadow.The Gorosei all knelt on one knee, their foreheads touching the ground."Lord Imu."Saint Varcolica's voice echoed in the silence."The world needs a sturdier shield."The figure in the shadows made no movement, but the five felt a gaze fall upon them, cold as the deep sea."Reason!!"A voice sounded, neither male nor female, like an echo from ancient times.Maintaining his kneeling posture, Saint Varcolicadetailed the current situation:The intensification of Revolutionary Armyactivities, the imbalance of the Four Emperors' power, the threat of the Straw Hat crew, and the insufficient combat power of the Marine and CP organizations."We need'shields' that can ensure absolute loyalty and possess sufficient power."He concluded finally,"The 'Devil's Contract' can allow us to cultivate true monsters from the top talents of the CP organization."There was another long silence, with only the faint sound of candles burning.Then, a dark red light emerged from Imu's hand and slowly floated toward Saint Varcolica.Within the light, an ancient leather contract appeared, its edges heavily worn, its surface branded with indecipherable script."The 'Awakening Contract'."Imu's voice was devoid of emotion."It can excavate the deep potential of Zoan Devil Fruits, forcing fruit awakening. The price is lifespan, and... humanity."The contract in the light slowly unfurled, the script on it appearing to squirm, emitting an ominous aura."Those whose talent and will reach the peak may be able to maintain their rationality.""The failures will be reduced to mindless monsters; in eight hundred years, fewer than a hundred have successfully awakened."Saint Varcolica took the contract with both hands, feeling an unsettling pulse emanating from it."We will choose carefully," he promised solemnly."Go."Imu's voice gradually dissipated into the shadows.The Gorosei bowed again and backed out of the room.The heavy door closed behind them, isolating that space from all contact with the outside world... Returning to the Administrative Hall, the Goroseisurrounded and looked at the contract floating in the air.The leather surface shimmered with a dark red luster under the candlelight, as if it had been soaked in countless blood."The top geniuses in the CP organization..."Saint Peter mused, "Candidates must be absolutely loyal, and their fruit potential must be strong enough.""CP0's Falcon, Fox...""CP1...""...""CP9's Rob Lucci and Kaku!""...Summon them to Mary Geoise."Saint Peter made the decision."Conduct the contract ceremony in secret. The successful ones will become CP0 chief-level figures, the reserves for the Celestial Dragons' strongest shield.""And the failures?" Saint Mars asked.Saint Varcolica stroked the ancient script on the contract, a cold light flashing in his eyes:"Impel Down needs new Jailer Beasts."The five reached a consensus.The sky outside was still dark, and the lights of Mary Geoise never went out, just as the rule of the World Government must endure eternally.