While Marine Headquarters carried out its daily work in an orderly fashion, Fleet Admiral Kong received news that alarmed him.
Normally, a mere pirate group from the Four Seas wouldn't be a cause for concern for such an important figure as the Fleet Admiral. After all, the main concerns of the busy Fleet Admiral Kong revolved around the New World. But what made his hair stand on end was that the pirate group was named Donquixote, and its captain was none other than Donquixote Doflamingo, a former World Noble.
A World Noble, to the point of becoming a pirate! This was not only inadmissible for those living in Mariejois, the Holy Land, but also caused them profound embarrassment. They would never recognize Doflamingo as a former World Noble.
The World Nobles were so arrogant that the mere fact of one of them living in the common world was already a disgrace. Now, becoming a pirate? Those World Nobles must have been furious. Fleet Admiral Kong realized the gravity of the situation the moment he read the report.
When the matter involved the World Nobles, the Marine's authority was limited. After all, the Marine was just an armed force serving the World Government. How could they arbitrarily decide on the internal affairs of the World Government's "head of the family"?
At the Fleet Admiral's Office, in Marineford
After reading the report from North Blue, Fleet Admiral Kong frowned, his face as gloomy as still water, and he remained silent for a long time.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, has something serious happened? Your expression isn't good at all," asked the current Admiral Sengoku, concerned, seeing the state of his superior.
Fleet Admiral Kong sat in his chair and sighed: "Yes, see for yourself."
Then he handed the information to Sengoku, who would take over as the Marine Fleet Admiral. As the only Marine Admiral at the time (since "Black Arm" Zephyr was semi-retired training recruits and "Iron Fist" Garp refused promotions to Admiral, preferring to chase Roger around), all the Marine's pressure would fall on him.
Sengoku's own task was already quite heavy. Although he didn't have to personally hunt pirates, as the successor to the next Fleet Admiral, he had already begun to handle all matters, big and small, of the Marine for his predecessor, gradually initiating the transfer of power.
After reading the information, Sengoku also fell into deep thought and finally exclaimed angrily: "This is outrageous! These World Nobles really have nothing to do but cause us trouble. The Marine's military power is already limited, and now this! We must report this matter to the World Government and let them resolve it."
Hearing Sengoku's irritated speech, Fleet Admiral Kong shook his head. "This matter is really not easy for us. After all, they are World Nobles, and they haven't even committed significant pirate acts. They just raised a pirate flag and defeated the One-Eyed Pirates. This matter cannot be handled as easily as with common pirates. Our Marine will remain inert for now. First, I will report this to the Five Elders. After all, this is a family matter for them. Let's hear their suggestions."
"Damn World Nobles! They only know how to cause problems for our Marine every day!" Sengoku complained indignantly.
"Alright, Sengoku. Being in our position, you need to understand that we have no choice. This position no longer represents just you. We need to consider the millions of Marines under our command. We cannot only worry about our own joys and sorrows and ignore the Marines who trust us. Everything is for justice," said Fleet Admiral Kong, standing up and speaking seriously to Sengoku.
Although Fleet Admiral Kong was not tall, in Sengoku's eyes, at that moment, he seemed imposing, overflowing with a sense of justice and dedication to the Marine's cause.
Yes, didn't every Marine enlist in the Marine for justice? Everything was for justice. How could personal emotions override justice? Being in this position, how could they disappoint the trust of thousands of Marines?
"It's not easy to be the Fleet Admiral. Every sacrifice is made for justice," Sengoku secretly thought.
Holy Land Mariejois, residence of the World Nobles
Fleet Admiral Kong arrived with the report to meet with the Five Elders.
The Five Elders are the supreme leaders of the World Government and its pillar of support. Their authority is above that of the Marine Fleet Admiral. The agencies under their command include the secret espionage organizations (CP0-CP9) and the Marine.
Upon arriving at the Five Elders' hall, Kong saw five old men, with vigorous countenances, seated in elevated positions.
One of the Five Elders, Elder Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, wearing a black suit, with white curly hair, a thick white beard, a flat hat, and a scar on his left cheek, spoke: "Kong, why are you here? Why aren't you tending to your naval affairs and came to seek us, old as we are?"
Another of the Five Elders, Elder Topman Warcury, wearing a dark blue suit, with long straight white hair and a long beard, agreed: "Roger's Pirates are still acting aggressively in the New World. Why aren't you dealing with them as quickly as possible?"
Fleet Admiral Kong replied, without arrogance or subservience: "My Five Elders, I came here because I had no choice. I would like to know if you know Donquixote Doflamingo."
After listening to Kong, the Five Elders fell into deep thought for a long time. One of them, Elder Jaygarcia Saturn, wearing a crimson suit, no tie, with blond hair and beard and a scar on his chest, was the first to speak:
"Indeed, there is such a person, but his family has already renounced their World Noble identity and went to live in North Blue. Doflamingo, if I recall correctly, is Donquixote Homing's eldest son."
"That's true, but I heard they aren't living very well. A few years ago, Homing himself asked to return to the Holy Land, but we refused. After all, they were the ones who gave up the glory and status of the World Nobles. By the way, what's wrong with that boy Doflamingo?" added another of the Five Elders, Elder Shepherd Ju Peter, wearing a dark green suit, bald, with two "figure-eight" mustaches and a birthmark on his forehead.
Fleet Admiral Kong, hearing so many nuances, took a deep breath to remain calm. "According to our information from North Blue, Doflamingo has not only formed the Donquixote Pirates and defeated the One-Eyed Pirates, with a 50 million Berry bounty, but has also successfully entered the Grand Line."
"Hmph, he's just a brat from the Donquixote Family. Defeating some trash already makes him feel proud. As a noble World Noble, he has fallen to the level of pirates and joined the lowest ranks. I don't know where he threw away the nobility and pride of the World Nobles!" Elder Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said angrily.
"Although he is a renegade World Noble, that boy is still a World Noble, after all. Although the threat is not great now, we cannot be sure what he intends to do," analyzed Elder Topman Warcury.
"You're overthinking it. A renegade World Noble will be useless without our help. Our biggest priority now is Roger's Pirates. He's just a boy from the Donquixote Family. He won't escape even if the Marine sends just anyone," disagreed Elder Jaygarcia Saturn.
"No matter how insignificant the matter involving the World Nobles, it is important. Although Doflamingo is a young World Noble, he has fallen into depravity. This is not only a disgrace to the World Nobles, but also a slap in our face. If that boy is killed by pirates, the status of the World Nobles will also be affected. In any case, the status of the World Nobles cannot be threatened," retorted Elder Shepherd Ju Peter.
Fleet Admiral Kong remained silent, awaiting the Five Elders' orders.
Seeing that the discussion did not lead to a consensus, Elder Marcus Mars, who wore a white robe, was bald, wore glasses but kept his eyes closed, spoke. He was the only one among the Five Elders who did not wear a suit and beard, and carried a sword similar to Zoro's Sandai Kitetsu (suspected to be Shodai Kitetsu). His shoes were not leather, like the other four's, but wooden clogs, suggesting he might be a samurai from Wano (appearing to be the most powerful among the Five Elders). "Enough. The dignity of the World Nobles is inviolable, and their position is unshakable. We have governed this world for 800 years. Kong, since he has abandoned his World Noble identity and acts as a pirate, we don't need subtleties. Issue a bounty for Doflamingo's capture. Remember, even as a pirate, he is still a World Noble. He can only be captured alive. Furthermore, the most important thing at the moment is Roger's Pirates. Laugh Tale must not be found by them. The emergence of a Pirate King, you know what that means, don't you?"
Although Elder Marcus Mars said this calmly, Kong felt in his words the unquestionable and terrifying murderous aura against those who dared to question the World Nobles' rule.
When the other Five Elders heard what Marcus Mars had said, they said nothing more, obviously agreeing with his words.
Given this, Kong immediately took his leave of the Five Elders.
Back in his office, Kong immediately ordered the guards to prepare a bounty order for Doflamingo and notified the Marine in all regions to be on the lookout for him. More concerning than this incident were Roger's Pirates. After all, they were the biggest current threat to the Marine. He deeply understood the Five Elders' urgency regarding Roger's Pirates. He knew that the Pirate King should not appear, otherwise, the world would become even more chaotic.
However, the Marine would not be able to prevent the emergence of the Pirate King. The pirate throne, which had been vacant for so long, eagerly awaited the arrival of its true owner.
In the New World, Roger's Pirates continued their journey. Their voyage was about to come to an end. Roger was not worried about the Marine's actions. This was the confidence of the strong. Knowing that he didn't have much time left, Roger continued fighting to reach the final island.