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The special elevator whisked them straight into Pangaea City, the Holy Land itself. Stepping out, they found the streets strangely empty. Every house was closed up tight, with curtains drawn, and it looked as if the world outside didn't exist.
"So, you really don't want word getting out that I'm here?" Orrick asked with a casual smile playing on his lips.
"Maybe soon you'll be calling me 'master'," Orrick replied.
Akainu's face darkened. "What was that?" he growled.
Orrick had come to the Holy Land with demands, though Akainu wasn't privy to the specifics. He only knew the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) had instructed them to keep a close eye on Orrick and prevent any trouble. If he was talking like this, could it mean...? Orrick's smile was enigmatic.
"Huh? I mean..."
"Enough games, Orrick," Aokiji cut in sharply. "You know perfectly well that even if you threaten them with the Ancient Weapon, Poseidon, the Gorōsei would never let you waltz back into the Holy Land and seize power."
"Or do you fancy your chances in a war against us right now?"
Aokiji wasn't being reckless. In a recent conversation, Rowen had pointed out that Orrick's arrival in the Holy Land reeked of desperation. That meant they held the cards.
Orrick considered Aokiji for a moment, then shook his head. "True, I wouldn't dare."
"But Kuzan," He continued, "my bargaining chips are far from negligible!"
…
Meanwhile, inside Mary Geoise, the World Government headquarters, the Gorōsei watched Orrick enter and a mixture of shock and anger flickered across their faces.
"Long time no see, everyone," Orrick said, removing his mask and offering a slight, almost elegant bow while holding the mask to his chest. He was the picture of a refined gentleman, belying his nickname among the Celestial Dragons: "Blood Night Tyrant."
"Orrick!" One of the Gorōsei, the swordsman, drew an unnamed sword as he spoke and a chilling aura radiated from the blade, issuing a silent warning.
Orrick ignored the threat, meeting their gazes with a steady look.
After a tense moment, the long-mustached Gorōsei spoke, stroking his beard. "Kong, Sakazuki, take your men and secure the perimeter. Under no circumstances are you to enter without direct orders from us. Is that understood?"
This was clearly a matter of grave importance. Akainu, understanding the gravity of the situation, exchanged a look with Chief Commander Kong and gave a crisp salute. "Understood!"
Once they were gone, the door closed behind them, leaving only seven people in the room: the four Gorōsei, Orrick, Imu's butler, Vic, and…
"I didn't think it was true!" Orrick muttered to himself.
Rowen leaned against the door, casually lighting a cigar.
"Imu Sama really is grooming you to be the next Gorōsei. He held a position outside the Gorōsei, yet wielded similar authority. Imu Sama clearly favored him. But Why?"
Rowen blew a smoke ring before speaking. "Cut the crap, Orrick. Give us one good reason not to kill you, then we can talk about your 'conditions'."
The Gorōsei didn't object. Rowen was voicing their unspoken question. If Orrick's hand wasn't strong enough, he'd learn a harsh lesson about waltzing into the heart of the Holy Land.
"Understood!" Orrick cleared his throat, turned, and settled onto a sofa. "Princess Shirahoshi is only fifteen. She has no idea of the terrifying power she possesses… a power, as you know, that I awakened by murdering her family in front of her."
"It's like a fragile paper tube suddenly being blasted with high-pressure water. The outcome is predictable." As the Ancient Weapon, Poseidon, Shirahoshi's emotions could control the Sea Kings.
If she was in pain, they felt it. If she went berserk, they would follow suit. If she had a breakdown and unleashed her rage… the world would be in serious trouble.
"But she's vulnerable," Rowen interjected, pointing out the obvious flaw. "Someone controlling the Sea Kings is a force to be reckoned with, but their master isn't invincible."
Rowen's Heavenly Network, his observation range, was currently limited to a 50-kilometer radius. Focusing it could extend that to 100 kilometers. Finding Shirahoshi's location wouldn't be difficult, even with Sea Kings guarding her. He could easily kill her.
"Exactly!" Orrick shot back, a grin spreading across his face. "Which is why I've hidden her somewhere you'll never find her! Your Heavenly Network… it lives up to its name, covering heaven and earth! But it's not foolproof. There are ways to counter it, wouldn't you agree?"
'Well, I'm stumped,' Rowen thought, shrugging and glancing at the Gorōsei.
One of the countermeasures, in fact, had been developed with their approval: those blasted Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) jamming devices, using sonic interference.
"State your conditions, Orrick," The long-mustached Gorōsei said, stroking his beard.
Rowen had noticed the Gorōsei's little habits. The long-mustached one stroked his beard when anxious, the swordsman cleaned his sword to calm himself, the balding one rubbed his head when angry, and so on.
If Rowen had picked up on these, Orrick certainly had. So, despite the long-mustached Gorōsei's calm demeanor, Orrick wasn't intimidated.
"I have three conditions," Orrick declared.
"First, release my son, Lirisk." Lirisk had been imprisoned, not executed. The long-mustached Gorōsei simply nodded. "Continue."
"Second, for one year, you turn a blind eye to my… activities. Pirates are fair game, but the Marines and government agents are to leave me and my people alone."
"Continue." No one spoke, only the long-mustached Gorōsei's calm voice filled the room.
"Third," Orrick emphasized, "I want a scholar who understands ancient texts."
Ancient texts? Rowen frowned. He suddenly remembered that Orrick, like many others, was in the dark about the Void Century.
Only the Gorōsei and Imu knew the truth. Even Roger's level of knowledge was uncertain. They were both in the same boat, but while Rowen didn't care about it, Orrick, like many others, was obsessed with unraveling the mystery.
After a pause, the long-mustached Gorōsei finally spoke. "And what is the price, Orrick? What price are you willing to pay for these three conditions?"
'Here it comes,' Rowen thought.
This is the crux of the matter. As Aokiji had said, Orrick wasn't delusional enough to think that controlling Shirahoshi would force the Gorōsei to capitulate and hand him power. But these three conditions weren't exactly easy to grant. It all depended on what he was offering in return.
(End of Chapter)