Chapter 191: Eyes Watching The Future And The Door-door Fruit
Holy Land, Marie Geoise.
Chamber of the King,
“Lord Im, we have conveyed your orders to the Navy.” The Five Elders knelt on one knee, offering their loyalty to the master on the throne.
“······Orders must not be delayed.”
The rigid, calm voice conveyed the will of the throne’s master.
“Your orders are everything to us. The Navy will devote all their power to destroy the Whitebeard Pirates.”
The Five Elders responded in deep voices.
No need to doubt, no need to question, no need to worry.
The Celestial Dragons’ eight hundred years of steady rule in the Holy Land had long proven the ‘Lord’s’ wisdom and foresight. The ‘Lord’s’ decisions would not be wrong, no matter how absurd the orders. Time would always prove the ‘Lord’ right in the end.
Repeated correct decisions had established an absolute ruling power that no one dared to question.
“······”
The master on the throne said nothing more, merely waving a hand lightly.
The Five Elders retreated from the grand hall. In this vast, solemn hall, only the master on the throne remained, silently gazing at the empty space ahead. In her vision, what she saw was not the towering stone pillars, but fleeting afterimages of the future flashing like streams of light,
A man called Whitebeard stepping onto the Holy Land in the near future, swinging his blade to shatter the vast Marie Geoise. Celestial Dragon corpses lay amid the ruins, indistinct figures wandering over the rubble and ruins, finishing off the still-living CP0······
This was the future she saw.
A miserable future ending in the Holy Land’s defeat.
Such a future,
She would not allow to happen.
Therefore,
It must be dealt with in advance.
“······Exactly······who? Why can’t I ever see your face clearly.”
The throne’s master showed a rare puzzled expression. She had seen this segment of the future dozens of times, but no matter how many trials, she could never clearly see the face of the figure who ascended the Holy Land with Whitebeard. She couldn’t even discern male or female, only barely making out a humanoid silhouette, and—
A bluish-black gem embedded at the figure’s chest.
The gem, filled with an otherworldly aura utterly different from this world, emitted a glow that obscured the figure’s body, preventing her from seeing the specific appearance and thus unable to preemptively eliminate this future threat.
“Who exactly······are you?”
The murmur echoed in the grand hall, but unfortunately, no one was by her side to share her burdens, answer her questions, or resolve her confusion.
The only thing she could do,
Was to deal with Whitebeard first, then try again to see if she could clearly view the figure’s appearance in the new future.
Or,
That bluish-black gem was also a clue?
————
The long corridor was empty with no extra figures in sight. This was the Holy Land’s inner sanctum. The Chamber of the King held the supreme empty throne, which should logically be heavily guarded······but Lord Im did not like crowded environments.
Moreover, if enemies invaded the Chamber of the King.
Would the presence or absence of guards make any difference?
Just one or two audacious rats would merely be seeking their own doom.
So,
There were no guards on duty near the Chamber of the King and the Chamber of Power, only patrol units checking periodically.
“Keep a close eye on the Navy. They must act immediately.”
“Issue the formal orders shortly.”
“Also send Kong to talk to Sengoku. This time, no clever shortcuts allowed. No matter the sacrifices, even if the New World falls into complete chaos······the Whitebeard Pirates must be eliminated.”
“That is only right.”
“So be it.”
The Five Elders headed to the Chamber of Power, discussing en route how to better carry out Lord Im’s orders.
Chamber of Power.
This was where the Five Elders handled their daily duties.
Upon returning to the Chamber of Power, the Five Elders summoned the Commander-in-Chief and the Fleet Admiral.
“······Destroy the Whitebeard Pirates. This is our final decision, with no room for negotiation······”
“Even if Whitebeard stakes everything on a direct attack on the Red Line?”
“Can’t the Navy’s three Admirals handle one Whitebeard? If not, instead of allocating so much military expenses to the Navy every year······it would be better to fund Doctor Vegapunk’s research. At least the Pacifistas produced by Doctor Vegapunk’s research won’t shirk.”
Sengoku fell silent.
These old bastards in front of him could really pull off something like cutting funding!
“Sengoku, we hope to see the Navy’s specific combat plan soon. It doesn’t matter if it’s different from what we discussed last time, as long as the Whitebeard Pirates can be exterminated quickly······then everything is fine. Military expenses, honors—whatever you want, we’ll provide.”
Carrot and stick.
An ancient but eternally effective tactic.
The Five Elders were clearly adept at this routine: first straitjacketing the Navy, letting them taste powerlessness, then swapping the straitjacket for a collar······still leashed like dogs, but far less resistant than before.
Sengoku understood the previous awful plan was just a smokescreen, paving the way for this. But being able to plan operations without interference······he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He was truly afraid the Holy Land’s meddling would destroy the order the Navy had painstakingly maintained.
“I understand.”
Sengoku slowly lowered his head.
He couldn’t act on impulse. As Fleet Admiral, he must consider the big picture, even if it meant twisting his own will······Being Fleet Admiral was no easy job! That bastard Garp······really enviable.
Leaving the Chamber of Power.
Not far away,
The voice of Fleet Admiral Kong called from behind.
“Sengoku, you’re walking too fast.” Fleet Admiral Kong strode up to Sengoku, who had stopped to wait.
“It’s an order.”
“······Still don’t understand why the Five Elders are doing this?”
“If Whitebeard were that easy to deal with, why has it dragged on until now?”
“True enough. Whitebeard is indeed tough. That slash he gave me years ago still makes my bones ache thinking about it!” Fleet Admiral Kong sighed. Shamefully, Roger, Golden Lion, Whitebeard······these three legendary pirate monsters all rose during his tenure as Fleet Admiral.
Now, Roger had been dead for twenty years, and Golden Lion’s escape was nearly twenty years ago.
Only Whitebeard remained active on the Sea, bearing the titles of ‘Four Emperors’ and ‘World’s Strongest Man,’ continuously troubling the Navy.
“But, Sengoku, don’t forget what you saw when you took over as Fleet Admiral. For the world’s sake······no matter how absurd the orders, we must carry on.” Fleet Admiral Kong looked at Sengoku seriously.
“······I know.”
Sengoku nodded with difficulty.
“Good that you understand. Sitting in our positions means shouldering our responsibilities—not for those people, but for more people, for the peace of the Four Seas······The Navy’s efforts are never in vain.”
Sengoku was silent.
He looked back at the beautiful, majestic Marie Geoise. This was······the dwelling of the Creator’s descendants.
As for whether it’s true or false,
Naturally true. Since the Celestial Dragons rule the world, they are the Creator’s descendants. That’s how victors and losers work: winners take all, losers lose everything······Eight hundred years ago, in that blank century, the Celestial Dragons claimed final victory.
So, they obtained everything.
Land, history, status, power, justice, wealth······all of it became the Celestial Dragons’.
“Fleet Admiral Kong, any advice on dealing with Whitebeard?”
Sengoku tried to shift his mindset. He must give his all, facing the upcoming challenge with the most positive attitude, aiming to resolve the Whitebeard Pirates at minimal cost.
“My advice?”
Fleet Admiral Kong stroked his beard, thinking before saying:
“If I were planning, the simpler the better—ideally laying a dragnet to force Whitebeard into our trap, into a head-on clash. Otherwise, if it turns into a pursuit or guerrilla war······all World Government and Navy strongholds on the Grand Line would collapse. We can’t afford the losses······”
“Into the trap, huh?”
Sengoku shared the same thought.
Strictly speaking, the Navy held absolute combat power advantage over the Whitebeard Pirates. The three Admirals together could handle any Pirate Emperor, not to mention powerhouses like Sengoku and Garp, who rivaled or surpassed the Admirals.
But pirates could run if they couldn’t win!
Even territory-holding pirates might fight to the death against rivals, but the Navy······couldn’t act recklessly against civilians like pirates. Madmen like Vice Admiral Dolo were exceptions.
Even Sakazuki wouldn’t attack civilians without cause.
He executed deserters because military rules mandated death for wartime runners; he attacked refugee ships because they might harbor archaeologists defying World Government bans······No matter how forced the excuses, Sakazuki always had reasons.
This meant if the Navy couldn’t annihilate a pirate crew in one decisive blow—especially killing core members—they’d face endless attacks. Then the bulky, inescapable Navy would suffer!
“I’ll strive toward that goal.”
“Need help, come to me. This Commander-in-Chief still has some authority.” Fleet Admiral Kong laughed heartily, patting Sengoku’s shoulder.
They parted at the intersection.
One returning to Marineford, the other to the Commander-in-Chief’s residence.
————
Grand Line, Paradise,
Northeastern Alabasta, nameless bay,
Corpses piled on the rocky beach.
That desperate last stand ultimately created no miracle. Absolute power gap couldn’t be bridged simply by so-called courage—at least not for these small fry without even the ‘D’ initial, who had basically no chance of a comeback.
Elus kept his promise.
No Silver Fox Pirates died in the battle.
But once the last Silver Fox Pirate fell, they hadn’t inflicted even a scratch on Elus. So after crushing them, Elus immediately extracted Foxy’s Slow-Slow Fruit, then—
Gave these defeated pirates a quick end.
Over three hundred souls were all harvested by the Hogyoku.
Back on the flagship, just as Elus sat on the sofa, Clarice hurried over.
“Your Highness, a major event has occurred.”
“What is it?”
Elus appraised the Slow-Slow Fruit in his hand, asking casually.
“The Whitebeard Pirates’ Fourth Division Captain Sachi is dead.”
“Dead is dead. The Whitebeard Pirates have lost captains before—Second Division Commander front and back so many······wait.” Suddenly realizing, Elus set down the Slow-Slow Fruit. “Who did you say died? Fourth Division Captain Sachi? How?”
“Sachi was killed by a man named Marshall Teach, also of the Whitebeard Pirates. It’s said the Second Division Commander ‘Fire Fist’ Ace has set out to hunt this traitor.”
“Destiny, huh?”
Sachi still died!
So the Dark-Dark Fruit ultimately fell into Blackbeard’s hands.
Ace followed destiny’s path to pursue Blackbeard. Just unknown if this journey’s end······would still be the same?
“······Blackbeard defected! Then······the young dragons of the East Blue should set sail too.”
Elus sat on the sofa,
He seemed to feel the pulse of this era throbbing.
The old era would be buried, and a new one would bloom with dazzling light!
“Next······I can’t wait any longer either!” Elus reached out, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket······A soft glow flickered in his palm, turning the apple into a dark green Devil Fruit shaped like a cantaloupe.
Add-Add Fruit, analysis complete!
Beside him,
Clarice stared wide-eyed in surprise at the suddenly appearing Devil Fruit. Fortunately, professionally trained with strong self-control, she quickly composed herself, standing silently by, awaiting orders from His Highness.
“Clarice, go to my room and fetch the brass box with the star pattern from the safe. Remember, the one with the star pattern. Also bring an empty box from the bottom shelf of the curio rack. This is the safe’s key.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Less than three minutes later,
Clarice returned with the items Elus specified.
Elus placed the Slow-Slow Fruit into the empty box, then opened the star-patterned brass box. Inside was a crimson, cantaloupe-shaped Devil Fruit—this was—
Door-Door Fruit,
Also the third Paramecia Devil Fruit Elus had chosen to consume.
“Clarice, have the kitchen prepare Ghost Pepper Fried Reaper Pepper Pasta······” So far, he had tasted the indescribably awful Devil Fruit flavor three times. Even after three, he still couldn’t adapt to that soul-assaulting awfulness.
To mitigate it, he devised a ‘fight poison with poison’ plan: use the terrifying spiciness of ghost peppers and reaper peppers to overwhelm the Devil Fruit taste······even if it meant avoiding spicy food for the next week.
The Ghost Pepper Fried Reaper Pepper Pasta was set on the table.
The bright red pasta made one’s rear ache just looking at it.
Elus held a fork in one hand, the Door-Door Fruit in the other.
He bit into the Door-Door Fruit, then devoured the pasta with astonishing vigor. Lava-like spiciness collided and exploded with the Devil Fruit’s awfulness in his mouth······His tongue went numb, woodenly finishing the plate. He had temporarily lost his sense of taste completely.
Taking the water Clarice offered to rinse his mouth, resting a while before using the Hogyoku to restore his lost taste.
Then,
Time for Door-Door Fruit ability development tests—
“Air Door.”
Failure!
“Sofa Door.”
Success!
“Table Door.”
Success!
“Cup Door.”
······
Doors of varying sizes and materials appeared throughout the bridge.
Gradually,
Elus grasped some essence of the Door-Door Fruit, reaching out once more. “Air Door.”
This time,
His left hand touched a solid object in the empty air. With a slight push, a door opened. Through the open door was a green otherworld. Elus stepped into this strange otherworld.
Once inside, the air door behind closed, leaving no trace.
This plunged the now-sensor-less Clarice into panic. Not seeing His Highness was one thing, but even Observation Haki couldn’t sense his presence? As if he vanished from the world in an instant?
But she had seen him enter the green space with her own eyes. Controlling her panic, she didn’t act rashly, just heightened her attention to the max, vigilantly watching surroundings, awaiting His Highness’s reappearance······
“Is this······an overlay of the real world?”
Elus stood in the green otherworld.
From here, he could clearly see everything outside, but only visually, with a green color filter—everything appeared green······Here, it seemed everything was just a real-time projection of the real world, with no solid matter.
The wall blocking his view merely obstructed sight; his hand passed through the wooden wall effortlessly.
He phased through the wall, circled the deck, then tried leaving the flagship to see how far······One step out, onto solid nothing. He stood in midair, looking down at the undulating sea, no barriers in between······
But when the thought to see the sea below arose,
His footing vanished, and he fell steadily, plunging into the sea in moments······Elus instinctively tensed—ability users’ fear of the sea ran bone-deep—but before reacting further,
He realized nothing changed. Seawater seemed to surround him, but the green otherworld had no seawater at all.
Everything he saw was a projection of the real world.
“So······there’s nothing here. All of it is just projections.”
Elus felt he understood some traits of this otherworld.
No matter existed here. All seen was real-world projection. No up, down, left, right—everything formed sensations relative to viewed projections. Want to ascend, he rose slowly; want to dive, he descended steadily······
As for oxygen······breathing was effortless here, despite being an otherworld.
Overall experience,
Led to these conclusions:
First, a perfect sanctuary, absolute defense in a sense.
Second, sneak attacks on enemies from inconceivable angles via this otherworld.
Third······
Too many wild ideas; Elus knocked his head, using pain to rein in his racing thoughts. Calming down, the Door-Door Fruit was excellent so far, but······his longed-for ultra-long-distance teleportation remained unrealized.
He wanted to try using this otherworld as a bridge for near-instant travel from Paradise to the New World.
The attempt failed predictably—or rather, he had no idea how to start.
But Elus felt it wasn’t impossible; his grasp of the Door-Door Fruit was just too shallow. Opening air doors was merely beginner level. Bruno hadn’t developed anywhere near the Door-Door Fruit’s full potential.
He roughly sensed the Hogyoku’s Door-Door Fruit analysis would take about four months.
Less than the Add-Add Fruit, more than the Chain-Chain Fruit······He still didn’t understand the gaps between these Devil Fruits.
“······Head back for now!”
Devil Fruit development wasn’t overnight.
Haste makes waste, no matter how urgent time felt—couldn’t disrupt his pace.
With a thought, Elus phased up from the warship’s bottom back to the bridge, then swiped his hand to open an air door, stepping back into the real world.
