Chapter 142

"All I know is that Lord Carnes instructed you to bring me to this island," the blond woman explained between gasps.

"He also made it clear that you don't need to search for him. He'll return when the time is right. Until then, you all are free to do as you please."

Bonney couldn't help but ponder the cryptic message.

Of course, the blond woman's words contained both truth and deception.

Before, whenever Carnes departed, he invariably told the three affiliated pirate captains not to search for him, assuring them that he would return when the time was right.

"Do you have any idea where they might have gone?" Bonney questioned, further.

The blond woman shook her head weakly, her uncertainty plain to see.

"No... I don't know. He didn't tell me that."

Bonney fell silent, contemplating the situation before her.

The following day, news broke like a cannonball exploding across the world, shaking the very foundations of the world. It was a revelation of monumental proportions.

Two of the Four Emperors, Kaido and Big Mom, had met their demise at the hand of Carnes.

The Beasts Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates were obliterated.

What's more, even the closely guarded secret of the World Government's trump card, the God's Knights, had been unveiled.

The news of the destruction of God's Knights also spread around the world.

Amidst the chaos, a blonde woman seized the opportunity to exaggerate some events that occured, in the article she published, as she was seeking to repay Carnes for his care.

In the treacherous waters of the New World, on an isolated island, Red-Haired Shanks, the last of the Four Emperors, sat on a rugged boulder.

Clutched in his hand was the freshly arrived newspaper, its contents weighing heavily on his mind.

"I never imagined... that the three other Emperors would fall so swiftly, in such a short span," remarked Beckman, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief, as he puffed on a cigarette beside the redhead.

Yasopp chimed in solemnly, "It seems we must remain vigilant. Now with the fall of three of them, Carnes may very well set his sights on us next."

Lucky Roux's face wore a troubled expression as he added.

"What's even more unsettling is that they managed to take down the World Government's trump card—the God's Knights."

As they exchanged words, Shanks folded the newspaper, casting a thoughtful gaze upon Ace, who appeared disheartened.

"Do you see, Ace?" he spoke calmly,

"This is the enemy that you were so eager to confront earlier.

His strength is now already at the top of the world.

Do you truly believe you can take on Kaido, Big Mom, or even me, by yourself?

If you think you can't, remember, Carnes defeated both Big Mom and Kaido simultaneously without suffering any significant harm.

So, you made right decision earlier when you decide to not fight him, back at Marineford."

Ace's eyes welled with frustration as he rose abruptly and walked away, his emotions raw.

He understood the meaning behind Shanks' words.

Shanks continued, "Even if we were to unite our forces, our chances of victory remain negligible."

Shanks' voice grew somber as he said, "What would be the point of Whitebeard's sacrifice at Marineford if you are to recklessly throw your life away now?"

Ace left the gathering, his heart heavy with newfound understanding.

Back at the table, Beckman interjected, "We still need a plan. What's our next move?

While Carnes might have no reason to attack us, can we truly count on that assurance?"

The redhead nodded in agreement and sighed softly, "Though it may seem unlikely for Carnes to target us, we can't guarantee that?

But still if we were to confront them head-on... can we even survive? Their power far surpasses ours."

.....

In the Holy Land of Mariejois, the Five Elders erupted in anger as they read the newspaper alongside Sengoku.

"What's going on? What is the meaning of this?

How did these accursed news agencies learn about the God's Knights?" one of the Elder's fumed.

Another retorted, "Do you even need to ask? It's undoubtedly the work of the Gale Emperor Pirates, they must have leaked the information."

"These scoundrels! The world is on the brink of panic!"

"Sengoku, let's not talk about Gale Emperor Pirates, you Marines should be able to handle these messy reports, right???"

Sengoku, seated calmly on the sofa at the opposite side, added.

"Their intelligence network spans across the world. Any move we make, they learn of it faster than rabbits can flee. It is not easy to clean up after their news."

"I believe eradicating them too, won't be that simple."

"Damn it!"

Curses and frustration echoed within the hallowed chambers of the Five Elders room, as the news of this upheaval spread like wildfire throughout the world.

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