Reaction

The tension in the Pangaea Castle chamber was palpable. The Five Elders, the guardians of world order, were plunged into a deathly silence, broken only by the rustling of newsprint. Each held a copy of the World Economy News, their faces reflecting a mixture of contained fury and deep concern.

"Damn Morgans!" exclaimed Saint Ju Peter, the elder with curly blond hair, his voice resonating with indignation. "How dare he challenge us like this?!".

"The nerve of that carrion vulture...", muttered Saint V. Nasujuro, the one with the white beard, his tone cold and calculating. "We knew we couldn't trust him to keep his mouth shut."

Saint Warcury, with a mark on his forehead, clenched his fists in anger. "We should have silenced him before! Now the whole world knows our secrets."

Saint Mars, the elder with long white hair, remained calm, although his eyes gleamed with barely contained fury. "We must act quickly and decisively. We cannot allow this information to spread further. The Navy is already suffering the consequences."

The fifth elder, Saint Saturn, the oldest and most wrinkled of them all, nodded gravely. "After the revelation of Tokikake and Sengoku's deaths, the self-confidence of countless Navy soldiers has been severely damaged. They have begun to be skeptical of the World Government and the Navy. We must find a way to counter this, otherwise, we will become a laughingstock."

A shiver ran through the room. The name Hashirama was a ghost from the past that now threatened to destroy their present.

"Morgans couldn't have known any of this without Hashirama's help," said Saint Ju Peter, his voice trembling. "This is a direct provocation."

"We must prepare for the worst," warned Saint Mars. "Hashirama is not a man who forgives easily. And now that he knows the truth about Imu-sama..."

The mention of Imu made the air grow even denser. The Five Elders knew that the revelation of their existence was a devastating blow to the World Government.

Suddenly, an icy chill invaded the room. The candles flickered and went out, plunging the chamber into almost absolute darkness. An ominous silence descended upon the elders, who tensed, their senses alert to the unknown. A whisper, barely audible at first, echoed in the darkness, as if coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"...You have failed."

The ancient and powerful voice sent a shiver through the bones of the Five Elders.

A pair of red eyes, with burning irises and circular patterns around them, materialized in the darkness, glowing with supernatural intensity. The presence of Imu filled the room, an invisible force that oppressed the elders' chests and made it difficult for them to breathe.

"Hashirama...," Imu's voice echoed again, charged with a mixture of indifference. "An acquaintance who returns to challenge our reign. Interesting..."

The Five Elders bowed before their invisible leader, fear and reverence fighting for control of their bodies.

"Fear not." Imu's voice was now softer, but no less imposing. "This minor setback will change nothing. The world will remain under our control. And Hashirama... will soon learn that defying us has consequences."

Imu paused, and then, with a voice that boomed like thunder, added: "And tell Mu that once that man named Sabo is found, Mu wishes to use the weapon created by Vegapunk. It will be a sight to behold."

The darkness dissipated as quickly as it had arrived, leaving the Five Elders alone with their thoughts and the weight of the responsibility that rested on their shoulders. Sensing that a war was coming.

________

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