The coiling Snake

Galan and Olvia walked in the Castle before passing a hooded man. Galan glanced at him in the corner of his eye as did the figure. Galan frowned slightly but recovered quickly as the figure grinned and chuckled, 3 ends of a certain scar barely showing.

Galan turned back and smiled, talking to Olvia about some nonsense as Shanks continued walking away. Neither speaking to each other.

A few minutes later

Galan was in a room with the 5 Elders, kneeling on one knee, saying happily "Sir! I have arrived!" The 5 Elders looked at him and nodded with smiles "Fleet Admiral, welcome back. Hopefully the journey was smooth."

Galan smiled happily and replied "Extremely, sir! Has Saint Charlos come by? He wanted to take the Mermaid princess as his pet, however I figured he should ask you first. Seeing as the Ryuga Kingdom is affiliated with the World Government now."

The 5 Elders frowned angrily "That idiot… He's been dealt with. It is good judgment sending him to us, Galan. That fool nearly collapsed the structure of the Levely!" Galan was stunned and looked up with a foolish look on his face, saying "No way! Sir! I must be punished for allowing such a thing to happen! Please." as he hung his head deeply.

The 5 Elders shook their heads and said "Galan, this is of no consequence. You don't have to be punished for something like this. We have strict regulations for a reason." Galan still hung his head and said depressingly "If my actions ruined the Levely, I wouldn't be able to handle the aftermath, Sir… I'm sorry."

They changed the topic, "Your recent actions have left us very satisfied, Galan. Perhaps it is time to take a step further in your career." Galan looked up ecstatically, "Am I being promoted, sir?! I will do my absolute best in any task necessary!" They nodded in satisfaction, a very good dog.

Lord IM was worrying too much.

They replied "Not yet, Fleet Admiral. However, perhaps in a few more months a chance may come!" Galan was filled with excitement, saying loudly "Thank you, sir! I am your envoy!" making a very submissive bow of loyalty.

They nodded and said "We have something to show you, Galan. Follow us." Galan got up in confusion and followed them, coming to a Throne room with an empty throne.

They stood around him and said "This is the Empty Throne. These weapons are placed here to signify the protection of the Empty Throne against those who wish to sit on it. All 20 Kingdoms swear to protect the Throne as well as vow to never have intentions of sitting on it. We want you to make the Oath, Galan."

Galan was stunned and said with difficulty "This… Sir! I'm not a king. How could I tarnish such a holy oath?" The 5 Elders shook their heads and replied "Perhaps not at the moment, Galan, but maybe in the future!"

Galan was dazed, asking incredulously "Royalty? Becoming a King?! Me?!" They nodded and said "Take the Oath, Galan. Your loyalty shown over these years has been nothing but exceptional. This is your future and what you deserve." Galan didn't hesitate and kneeled down as they guided him to say "Under the Empty Throne of peace, I swear my undying loyalty to protecting the Throne from those who would sit on top of the World. I am a knight of Peace, a Guardian of the Throne, and an obstacle for anyone who would have it differently. On this day, I pledge my fealty and guard the Throne with my life! I make this vow in the name of Peace!"

The 5 Elders' eyes twinkled with satisfaction as they nodded, saying "You may return, Galan. Well done." Galan was excited and bowed deeply, "Thank you! Thank you so much, sir! You will not regret this decision, I promise!" they nodded and Galan left the throne room excitedly.

They all smirked slyly as he left.

Another general under their thumb. The Vow and promise of Royalty is impossible for anyone to refuse! Who didn't want to be a king? How Galan had no choice but to follow their orders if he wanted their promise to be kept.

Not to mention, after all this service, rewarding him with these promises would keep him under them on a leash. The promise was of course, never going to happen. How could some rabble from the surface sea become a King? It was impossible.

However, even if it did happen, they would have another country under their command. They believed that Galan would never betray them. It was impossible in their minds, everything he had done, he had never complained or went against them. He had never even shown anything but excitement and admiration for them.

They even felt hints of envy therefore this plan was concocted.

They sneered, an idiotic dog was the easiest to control with grand promises and rewards.

In truth, if this was a meritocracy form of Government, the feats Galan achieved would probably earn him an entire portion of the sea to rule as a King.

It was unfortunate that this wasn't the case…

However, did they really even know Galan at all?

The answer…

Galan walked away from the room in high spirits and sneered on the inside, a good hunter makes himself known to intimidate prey, but a great hunter pretends to be the prey, striking only at the last moment.

If you were looking at Mariejois from the sky from a perspective unachievable by Humans, you would see a giant black snake slowly coiling around the entire Holy Land of Mariejois…

Along with giant red eyes looking down at the snake, seemingly glaring at it as the snake hissed at the eyes.

Perhaps a storm was coming, maybe the storm had already come, but one thing was for certain.

When these two figures clashed, the world would change forever!