Another secret of the world has been born.

It was not because the incident itself was particularly hidden, nor because anyone was desperately suppressing the news...

The real reason was simply that almost no one had been able to clearly witness the full picture of what had happened.

Where exactly did that terrifying Conqueror’s Haki collision come from?

"No comment."

Inside the Fleet Admiral’s office, a cold voice sounded from a Den Den Mushi. Above it appeared the stern face of an old man. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Sakazuki’s expression darkened, the cigar in his mouth nearly melting from the heat.

"As Fleet Admiral of the Marines, do I not even have the right to know?! That Conqueror’s Haki nearly paralyzed Marine Headquarters at the time!!!"

"That is the Marines’ incompetence, Sakazuki."

Facing the furious Fleet Admiral, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn coldly retorted.

"And who do you think you are, daring to question our decisions?"

"You allowed the Revolutionary Army to successfully attack the Holy Land and even disturb us. That alone is already the Marines’ failure. We have yet to hold you accountable!!!"

Sakazuki was completely shut down. The Elder hung up the Den Den Mushi without hesitation.

They had no time to deal with Sakazuki’s pointless curiosity. What concerned them far more was how to handle the aftermath of the earlier situation.

Saint Topman Warcury looked solemnly at the others.

"Let us discuss the follow-up measures. How should we clean this up?"

"The development of this incident was completely beyond expectations."

"What explanation should we give publicly? The scale of the disturbance was far too great. The Conqueror’s Haki clash between Imu-sama and Orin alarmed the entire sea..."

"We give no explanation. Simply announce that Revolutionary Army member Sabo and the Pirate King’s son Ace assassinated King Cobra. As for King Keek’s information... no explanation as well."

Saint Marcus Mars nodded in agreement.

"That is indeed appropriate. If news spreads that King Keek was attacked in the Holy Land, it may cause panic among the affiliated nations—and stir greater ambition among opportunists."

Holding the Shodai Kitetsu, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke as light reflected off his glasses.

"The forced interruption of the World Conference is not the most important issue. What matters is Orin’s reaction. After all, this was a direct confrontation."

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter shook his head.

"It should not have reached that point yet. King Keek remains unharmed. No one expected that mysterious black cube would transform into a black hole after the Conqueror’s Haki was exhausted..."

"According to intelligence returned by CP agents, after King Keek disappeared into the black hole, he reappeared inside the royal palace of the Duramos Kingdom."

Saint Marcus Mars nodded again.

"There is still room for resolution. After all, no actual casualties were caused. But considering Orin’s personality, he likely will not let this go easily. The World Government may soon face retaliation..."

"An economic blockade through the underground world?"

"Or military intervention?"

The Elders discussed countless possibilities. Not long ago, the Revolutionary Army had already blockaded their food supply routes, causing considerable chaos and trouble within the Holy Land.

They had already prepared themselves to pay a price.

They had even prepared for Orin personally launching an attack, ordering the Celestial Dragons and the God’s Knights to heighten their defenses.

Disaster itself was not frightening.

What was frightening was the waiting before disaster arrived...

And during this waiting period, they also needed to deal with several "insects" that had escaped from Pangaea Castle.

Before them, intercepted communication records from the Lulusia Kingdom were being broadcast in real time.

...

"Sabo? Are you alright...?"

Meanwhile, in the Lulusia Kingdom.

Having barely escaped and heavily injured, Ace and Sabo leaned against a corner to rest. Soon, they successfully contacted Dragon and the others of the Revolutionary Army.

"Dragon-san, we are not the ones who assassinated King Cobra!!!"

Dragon responded in a deep voice.

"Of course we believe you. What we need to know most right now is what exactly happened during that Conqueror’s Haki clash that shocked the world."

"That’s exactly what I was going to report... We witnessed something unbelievable in Mary Geoise!!!"

"Inside Pangaea Castle where the World Conference was held, King Keek was there—and upon the Empty Throne... that figure..."

[Communications Department, cut off Lulusia’s Den Den Mushi]

...

At this moment, Orin indeed had taken no action.

He had already arrived at Egghead Island to meet Vegapunk.

Inside the lounge, Vegapunk walked in with his hands behind his back, face covered in cold sweat and anxiety. He looked toward Orin, who sat calmly at the table reading a newspaper.

The newspaper headline reported the recent upheaval in Mary Geoise.

It was said that even residents on islands deep within the New World had faintly witnessed the black-and-red thunderstorm that tore open the sky.

"Orin... although this may not be appropriate to say, you absolutely must stay calm..."

Vegapunk stuck out his tongue nervously as he spoke.

He knew part of the truth. After all, only two beings in the world were capable of producing such a Conqueror’s Haki impact—and King Keek had announced his withdrawal from the conference the very next day.

That meant it could only be...

Though he had no standing to interfere, for the sake of world stability he still could not help but offer advice.

But to his surprise—

While reading the newspaper, Orin simply drank cola calmly, showing almost no emotional fluctuation.

"Relax. I’m not that impulsive."

Orin set his cup down.

"Everything went exactly as expected~"

A red glint flashed through his eyes as he handed the cup to Vegapunk’s robot for a refill.

Across the world, the powerful figures who knew fragments of the truth were all speculating whether Orin would lose control and storm the Holy Land in fury.

Some ambitious schemers were even hoping to take advantage of the chaos—destroy the World Government and become the new "Celestial Dragons."

What they failed to anticipate was this:

How could someone like Orin possibly not foresee such an extreme possibility?

Just in case, he had long prepared a contingency for the old man.

Five black cubes—even if Joy Boy himself appeared, he still wouldn’t be able to instantly kill the old man.

And as long as he couldn’t be killed instantly, the power of space would carry the Conqueror’s Haki, break through certain seals and restrictions, and transport him to another marked location.

"Honestly, it was within expectations. That arrogant guy Imu has ruled the world for eight hundred years... who knows how prideful he’s become."

Orin turned toward Vegapunk with a smile that seemed gentle—yet faintly chilling.

"But doesn’t this just give me the perfect reason?"

"I really can’t wait to give Imu a surprise~"

"I’m so curious~"

"What kind of expression will He make?"