"Hey, let's leave this matter to Garp. Sengoku, take a look at this intelligence report. I think it's more important."
Marshal Kong pulled a report from his drawer and slid it to the edge of his desk. Sengoku walked over, picked it up, and his expression immediately changed drastically.
"This is going to be a major incident!"
"Have they found out who is spreading the rumors? This matter must be taken seriously!"
Marshal Kong shook his head and sighed, "This intelligence came from Cipher Pol. They haven't found the source yet, but they know that not only is it spreading in the Grand Line, but also in the four seas."
"Is it already too late?" Sengoku's brows furrowed so tightly they could crush a mosquito.
"If that's the case, then this rumor is definitely not a coincidence. It's a well-planned action by someone, and there must be a significant number of people involved to spread it across all seas at nearly the same time!"
"The great treasure of the Pirate King, One Piece."
He seemed to have guessed who was behind it.
Mary Geoise, within Pangea Castle, Imu sat on the Empty Throne, looking down from above at the Five Elders who were kneeling before him.
But his expression, compared to his usual indifference, had turned even colder. His previously pleasant mood was now filled with anger.
Regarding the rumor of the great treasure One Piece, he had received the intelligence slightly faster than the Navy, which was the main reason he had summoned the Five Elders again.
This matter was something he could not afford to ignore!
"It must be Roger's crew spreading the rumors. Roger probably instructed them before his death, but what is their purpose in doing this?" said Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, kneeling on the far left.
He was the highest authority in Cipher Pol, essentially in charge of all espionage-related matters.
"The Great Pirate Era!"
Imu coldly spat out these five words from above. He had just managed to silence Roger during the execution, thinking he could prevent this from happening, but he hadn't expected the latter to have such a trick up his sleeve.
Although this method of spreading rumors through crew members across the world was far less shocking and impactful than a public declaration during an execution, the allure of the Pirate King's great treasure remained unchanged. It just needed more time to spread and ferment.
He could already envision scenes across the seas: countless young and middle-aged men shouting "One Piece" as they set sail and surged into the ocean, heading toward Reverse Mountain!
The Five Elders felt their hearts grow heavy upon hearing Imu's words. In the future Imu had briefly described before, there was mention of the Great Pirate Era.
It was said to be an astonishing era where the number of pirates would be so vast that even the current Navy would be unable to suppress them.
For eight hundred years, under the rule of the World Government, the seas, though occasionally turbulent, had maintained relative peace and order. But the Great Pirate Era triggered by Roger would cause the entire ocean, regardless of region, to boil over!
The Five Elders had also thought such a thing would never happen again, but now... it must be said that both they and Imu had underestimated this Pirate King.
"We should order the kings of the affiliated countries to strictly control their people from setting sail, increase patrols at all naval branches, and have Cipher Pol arrest those who dare to spread rumors, to intimidate the world and the seas!"
Kneeling in the second position from the left, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, holding the Shodai Kitetsu, proposed with a fierce expression.
The other four nodded in agreement. Their approach was no different from previous generations of the Five Elders—suppression and eradication.
However, Imu, seated on the throne, knew well that their methods would be ineffective. The world's oceans were vast, and while the Navy had many personnel and ships, patrolling such an expansive sea with thoroughness was nearly impossible.
Noticing that Lord Imu did not seem to approve of their proposal, the Five Elders fell silent.
After pondering for about ten minutes, Imu finally spoke.
"These people who set sail as pirates due to rumors, their main goal is the so-called great treasure, and their destination is the 'New World.' From the four seas to the first half of the Grand Line, and then to the 'New World,' there are two key points they must pass through."
Kneeling in the second position from the right, Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, with a gruesome scar on his left cheek, responded, "You mean Reverse Mountain and Fish-Man Island?"
Of course, he wouldn't mention Mary Geoise. It was unthinkable to allow pirates to pass through there to enter the 'New World,' so it had to be Fish-Man Island, located ten thousand meters below, and the crack at the very bottom of the Red Line Continent.
"Exactly. If we establish a naval branch at the entrance of Reverse Mountain, specifically to intercept and inspect the identities of incoming and outgoing ships, we can directly block pirates from the four seas from flooding into the Grand Line!"
Imu's idea was inspired by customs from his previous life. The geographical environment of Reverse Mountain could make the role of customs nearly perfect.
For a ship to enter the Grand Line from the four seas, there are essentially two routes: one through the Calm Belt, and the other through Reverse Mountain.
Of course, if one is strong enough, they can indeed traverse the Calm Belt, but how many pirates from the four seas can actually make it through the Calm Belt?
"Great idea, this is an excellent plan!" Marcus Mars Saint praised enthusiastically.
"Indeed, and not only can we set up a naval branch at Reverse Mountain on the Grand Line side, but we can also establish branches at the entrances in the four seas, or station several warships there long-term as the first line of defense!"
Kneeling in the center, Topman Warcury Saint, with a birthmark on his forehead, seemed to have opened the door to a new world, as numerous new ideas flooded his mind.
"This is a good plan, but..." Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, holding the Shodai Kitetsu, hesitated.
Imu's gaze turned to him, "But what? Speak your mind."
"But this would place significant demands on the combat strength and manpower of the naval branch stationed at Reverse Mountain. They would have to face countless ships from the four seas. If each one needs to be inspected, we would need a branch base with enough space to accommodate the docking of so many ships and the queuing of people."
"At the same time, the government personnel responsible for inspections and the naval forces stationed at the branch cannot be overlooked. They need a place to live and work, but it seems there are no suitable islands near the base of Reverse Mountain."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint laid out his thoughts one by one, and Imu listened, nodding inwardly. This was indeed an issue that could not be ignored.
The other four Five Elders pondered deeply. What could they do if there were no islands? They couldn't just create one out of thin air.
They also considered whether the first island of the seven routes in the first half of the Grand Line could serve as a naval branch, but it was somewhat far from the entrance of Reverse Mountain.
Although they could dispatch warships to wait at the entrance in advance and then urge ships to go to that island for inspection, this would not only be troublesome but also carry a high risk of accidents.
They didn't believe that those who set out to sea as pirates would obediently follow the arrangements. Most likely, they would try to force their way through, and how many could a few warships really stop? Just then, Imu had a flash of inspiration, an idea that excited him, though he maintained his usual cold demeanor.
"Do you remember the Rocks Pirates?