One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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Who wouldn't envy the position of an Emperor of the New World?

Who wouldn't covet the wealth and influence that come with ruling over two of the most powerful territories on the seas?

Yet, the other two Emperors, Whitebeard and Kaido, would never sit idly by and watch.

For a moment, silence fell among the five figures who governed the world.

Finally, the blonde Five Elder broke the tension, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He coughed lightly, drawing the attention of his peers back to him.

"What do you think would happen if we intervened in this war?"

His question sent a ripple of shock through the room. The other four Five Elders exchanged incredulous looks, their expressions teetering between disbelief and skepticism.

But as the idea sank in, the Five Elder who always carried a sword furrowed his brow, quickly grasping the implications. "You're suggesting," he said slowly, "that we back one of the sides to ensure a victory?"

The others were quick to follow his line of thinking. As the realization dawned, their eyes lit up with a shared understanding.

"This isn't entirely without merit," one of them mused. "Compared to the chaos that would follow in the aftermath of their war, this approach is not only more efficient but also more advantageous. We could offer support to one faction in exchange for certain concessions—perhaps some key islands in their territory. It's a cleaner and far more strategic solution than letting them fight it out."

The room fell quiet again as the weight of this suggestion settled. All eyes turned to the Five Elder with the sword, who was the first to break the silence. "If we follow this thought, then the question becomes: which side's victory would bring us greater benefits?"

The tension in the room thickened. Among the Five Elders, each weighed the potential outcomes.

BIG MOM, without a doubt, seemed to have the upper hand. For the World Government, her victory would be the most advantageous. Not only would it eliminate Alex, a dangerous threat to the balance of power, but it would also give the World Government a foothold in Wanokuni—a land rich in resources, manpower, and advanced technology. All of that was far more valuable than any islands that could be seized in the Totto Land sea.

Yet, the matter wasn't so simple. If the Elder with the sword brought it up, it meant there were complications that couldn't be ignored.

This decision wasn't merely about which side offered greater benefits. They were the leaders of the World Government, and their choices needed to account for every factor.

Even if supporting a faction seemed like a straightforward path, it came with risks. The optics of the World Government openly aiding pirates could cause significant damage to their reputation on the global stage. Unlike in the past, during the events at the Valley of the Gods, this was an era of scrutiny.

News of the clash between the two Emperors had already spread across the seas, becoming a global spectacle. With the world's eyes on them, any overt interference could be disastrous.

If they chose to back BIG MOM, they would have to deal with Wanokuni—a faction that had been the presumed victor from the outset. The difficulty and cost of such an endeavor would be immense.

On the other hand, supporting Alex offered lower risks and lower rewards. It would grant the World Government easier access to islands in the Totto Land waters, but the returns wouldn't be as lucrative.

The debate became a choice between high-risk, high-reward tactics and a safer, more conservative approach.

When the final votes were cast, they split evenly—two for each side. All four turned to the blonde Five Elder, who had unwittingly become the deciding vote.

Swallowing slightly under the weight of their stares, he glanced around the room. After a brief pause, he declared:

"Send someone to contact Alex first."

The two Five Elders who had advocated for the high-risk strategy raised their eyebrows in surprise but remained silent, accepting the decision for now.

It has always been an iron law of power: the minority obeys the majority.

Whether Shogun Alex would refuse the offer was never a consideration for the Five Elders.

For a mere few islands, he could secure the assistance of a formidable force to counter another top-tier combatant. Flying General, known for his strategic prowess, would not refuse this.

Confident in their decision, the World Government set its plans into motion.

Meanwhile, on Whole Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin had also come to a sobering realization. In the imminent battle against Alex and the forces of Wanokuni, sheer numerical advantage might not be enough to secure victory.

What would truly dictate the course of the battle was the caliber of combat power.

Determined, she reached out once again to her "brother," Kaido.

"Kaido."

"...Linlin."

Their greetings through the Den Den Mushi were curt and heavy with tension, each calling the other's name.

Kaido, fully aware of Charlotte Linlin's intentions, wasted no time getting to the point. "Don't think I don't know what you're scheming, Linlin. This war—you started it! Do you seriously expect me to clean up your mess?!"

Charlotte Linlin's tone turned cold and sharp, her irritation clear. "I wasn't the one who provoked this first," she snapped. "And this time, it's different, Kaido! I need your help!"

Kaido scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Don't give excuses. You chose this path, now you expect a life-and-death ally? Not a chance!"

Charlotte Linlin, undeterred, reverted to an old tactic. "Is this how you repay my kindness, Kaido?" she pressed. "Have you forgotten what I've done for you? I treated you like a younger brother. Don't forget, half of what you've achieved—the Mythical Zoan you wield today—was because of me! That's a debt you owe!"

Kaido's expression darkened, his voice rising with irritation. "How many times must I tell you, Linlin? A kindness constantly brought up loses its weight. I've long since repaid that debt!"

Charlotte Linlin's eyes narrowed, her voice cutting through the air. "I don't care how you spin it! You can repay that debt now by helping me get rid of that bastard Alex!"

The mention of Alex made Linlin's frustration boil over, her face twisting with fury.

Kaido, unimpressed, snorted dismissively. "Stop dreaming, Linlin."

The sound of Kaido gulping down sake echoed through the Den Den Mushi. He continued, "I'm an Emperor now. Why would I risk my subordinates for your war? Besides, you already know I have a working relationship with Alex. Our deals go far beyond just weapons."

Charlotte Linlin, undeterred, suddenly let out a mocking laugh. "You think I don't know you, Kaido?" she sneered. "If you drop those petty deals with Alex and Wanokuni, I'll ensure that you get everything they've promised you—and more."

Kaido didn't respond immediately. The Den Den Mushi crackled with the sound of his slow, deep breathing.

Sensing his hesitation, Charlotte Linlin pressed harder. "I'll sweeten the deal. I'll give you a copy of the Road Poneglyph rubbings in my possession. That's my final offer. Don't get greedy, Kaido!"

The silence on the other end was deafening. But suddenly, the Den Den Mushi, which had been closed and impassive, sprang to life as Kaido's sharp eyes snapped open.