One Piece: Scientist Simulator

After defeating the Five Elders, Edie felt an overwhelming sense of relief. These ancient foes had been a source of dread when their immortality seemed incomprehensible. But now, having unraveled their secrets, Edie saw them as little more than five overpowered demons—no match even for Song Tot Musica, the Demon King of legend.

"Only the last King of the Celestial Dragons, Imu, remains," he mused. "But her time will come... eight years from now."

As Edie reflected, Hancock approached him, her face beaming with joy. "Mr. Edie, we won! The evil Five Elders are finally gone!"

Edie took her hand gently and began walking toward the kings assembled in the distance. "Hancock, there was something I didn't understand before. Now, I finally see it clearly."

"Eh?" Hancock tilted her head in confusion.

"Do you know why the World Government erased history from 800 years ago?"

"Because they are evil to their core!" Hancock spat, her hatred for the Celestial Dragons evident. Memories of her near auction as a child fueled her resentment. To her, the World Government, controlled by these aristocrats, was equally despicable.

Edie chuckled softly. "That's what I thought too. But recently, I realized the truth runs deeper than simple malice."

He paused, recalling the fragmented history passed down from Vegapunk to Robin, and from Robin to him. Though incomplete and prone to errors, these insights offered a glimpse into the Void Century—enough for Edie to understand the stakes.

"Human death occurs in three stages," Edie began calmly. "First is physical death—when the body ceases to function. Second is social death—when all relationships and legacies attached to a person vanish. The final stage is spiritual death. Ordinary people leave behind a spirit or will inherited by their loved ones, but extraordinary individuals leave behind something far greater. Their spirits can echo through generations, transcending mortality."

Hancock listened intently, her sharp mind piecing together the implications. "Are the Celestial Dragons afraid of such a spirit's influence?"

Edie nodded. "The so-called 'Will of D'—it is the spirit left behind by Joy Boy. However, it's more than just a will. This world contains something extraordinary—a collective consciousness, a Sea of Souls, if you will. While Imu and the Five Elders may not fully comprehend its existence, they understand its danger. They erased Joy Boy's name and the Void Century not out of shame, but out of fear. Fear that if his will spread unchecked, the prayers and beliefs of the masses could generate a power capable of resurrecting Joy Boy or something akin to him."

Hancock's eyes sparkled with newfound understanding. "So that's their ultimate secret."

The pair strolled across the battlefield like a couple taking a casual afternoon walk. Behind them, Usagi and Yin trailed with vigilance, while the towering man-made demon Daemon, now in his human guise, followed silently. His presence, reminiscent of the defeated Five Elders, added an eerie gravitas to their procession.

The battlefield itself had stilled. Marines and pirates alike had ceased fighting. Sengoku, the golden light of his Buddha form fading, watched Edie approach with cautious resolve. The Five Elders were gone, and with them, the authority of the World Government. Continuing to fight served no purpose.

"You win, Dr. Edie," Sengoku admitted, his voice weary. "For the sake of world peace, let's discuss the future."

Edie smiled wryly. "Is the future you're concerned about tied to money? Without the World Government, the Marines will lose their funding and crumble within a year. But don't worry, Fleet Admiral. For once, your performance earns my respect. Today, you're worthy of the justice on your cloak."

Sengoku's expression hardened. "You are now the king of this world. The future depends on your decisions."

"Then prepare for a World Summit," Edie declared, his voice calm yet commanding. "The kings are already assembled. Let's not waste the opportunity."

Leaving Sengoku behind, Edie and Hancock headed toward the back garden, where the kings and their families huddled in fear.

When Edie entered, his mere presence caused a wave of panic among the gathered royals. Princess Otohime was the first to step forward, her serene smile contrasting with the tension. "Dr. Edie, you've succeeded! The Five Elders are no more!"

Edie offered her a faint smile. "In my name, I assure your safety. There's no need to panic. Prepare for the World Summit. I will preside personally."

His words stunned the assembly. The first to recover was the King of Wesley, who quickly pledged his allegiance. "Doctor, you have my full trust and support!"

Not to be outdone, Doflamingo raised his arms theatrically. "Fufufu! The evil Five Elders have fallen, and history has turned a page. Congratulations on becoming the King of the World!"

The other kings, fearing Edie might emulate the Five Elders' tyranny, joined the chorus of praises. Princess Otohime even nudged King Neptune into enthusiastically applauding.

Satisfied but unimpressed, Edie glanced at Doflamingo. "Stay here and ensure order. There are still loose ends to tie up."

Daemon remained to guard the royals as Edie departed with his entourage, followed closely by Big Mom and her crew.

Meanwhile, Sengoku addressed the gathered kings. "Rest assured, the Marines will ensure your safety."

"The same Marines that were chasing us moments ago?" a king retorted bitterly.

Sengoku faltered but pressed on. "Those were acting under the Five Elders' orders. I promise, you are safe now."

Elsewhere, in Pangaea Castle, Aokiji and Kizaru's duel came to an abrupt halt.

"Ara-ara, it seems it's over," Aokiji remarked, his icy blade disappearing.

Kizaru nodded, pressing a communicator. "Sentomaru, the Five Elders are dead. Surrender if Edie's forces arrive. There's no point in needless resistance."

"Five Elders are dead!?" Sentomaru was shocked. 

Kizaru asked: "How about Celestial Dragons in the Sabaody Archipelago?" 

"Under protection, but these Celestial Dragons are a little disobedient and running around."

Sentomaru sounded quite dissatisfied. 

The Celestial Dragons who were evacuated from the Holy Land to the Sabaody Archipelago were all arranged at the Marine Base.

But the Celestial Dragons were not willing to obey orders and ran around on the island, so that they had to allocate their energy to send people to protect them.

This group of people have no sense of crisis at all, and they all deserve to die.

"Dr. Edie may send people to capture the Celestial Dragons later. Don't resist, just surrender." Kizaru told Sentomaru, "The World government has been defeated. There is no need for meaningless sacrifices.

"Understood, old man," Sentomaru replied, his disdain for the Celestial Dragons evident.

For the first time in centuries, the World Government was no more. The new era had begun.

As Edie strode toward the ruins of Mariejois, he issued sharp instructions to those following him.

"You go and deal with those Knights of God."

"Yes, Lord Heavenly Father~" Usagi responded cheerfully, taking the order and departing immediately.

Nearby, Yin summoned golden light between her palms, her expression focused.

"Yata Mirror!" she called, sending a laser beam ricocheting between the towering buildings before using its reflected path to move at the speed of light.

"Bunny," Edie continued, addressing Momousagi, "the Celestial Dragons have been evacuated to Sabaody Archipelago. Lead a team to capture them."

"Are we capturing them alive?" Momousagi asked, her tone measured yet inquisitive.

"Try to," Edie replied casually, though his attention had already shifted elsewhere.

His focus landed on a gas-like creature wreaking havoc in the town—a chaotic creation of Caesar's. Despite the destruction, Mariejois was eerily devoid of the Celestial Dragons, leaving behind only their imprisoned slaves. Edie's lips curled in distaste as he muttered to himself.

"Caesar's an idiot. His gas bomb didn't even detonate... Didn't those pompous Celestial Dragons love their twisted games? Let them have a taste of it."

Hearing this, Queen raised a brow in surprise.

"Why didn't it explode? Did something go wrong with the dome during transit?"

"No matter," Edie said, waving off her concerns. "Retrieve it. Caesar will make it work eventually."

Theories alone weren't enough for Edie. Despite his disdain for Caesar's failure, he knew experiments carried their risks. For now, the slime was no longer crucial—it had been intended as a weapon against the Five Elders. Instead, it would serve as a tool for executing the Celestial Dragons.

Transforming into his colossal brachiosaurus form, Queen barked, "Jack, get over here and help."

"Yeah, yeah," Jack muttered, shifting into his mammoth form and assisting in the cleanup effort.

Seeing the two work, Charlotte Linlin's expression soured.

"Katakuri, go lend a hand too," she ordered, before grumbling toward Edie.

"I rushed all the way here, and for what? The World Government isn't even putting up a fight!"

"The Five Elders are dead, the Marines have turned traitor, and the Knights of God are handling themselves," Edie replied, unbothered. "If you're so free, deal with the Knights. Some of them are more troublesome than the Five Elders."

Charlotte Linlin laughed, her eyes glinting with malice.

"Mamamama~ If you say so, I'll take a look! Oh, and where's that little b**ch? I need to teach her how to use the Soul-Soul Fruit properly!"

Her Observation Haki flared as she located Haizhu's aura and dashed off with a gleeful chuckle.

"Mom…" Smoothie sighed, reluctantly trailing after her mother.

Edie, meanwhile, descended into the underground prison of Mariejois, ignoring the chaos above. In the darkened corridors, his footsteps echoed ominously until he came across a cell.

"Still alive?" he asked, peering into the shadows.

A gaunt figure with short hair raised his head. Recognizing his visitor, he broke into an excited flurry of words.

"Dr. Edie! You've come to save me! I knew it—you've won! You're the new king of the world! Congratulations!"

Edie smirked faintly. "It's my first time seeing your human form, Morgans."

The birdman grinned sheepishly.

"As you know, I write a lot of… creative news. It's best not to reveal my true identity too often." He raised shackled hands and added with mock indignation, "Now hurry up and free me! Those damned Five Elders starved me half to death!"

Aboveground, the battle raged on. The Knights of God showed no sign of surrendering, though Edie wouldn't have accepted it even if they had. The Celestial Dragons and their ilk were destined for extinction, their existence a blemish on history.

In a distant garden, Bartholemew Kuma stood in silence, holding a transponder snail.

"Yes," he said flatly, "Dr. Edie has won. The Five Elders are dead."

After relaying the message, he hung up. But before he could leave, an all-too-familiar voice drawled behind him.

"Fufufufu~ Kuma, dear. A Revolutionary spy, are we? Passing intel to your leader again?"

Doflamingo stepped out of the shadows, his grin as sharp as his intent.

"It seems I'll have to capture you and personally deliver you to Edie."

Meanwhile, on the shores of Sabaody Archipelago, Momousagi and her forces landed in grand fashion. Chenlong's immense dragon form sent waves of panic through the island's inhabitants, many remembering the infamous dragon's first appearance nine years ago—the same dragon that heralded Edie's rise by slaying a Celestial Dragon and defeating Kizaru.

"Search for the Celestial Dragons," Momousagi commanded, stepping off the dragon's head. "Capture them all!"

Her troops scattered, launching a relentless operation. Before long, a Marine contingent arrived, led by Vice Admiral Chaton. Spotting his former colleague, Chaton called out,

"Gion!"

Momousagi's expression twisted in disdain.

"Don't call me by my name. We're strangers now."