Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 8: "What If?" - The World Government's Worst Fears

In the quiet, dimly lit room deep within Mariejois, the Five Elders sat in uneasy contemplation. Admiral Selene "The Moonblade" was the kind of individual whose sheer presence could alter the course of history. They were lucky to have her on their side now—but what if she wasn't?

That thought haunted them.

The Hypothetical Nightmare: If Selene Were a Pirate

"If Selene had turned pirate..." one of the Elders mused grimly, "we'd have another Yonko-level threat on our hands."

The thought sent a chill through the room. Selene's tactical brilliance, unmatched combat skills, and leadership were what kept her at the top of the Navy, and her ability to inspire loyalty made her unit almost unbreakable.

"If she had gone to sea..." another Elder continued, "imagine how quickly she would have built an empire. Her charisma would attract the best fighters and the sharpest minds."

The bald elder with the sword leaned forward, frowning deeply. "She wouldn't settle for territory or wealth. That's not her style. Selene craves freedom—and she'd burn through any law, navy, or Warlord that stood in her way to get it."

The others exchanged silent glances. A pirate Selene wouldn't need brute force like Kaido or mind games like Blackbeard. She would outthink her enemies, strike from the shadows, and dismantle her opposition with precision. If she had turned pirate, the Grand Line itself would be a different place.

"Her network would grow quickly," one Elder added. "Not just with brutes, but with informants, strategists... even disillusioned Marines. She's a magnet for those who feel out of place."

"And once she had the right crew..." The mustached Elder let the thought linger. "There wouldn't be a single fortress, Marine fleet, or Warlord that could stop her. The Navy would bleed trying."

What If She Had Joined the Revolutionary Army?

The conversation took an even darker turn. "If Selene had sided with the Revolutionary Army..." one Elder began, his voice low, "the balance of power would be lost already."

The idea was a chilling one. The Revolutionary Army operated in the shadows, much like Selene herself did within the Marines. If she had joined them, her knowledge of Marine operations and her talent for operating discreetly would make her a deadly asset to their cause.

"Imagine her alongside Dragon," one Elder whispered. "Together, they would unravel every one of our strongholds before we could even respond."

The bald Elder nodded solemnly. "She'd know exactly how to disable us from within. If Selene were a revolutionary, there wouldn't be a single officer we could trust."

"And she wouldn't need an army." Another Elder tapped his fingers thoughtfully. "All she'd need is a handful of capable allies—and the world would fall into chaos."

The Threat of Influence

"Selene's greatest weapon isn't her strength or even her tactics," the mustached Elder murmured. "It's her ability to inspire loyalty. That's what makes her dangerous."

"Whether pirate or revolutionary," another added, "she wouldn't need threats to win people to her side—she'd just need to show them a better way."

The group fell into uneasy silence. That was the real danger: Selene could build something different. Not through fear, but through trust and freedom—the kind of ideals that could shatter the control they had maintained for centuries.

"If Selene ever decided to oppose us," the bald Elder said grimly, "it wouldn't be a war. It would be a dismantling."

The Unspoken Truth

For a long moment, the Five Elders sat in silence, their minds turning over the possibilities.

Selene wasn't just a powerful individual—she was the kind of person who could change the entire world. If she ever walked away from the Marines, there was no telling what kind of future she would forge. And the most terrifying part? Many would follow her without hesitation.

"The only reason we're safe," one Elder finally said, "is because she's chosen to stay within the Navy. For now."

The others nodded gravely. It was a delicate balance—one they had to maintain at all costs.

A Precautionary Plan

"We must ensure she never has a reason to leave," one of the Elders said. "Give her enough freedom to act, but keep her tethered to the system."

"Keep her comfortable," another agreed. "Reward her successes, tolerate her defiance... but make sure she knows there's no better place for her than with us."

"And if that fails?" the bald Elder asked quietly.

The room fell silent again. They all knew the answer, but none wanted to say it aloud.

"If she ever turns against us..." the mustached Elder began, then paused. "We act. Swiftly and decisively."

The others exchanged solemn looks. If Selene ever became a threat, they would have no choice but to eliminate her—before the world fell into her shadow.

End of Chapter 8: The Blade They Cannot Control

The Five Elders had decided: Selene "The Moonblade" must remain within their grasp, at any cost. They could not afford to lose her—not to the pirates, not to the revolutionaries, and certainly not to her own ambitions.

For now, she walked the delicate line between freedom and control. But the Elders knew that line would only hold for so long.

In the shadows of Marineford, a storm was brewing, and they would do everything in their power to keep Selene on their side.

Because they knew one thing with absolute certainty:

If she ever became their enemy, no one—neither Marine, Warlord, nor World Government—would survive the storm she would unleash.