At 12:23 AM, the bright crystal chandeliers illuminated the Chamber of Authority, where the Five Elders had just finished discussing matters concerning the local affairs of the Sea Star.
Topman Warcury Saint looked at Shepherd Ju Peter Saint and said, "You should contact Doflamingo as soon as possible. Delaying the matter of the Sea Transport King is fine, but our Construction Division is in urgent need."
"Understood."
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint nodded and then handed four documents sent from the CIPHER POL headquarters to Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who was seated closest to him.
"This is the intelligence sent back by CP9 from the Stargate World. Take a look; there's a shocking discovery!"
"Oh?"
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro raised an eyebrow in surprise, took the documents, and passed them to Topman Warcury Saint beside him, who then passed them on in turn.
The four began to silently read the contents.
The first half of the intelligence report detailed how Laskey and others had subsequently discovered eleven black-purple corpses infected with the Undead Virus.
However, five of them had their hearts destroyed, and one had its head severed, making it a true corpse that couldn't be revived even with blood.
The report also included several photographs, clearly showing the damage to the hearts.
"These are clearly bullet holes!" Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro concluded decisively.
"Indeed, this indicates that the people of the New World can manufacture and use firearms. This is indeed crucial intelligence."
Marcus Mars Saint, who oversees the Academy of Science, looked grave.
"According to experiments by the Biochemical Research Institute, the Heart Membrane of the Undead in that world requires two consecutive shots from an automatic rifle hitting the same spot in a short time to penetrate."
"In our world, it takes more than four shots. The question now is, how powerful are the firearms in that world? Could a single shot penetrate it?"
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, so far, CP9 has only encountered the Undead, not a single living person, nor even any dilapidated village buildings. It's quite strange. But the shocking discovery I mentioned isn't this. Please continue reading."
The other four exchanged glances and continued to flip through the pages. When they reached the last two pages, the content became peculiar.
Because it was clearly a letter written in Wano language, although the grammar was a bit odd, the general meaning was still understandable, as letters here were commonly written in Wano language as well.
"What does this mean?"
Jaygarcia Saturn Saint looked up in confusion, and the other three also turned their puzzled gazes toward Shepherd Ju Peter Saint.
"This is a letter found in the clothes of an Undead corpse by Laskey and Marta's team."
"?"
"!"
"?!"
Topman Warcury Saint and the others were stunned, their eyes widening involuntarily as they hurriedly looked down to examine the letter's content again.
"Are you saying that there is Wano language in another world?"
"This... this can't be possible!"
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint sighed, "I was shocked at first, but upon closer thought, it makes sense. The people in this world look just like us, wear clothes, and probably even have firearms. It's understandable that their writing is similar."
In the mainstream of the Starfish world, there are two types of writing. One is English, used for official documents, professional books, bounty posters, and other formal and serious occasions. The other is Wabun, used for newspapers, letters, and non-serious contexts.
Wabun, as the name suggests, is said to have originated from the writing of the Land of Wano. As for English, well, there is no Britain in this world, so why does English exist? That's a question for the creator god.
Hearing Shepherd Ju Peter Saint's explanation, the other four could only reluctantly accept this fact. Meanwhile, he continued, "Based on this letter, which appears to be from a wife to her husband, we've gathered some useful information."
"First, those living dead are called Kabane. Second, the wife is from a place called Hayatani Station. The term 'Station' likely refers to a relay station. Third, the husband, the recipient of the letter and the corpse, was a 'Warrior'!"
At this point, he paused briefly.
"However, the 'Iron Fortress' mentioned in the letter is still unclear. But this already confirms that there are indeed cities with large human populations."
At this moment, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, dressed in a white kimono and wooden sandals, holding the First Generation Kitetsu, coldly remarked, "Wabun, Warriors, it seems the culture of this world is very close to that of the Land of Wano."
"Indeed, though we don't know how strong the Warriors here are," Topman Warcury Saint said with a hint of gravity.
[Purupuru, purupuru]
Suddenly, the sound of a Den Den Mushi came from Shepherd Ju Peter Saint's pocket. Without avoiding the others, he took it out and answered, "What is it?"
"Sir, Laskey and Marta have discovered railway tracks on a plain. They plan to follow the tracks to investigate and are likely to find a town where living people reside!"
"Understood."
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint hung up the call, put the Den Den Mushi back in his pocket, and interlocked his fingers in front of him, asking, "What do you think?"
"Railway tracks, I remember they're often used for underground mineral transport," Topman Warcury Saint pondered. "But railway tracks on the surface? That's something I've never heard of."
In the Starfish world, since the Red Line Continent is off-limits for habitation and the areas below are mostly islands, there's naturally no need for long surface railway tracks.
"The Sea Train being developed in Water 7 reportedly requires floating tracks connecting various islands. Could it be that the transportation in this world is surface railway trains?" Marcus Mars Saint speculated.
"Possibly, but if they can manufacture railway tracks and trains, it seems the civilization of this world is quite advanced!" Jaygarcia Saturn Saint exclaimed.
Topman Warcury Saint said, "Let them continue their investigation. We don't have enough information yet. Once we understand about seventy to eighty percent of this world's situation, then we can consider our stance towards it."
As for what that stance would be, everyone present knew all too well.
"Alright, it's late. Let's head back and get some rest."
[BOOM!!]
Just as he was about to announce the adjournment of the meeting, a tremendous explosion echoed from outside the window. The intense shockwave even caused the glass panes to crack with a web of fissures.
"What's going on?!"
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro abruptly stood up, unleashing an overwhelming aura from his body.
"It's outside, in the social square!"
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint hurried to the window and looked down. In the next second, his pupils constricted sharply, and beads of cold sweat began to seep from his forehead as he muttered in a low voice.
"Something major has happened..."
In an instant, the tranquility of Mary Geoise in the dead of night was shattered. A large number of Holy Land Garrison troops rushed in panic toward Pangaea Castle.
At the same time.
Clad in black, members of Cipher Pol darted swiftly under the moonlight, starlight, and lamplight, each of their movements leaving behind long afterimages.
[Purupuru, Purupuru]
The Den Den Mushi rang again, but this time it was the one on the coffee table. Topman Warcury Saint quickly picked up the receiver, but before he could speak, the voice on the other end said.
"Lord Imu commands that his enjoyment must not be disturbed!"
"Mihawk?"
The Five Elders exchanged puzzled glances.