The 5 elders was notified the situation after the initial investigation of Saint Saturn, almost all of them have a negative reaction, due to Thorne being the most talented Celestial Dragon that was born after their God, and have the potential to be the greatest and strongest future soldier, but no one was more disappointed than Ethanbaron, as the leader of the 5 elders, he took great pride of his family and their strength, and it inflated even more due to his grandson having the potential that even their great leader complimented.
"I can't believe that Little Thorne would do something like this. Is he not educated enough about our lineage?" Warcury asked his fellow elders, knowing how Thorne was raised.
"I don't know what went wrong with the Little one, but he is just 7 years old, maybe this is just a phase he would have to go through" Ju Peter said, giving reason to the action of Thorne, knowing that their discussion could lead to a loss for a very talented Celestial Dragon.
"Perhaps we are not fit to decide his punishment, only the creator should punish the boy," Saint Mars said, thinking about whether they should let the God creator punish Thorne that eould fit his crimes.
All of the 4 elders are discussing, all of them voicing their concerns about the punishment, whether he would be executed or worse, with EthanBaron just silent, watching his colleagues argue for the faith of his grandson, he then decided that it was now the time to intervene.
"It would be for the best if we heard his side first before doing anything rash, you know the personalities of these new Celestials, always doing what they want, I'm not just saying this due to him being my grandson but also as a precaution before doing anything rash" EthanBaron said, making the other 4 contemplate and think more carefully, leading to a decision.
"Very well, we must hear his side before deciding, we don't want to waste a very talented young man," Saint Mars said, while the others just nodded and agreed.
Outside the office, Garling and Seraphina were waiting for the verdict that the 5 elders would impose.
"Have we not done anything to raise him with our beliefs? How come he disappointed us this much?" Seraphina asked Garling, full of tears in her eyes, thinking about whether it's their fault that they did not see this sooner, as if Thornehads had done the most vile thing imaginable when it was the opposite.
"I think it has something to do with his Devil Fruit, I think it's influencing his personality, he never exhibited this kind of before until he ate that DF, whatever effects it may have" Garling said, not wanting to admit that the son he raised cared enough about some slaves that he straight up allowed them to escaped while burning their holy land.
"Yes, I noticed that too, I have noticed the way he looked at the slaves before eating that Devil Fruit, he may have a bit of pity but did not pity them enough to defy us, but after, it became more and more noticeable," Seraphina said, realizing the changes that had happened to his son, all blaming the Devil Fruit for their son's morality. Both Garling and Seraphina talked more and became more and more convinced that it was the reason until the door towards the office of the 5 elders opened.
*Seraphina, Garling, we would like to hear what your theories are on why Little Thorne acts this way," Saint Saturn said, inviting the two of them inside the office, wanting to gain more insights before asking Thorne directly.
"Elders, I believe it was due to the Devil Fruit that he ate, I recalled him growing more soft against these untouchable after eating that damn Devil Fruit," Seraphina said in anger, shocking the 5 elders about the revalation about Thorne.
"Elaborate," Saint Mars said, asking Garling to talk, since he is one of the most considered people who would replace one of them after something happened, knowing the loyalty and how much Garling embodies the Celestial NNobles'beliefs.
"I believe that he was being influenced by its will, he subtly changes after eating the Devil Fruit, I believe that the Devil Fruit deemed him ma atch and starts to sync to prepare for Awakening in the future," Garling said, giving more information to the 5 Elders who did not watch Thorne grow up, they all talked some more after that until the 5 elders dismissed the couple.
"Do you think that's possible? Being influenced by the will of Devil Fruit without touching the threshold of awakening," Saint Warcury asked his fellow elders, not sure how that would fit.
" i believe we do not have enough God Like Devil fruits that would ensure that information, but I believe that may be possible, since, Nika is said to be able to choose it's owner, why can't this particular Devil Fruit as well, considering that it was found in the Elbaph island, not in our tree," Saint Saturn said, considering all of the possibilities that would explain their current circumstances.
"Very well, I think it's time to hear Thorne's side, if a Devil Fruit is affecting him, we should be able to tell the signs," EthanBaron suggests,d which the other 4 elders agreed.
--------
In couple of hours ago, Thorne was woken up by Shamrock, who was looking at him with pure disgust and disappointment. When Thorne saw this look, he knew that they had discovered who helped the slaves escape. He was ordered to stand up and walk towards the holding cell.
"I have never thought that of all nobles I would execute, you would be one of them. You disappoint me, Thorne, and you have brought shame upon the name of Figarland," Shamrock said to Thorne while walking. Thorne, who heard his brother's words, did not react at first, but the more they walked, the more Thorne couldn't hold his laughter. It started with giggles until it became full-blown laughter, which did not please Shamrock.
"Do you think it's a joke? You have helped desecrate our Holy Land, and you think it's a laughing matter?" Shamrock said, angry at the reaction that Thorne showed.
"Brother, I was using my Observation Haki during that time, I could feel eyes staring at me, , I assume that pair of eyes is the God of Us, Nobles, observing every actions I made, now, tell me this, if what I did displeased our God, what am I still doing here, alive and well infront of you," Thorne said, arriving at the cell which he immediately goes inside to, leaving Shamrock silent due to the truth of the nature of his words, wondering why did the Supreme Creator did not move against Thorne.
After hours passed, Thorne was called to the office of 5 elders, giving him a chance to explain the nature of his actions and defend himself, something that does not happen often, usually, it would just lead towards execution directly, especially with a sin this grave.
"Saint Thorne N. Figarland, you are called here today to give yourself a chance to explain the reason behind your actions, giving yourself a chance to defend yourself, something that is given to very few Celestials facing execution, so I recommend that you consider what you will say in front of us." Saint Warcury said, holding the title Warrior God of Justice, being the one who would ensure that Justice in the name of the Celestials would occur. After saying this, they all looked at Thorne and released the full weight of their conqueror's haki, all 5 of the elders targeting Thorne.
Thorne, who was the target of multiple full-powered Conqueror's was not facing him, he was even smiling a little, not respecting the Authority of the 5 elders. The 5 elders, seeing his smile, increased the intensity of their Haki, leading to Thone laughing, which became a full-blown laughter that reminded the Gorosei of the laughter of the D. clan, especially how Rocks, Roger, and Garp laugh, which confused them due to his full Celestial blood heritage.
"Do you think the affairs of the world are funny? Saint Thorne of the Figarland?" Saint Warcury asked, being insulted that they are not being taken seriously by someone so young and does not have the strength to back it up, with all of the 5 elders thinking this way.
"No, I'm just laughing at the predicaments that I am in, I am surrounded by 5 of the strongest people, deciding my punishment at their hands, isn't that funny since I was told growing up that I could do whatever I want without any reprecussions," Thorne said, halting any actions of the 5 elders, knowing that this kind of values in lined with their beliefs.
"Is that why you helped free the insects?" Saint Saturn asked Thorne, curious to know what the answer is, this question attracted the attention of the other elders, especially Saint Ethanbaron.
"No, the reason why I did that is to see what their real fate, I'm just curious on whether they just encountered bad luck or are they fated to be slaves, I want to see if their fate intertwined with us," Thorne said casually, explaining the very reason of his actions.
"Is that why you helped them escape? Did you orchestrate it?" Saint Mars then asked, wanting to confirm one thing.
"No, I just felt from my Observation Haki that there is a creature hiding in the shadows, I just got curious, then saw that he was freeing the slaves, so I thought of this, I just summoned rain and thunderstorm to mask their scent and possibly help," Thorne said
"Are you not gonna make an excuse for your actions?" Saint Saturn then asked.
"I think my actions were seen and forgiven by the one that matters. I have felt eyes in me the entire time I was helping the slaves, and our God did not make a move, doesn't that mean something?" Thorne said, confident he would walk away without any repercussions.
This new information shocked the 5 elders, they were contemplating whether they would bring it to Imu's, like how Shamrock, the 5 elders just looked at each other, confused about whether they should proceed when the Den Den Mushi suddenly rang, Saint Ethanbaron then picked up the Den Den Mushi and waited for the speaker.
"I HAVE SEEN HIS ACTIONS AND I HAVE ALLOWED HIS ACTIONS, DUE TO IT BEING THE INFLUENCE OF DEVIL FRUIT, IT AMPLIFIED HIS REASONS, BUT EVEN THEN, HE DESERVED TO BE PUNISHED, THAT PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE, A YEAR OF HOLDING A MOUNTAIN, WITHOUT ANY FOOD GIVEN OR EATEN, HE WOULD ALSO BE SET ON FIRE, ," Imu stated on the Den Den Mushi, revealing Thorne's punishment, seeing this as light,
"You are too kind, Great Imu-sama," Saint Ethanbaron said, thanking the light punishment Thorne was getting.
"DO NOT FAIL ME AGAIN, THORNE. I WOULD KILL YOU WITHOUT ANY HESITATION THE NEXT TIME THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENS," Imu warned Thorne in a serious tone while hanging up the Den Den mushi,
'Is that the voice of Imu? It sounded like a distorted echo, Thorne said in his mind, not thinking about the punishment he would experience.
"Thorne N. Figarland, you can now get ready for your punishment. We expect you to be grateful for this mercy that our God has granted you, do not waste it," Saint Mars said towards Thorne, who just nodded with a grin. After Thorne left the room, Ethanbaron followed his grandson, feeling a sense of relief that his precious grandson did not die.
"You dangle in death's door, you must correct this behaviour of yours before you get yourself killed," Ethanbaron said to Thorne,
"I would do whatever I want, that is my birthright as a Noble of this world, even this punishment would not deter me for the future, it just means that my behaviour is excused due to my privileges and strength, but I would reach the point where my strength does not allow punishments for something as petty as this," Thorne said, walking away from his grandfather, while thinking about how would he act in the future.