Five Elders

The Gorōsei (五老星 lit. Five Elder Stars, Five Elders in the Viz Manga) are the heads of the World Government, and as such, they essentially rule the entire world. They are the five men who rule above the Marines, the Cipher Pol and made a pact with the Shichibukai. The elderly group made their debut in Chapter 233 and Episode 151.

Known Knowledge
The tall thin one with the mustache (second from right) spoke with Professor Clover and ordered Spandine to kill him before the archaeologist could speak the Ancient Kingdom's name. They have shown to have at least a basic knowledge of the occurrences of the Void Century, according to their shocked reactions to Professor Clover's statements. They have shown a paranoid fear of someone reviving the ancient weapons, to the point of forbidding its research and ordering the utter destruction of an entire country, though given what's know of the void century, they may simply be using that as an excuse in order to prevent information they don't want leaked to the public from getting out. Despite this they are not completely heartless, as they showed remorse after ordering the destruction of Ohara.

Power and Abilities
Being the top of the World Government, they are the rulers of the entire world, and have complete control over all Government-affiliated organizations, such as the police, the nine Cipher Pol units, and even the Marines. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders can be squashed by their decisions. However, they only seem to care about the public image of the World Government: they will go to great lengths to keep the public's view of them in a good light. They have ordered the killing an entire island of people to hide the discovery of the Void Century; they have hidden the fact that Moria was building an army of zombies; they have even kept the escape of Level 6 inmates of Impel Down a secret. Some of these decisions have even angered Sengoku, a true follower of Absolute Justice and the Marines.

It is currently unknown how strong each one of them are. However, due to their clear muscles and scars, and that one of them is wielding a sword, it would appear that they have some battle experience and capabilities.

History of Involvements
Commencing Buster Call. All ships begin the attack. Target everything on the island of archaeology, Ohara. The research done by Ohara's scholars has exceeded our expectations. That knowledge could be passed on. We must not let the exposure be anywhere else but on this island. Completely obliterate the demons living in Ohara! In the name of Justice!

They were around for 20 years when they ordered the Buster Call against Ohara in 1502 AOS. Their membership (and appearances) has not altered in the last 20 years.

In 1510 AOS, Spandam manipulated them to give him the authority to allow him to seek out the blueprints for Pluton.

In 1522 AOS by storyline, they appeared for the first time when they were discussing the situation around Shanks and Whitebeard. They tried to keep Whitebeard and Shanks apart. They were also distressed with Crocodile due to his actions in Arabasta and his subsequent dismissal from the Shichibukai. Later they heard of Aokiji sneaking out of the Marine HQ and grew disappointed in him. They remarked that he should be careful with his rank. Later after the Enies Lobby Raid, they were shocked to hear that Shanks had successfully met Whitebeard. Apparently, they are ones who ordered Bartholomew Kuma to exterminate all those who witnessed Gecko Moria's defeat by the hands of Monkey D. Luffy, including the Straw Hats. They ordered the coverup of the escapees from level six of Impel Down after the War of Marineford. They were possibly the ones who ordered that Gecko Moria be exterminated after the War of Marineford ended.

After the war, they gathered to discuss the state the world was in. They talked about how Luffy has become a huge threat and his relation to Garp and Dragon. One of them comments on how their power structure has almost completely collapsed, and asks how they will fill the three vacant Shichibukai positions. They decide to observe world events for now until they can find an influential enough person. They then discuss Blackbeard and his activities in the New World, mentioning that he has defeated one of the Supernovas and that he is in the lead for replacing Whitebeard as one of the Yonkou. They believe that the only people who can stop his rise to power are the three remaining Yonkou and the Whitebeard Pirates who are currently under Marco's command. Their last comment is on The Will of D., saying that "D always means danger" and that it has reached the public too much as of late.