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The next day, at Thriller Bark, the officers received Moria's call and joyfully headed to the port to greet him.
"Moria-sama is back!"
For the past two days, they had deeply experienced what it meant to be servants.
Perona, able to fly, was the fastest of the three. She arrived at the port first and happily rushed toward Moria.
"Moria-sama!"
She had been adopted by Moria when she was very young. For her, Moria wasn't just her captain—he was like a parent.
When the young girl saw Mihawk returning alongside Moria, she froze for a moment, then immediately fell flat on her face.
"You! Why are you here?!"
Perona quickly jumped up, looking at Mihawk in disbelief. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
This guy... is he here for her?
Is he worried about her?
Tears welled up in the girl's eyes.
Waaah, how gentle!
Mihawk frowned and explained impatiently. "I just received a mission to find someone in this sea area. It has nothing to do with you."
"..."
Perona was stunned for a moment, then became furious.
Bastard, give me back my tears!
"Kishishishi!"
A sharp laugh echoed across the port.
Moria looked down at Perona, parted his lips, and asked, "Perona, in the past few days, have you found any other ships?"
"Yes!"
Perona nodded vigorously.
She was in charge of reconnaissance. Many of the ships that entered the Florian Triangle were targeted by her ghosts.
"Moria-sama, that 'Daichi the Destroyer' is on the island right now!"
"What?!"
Moria was astonished.
Mihawk also showed a surprised expression.
Their mission was to find Daichi, and they hadn't expected him to be on the island already. Their luck was incredible.
"Kishishishi, excellent!"
Moria opened his arms and laughed.
Besides the mission assigned by the World Government, he himself had a grudge with Daichi—or rather, with the pirate crew he belonged to!
Let's meet him first!
"Let's go!"
Moria and Mihawk got into a carriage.
Both had their own plans and no intention of contacting the Marines immediately.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the castle.
Inside the eerie castle hall, Daichi sat in the main seat, looking up at Mihawk, who had arrived with Moria. His eyes showed slight surprise.
"So you've arrived."
Why was this guy here too?
"The World Government sent you to find me?"
"Kishishishi, you're quite perceptive!"
Moria responded with a sneer.
"The Warlords don't get along well with each other. Besides the World Government's orders, there aren't many opportunities for you to gather."
Daichi shrugged.
"However, I advise you to give up on that idea. I didn't come here to fight you."
"..."
Moria's eyes grew ferocious.
During the Summit War, he had personally witnessed Daichi's strength. Even so, he still wanted to compete with him.
His ability had a restraining effect, and he had rich experience dealing with slow-moving giants.
Shadow's Asgard rose behind him.
"Kishishishi!"
Moria laughed loudly, then turned his head to look at Fujitora, who was sitting on the other side.
"Admiral Fujitora from the Summit War—I didn't expect you to be here too. Did the Marines send you to capture this man?"
"I've already retired from the Marines."
Fujitora shook his head slightly. "Now I'm a member of the Hoenn Navy. Theoretically, I am Supreme Commander Daichi's subordinate."
"..."
Moria was greatly shocked.
This scene seemed familiar.
A year ago, Admiral Kuzan had also left the Marines in this way and joined Hoenn, now serving as Hoenn's Fleet Admiral.
Trouble!
He wasn't so arrogant as to face two great powerhouses alone. Even with Mihawk's help, the outcome probably wouldn't be favorable.
"Don't be so nervous. Sit down and talk."
Daichi extended his hand in invitation and said softly. "Or you can contact the World Government and have them send an admiral over. You two alone cannot take me down."
"..."
Moria and Mihawk's expressions turned cold.
They were being underestimated!
However, the two still sat down.
Any problems could be discussed after talking. They were people of status—how could they fight upon meeting like reckless brutes?
Daichi nodded slightly and asked, "I haven't received any outside information these past few days. How is your battle with Cross Guild progressing?"
"No result."
This time, Mihawk answered.
By the end of the war, neither side could completely defeat the other. If they'd continued fighting, few would have survived.
Furthermore, when he saw his own clone, he realized something was wrong, and his battle with Crocodile stopped there.
After joining the Warlords, he'd undergone a comprehensive physical examination according to the treaty. But he never expected the World Government to create powerful humanoid weapons based on them.
Seraphim!
And during the war, the Seraphim had displayed powerful combat capabilities—no less than those of the Warlords themselves.
Mihawk felt threatened.
Perhaps, as Crocodile said, the World Government wanted to replace the Warlords with the Seraphim.
Mihawk took out a newspaper and handed it to Daichi.
"See for yourself."
"Thank you."
Daichi took the newspaper, his eyebrows raising.
"Pacifista—Seraphim!"
The article described the severe blow dealt by the World Government to Cross Guild and detailed the Seraphim's strength.
Reading through it, it seemed more like a promotional advertisement for the Seraphim.
Currently, the World Government indeed needed to introduce some reassuring developments to stabilize an uneasy public.
Once news of Fujitora joining Hoenn spread, the World Government and Marines would face a new round of crisis in morale.
Daichi put down the newspaper.
"Since both of you are here, I'll be straightforward. I'm here to persuade you to give up your positions as Warlords."
"Give up our positions?"
Moria and Mihawk exchanged glances.
The title of Warlord brought them many benefits. Besides the permission for legal plunder, the most important thing was not being pursued by the Marines.
How could they give it up so easily?
"Kishishishi!"
Moria's face filled with rage.
"Do you think we'll agree to you?"
"No."
Daichi shook his head, his gaze dangerous.
"Moria, and Mihawk—Fujitora and I originally planned to directly capture you. At that time, the World Government would have no choice but to abandon you, and the Warlord system would exist in name only."
"However, I want to give you a choice. Rather than being forcibly captured and losing face, it's better to cooperate amicably."
"As long as you resign from your Warlord titles, I can introduce you to new opportunities. I can't promise much else, but at least it's far freer than being a Warlord, and no one will force you to do anything."
Daichi chuckled, crossing his legs.
"How about it?"
"..."
Veins bulged on Moria's neck, and his eyes gradually became bloodshot.
Naked contempt!
Mihawk's gaze turned cold.
He understood Daichi's meaning. The man wanted to abolish the Warlord system, and as Warlords, they were merely caught in the crossfire.
The situation would be the same for the other Warlords.
Furthermore, the choice offered was essentially a matter of taking sides: whether to continue siding with the World Government or to join the Hoenn faction.
However, this forceful attitude made him very displeased!
"Clang!"
Mihawk drew his black blade Yoru.
Then let him experience the strength of this new "World's Strongest Man" who had taken Whitebeard's place!