Marine Headquarters, Marineford Plaza.
Though the soldiers and officers had dispersed, and the execution platform had been cleared away, the Seven Warlords of the Sea meeting continued under the open sky.
Sitting among the Warlords, Donquixote Doflamingo wore a complex expression—a mix of anger, defiance, and humiliation.
Particularly when Fleet Admiral Xayuki brought up the disgrace of his failed attempt to return to the Holy Land years ago, Doflamingo nearly flipped the table in fury.
Fortunately, Xayuki didn't press further. Instead, he shifted the focus, taking the opportunity to reprimand the other Warlords as well.
"Alright, the broadcast is over," Xayuki suddenly announced, his tone calm yet commanding. "Now, it's time to discuss your future arrangements. For the time being, none of you will be allowed to leave Marine Headquarters. Not only that, but you'll also undergo a period of Ideological Remolding."
"Ideological Remolding?"
Dracule Mihawk, who had been silent until now, raised his head in surprise. "Even I must participate?"
"Everyone must participate," Xayuki replied firmly.
He continued, "While none of you have openly opposed the Marines since becoming Warlords, I'm well aware of the things you've done under the guise of your titles. Especially you, Doflamingo and Crocodile. One of you, under the alias Joker, has been running illegal operations in the underworld. The other, under the codename Mr. 0, established Baroque Works in Alabasta."
At these words, both Doflamingo and Crocodile's expressions darkened.
Crocodile, in particular, was visibly shaken. He hadn't expected Xayuki to be so well-informed about his clandestine activities over the years.
Before either of them could respond, Xayuki suddenly turned to Crocodile. "Crocodile, your 'Fantasyland Project' hasn't been initiated yet, has it? Good. Let's keep it that way."
The abrupt mention of the Fantasyland Project caused Crocodile's pupils to contract sharply. Instinctively, he stood up, staring at Xayuki in disbelief.
After a few seconds of silent scrutiny, Crocodile took a deep breath to suppress his shock. In a low voice, he asked, "Fleet Admiral Xayuki, just how much do you know?"
"What are you so afraid of?" Xayuki replied with a faint smile. "Is it because I know about your Baroque Works? Or your so-called 'secret' Fantasyland Project? Or perhaps... the fact that among your Baroque Works members, there's someone named Nico Robin, the Demon Child?"
The moment Nico Robin's name left Xayuki's lips, both Jinbe and Gecko Moria, who had been keeping to themselves, raised their heads in astonishment.
Even Doflamingo, caught off guard, turned to look at Crocodile with a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Crocodile, though outwardly composed, was inwardly reeling.
That Xayuki knew about Nico Robin's involvement in Baroque Works was a revelation that shook him to his core.
Nico Robin, the sole survivor of the Ohara Incident, was a world-renowned fugitive due to her ability to decipher Poneglyphs and her status as one of the only known scholars capable of reading ancient texts.
Crocodile had taken a significant risk in recruiting her, valuing her unique skill set. He had gone to great lengths to keep her identity a secret, knowing that if the World Government discovered he was harboring her, he would not only lose his Warlord title but also face certain death.
Yet here was Xayuki, casually revealing this closely guarded secret, proving beyond doubt that Crocodile's every move had been under his surveillance.
It was clear to Crocodile that Xayuki had no intention of winning his loyalty.
Watching Crocodile's reaction, Xayuki smiled and waved dismissively. "Relax. Whether it's you, Doflamingo, or that washed-up loser across from you who's been sulking ever since losing to Kaido, none of you have any secrets in my eyes. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have waited until now."
"In short, I will personally guide you all toward Justice."
"And the first step toward Justice is undergoing Ideological Remolding."
"As for your subordinates or family members..."
Xayuki's gaze shifted to Doflamingo. "You have two choices: One, like Moria, have all members of the Donquixote Family report to Marine Headquarters within seven days. Two, allow Admiral Sakazuki to take over Dressrosa, with all members of the Donquixote Family placed under his command and jurisdiction."
Hearing this, Doflamingo nearly fell out of his chair. Regaining his composure, he stood up and glared at Xayuki with a fiery intensity. "So, taking Dressrosa from me is your true goal, isn't it, Fleet Admiral Xayuki?"
"I can bow to you, but I demand that the Donquixote Family retain control of Dressrosa!"
"Understood," Xayuki replied with a nod. Then, without hesitation, he turned to Sakazuki. "Sakazuki!"
"Yes!"
Standing silently beside Xayuki, Sakazuki stepped forward without hesitation.
"Lead your Akainu Unit and immediately set out to arrest all members of the Donquixote Family in Dressrosa—"
Before Xayuki could finish, he abruptly changed his mind. "No, don't arrest them. Eliminate them all."
"Understood!" Sakazuki responded without a second thought, pulling out a Den Den Mushi to issue orders.
"Wait!"
Panicked, Doflamingo shouted to stop him. For the first time since entering Marineford, he spoke in the most humble tone he could muster. "Xayuki, must you go to such extremes? Dressrosa belongs to the Donquixote Family—"
He paused, realizing that Xayuki was not one to change his mind. Taking a deep breath, Doflamingo bowed his head. "I... I choose the first option."
"You've missed your chance to choose."
Xayuki shook his head decisively. "Sakazuki, proceed. When you reach Dressrosa, if the Donquixote Family resists, eliminate them all."
"Remember—all of them."
"If they surrender and cooperate, take them into custody and await further instructions."
"Understood!"
Sakazuki stood at attention, saluted, then turned to his Den Den Mushi to issue the final order. "Target: Dressrosa. Assemble within ten minutes!"
With Sakazuki's command, the officers of the Akainu Unit—including Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and Commodores—immediately rushed out of Marine Headquarters.
Simultaneously, over 1,200 soldiers below the rank of Commodore marched in unison toward the port, boarding four warships docked along the shore.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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