Mihawk agreed very straightforwardly, which didn't surprise Orin much.
After all, they'd known each other for over ten years—ever since they were both young men roaming the seas together.
Orin still vividly remembered how, shortly after Captain Roger's execution, that cold-faced young swordsman had walked into the red-light district, blade in hand, to challenge him.
They could be considered true friends.
While the two chatted, Orin noticed that the usually icy-cold Mihawk actually showed a faint smile.
Just then, little Perona floated over.
"Who is it? Who is it?"
She hugged her little doll, curiously peering at the Den Den Mushi.
"Hmm?"
Hearing a young girl's voice suddenly, Orin was momentarily stunned.
Then, as the Den Den Mushi's features transformed into a cute face, he realized it looked rather familiar.
"You are... little Perona?"
Orin raised a brow in surprise. He hadn't expected the ever-serious Mihawk to secretly bring Perona to live with him.
"Didn't expect this, huh? Already bringing a kid home so early, Hawk~"
With a teasing grin and a mischievous glint in his eyes, Orin earned himself a throbbing vein on Mihawk's forehead.
"Wasn't it you who agreed to take her for me back then?"
"It was supposed to be Moria who promised that, and you didn't lift a finger to help her afterward!!!"
Orin just laughed it off, pretending not to hear, dodging Mihawk's glare with a chuckle.
After exchanging a few words with Perona, Orin soon found the call abruptly cut off by Mihawk.
Next was Crocodile.
"Orin?"
When the Den Den Mushi connected, a scar crossing its face appeared—its eyes shadowed and cold. But upon seeing that it was Orin, Crocodile's tone softened slightly.
"What's this about?"
"Nothing major... just letting you know that I'll be disappearing for a few years. I'll be counting on you to watch over things during that time."
"Ha..."
Crocodile exhaled smoke, lounging back in the office chair at Rain Dinners.
"I see. But damn, you really are a carefree bastard..."
Her lips curved into a smirk—the kind only a real boss could wear—as she draped her black coat over her shoulders, radiating the aura of an underworld queen.
"I still have to bust my ass running this territory, and you expect me to do your work too?"
Orin waved off her teasing lightly.
"Don't be like that. When I get back~"
"I'll make sure you're properly rewarded. How about a nice big territory of your own?"
He toyed with a small gadget in his hand as he spoke, half-joking and half-serious.
As expected, nothing tempted Crocodile more than talk of power and land.
And Orin wasn't bluffing either—after all, in the future, a quarter of the New World would be his. That was a lot of land and a hell of a lot of power.
After settling things with Crocodile, Orin figured he couldn't show favoritism, so he decided to call the rest of the Shichibukai too.
They were his personal troops, after all—it was only right to inform them.
Next was Doflamingo.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... I understand. Since Orin-sama requires it, of course I'll offer my full support."
Inside the royal palace of Dressrosa, Doflamingo crossed his fingers with strings of thread glimmering between them. His tongue licked at the corner of his lips—a sinister, mocking grin on his face.
Yet when speaking to the Den Den Mushi, his tone was surprisingly respectful.
Still, deep down, he couldn't help feeling curious.
Years ago, Orin had disappeared from the seas for two whole years. Even with Doflamingo's vast underground network and intelligence reach, not a trace of him could be found.
And now he was going to vanish again?
For a man of Orin's influence, such long disappearances were far from normal.
What could he possibly be planning?
But since Orin didn't say, Doflamingo didn't pry. The conversation ended with another amused "Fuffuffu" as he hung up.
Click.
The smile faded from his face.
Leaning back against the sofa, he rested his arms on the sides, eyes narrowed in silent contemplation.
Beside him, Sugar quietly munched on grapes.
On the other end of the sofa, Viola sat watching her lover with a complicated expression.
The more she learned about Orin, the deeper her despair grew.
Could Dressrosa truly stand against an enemy like him?
...
Fishman Island.
"Understood, Orin-sama! I will keep a close watch on the seas!"
Jinbe sat cross-legged on the floor, facing the Den Den Mushi with solemn seriousness.
A loyal man like him would never refuse such a request.
"No need to be so stiff. Everyone knows I treat my own people well."
Orin chuckled, well aware of Jinbe's honest and steadfast nature.
After the incident on Fishman Island, Orin hadn't held any grudges against him.
But Jinbe remained firm.
"Your grace toward Fishman Island saved countless lives here. I am merely fulfilling my humble duty in return."
"Well... suit yourself."
...
"Hehehehehehe~ Got it. Perona's doing great at Mihawk's place. Please thank him for me."
In recent days, some rowdy rookies—the so-called Supernovas—had caused trouble for Moria.
He'd been too busy handling them, so he'd sent Perona to Mihawk's castle for a while.
Now that things had quieted down, he didn't mind doing Orin this small favor.
...
"Kuma, I'll be counting on you next."
With Kuma, there was no need for a call. Orin simply teleported to where Ginny and Bonney were receiving treatment and spoke to him directly.
Upon hearing Orin's request, Kuma's eyes shone—not a trace of reluctance on his face.
"No problem at all! After everything you've done for us, I've been searching for a way to repay you..."
"I'll gladly take this task!"
Orin wasn't surprised. Smiling, he patted the massive man's arm.
"I'll be expecting to see your family healthy when I return."
...
Six of the Shichibukai had been notified. Only one remained.
Scratching his chin, Orin thought for a moment, then decided to make the final call.
After all, she used to be under him.
He didn't have Hancock's Den Den Mushi number, so he first contacted the Holy Land, requesting it from CP0.
His assigned CP0 agent, Lip, answered nervously—feeling guilty for having failed to properly "manage" Orin's former slave.
But Orin assured him it didn't matter.
As a government-affiliated Shichibukai, Lip managed to provide Hancock's contact line.
Orin dialed it directly.
Moments later, the Den Den Mushi connected.
A haughty, imperious gaze appeared on its face, the voice dripping with disdain.
"What insolent fool..."
"How dare you disturb me while I'm bathing!!!"