The conference room in Mary Geoise was bright and opulent, styled like a palace. The crisp sound of footsteps echoed as Fleet Admiral Sengoku walked in. He cast a sweeping glance across the room, a mocking smile touching his lips.
"Good afternoon, you scum of the sea."
The only one to respond was Donquixote Doflamingo, who was perched casually on the balcony railing, soaking in the sun. "Fufufu... Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you really don't hold back with your words, do you?"
Sengoku ignored him, striding over to take his seat at the massive round table. On the Marine side, Staff Officer Tsuru was already present, along with four Vice Admirals attending the meeting. Opposite them sat the current Warlords of the Sea—the Shichibukai.
"This is truly a surprise," Sengoku said, dropping into his chair. He scanned the three figures before him. "It's beyond my expectations that three of you would bother to show up in person."
Indeed, three Warlords had answered the summons: Bartholomew Kuma, the "Tyrant"; Donquixote Doflamingo, the "Heavenly Yaksha"; and the fish-man Jinbe, the "Knight of the Sea."
Sengoku's gaze settled on the fish-man. "Especially you, Jinbe. I can't believe you actually came."
Jinbe, who had been sitting with his arms crossed and eyes closed, didn't seem interested in talking. "This old man didn't want to come either," he grumbled. "It was just on the way, so I thought I'd drop by."
"On the way?!"
The bizarre answer left everyone in the room stunned. Sengoku was about to press for details when a new voice cut through the air, drawing everyone's attention to the entrance.
"How rare. Three of you actually came. Well then, one more won't make a difference."
A man emerged from the shadows, walking slowly into the light. He wore a striking red top and carried a massive black sword on his back. His eyes were as sharp and piercing as an eagle's. His presence instantly shocked the room.
"Whoa, whoa... look who it is," Doflamingo chuckled. "The most unexpected guest has arrived."
Jinbe's eyes snapped open as he uttered the man's name. "Hawkeye!"
It was indeed the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule "Hawkeye" Mihawk.
With Mihawk taking a seat, the only Warlords absent—besides the recently defeated Crocodile—were the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, and Gekko Moriah. Sengoku was surprised by the turnout but didn't dwell on it.
"Since you're all here, let's not waste any more time," he announced, his tone all business. "The Marines' time is precious, and I don't have the leisure to waste it on you scumbags." He got straight to the point. "Today's topic is simple: the matter of Crocodile."
His gaze swept over each of them. "The stance of both Marine Headquarters and the World Government is simple. From this day forward, we will absolutely not tolerate news of another Warlord being defeated."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The Warlords' expressions tightened.
Doflamingo let out his signature laugh. "Fufufufu... Fleet Admiral Sengoku, are you suggesting you think we'll be defeated by some rookie, just like Crocodile was?"
"Hmph!" Sengoku snorted. "It would be best if you weren't. But if it happens, I hope you understand the consequences."
Silence fell over the room. Sengoku then turned to the most compliant Warlord present. "Kuma, there's something I need you to do."
Kuma was the only one Sengoku could communicate with on a normal level. The giant man simply turned his head, remaining silent.
"You need to go to Moriah's territory and inform him of what was discussed here today."
Kuma was quiet for a moment before responding in a soft voice that seemed completely at odds with his immense size. "I understand."
At that moment, Doflamingo, unable to resist stirring up trouble, chimed in again. "Fufufu... That Moriah fellow has become the biggest deadweight among us. I suggest the Marines and the World Government consider replacing him. Otherwise, it's only a matter of time before he's defeated too."
"You don't need to worry about that, Doflamingo," Sengoku shot back, his eyes narrowing. "On the contrary, let's talk about you. You, a Shichibukai, were seen publicly meeting with the Yonko Kaido. Do you understand your position?"
The conversation had finally reached the heart of the matter. Everyone turned to look at Doflamingo. Jinbe's expression tensed slightly, while even the stoic Hawkeye seemed curious.
"Is it true," Mihawk asked, "that Kaido found the legendary City of Gold?"
"Ah... Fufufufu..." Doflamingo laughed, leaning back. "It's true. I went up and saw it for myself. A magnificent city built entirely of gold, with the legendary Golden Bell and everything. I never thought a fairy tale I heard as a child would turn out to be real. Oh, right..." He turned his head to look at Staff Officer Tsuru. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, I remember you're from the North Blue as well, aren't you?"
Tsuru didn't even bother to look up from her papers. "That has nothing to do with today's discussion, Doffy."
"Then Fleet Admiral Sengoku's question also seems unrelated to this meeting, doesn't it?" Doflamingo replied smoothly. "I'm just a businessman. Fufufu... And for a businessman, revealing client information is a major taboo. I don't want to become someone who breaks their word."
"You bastard!" Sengoku seethed, furious at Doflamingo's blatant refusal to cooperate.
Doflamingo, however, had no intention of wasting any more time. The situation in Wano Country was far more important to him. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm heading back. It's a shame to waste such a beautiful day in here."
Seeing he would get nothing out of the man, Sengoku suppressed his anger. "Do you have any recommendations for a new Shichibukai candidate?"
Everyone looked at him, confused.
Doflamingo was the first to speak. "What? Isn't it the usual rule for the victor to become the next candidate? Don't tell me that rookie, Straw Hat, refused the Marines' offer?"
Doflamingo's words struck a nerve, a direct jab at Sengoku's personal headache. His old friend Garp's grandson was a pirate causing major incidents, and he was the one left to clean up the mess. Sengoku had, in fact, sent Admiral Aokiji to make contact, but it had proven difficult. According to the last report, the Straw Hat crew had been swept up by the Knock Up Stream near Jaya, attempting to reach a Sky Island. It was unknown if they were dead or had actually succeeded.
"Since you have no objections, the Marines will take full responsibility for this matter," Sengoku said curtly. "Alright, that concludes today's meeting. If there's nothing else, you're dismissed!"
Hearing this, the Warlords stood up, ready to leave. But just as they turned, a Marine messenger burst into the room, frantic and pale.
"Th-This is bad, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! We just received word from the Sabaody Archipelago! A Celestial Dragon... a Celestial Dragon has been killed!"
"What?!"
The air in the conference room froze. Every single person, Marine and pirate alike, was stunned into silence, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"Who?" Sengoku demanded, his voice trembling with rage. "Who would be so bold?!"
The messenger was shaking. "According to the report... it was a very powerful woman... with a spiked club..."
In that instant, among the crowd of powerful figures, the Knight of the Sea, Jinbe, suddenly shot to his feet.
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