Akainu snorted coldly. His patience was already gone and he was moments away from throwing a punch.
"Enough, Akainu. Let him speak," Sengoku said.
Akainu stiffened, then withdrew the magma from his body.
Lafitte wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He had almost died.
Adjusting his hat, he spoke.
"Our captain is named Blackbeard. He wishes to apply for the vacant position of Warlord of the Sea."
The moment he finished, Doflamingo and Gecko Moria burst into laughter.
"Who is this Blackbeard?"
"Fuffufufu. You must be joking."
Even Sengoku twitched slightly.
Only Ezra D. Vale froze.
So Ace had already been captured.
Just as expected, Lafitte continued.
"Although our captain is not famous yet, we believe in his strength."
He pulled out a wanted poster and held it up.
Portgas D. Ace.
"To show our sincerity, our captain has captured Fire Fist Ace."
The room inhaled sharply.
"Do you even know whose man Ace is?" Sengoku demanded.
Lafitte nodded calmly.
"Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."
Sengoku snorted.
"So your captain is either brave or reckless."
Lafitte smiled.
"If the Navy grants Blackbeard the title of Warlord, Ace will be handed over immediately."
He bowed slightly.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, do you accept?"
Sengoku fell silent.
He knew exactly who Ace was, not only as Whitebeard's man but also as Garp's grandson. But he was Fleet Admiral, not a grandfather.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Very well. Send Ace to Marineford as soon as possible."
Relief flickered across Lafitte's face.
"Thank you, Fleet Admiral."
He bowed to the room and leapt back out the window, disappearing into the sky.
No one bothered to stop him.
Kizaru stopped trimming his nails.
"So, Fleet Admiral, does this mean war with Whitebeard?"
Sengoku shook his head.
"For now, Ace will be held in Impel Down. That is all."
Then he turned to the Warlords.
"The seats are now filled. When the next summons comes, every one of you will attend. Or you will no longer be protected."
Hancock and Moria stiffened. Doflamingo only smiled.
"So the meeting is over?"
Sengoku nodded.
The Warlords began to leave.
Before Hancock exited, she fixed her gaze on Ezra.
"Admiral Ezra, wait for me at the harbor."
She walked away in a sharp click of heels.
Everyone turned to Ezra.
He stared blankly.
Who am I. Where am I. Why am I in trouble again.
He had no idea what Hancock wanted.
Gion pinched his waist hard.
"Hey, I swear I do not know what she wants," Ezra protested.
Gion turned away with a snort.
Sengoku cleared his throat.
"I will inform the Five Elders about Ace. When I receive their response, you will be notified."
Ezra nodded.
He knew Ace's fate was unavoidable. Once his bloodline was exposed, the only option left would be public execution.
That would ignite the greatest war the seas had seen since the Pirate Era began.
The Summit War.
Ezra sighed.
He had tried to change Ace's path. He told him about Rouge, tried to steer him away from piracy.
Ace still chose this life.
"Meeting adjourned," Sengoku announced.
Ezra left with Gion and headed for the harbor.
Hancock's sister Sandersonia was waiting.
"My sister invites you aboard her ship."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
Now he remembered what he had said to Hancock.
He followed Sandersonia into the ship.
The cabin door opened with a soft creak. A gentle fragrance drifted out.
Hancock sat on her throne, her gaze complex.
Her childhood as a slave had made her despise men. Her title as Empress had forced her to wear pride like armor.
Yet the man before her had crushed that pride and threatened her homeland.
And somehow, she could not hate him.
In Amazon Lily, strength was beauty.
And Ezra D. Vale was terrifyingly strong.
Still, there was one thing she had to know.
"You know my past, do you not?"