"My view is much the same as Garp's."
"We have signed the contract and come to the City of the Underworld. Seeing so many of our old comrades here, we naturally have no ulterior motives."
Sengoku adjusted his glasses. A brief flash of white light reflected off the lenses, revealing his solemn and grave expression.
"I cannot speak for everyone else, but among the Marines present, I believe I still possess enough prestige to keep them in line."
"We can guarantee that we will work loyally for you from now on."
"Whether it is to protect our own world or to actively initiate war for the sake of others, we will risk our lives and fight for you until the very end."
"This is our will, Great King."
Hearing Sengoku's words, Ren nodded inwardly, feeling extremely satisfied.
'Look at that level of awareness. As expected of a veteran who has weathered political turmoil and the baptism of war.'
'His commitment is truly commendable.'
Garp looked at Sengoku, blinking his innocent eyes, and spoke up to remind him.
"Sengoku, your wording is a bit off."
"Hmm? What's wrong with it?"
Sengoku's brow furrowed, wondering what kind of nonsense Garp was about to pull now.
"This decision was agreed upon by all the Marines after our previous discussion."
"What, do you suddenly have a different opinion now?"
Garp waved his hands repeatedly while picking his nose. "Sengoku, we're all already dead. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to talk about risking our lives and fighting to the death?"
"Garp, shut your mouth!"
Sengoku's forehead pulsed with veins as his roar echoed once again.
Hearing Garp's objection, he had thought there might be some new insight, but after all that fuss, it was just this?
Looking at it now, he felt like a fool for ever believing Garp had a brain.
"Sengoku, you were clearly the one who misspoke."
"Shut up! I don't need you to point it out."
"Why?"
"Hey, Sakazuki, use your magma to seal this idiot's mouth shut."
"Hey, Sakazuki, melt this old geezer Sengoku for me."
The two old men, Garp and Sengoku, suddenly began bickering like children.
Sakazuki pulled his cap lower and shifted his body, wanting nothing to do with his two former superiors.
Ren looked at Zephyr and said blankly, "They are supposed to be people who stood at the peak of the world. Were they always this rowdy in life?"
Zephyr showed a calm but helpless expression. He was clearly long since accustomed to the relationship between Garp and Sengoku.
Pouring tea for Ren, Zephyr sighed. "Just ignore them. It is best to act like they aren't there while we talk."
Ren nodded slightly, ignoring the two overly active children in old men's bodies, and looked at the only normal person left on the field.
"Sakazuki, what about you? Tell me your thoughts."
Sakazuki looked up, his face as cold and serious as ever.
"My thoughts are the same."
"As Brother Sengoku said, the Great King has shown us great kindness, as you have for our world."
"We Marines have already reached a consensus. To protect our world and repay your kindness, we will pledge our loyalty and work for you."
"However, I have one doubt in my heart that I hope the Great King can answer."
Ren gestured with his hand and said, "What doubt?"
"Why gather those pirates?"
Sakazuki sat up straight, his fist clenched unconsciously beneath the tea table.
"I do not deny that there are sincere individuals among pirates like Whitebeard or Straw Hat Luffy who possess correct values, but the vast majority are nothing more than wicked criminals who hurt others for their own selfish desires."
"Such people are full of sin and should never be forgiven."
"Why take in these filthy souls? Are they truly qualified to be recruited and stand among us?"
After hearing Sakazuki's words, Ren fell silent for a moment.
After considering it, he looked up at him.
"What do you plan to do once you know the reason? Leave?"
"Of course not," Sakazuki said. "I simply wish to know your answer."
Ren sighed, though a genuine smile touched his heart.
"The fact that you can voice your opinion to my face proves that you have come here with sincerity."
"Since that is the case, I will be equally honest with you."
"I wouldn't dare," Sakazuki said, shaking his head. "I am not as noble as you suggest."
Ren didn't mind and said, "I'm sure you can all see that this Underworld of mine is, quite bluntly, a newly established ragtag crew."
"In the early stages of building a nation, things are unsettled. The priority is to expand our influence and increase our numbers, especially powerful individuals."
"Why take in those pirates? Naturally, it is because they are strong."
"They provide immediate combat power without needing years of training. Why wouldn't I use such people?"
He looked at Sakazuki, the Admiral and Fleet Admiral who harbored an intense hatred for evil.
"Are you satisfied with this answer?"
"It is not for me to say whether I am satisfied or not. It was merely a question. The fact that the Great King answered shows your regard for us."
Sakazuki nodded, a strange sense of relief appearing on his face.
"If this were before, when I was still a Marine officer, I might not have understood."
"But after those later years, serving as Fleet Admiral and heading an entire organization, I can more or less understand this approach."
"Sometimes, to achieve an objective, one must set aside the popular definition of a 'good person' and cooperate with the wicked."
"Such dilemmas are almost unavoidable, so I will not say anything more."
Sakazuki's response caught Ren by surprise.
In his memory, this Admiral Akainu was someone who couldn't tolerate any grain of sand in his eyes, vowing to eradicate all evil and criminals.
Seeing him now, he had certainly become much more pragmatic.
Ren sized him up with a smile in his eyes. "Sakazuki, you've learned a bit about politics lately, aren't you?"
Detecting the amusement in Ren's voice, Sakazuki pulled at his cap, his tone somewhat helpless.
"I was forced by the situation... If possible, I'd rather not understand such shitty logic."
Garp and Sengoku had already stopped their bickering and overheard the entire conversation between Ren and Sakazuki.
Sengoku quickly said, "Great King, my apologies. Please forgive Sakazuki's probing."
"Such abrupt words were out of necessity. We simply had to see for ourselves the character of the person we are to follow."
Ren waved it off. "It is fine, I understand."
"We might be spending the next thousand years together. It's only natural to want to be sure."
'When an employee joins a company, they usually look into the company's current state first.'
'You can't just dive in blindly without asking anything, right?'
'What if you run into a black-hearted company that withholds wages? That would be a disaster.'
'Moreover, my company has a lifetime employment system.'
Sengoku bowed his head with a serious expression. "Thank you for your understanding. We are deeply grateful."
Seeing the others getting familiar with Ren, Zephyr asked with a smile, "Great King, are these three candidates I recommended qualified?"
"They are certainly qualified. I am very satisfied."
Ren nodded, his expression showing his approval.
Whether it was Garp, Sengoku, or Sakazuki, they were all trustworthy people. How could he not be satisfied?
He looked at the three and sensed their Spiritual Pressure, noticing that Sengoku and Garp's were not particularly strong yet.
After thinking for a moment, Ren said, "However, for the upcoming conquest of the Ninja World, I have decided not to take you along."
The three Marines looked surprised. Garp, being blunt, immediately asked, "Why?"
"Sengoku and I may be old, but after entering the City of the Underworld, we were injected with a serum that restored our youth. We are currently in our prime at fifty years old, with significant combat power."
Sengoku chimed in from the side. "Garp, you're just curious about the new world and want to go there to sightsee, aren't you?"
"Ah, exposed." Garp looked at Sengoku in surprise. "Sengoku, you actually knew what I was thinking?"
"Your attitude is so obvious it would be strange if I didn't!"
Sengoku had worked with Garp for so many years that he knew him inside and out.
How could Garp's thoughts ever be hidden from him?
Sengoku set aside his casual demeanor and looked solemnly at Ren. "Great King, why not take us?"
"We do not wish to boast, nor do we wish to belittle ourselves. We are considered quite capable in the world. I believe we could be useful for your conquest plan."
Ren said, "It is not that I don't trust your abilities. It's just that you have only recently passed away and aren't yet familiar with the situation. Bringing you along so hastily might lead to unnecessary casualties."
"Ugh..."
Sengoku paused, the words he was about to say getting stuck in his throat.
Though Ren's words were blunt, they were the truth.
They had just died and indeed did not understand the Soul Reaper style of combat.
Furthermore, they were going to a different world.
He glanced at Sakazuki beside him and said to Ren, "Forget about us two old men, but Sakazuki should be able to go, right?"
Sakazuki straightened his back and let his Spiritual Pressure vent out completely.
"Even though I have just arrived at the City of the Underworld, I never neglected my training back on the seas. I already possess sufficient strength to serve as a combatant under the Great King."
Ren sensed the Spiritual Pressure Sakazuki released and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"To reach the Fifth Class Spiritual Power in such a short time... your Spiritual Pressure is indeed impressive."
He could feel that this was Sakazuki's own Spiritual Pressure, not borrowed power.
"Can you feel hunger after death?"
Sakazuki nodded. "Yes."
"Fine, then I will take you."
As Ren spoke, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Sakazuki's face.
Beside him, Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief.
"As long as Sakazuki can go, that's enough."
Sakazuki was a serious man; he would surely be useful on this trip and would serve as the eyes for the rest of the Marines to learn about other worlds.
It wasn't just Garp who was curious about other worlds; he, and most of the Marines, couldn't help but feel curious as well.
Just as Ren and the others were about to discuss other personnel, a deafening roar suddenly erupted outside.
Boom!
Ren's brow furrowed as he looked toward the window.
Just as he stood up, Guernica moved a step ahead of him and opened the window. The roar from outside grew even louder.
Ren walked to the window and took in the scene outside.
Above one side of the City of the Underworld, dark clouds had gathered, casting the city into shadow.
Amidst the lightning and thunder, a magnificent azure dragon spiraled through the clouds, twisting its body to manipulate massive gusts of wind while breathing out streams of fire.
It was clearly engaged in battle.
Its opponent was a pink-clad figure.
This figure had a graceful and charming silhouette, standing atop a dark cloud. She held a sharp blade in her hand, surrounded by a massive fireball that blocked the dragon's Heat Breath.
"Kaido and Linlin? Why are they fighting?"
Ren immediately recognized the dragon and the woman.
He looked back at Whitebeard, who had walked up behind him, with a questioning gaze.
"Newgate, what is going on?"
Whitebeard looked at the two combatants, rubbed his brow, and a trace of helplessness appeared on his face.
"Those two idiots are at it again."
"I'll go make them stop."
With that, Whitebeard leapt out of the window and rushed toward the battlefield.
Ren watched Whitebeard's back, wanting to say something but stopping.
'Hey, you haven't explained it to me yet.'
He looked at Zephyr, who had approached.
"Whitebeard is gone. You are also a manager of the City of the Underworld. You tell me."
At the mention of Kaido and Big Mom, Zephyr's expression turned far sourer than it had been when he was with Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's character was well-known, but as for Kaido and Big Mom... there was no need for discussion.
This led Zephyr, who loathed pirates, to suppress his temper with Whitebeard, but he made no effort to hide his malice toward Kaido and Big Mom.
"Whether it's Kaido or Big Mom, they are both restless types. In the City of the Underworld, they each occupied two or three streets, and when they have nothing to do, they start fighting in the city."
"However, because they fight so often, their strength has grown significantly. Compared to when they first died, there is a world of difference."
"Of course, they are made to pay for the buildings they destroy during their fights."
Zephyr's expression suddenly shifted, and he said to Ren, "Great King, aren't you going to conquer the Ninja World? Just take these two along and let them run wild there."
"With their strength, they should be of help to the conquest plan."
They were pirates, after all. Even if they died in that so-called Ninja World, it wouldn't be a pity at all.
Ren nodded slightly. "I already had that intention."
'Train an army for a thousand days, use it for a moment.'
Kaido and Big Mom were both high-quality elites.
For this conquest of the Ninja World, the Sage of the Six Paths in the Pure Land and his brother, whose status was unknown, were mysterious and unknown enemies to Ren.
Bringing those two along would at least alleviate some of the pressure on him.
In the distance, Whitebeard had already reached the battlefield.
Under the persuasion of Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the majestic azure dragon transformed back into a muscular man, and Big Mom withdrew her dark clouds. The scorching flames beside her turned into cute little fireballs.
After the two landed, they greeted their subordinates and then led a large crowd toward them.
Whitebeard leapt across rooftops and returned to the tea room ahead of them.
Climbing back through the window, Whitebeard smiled at Ren. "Kaido and Linlin have made up. Hearing that the Boss is here, they're bringing their men to see you."
As he spoke, Whitebeard glanced at the street outside. Those people were already nearing the entrance of the Administrative Palace.
"They'll be here shortly."
"They've come at the right time. I have important matters to discuss with them."
Ren turned and instructed Guernica behind him, "When Kaido and Big Mom arrive, lead them directly here."
"Understood."
Guernica bowed and walked out.
Ren looked around the room at everyone, then waved to Maha.
Taking the documents from his hand, Ren's expression became solemn.
"Next, we shall convene the strategic meeting for the conquest of the Ninja World."
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]