Luffy suddenly spoke, interrupting Nami.
His eyes seemed distant as he sorted through the information that had automatically linked together in his mind. His passive talent had just activated.
"Nami, wait. I think I know something else."
"What?" Nami blinked, confused.
"That Bellamy Pirates... it seems like they have ties to one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea behind them. Is it called... the Donquixote Family?"
The Donquixote Family?
Usopp and Chopper tilted their heads in unison.
Everyone looked puzzled, having never heard of it.
"If it's that family, then it's indeed a bit troublesome."
Upon hearing this, Robin's expression grew serious. "The man Luffy is referring to is likely Donquixote Doflamingo. His former bounty was as high as 340 million Beri, and he is now one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He possesses a vast network in the New World. Rumor has it he's not just a Warlord; he even has covert connections with certain Emperors. He's a very dangerous figure."
"Another Warlord?"
Vivi covered her mouth in surprise, feeling that Luffy had a peculiar affinity for attracting Warlords, given they had just defeated Crocodile.
Tears were already welling up in the corners of Nami's eyes.
"Nami, it can't be that serious, can it?" Vivi tried to comfort her.
Seeing that Vivi didn't seem to grasp the severity of the situation, Nami grew even more frantic. "Our crew has already offended more than one Warlord! Ask Zoro!"
Zoro, leaning against the railing and polishing his Wado Ichimonji, didn't even look up. "Oh," he said flatly, adding, "Back in the East Blue, we ran into another Warlord, Hawk-Eyes Dracule Mihawk. But he's my target. It had nothing to do with Luffy. Luffy was off fighting the fish-man Arlong back then."
Chopper, who joined the crew later: "???"
The Arlong Pirates?
He seemed to recall hearing about them before.
Just then, Luffy's passive talent triggered again automatically.
He scratched his head, looking somewhat apologetically at Nami. "Nami, I think I know something else now... It seems like Arlong also had a Warlord backing him?"
Robin thought for a moment. "A fish-man? Among the Seven Warlords, there is indeed one fish-man. He's called Jinbe, the 'Knight of the Sea.'"
Everyone: "!!!"
Nami nearly fainted, her voice trembling. "A-another one?"
"So, by this count, we've directly or indirectly gotten involved with four of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Luffy, are you a magnet for Warlord grudges or something?!"
Chopper was already hiding behind Usopp, shivering.
Even the usually unflappable Robin showed a flicker of astonishment in her eyes.
Pirates with the strength of a Warlord were all famous names on the seas. The very reason the World Government wanted them was for their immense reputation, which could intimidate other pirates.
Now, by this reckoning, Luffy was connected to over half of the Seven Warlords.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In a solemn, oppressive conference room, the atmosphere was heavy.
The seats around the massive circular table were not all filled, but the weight of those present was enough to send waves through the New World.
A meeting regarding the former Warlord of the Sea, Sir Crocodile, his stripped title, and how to handle the power vacuum he left behind was about to commence.
The figures around the long table were sparse.
"Fuffuffuffu..."
A distinct laugh shattered the silence. Donquixote Doflamingo, draped in a pink feathered coat and wearing sunglasses, sat sprawled in his chair, his feet even arrogantly propped on the table's edge. His fingers twitched slightly as if manipulating puppet strings.
"What a boring meeting. They actually made us come all this way."
"Doflamingo, mind your manners. If you keep playing with those Marines using your strings, I'll personally give you a thorough scrubbing."
Sitting across from him was an elderly woman with a calm demeanor and graying hair.
Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Fuffuffu, Granny Tsuru is as strict as ever."
Doflamingo's grin widened, but the movement of his fingers stopped. He feared no one at Marine Headquarters except this old woman. Just as Garp had pursued Roger across the seas, Doflamingo had been persistently chased by Tsuru. Her Devil Fruit abilities inherently countered his, and this old hag didn't even fight him head-on, preferring schemes and tricks. Doflamingo had no desire to play Tsuru's games.
Beside him sat a giant, mountainous man, silently reading a thick book.
The "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma.
"You're still so loyal to the World Government, Kuma. Can you tell me what kind of deal you have with them? I'm very curious."
Kuma showed no reaction to Doflamingo's words, appearing completely absorbed in the world of his book.
Just then, the conference room door opened, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku strode in with steady steps.
He glanced at the only two Warlords present and said gravely, "Hmph. Having two of you show up is already more than I expected."
Sengoku's gaze swept over Doflamingo and Kuma, his voice steady, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm. The Warlord system was a pact with the devil; it would be strange if these powerful pirates truly followed the rules.
"So, you gathered us from all over just to discuss the mess left by that sand crocodile already rotting in Impel Down? Fleet Admiral Sengoku, do you have too much time on your hands?" Doflamingo mocked.
"Enough with the scum of the sea. Let's begin the meeting. No one else is coming; they're all a bunch of willful, selfish bastards," Sengoku said, taking his seat.
"I've been listening to nonsense for a while now. I'm starting to wonder if I came to the wrong place."
Before the words fully faded, a sharp, sword-like presence suddenly descended upon the room.
"Since someone has arrived, let's begin promptly. Wasting time is meaningless."
All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman, Hawk-Eyes, walked in slowly. He had clearly just arrived.
"No way, no way. The least likely one to appear shows up," Doflamingo laughed.
"Hawk-Eyes, you actually came?" Sengoku was also somewhat surprised.
"I'm merely here to observe. The subjects of this meeting happen to be a few pirates I find interesting."
"Please wait a moment, Fleet Admiral."
An abrupt voice interrupted Sengoku.
The conference room window had been opened at some point. A figure landed lightly on the windowsill like a ghost.
The newcomer wore a top hat, carried a cane, and had face paint reminiscent of a clown. It was the navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates, "Demon Sheriff" Lafitte.
"Arriving uninvited is quite rude behavior," Vice Admiral Tsuru said, her eyes turning cold.
"Please forgive my impertinence, esteemed ladies and gentlemen. I am Lafitte. I am here on behalf of my captain to submit a proposal to the World Government." Lafitte showed no fear. He bowed gracefully and continued, "His name is Marshall D. Teach. Most people call him Blackbeard."
Blackbeard?
D?
***
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