"The rest of the Shichibukai are coming to Marineford," Sengoku said seriously.
"After this meeting, they will assist Marine in the upcoming assault on Wano Country to take down the Beasts Pirates."
"This time, we must completely remove the Beasts Pirates from the New World!"
Sengoku was clearly reluctant to dwell on the matter of Shichibukai any longer. He just wanted to settle the issue quickly.
However, everyone in the office reacted differently to his words.
Luo Ye, who already knew Sengoku's plan, wasn't surprised at all and sat there lazily, showing no reaction.
Kizaru, seated nearby, glanced at Luo Ye's nonchalant behavior and, although slightly surprised, showed no expression, maintaining his usual carefree demeanor.
However, the other two Admirals—Sakazuki (Akainu) and Kuzan (Aokiji)—clearly had strong opinions about the decision.
Kuzan believed the Shichibukai were useful for the World Government's balance of power. Their existence sent a message to other pirates: aligning with Marine was beneficial, and rebellion would only lead to ruin.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki saw it entirely differently.
For him, it was an insult that the dignified Marine needed the help of pirates to deal with other pirates.
"Marshal Sengoku, I strongly oppose this decision!"
"When did the Marine become so weak that we need to rely on pirates? The entire world will mock us!"
Sakazuki's face was full of suppressed rage as he declared his opposition.
Sengoku sighed heavily, a familiar headache forming. He had already predicted that Sakazuki would object, but hearing it face-to-face was still exhausting.
At this moment, Luo Ye, who was slouching lazily in his chair, suddenly opened his mouth.
"Sakazuki, I think it's a good idea."
"Huh?"
Sakazuki was stunned.
Luo Ye's decisive style of eliminating enemies had always been very much to Sakazuki's taste.
Aside from Luo Ye's laziness outside missions, Sakazuki had regarded him as someone who shared his values.
How could such a person now support pirates?
Sakazuki frowned, watching Luo Ye closely, wanting to hear his full explanation.
Everyone turned their attention to Luo Ye, but he remained relaxed, completely at ease.
Luo Ye looked around and said lightly:
"Since the World Government created the Shichibukai system to help stabilize the New World, then we Marines have every right to demand their assistance."
"If any of them object, what reason is there for the Shichibukai system to continue?"
Everyone present fell silent.
Luo Ye's reasoning was simple yet irrefutable.
They had all been caught up in their own philosophies, failing to see such an obvious truth.
Indeed, if the Shichibukai refused Marine's call to arms, then their privileges should be stripped away.
Even the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders would have no grounds to object.
Of course, Luo Ye's directness stemmed from his deep displeasure with the Five Elders.
Those old men always meddled in everything.
Killing two traitorous Shichibukai—Crocodile, who had secretly tried to overthrow Alabasta to gain control of Pluton, and Doflamingo, who manipulated Dressrosa and worked with Kaido on SMILE production—should have been seen as justified.
Yet the Five Elders dared to scold Luo Ye over it.
Luo Ye had no intention of indulging the whims of those geezers.
Sengoku, shrewd as ever, immediately sensed Luo Ye's underlying defiance.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: if he hadn't shouldered the Five Elders' fury himself, Luo Ye might have caused a rebellion inside Marineford by now.
Sengoku rapped his knuckles against the desk and said sternly:
"Enough. This matter is decided. Once the meeting concludes, we'll decide who leads the operation against the Beasts Pirates."
Hearing this, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru were all stunned.
Kizaru hoped to stay at Marineford, preferring to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Akainu and Aokiji, on the other hand, were already gearing up internally for a major battle.
Yet from Sengoku's words, it sounded as if not all Admirals would be deployed.
Luo Ye didn't care either way.
As soon as Sengoku finished, he lazily stood up and left.
According to Luo Ye's guess, two Admirals would likely be dispatched.
One would definitely be himself.
After all, Sengoku knew that Luo Ye would never pass up a grand fight like this.
As for who the second Admiral would be, Luo Ye didn't concern himself.
Just as Luo Ye stepped out of the Marshal's office, he encountered Momousagi (Gion), who had returned to Marineford and rushed over upon seeing him.
"Silver Eagle Admiral, how's Punk Hazard?" she asked briskly.
Previously, after Luo Ye had wiped out the Donquixote Family's top cadres in Dressrosa, he had left the clean-up to Momousagi and sailed directly to Punk Hazard.
Had King Riku not survived to resume the throne of Dressrosa, Momousagi would have been trapped cleaning up the chaos for months.
Since Luo Ye had vanished, Momousagi, as the only Vice Admiral present, was forced to stay behind and handle everything.
Naturally, she harbored some resentment toward Luo Ye for that.
Luo Ye scanned her up and down with a playful smile.
"Seems like you managed to wrap up Dressrosa pretty nicely. Didn't misjudge you after all."
Momousagi, hearing this, immediately stifled her anger.
She shot Luo Ye a glare.
This guy… always serious on missions, but once back at headquarters, he turned into a total slacker.
She really couldn't figure him out.
"I heard we're going to war with the Beasts Pirates soon?" Momousagi asked, walking alongside him.
She had originally been ordered to return to the G-3 branch, but was summoned back to Marineford because of the upcoming major operation.
After Luo Ye had killed Jack the Drought—one of Kaido's three All-Stars—it was inevitable that a full-scale war with the Beasts Pirates would break out.
Luo Ye nodded casually.
"Yeah. Should start once the Shichibukai meeting wraps up."
"I still don't get why the Shichibukai are allowed to exist. Pirates are pirates, no matter how you dress them up!" Momousagi huffed.
Hearing her complaint, Luo Ye chuckled.
"Looks like you're becoming a real iron-fisted woman, huh?"
Momousagi blinked, caught off guard by his teasing.
A faint blush crossed her cheeks for a split second before she quickly hid it.
"You have some nerve calling others violent!" she retorted.
"Crocodile, Doflamingo… and how did Jack the Drought die again?!"