Inside the palace on Mariejois on the Red Line.
"Aeridar, what are you doing in the East Blue?"
The Gorosei, who represent the highest authority of the World Government, sat on a couch, speaking in a low voice to Aeridar who was far away in the East Blue.
"Oh, Gorosei-sama. Since when did you, with all your busy schedules, have time to worry about me?" Aeridar said, unconcerned, from a private booth in a teahouse in Loguetown. He held a fragrant cup of tea and looked at the Den Den Mushi in front of him.
"You know, Aeridar, what's your connection to that man?" the blond-haired Gorosei demanded, questioning Aeridar through the Den Den Mushi.
"Hey, hey, Gorosei-sama, you guys are overstepping your boundaries," Aeridar's annoyed voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
"Don't play dumb, Aeridar. You know who he is, and you know our bottom line. Don't ruin your own future!" the curly-haired Gorosei warned.
"Ruin my future? Hehehehe... Don't say such foolish things. Please don't forget my identity, either," Aeridar retorted sharply. "I am not your dog. Don't try to pressure me!"
In the palace, the Gorosei looked at each other.
"We aren't pressuring you, but please watch your tone. We have our limits," the Gorosei with the curved mustache said bluntly. "Don't think we're not aware of your secret dealings. You think you're so clever, playing the role of the clam and the snipe, letting us fight while you reap the rewards? And that Poneglyph in your treasury... do you really think we don't know anything? This world is still under the rule of the World Government!"
Aeridar was shocked. He almost crushed the white porcelain teacup in his hand. His eyes narrowed, and his expression darkened as his mind raced.
After a long pause, Aeridar said slowly, "As expected of the rulers of the world. Your words are so deep, I didn't understand a thing!"
"Hmph. Stop playing stupid," the Gorosei scoffed at Aeridar's feigned ignorance.
"Don't worry, Gorosei-sama. I am neutral. This is just some personal business. No need for you to worry." Aeridar took a step back. Now wasn't the time to turn against them; his Warlord of the Sea status was still useful.
"That's for the best. Remember your place!" The Gorosei didn't push him further. After all, Aeridar wasn't someone they could easily manipulate. A fight would be a hassle for both sides.
Then, the Gorosei suddenly asked, "Additionally, is there a person you'd like to have?"
"Who?" Aeridar asked, intrigued.
"Devin Hubert," the Gorosei replied.
"The developer of the Malice Drug?" Aeridar raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this the very guy who sparked the first conflict between Doflamingo and Caesar?
"That's right, him. We've learned that he's secretly joined the underground loan shark conglomerate, the 'God of Fortune' Lu Feld," The long-bearded Gorosei said flatly.
"What do you mean?" Aeridar frowned, confused. "I remember he created a nutrient drug that could nourish the body, slow cell division, and delay aging. Although it's not perfect, it's something you guys want, right? Why would you give it to me? Can't you catch him yourselves? Where are the Marines? The Cipher Pol?"
"That's none of your concern. We only need the technology. You know that." the Gorosei said calmly.
"Heh... So you're using me as your pawn," Aeridar scoffed, thinking to himself, "'God of Fortune' Lu Feld... With his wealth, he could easily fund Devin Hubert's research."
"God of Fortune" Lu Feld was a king of the Underworld and the head of the underground loan shark syndicate. His wealth was staggering. After all, this kind of research was incredibly expensive. The fact that he could control the Underworld's loan shark business also meant he had a formidable armed force.
Aeridar had never dealt with this guy because he didn't need money. He ran entertainment casinos, which inherently had loan shark services, so they had no business together. However, "God of Fortune" Lu Feld had a good relationship with Doflamingo and the Big Mom Pirates, and he had attended Charlotte Linlin's tea parties multiple times. Arlan had even met him before.
"Hmph... We are not that bored," the kimono-clad Gorosei grumbled. "While we have representatives in the Underworld, you should know we can't get directly involved."
The World Government had representatives in the Underworld who played important roles, but "God of Fortune" Lu Feld was no ordinary person. His forces were powerful, and they didn't know the location of his residence or where Devin Hubert was. Furthermore, the people in the Underworld were reckless, and it was too risky to get involved.
"Tch... You want such important technology just for providing a piece of information? You five old men are taking this too lightly," Aeridar mocked again.
"Watch your tone, Aeridar!" the curly-haired Gorosei said coldly.
"As long as you capture Devin Hubert, we can provide money, people, and a location. We only ask for the technology to be shared!" the blond-haired Gorosei offered.
Aeridar thought for a moment before saying, "Let's talk about the terms after I've captured Devin Hubert. I need to see if he's worth it first."
"You cunning man. Fine. But remember, we will get that technology no matter what!" the Gorosei with the curved mustache said with a cold tone.
"There are too many things you 'will get no matter what'! Hehehehe... We'll talk later!" Aeridar laughed lowly, scoffing at them.
Click.
The Den Den Mushi was hung up.
In the palace, the Gorosei looked at each other in silence.
"What do you think?" the curly-haired Gorosei finally asked.
"Though he makes a lot of small moves, he can be 'trusted'," the kimono-clad Gorosei said, then sneered. "Though it's a joke to say you can trust a pirate."
"As long as he isn't on the side of the Revolutionary Army, it's fine." The long-bearded Gorosei glanced at the kimono-clad one.
"Since he's not on the side of the Revolutionaries, it just means he's coincidentally pursuing the same organization as them," the Gorosei with the curved mustache analyzed, his eyes narrowed as he deduced Aeridar's and the Revolutionaries' intentions.
"This organization, which doesn't even have a name, grew so big right under our noses! The Cipher Pol agencies have failed us!" the blond-haired Gorosei said sharply.
"It's not entirely their fault. It might be the work of a certain Celestial Dragon... A toy? Or something else?" the curly-haired Gorosei pondered.
"Using the World Government's power and eyes to cultivate such an organization, what could it possibly mean?" the Gorosei with the curved mustache also guessed. "It seems they were behind the Vigor-Vigor Fruit incident, and the fruit itself has been eaten by a certain Celestial Dragon."
"It doesn't matter. It's better than it being eaten by a pirate or some other ambitious person." The long-bearded Gorosei waved his hand dismissively.
"Who knows about that," the kimono-clad Gorosei said with a stoic face, holding his sword.