"Forgive us for not looping you in before the announcement. We had to calm the surge of public opinion immediately."
The Five Elders judged a courtesy call worthwhile. Most of the new Warlords were Ozz's people after all, even if he had already signaled his support. Delay the news by a single day and the number of pirates setting sail would spike again. They could not wait for Ozz's timing.
In truth, Ozz did not care about the niceties. What interested him was how the system would be implemented.
"Save the pleasantries," he said. "You all know that is not my concern. What I do care about is this. If I remember correctly, the confirmation ceremony for the Warlords is held at Marineford, yes."
At that, the Five Elders traded brief looks.
"That is correct," one replied. "Naval Headquarters has a dedicated reception hall for it."
Just as in a future age when the Seven Warlords would feast together on the eve of the Paramount War, anything inconvenient to host in Mary Geoise was often handed to Marineford. The personnel and grounds were in place, the Admirals were on station, and mishaps were easier to contain.
"In that case," Ozz said, rubbing his chin, "I feel like taking a look. That should not be a problem, should it."
They had no objection. If anything, the Elders preferred it that way. As long as Ozz was not coming to pick a fight with the Navy, his presence might lend the new institution even greater weight.
"Then we will notify Naval Headquarters to prepare for the arrival of Saint Ozz."
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The officers were already busy with the groundwork. Seven Warlords of the Sea meant seven celebrity criminals. The whole world would be watching.
Sengoku chaired the briefing.
"…which is why we must be meticulous," he concluded. "Every procedure double-checked, every contingency mapped. The eyes of the world are on us."
He scanned the room and saw a collection of faces that did not quite match his request.
Zephyr's expression was stone. After what pirates had done to his family, this system offended him to the core.
Tsuru at least was listening.
Garp was… Garp. He could be counted on in battle, not in meetings.
Sakazuki sat rigid, the blood-heat of his sense of justice simmering so hot it felt like he might erupt. Putting him in charge of hospitality was unthinkable.
Borsalino looked languid already. He would drift and delegate everything downward.
Kuzan was a different problem. Most of the invitees were Black Emperor affiliates. Handing oversight to Kuzan would be like striking a match over a powder keg.
By the end of the calculus there was only one answer: Sengoku would have to run this himself.
He dismissed the room and sank into his chair, fatigue catching up to him. Outside, he could still hear officers grumbling as they filed out.
"What is this, entertaining pirates."
"We have no say. These are orders from the World Government."
"Just watch, they will act like nobility and we will not be allowed to lay a hand on them."
The senior voices were worse.
"Pirates deserve eradication. They had better not try anything."
"Oh, terrifying, are they not Ozz's subordinates."
A crisp crackle of ice punctuated the hallway. The last man said nothing. He froze the air instead.
They did not understand, but Sengoku, the man of commanding justice, did. He saw the larger shape. The World Government meant to ride Ozz's momentum and deliver a heavy blow to pirate morale, not with cannon, but with image.
"You have my sympathy, Sengoku," Tsuru said, lingering in his office with a cup of tea.
"They do not grasp it yet. One day they will."
"I know, Tsuru." He waved it off. "In an age when piracy swells by the day, launching seven famous pirates under our banner proves the Government's and the Navy's strength. If the world sees that even Ozz's people answer to Government oversight, if they see the lines run between us…"
His eyes hardened.
"Just let there be no incident. If we confirm the Warlords smoothly, my record will be complete. I will be fully fit to assume the Marshal's seat."
Tsuru nodded. In her view, Sengoku was the best, really the only choice.
He rubbed his temples. Logistics were one thing. He also needed to reach each Warlord.
He took up a Den-Den Mushi and dialed.
"Fufufufu… understood," purred a flamingo in sunglasses. "Three days from now, Marineford."
"Shishishishi… I will be there," another voice sang.
"No worries," said a third, light and electric. "Give me a map and this god can be there in fifteen minutes."
Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose. He went down the list, one by one. When he reached the final two calls, Crocodile and Mihawk, he hesitated.
The phone rang first.
Sengoku straightened, heart hitching. This particular line had weight. The Five Elders had handed it to him only recently.
"Moshi moshi, honored Five Elders."
"Sengoku," said one. "How go preparations for the formal establishment of the Warlords of the Sea."
"On schedule," Sengoku reported. "Naval Headquarters is notifying them one by one to ensure timely arrival."
The Elders listened and, satisfied, nodded among themselves. They were content with Sengoku as Marshal-to-be, a steady hand to replace Kong.
"There is one more matter," said Saint Saturn. "We should apprise you of it."
"Please instruct me."
"In three days, at the confirmation ceremony, Ozz will also attend. Be mindful of that."
Sengoku stared at the receiver. For a heartbeat he forgot to breathe.
Ozz himself.
Whatever ran through his mind stayed there. He could only incline his head and acknowledge. This was not his decision to make.
He hung up with a slow exhale. His face did not look good.
Tsuru had heard enough to guess the rest.
"It cannot be helped," she said gently. "We all knew this day would come."
"Ozz is a Celestial Dragon now, and he is also the leader of most of these Warlords. Publicly and privately, he was always going to set foot in Marineford. There was never going to be a way around it."
Sengoku listened, then nodded with reluctant acceptance.
"I am just… struck by the contrast," he said after a long pause. "Do you remember, years ago, when Ozz came to Marineford and we drove him off together."
"A few short years pass, and now we prepare to receive Saint Ozz at the Holy Land's doorstep."
He gave a weary, humorless laugh.
"What a world."
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