"Oh? The Seven Warlords of the Sea, huh? I really am looking forward to visiting the Holy Land of Mary Geoise!"
Renji Kai narrowed his eyes with a sly smile.
"But for now, go fetch the vice-president of your Baroque Works Organization and Miss Wednesday for me."
Hearing that Renji Kai had named those two specifically, Crocodile looked confused.
"You don't need the others?"
"Hmph, don't bring any of your other people. With their level of strength, following me to the New World would just be a death sentence. It's better they live out their own lives."
Renji Kai responded with disdain. Crocodile didn't argue further. He called over two of his men and had them use specific codes to contact the two individuals Renji had asked for.
By the next morning, Renji Kai's name once again graced the headlines of the World Economic News.
Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Haha! I told you, that guy wouldn't sit still. And just like that, he took down another Warlord in a matter of days. Looks like it's time for the World Government to have a little talk about him!"
Marine hero Garp lounged with his legs crossed, casually reading the paper.
"Hmph. Wanting to become a Warlord of the Sea? His crimes aren't exactly minor. Just causing chaos in Impel Down alone is enough to sentence him to death. Do you think the World Government would easily let him into the Seven Warlords?" Sengoku frowned deeply.
"Those old geezers only serve the Celestial Dragons. And right now, they only care about one thing: stabilizing the world order. So, if something helps maintain peace, they'll do it. Or did you already forget about the Buster Call?"
Hearing those three words, "Buster Call," Garp finally put away his smile.
The Buster Call was a ruthless military operation designed to annihilate everything. It deployed five Vice Admirals, ten Rear Admirals, ten thousand elite marines, and ten top-class battleships.
Years ago, the one who initiated the Buster Call on Ohara was then-Admiral Sengoku. But the real culprit behind the tragedy was the World Government itself.
Ohara, a renowned archaeological sanctuary in the West Blue, and home to Nico Robin, was destroyed because the World Government feared the truth about the Void Century would be exposed through the Poneglyphs. When Robin was only eight, the Buster Call was executed, wiping out the island. She was the sole survivor.
Sengoku, as Admiral, took the blame and bore the political fallout, but it also helped him rise above others and eventually become the Fleet Admiral.
"Hmph, there's no point in bringing up the past. As Marines, we can only act according to our own sense of justice," Garp said solemnly, folding up the newspaper.
"Your sense of justice and mine are not the same—you know that well," Sengoku replied.
"Doesn't matter. We're just old bones now. Maybe you're right. Let's wait and see what those old fogeys in the World Government decide."
Meanwhile, in the VIP suite of the Rain Dinners casino, the sole survivor of Ohara, Nico Robin, stood silently.
In front of her sat none other than Renji Kai. The room was empty aside from the two of them. Not even Douglas Bullet or Crocodile had permission to enter.
"I heard you wanted to see me. What is it?"
Robin, now somewhat aware of Renji's background, held no affection for Crocodile—only disdain. So, after his defeat, she wasn't sad at all. In fact, she was rather pleased.
"You are both lucky and unlucky. Unlucky that your homeland was destroyed. Lucky that you survived," Renji said calmly while swirling a glass of champagne in his hand.
Hearing this, Robin's composed face instantly showed a hint of surprise. Her heartbeat quickened.
"Relax. I'm not here to kill you or silence you. On the contrary, I want your help—to investigate the so-called Poneglyphs."
"You know about the Poneglyphs? Who exactly are you?" Robin asked, visibly shaken by Renji's reference to such sensitive knowledge.
"You don't need to know who I am. Just know that I have no intention of harming you.
Also, beneath the Royal Tomb in Alabasta lies a Poneglyph containing information about the ancient weapon 'Pluton.' You may go see it. But I ask that you keep this secret—at least until you report it to me. Tell no one else."
Renji Kai took a sip of red wine as he spoke with calm certainty.
Robin trembled at the mention of 'Pluton,' the ancient weapon. Of anyone, she understood the weight of that knowledge best. She was the last living person from Ohara.
"How can you be so sure I'll find Pluton and keep it secret?" she asked cautiously.
"No reason, really. Just that you of all people know what would happen if this kind of power fell into the wrong hands.
You know better than anyone the feeling of absolute despair. So I trust you won't do something so foolish." Renji Kai met her gaze.
"Since you understand my thoughts, then how can you be sure I'd reveal the secret to you at all?" Robin challenged.