"Just mid/average?"
Lafitte's smile froze on the spot.
Jesus Burgess and the others were equally stunned.
When Blackbeard proposed using his status as a Warlord of the Sea to accompany Admiral Luo Yu to Impel Down and scout the situation, they had waited with high hopes.
They had expected Blackbeard to return with great news.
Especially Lafitte—the so-called "Demon Sheriff."
He had always prided himself on his cunning, believing himself capable of outwitting even the Navy's famed strategist, Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
In his eyes, infiltrating Level 6 of Impel Down to recruit powerful allies was a masterstroke.
But now, after all that waiting, Blackbeard had returned and casually said, "Just average."
If even the monsters locked away in Level 6 were "just average," then what did that make the rest of them—those who weren't even qualified to enter?
"Heh… Captain, you sure know how to joke. But that's not a very funny one," Lafitte said, forcing a smile back onto his face.
"You were the one who approved this plan to recruit powerful allies from Level 6. Those are some of the most vicious pirates on the seas—some were terrifying figures from the old era. How could they be 'just average'?"
Burgess and the others didn't speak, but their faces were filled with anxious anticipation.
They knew—if even Level 6 was "average," then they had no business calling themselves elite.
Finding new crew members might be the least of their problems.
Blackbeard's face twisted into a bitter smile as he recalled the events of the previous day.
"No… they're not really average."
"It's just that… compared to the Navy's Fourth Admiral, Luo Yu, they're too average."
"Yesterday, that admiral was in a rush to clock out on time. He used his Conqueror's Haki to suppress all of Level 6. Judging by the timing, those prisoners are probably still unconscious."
"So even if we manage to recruit a full crew from Level 6… against that guy, we'd still be 'just average.'"
Everyone fell silent.
In that moment, they finally understood why their mighty captain had been hiding in a corner like a background extra on the Navy ship.
If he hadn't been invisible, he might've been made invisible—permanently.
Suppressing all of Level 6 just to clock out?
If they hadn't heard it firsthand, they never would've believed it.
"Blackbeard, next time we meet, I hope your bounty's gone up. Then we can work together again."
Luo Yu landed lightly on the dock, raised his gourd with a grin, and strolled toward Marineford's main building.
Blackbeard's face turned ashen.
He hadn't expected to end up on Luo Yu's bounty list so soon.
With Luo Yu talking about bounties every other sentence, Blackbeard couldn't help but wonder—did this new admiral see people as walking stacks of Berries?
Did he see through me?
Blackbeard recalled the "friendly" look Luo Yu had given him.
It was the same look he'd once given Thatch… right before taking the Yami Yami no Mi.
It sent a chill down his spine.
Meanwhile, in Marineford's strategy hall—
Dozens of Marine officers had already gathered.
Alongside familiar faces were several base commanders from across the Grand Line, urgently summoned to HQ.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you're saying we're going to face two Emperors at once? Isn't that too reckless?"
Vice Admiral Jimmel, commander of G-2, couldn't hold back.
In the Navy, Admirals were considered the highest combat power. Below them were Admiral candidates, tasked with monitoring the Emperors.
Next came the base commanders—each one a top-tier Vice Admiral, capable of holding their own in the New World.
Their strength often surpassed that of HQ Vice Admirals.
Jimmel had never expected Marine HQ to issue an emergency recall, pulling them from their posts to gather at Marineford.
Now, all eyes were on Sengoku.
"Jimmel, I understand your concerns. But we have no choice," Sengoku replied gravely.
"Portgas D. Ace must be executed publicly. Whitebeard's retaliation is inevitable. And we cannot release Jack the Drought. Even if we did, Kaido would only take advantage of the chaos."
He had already considered every possible outcome before calling this meeting.
He knew full well how dangerous it was to face two Emperors at once.
It was like placing Marine HQ directly on the fire.
The room fell silent.
Every commander present knew just how ruthless and unpredictable Kaido could be.
"Enough, Jimmel. No need to worry too much," Vice Admiral Tsuru said calmly.
"If Fleet Admiral Sengoku made this decision, I'm sure he has a plan."
"Don't forget—he's known as the Navy's greatest strategist."
With that, the tension in the room eased.
Many officers' eyes lit up with renewed confidence.
After all, Sengoku's reputation had been forged through countless victories.
Feeling their gaze, Sengoku paused for a moment, then spoke.
Now was not the time for secrecy—he needed to steady the ranks.
"Rest assured. Facing two Emperors at once, our biggest weakness is insufficient manpower."
"In addition to invoking the Warlord Summoning Order, I plan to seek out some… special forces across the seas. I hope they can help fill the gap in our strength."
"Special forces?"
Jimmel and the others were stunned—even Tsuru looked surprised.
They hadn't expected Sengoku to propose something so bold.
From the side, Vice Admiral Doll—commander of G-14 and one of the few female Vice Admirals—finally spoke up.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, can such special forces really be found? Or… do you already have someone in mind?"
Everyone turned to look at Sengoku.
Finding ordinary reinforcements might be possible.
But finding someone who could stand against a Yonko?
That seemed impossible.
Before Sengoku could answer, a voice drifted in from outside the doors—
"I think I might actually have someone in mind."