Meanwhile, in the World Government's New World Headquarters, a rare and uneasy meeting was underway. Kaido, Big Mom, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and several high-ranking Marines were seated together — an alliance that would've once seemed impossible.
The one presiding was Kong, the Commander-in-Chief.
"According to the Gorosei," Kong began in a grave tone, "once this World Conscription is complete, we will launch our attack on Thorne Ashveil. All war reparations he received will be reclaimed — double!"
Sengoku nodded. "To deal with Ashveil, we'll unite every force at our disposal. Before the World Conscription ends, we've already reestablished a new Shichibukai. They will be our most crucial support in the coming war."
"Oh?" Kaido and Linlin exchanged intrigued looks. A new Shichibukai lineup was something even they wanted to see.
---
Seven figures gradually appeared.
The first was a massive, burly man with a sword resembling Whitebeard's. His face was ugly, his nose constantly dripping, and thick lips twisted as he spoke.
"Mama, am I really Whitebeard's son? Did Ashveil kidnap Daddy?!" He roared with childish fury. "I'll kill him and save Whitebeard!"
This was none other than Whitebeard Jr., and beside him stood his self-proclaimed mother — Miss Bakkin. Short, wrinkled, and clutching a cane, she wore sunglasses and a leopard-print coat, her lips painted with bright red lipstick.
"Silly child, how could Mama lie to you? When you see Ashveil, you must kill him!" Miss Bakkin gave Sengoku a smug, knowing smile — a silent message that she could control her "son" completely.
Sengoku returned a faint grin. Winning over Whitebeard Jr. had cost the Marines dearly — two billion Berries, paid by the Celestial Dragons themselves. If Whitebeard Jr. hadn't possessed power rivaling his father's youth, Sengoku would never have agreed to such terms.
Kaido and Big Mom sized up the new arrival, quietly impressed. Despite his simple-minded nature, the aura of raw, beastlike strength around Whitebeard Jr. was undeniable. Their chances against Ashveil had just increased.
---
After Whitebeard Jr. and Bakkin sat, the next figure to appear shook the entire building.
Sanjuan Wolf, the Colossal Battleship, loomed outside the Marine headquarters, his massive head peering through the wall. The ground itself trembled under his weight.
Kaido sneered. "So, it's these people. I can already guess who's behind them."
Indeed, the World Government had united every power it could — even dredging up criminals from Impel Down. Emerging next were Wolf, Crescent Hunter, Big Barrel, and Avalo Pizarro, each bearing the marks of Ashveil. Their faces twisted with hatred; each had suffered devastating wounds from him.
Big Barrel still carried a tube in his chest, connected directly to his lungs — without it, he'd die instantly. Their bodies had been mutilated beyond repair, yet Vegapunk's science had saved them — turning them into half-cyborgs, their internal organs replaced with machines.
"Damn it, Ashveil! I'll kill him myself!" snarled Crescent Hunter, his long nose trembling with rage.
"That bastard made me like this!" Big Barrel roared, metal plates along his arms clicking with tension.
"Kill him!" Avalo Pizarro growled, half his face now a blend of flesh and cold steel.
Sengoku and the others watched with satisfaction. The World Government needed such hate-fueled soldiers — men willing to die to destroy Thorne Ashveil.
"There's no need to rush," Sengoku said calmly, adjusting his glasses as their lenses flashed with reflected light. "The Great Conscription will conclude soon. When it does… we will strike."
The room fell silent. Every person there bore their own hatred toward Ashveil — all burning for vengeance.
---
Then, a cold, mocking laugh broke the tension.
"Hehehehe… the privileges of a Shichibukai suit me far better than being a pirate or a Marine."
A man stepped from the shadows, his black uniform crisp, a police cap shading his eyes. He drew a white handkerchief and slowly wiped the blade of the sword at his side — the infamous Shiryu.
"Shiryu of the Rain?" Kaido's eyes narrowed. "I remember during the Marineford War, you sided with Ashveil, didn't you?" The others stared in confusion.
Shiryu sheathed his sword and sat at the round table, smirking.
"Hehehe… I only helped Ashveil to repay a debt. I never said I'd follow him."
"But that's hard to believe, Shiryu of the Rain. You have no hatred toward Ashveil — he even saved you once. Why would you want to kill him?" Kaido asked, his brows furrowing with suspicion.
"Heh heh heh… that kid's ideals don't align with mine," Shiryu replied with a faint smirk, his tone calm but filled with disdain. "He once told us we weren't allowed to kill civilians, remember?"