Marineford's skies darkened with gathering clouds — a fitting omen for the meeting about to unfold.
The world stood at a crossroads. The age of Four Emperors… had evolved.
There were now Five.
The Five Emperors ruled the seas now.
And the world government was scrambling to maintain the balance that was slipping like sand through their fingers.
The Marines had called a mandatory summons.
THE SEVEN WARLORDS OF THE SEA — EMERGENCY CONFERENCE.
Except there were only six.
One had been defeated by forces unknown — a humiliating stain on the World Government's authority.
And so the empty seat sat at the round table… accusing, mocking, waiting to be filled.
—————————
Marineford - Warlord Summons Room
Sengoku entered first, wearing his coat like a mantle of burden. Tsuru followed, calm but sharp-eyed.
Behind them, six figures gathered like predators forced into the same cage.
Crocodile. Silent, arms crossed, cigar smoke curling around him like a waiting sandstorm.
Gecko Moria. Muttering to himself, shadows writhing beneath his cloak.
Hanafuda. The Lizard King. Kaido's odd little ally — a pirate with a scythe humming faintly with haki.
Boa Hancock. Every step she took was followed by Marines fainting on the spot.
Dracule Mihawk. Unfazed, unreadable, sipping tea like none of this mattered.
Donquixote Doflamingo. Laughing behind his pink feather coat, strings twitching subtly with every breath.
Sengoku cleared his throat and said. "Thank you all for coming."
Crocodile smirked. "Like we had a choice."
Moria cackled. "Heehh! Someone got taken down, didn't they, Sengoku?"
Tsuru's eyes narrowed. "Yes. And if you don't wish to share their fate, I suggest you behave."
The room fell silent.
Sengoku placed a folder on the table.
"One of our Warlords was defeated and stripped of their title. As such, we are here to nominate a replacement."
Crocodile tapped ash into the tray. "You Marines always choose weaklings. Pick someone useful this time."
Moria snorted. "Pick someone with a spine."
Hanafuda spoke coolly, voice muffled behind his mas. "I can put forward a candidate from Wano."
"No." Sengoku shut that down instantly. "Wano remains a closed nation. We will not strengthen Kaido's influence."
Doflamingo chuckled low. "You're already dancing on his strings."
Sengoku ignored him.
Hancock flicked her hair and spoke only one sentence. "As long as it is not a man who dares look at me."
Half the Marines fainted right there.
Tsuru sighed. "We've compiled a list of candidates. These individuals are strong enough, but—"
Before she finished, Mihawk's voice cut through the room.
Quiet.
Precise.
Final.
"I nominate Jinbe."
The room froze.
Six Warlords turned toward him.
Sengoku stared.
Tsuru paused mid-note.
Doflamingo burst into laughter. "Fufufufufu! Jinbe?! The fishman under Ada's command?"
Crocodile's eyes narrowed. "So you're suggesting we strengthen the Sun Pirates?"
Hanafuda tilted his head. "Giving an emperor another warlord… ambitious."
Even Hancock looked surprised. "The whale shark man is honorable. But he is part of the Nyx Grand Fleet."
Tsuru folded her hands. "This would give Ada two Warlords under her influence — you and Jinbe."
Mihawk didn't flinch and said coolly. "Jinbe is qualified."
Crocodile scoffed. "Your captain is ambitious, Hawkeye."
Mihawk's gaze turned to him — cold, precise, dismissive.
"I serve her because I choose to," he corrected, voice low and absolute.
"Do not mistake loyalty for subservience."
A quiet chill swept the table.
Even Doflamingo grinned with interest. "Fufufu… careful, Crocodile. That wasn't a correction— that was a warning."
Hancock, silent as ever, hid the faint ghost of a smile behind her hand.
Tsuru gave a small nod. "And that choice itself speaks volumes about Ada's power."
Mihawk did not deny it.
He simply crossed his arms and added—
"Jinbe's strength and character are undeniable. He deserves the title."
Sengoku exhaled heavily. "Dracule Mihawk… do you understand what you're asking? Ada already has tremendous power. To appoint Jinbe is to legitimize the Sun Pirates under the World Government banner."
Tsuru added, "And Ada will undoubtedly use that to her advantage."
Mihawk sipped his tea.
"That is not my concern."
Doflamingo grinned. "Fufufu… the Strongest Emperor is gathering quite the empire."
Sengoku slammed a report onto the table.
"Nyx D. Ada already controls three fleets! The Sun Pirates—Sky Pirates—Tesoro's Gran Tesoro! Allowing Jinbe into the Warlords brings her direct influencr in the World Government!"
Hancock crossed her arms, chin raised with royal indifference.
"Jinbe has honor. Far more than any pirate here. He will follow the treaty."
Crocodile clicked his tongue. "Honor or not, I don't want an Emperor's shadow hanging over this table."
Moria cackled, leaning back. "Keeehh! But the fishman's strong. Good meat for the frontlines!"
Doflamingo tilted his head, strings twitching. "Fufufu… strength is strength. And Jinbe's no fool."
Then—
Hanafuda slammed his palm against the table.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
Hancock glared. Moria blinked. Crocodile rolled his eyes.
Hanafuda growled, "A fishman from Ada's fleet? From her? That woman already has the seas trembling. Next you'll hand her the Navy itself!"
Sengoku scowled — because Hanafuda wasn't entirely wrong.
But before the Fleet Admiral could speak—
Mihawk cut in like a blade.
"You protest too loudly, Hanafuda."
Every eye turned.
Mihawk's gaze was cold, unreadable.
"You merely want another Beast Pirate seated at this table. Another pawn of Kaido. Jinbe is a far better candidate."
Hanafuda stiffened. "Watch your mouth, Hawkeye."
Mihawk didn't blink.
"Kaido spreads destruction for amusement. Ada does not. Between the two, Ada is the far better ruler of territory."
The room froze.
Crocodile raised an eyebrow. Hancock smirked. Doflamingo chuckled, delighted.
Tsuru's eyes narrowed thoughtfully — Mihawk had just said something very telling.
Hanafuda's face darkened with fury.
"You dare compare them? Kaido is a force of nature! Ada is—"
"A far more stable power," Mihawk finished, unmoved.
"And far more honorable than your drunken dragon ever was."
Hanafuda slammed his fist on the table.
"YOU—!"
Moria cackled. "Keheheh! Now this is entertainment!"
Crocodile exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Tch. Looks like someone struck a nerve."
Doflamingo leaned forward, strings twitching.
"Fufufu… careful, Hanafuda. Losing your temper in front of the Marines isn't good for business."
Sengoku rubbed his temples, feeling a headache grow.
Tsuru sighed. "Enough. This is a government meeting, not a pirate tavern."
But Mihawk simply leaned back, expression unchanged.
"If we are choosing Warlords based on strength and reliability…
Jinbe far surpasses any Beast Pirate you would prefer."
Hanafuda grit his teeth so hard they creaked.
The tension was thick enough to cut.
And Sengoku, in that moment, realized.
The Warlords weren't united.
They never had been.
And now Jinbe — tied to Ada — would only widen the cracks.
Tsuru finally spoke, voice calm but edged with concern.
"Jinbe is honorable, yes. But we must consider the implications. He is officially part of the Sun Pirates — under Ada's command. Placing a direct subordinate of an Emperor into the Warlords… creates an unpredictable power balance."
She folded her hands.
"Even if Jinbe obeys the treaty… others may not see it that way."
Silence.
Sengoku nodded sharply. "Exactly. The world will claim Ada controls two Warlords."
Crocodile muttered, "Just get on with the vote."
Doflamingo grinned. "Fufufu… democracy in the age of pirates. How quaint."
Mihawk finally spoke — emotionless, decisive.
"Jinbe is qualified."
No explanation.
No hesitation.
Just fact.
Hancock raised her hand immediately. "I agree."
Doflamingo's grin widened. "Why not? Let the big fish swim."
Moria cackled. "Heehhh! Strong fighters make good shields."
Crocodile raised his hand lazily. "Fine."
Hanafuda clenched his teeth. "I refuse."
Tsuru folded her hands tightly. "…I also vote no. For the balance of the world."
Sengoku grimaced.
It was four versus two.
He already knew the numbers.
"…All in favor of Jinbe, raise your hand."
Mihawk.
Hancock.
Crocodile.
Doflamingo.
Moria.
Five.
Against.
Tsuru.
Hanafuda.
Two.
Sengoku dragged a hand down his face.
He hated it.
He hated how logical it was.
He hated how much it strengthened Ada.
And above all —
he hated that he had no choice.
"…Fine."
He slammed the stamp onto the document.
"Jinbe of the Sun Pirates is hereby chosen as the new Warlord of the Sea."
Sengoku glared at the ceiling as if it personally offended him.
"May the seas show us mercy… because Ada certainly won't."
With the new Warlord chosen, Sengoku moved to the next agenda.
He displayed five wanted posters on the board.
Shanks — newly minted Emperor.
Whitebeard — the Old Man still unmatched.
Big Mom — expanding aggressively.
Kaido — restless in Wano.
And at the center—
Nyx D. Ada — THE STRONGEST EMPEROR.
The Warlords stared. Eyebrows tightened.
Crocodile exhaled smoke. "That woman's flag has been feared for almost twenty years. You Marines really let it get this far."
Moria grimaced. "She's a damn monster… even among Emperors…"
Doflamingo chuckled darkly. "The strongest, huh? She's been tearing through the sea since before half the pirates now were born."
Hancock looked away, hiding the faintest tremor of respect.
Ada had saved her.
But she would never say it here.
Sengoku spoke gravely. "She has three Grand Fleets. Her reach is unparalleled. And her vice captain—" his eyes flicked to Mihawk "—is sitting in this room."
Tsuru added, "Her longevity alone makes her more dangerous. She's survived eras of pirate kings and monsters."
Tsuru added, "With five Emperors, the equilibrium shifts. If any Emperor moves… war breaks out."
Mihawk said nothing.
The doors opened.
Three admirals entered.
Aokiji entered the room quietly. "So, Mihawk… got any info on your Emperor?"
Kizaru followed, hands in pockets. "Ooohh, we'd love to hear more about her."
Akainu's glare burned into Mihawk. "You. Vice Captain of the strongest Emperor. You know her better than anyone. What is she planning?"
Mihawk lifted his teacup.
Sipped.
Put it down.
And said absolutely nothing.
Kizaru leaned forward. "Ooohh, come now. Surely Ada tells her Vice Captain something?"
Silence.
Aokiji tried. "We just need a hint. She's been too quiet lately."
Nothing.
Akainu slammed his fist onto the table. "Answer, swordsman!"
Mihawk slowly raised his eyes — cold, sharp, final.
"I do not answer to you."
Akainu snarled. "You damn—"
Tsuru held up a hand. "Akainu, enough."
Only then did Mihawk lift his gaze — slow, sharp, final.
"You cannot force information from me."
Akainu growled. "You serve her."
Mihawk's voice cut through like a blade.
"I stand beside her. Not beneath."
The room froze.
Crocodile smirked. "Careful, Admiral. You're trying to interrogate the world's strongest swordsman."
Doflamingo laughed. "Fufufufufu… even after decades, Ada still breeds absolute loyalty."
Hancock looked away again, silently agreeing.
Sengoku massaged his forehead. "This is pointless. Mihawk will not betray her."
Tsuru added softly, "Not surprising. She inspires devotion. Even from those she does not ask it from."
Mihawk rose.
"I have nothing further to add."
He walked to the door.
Then stopped just long enough to leave a single parting line.
"Ada does not move without purpose. If she has chosen stillness—"
He opened the door.
"—then the world should fear the moment she decides to act."
The door clicked shut behind Mihawk.
Silence swallowed the room.
Only the faint rustle of papers and the simmering tension of three Admirals remained.
Aokiji finally broke the quiet, leaning back with a low sigh.
"So… who's the new Warlord?"
Kizaru tilted his head lazily, lips curling into that unsettling smile.
"Ooh? Yes~. I'm quite curious, Sengoku-san."
Sengoku didn't answer at first.
He stared down at the stamped document on the table —
JINBE OF THE SUN PIRATES — APPROVED.
With visible reluctance, he muttered.
"…It's Jinbe."
The reaction was instant.
Akainu slammed his fist onto the table, magma sparking from his knuckles.
"UNACCEPTABLE!"
Sengoku didn't look up. "It's already decided."
Akainu's voice thundered across the room.
"That fishman is loyal to Ada. You're giving the most dangerous pirate alive a second seat at this table!"
Tsuru exhaled softly. "Sakazuki, calm down—"
"Calm?!" Akainu snarled.
"That woman has sailed for almost four decades. She's toppled kings. Sunk fleets. She's now the strongest of the Five Emperors. And you want her subordinate sitting as a Warlord—under the Government?!"
Kizaru blinked slowly. "Well~ she has been gaining a bit too much influence, hasn't she?"
Aokiji scratched the back of his head.
"…Still. Jinbe is stable. Fair. Better than half the pirates in this room."
"That's not the point," Akainu snapped, glaring daggers.
"Ada… that woman… she corrupts everything she touches! Her fleets, her territories—now the Warlords?!"
Sengoku clenched his jaw.
He hated this.
He hated how much control Ada had managed to amass.
He hated that the world called her the strongest Emperor—above even Whitebeard.
But worst of all—
He hated that there was nothing he could do.
"It's final," Sengoku said, voice low but firm.
"Jinbe is the new Warlord of the Sea."
Akainu seethed, magma flickering at his shoulder like a dying star.
"This will come back to haunt you," he spat.
"Everything she does… every step she takes… leads the world closer to destruction."
Tsuru's eyes narrowed in quiet concern.
Because deep down, she wondered—
Was Akainu wrong?
Or was Ada truly becoming something the world could no longer balance?
The meeting dissolved into uneasy silence.
Outside, the winds shifted.
The seas stirred.
And somewhere out there, in the heart of the Grand Line—
Ada's shadow stretched further than the Marines could see… or stop.