Holy Land Mariejois.
Room of Authority.
Five old men, five different poses.
Agricultural God of War: Saint Shepherd Ju Peter.
Financial God of War: Saint Ethanbaron V. Nasjuro.
Judicial God of War: Saint Topman Warcury.
Environmental God of War: Saint Marcus Mars.
Scientific Defense God of War: Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
"Let's begin. How do we view this incident?"Saturn was the first to speak.
Warcury folded his hands.
"What else is there to view? It's already been confirmed. That red-haired brat is the child Saint Figarland lost on God Valley."
"And the Marine insect with Conqueror's Haki?" Ethanbaron V. Nasjuro asked lazily.
He continued, "Should we suppress him? People with Conqueror's Haki tend to be trouble down the line."
Saturn shook his head.
"Troublesome. You all read his file. That lowborn isn't greedy for power or money. He's a free spirit."
"He's had contact with Dragon, hasn't he? We could use that against him," someone suggested.
"No," Saturn rejected flatly.
"The CP agent stationed in Loguetown reports that for years now, aside from training and fighting, he barely contacts anyone."
"If we move without evidence, it'll trigger backlash from the Marines. We could transfer him to Sabaody instead, keep him under our eyes. A worm of his status can't stir up too much trouble there."
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
"Accepted."
"Fine by me."
The other four nodded.
"Next, let's discuss the Seven Warlords of the Sea system," Warcury said.
"Under Sengoku, the Marines have been focusing on recuperating and rebuilding. They're slowly growing beyond our control. We must take measures."
"The Shichibukai system can be used to balance the Marines."
Saturn spoke slowly.
"Erase their bounties. Make them fully legal pirates. They hand over a portion of what they plunder."
The other four nodded.
"Approved. We can give them some benefits as well. That'll make them easier to control. What about the candidates?"
Warcury took out a file.
"First, Dracule Mihawk. Bounty: 590 million. A master swordsman, strength considerable.
These years, he's been challenging swordsmen all over the world. Rumors already call him the 'World's Greatest Swordsman.'"
"How arrogant," Ethanbaron V. Nasjuro muttered, fingers resting on his sword.
The others only glanced his way and said nothing.
Warcury continued.
"Second, Gecko Moria. Bounty: 240 million. He has a firm foothold in the New World. He's worth considering."
"Third, the Desert Crocodile, Crocodile. Bounty: 80 million. He lost a hand challenging Whitebeard, yet afterward still fought Douglas Bullet to a standstill. His strength is enough for the position."
On the table lay other names as well:
Bomb Man Jem, Reaper Scythe Lack,
Feral Warrior Bear Maul,
Swift Blade Joss… and more.
In the end, the five reached a consensus.
CP and the Marines would jointly evaluate the candidates.
"Send CP0 to notify the Marines unilaterally," one of them said. "I don't feel like listening to Sengoku complain."
"Next, we discuss the adjustment to the Heavenly Tribute," Ethanbaron added.
"Marine expenses have grown too large. On this side, certain things… are off."
"Hmph. Those kingdom nobles are using the Heavenly Tribute as an excuse to strip their people bare, then they dare to complain about having no money."
"It's time to remind them that the World Government is not a charity."
The other four agreed.
And so they moved on to other topics.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford—Sengoku's office.
"What kind of joke is this?! Who came up with this nonsense?!"
Sengoku's roar shook the room.
"Do the Gorosei have no faith in the Marines at all?!"
"Do they have any idea what this system will do to us? What it will do to our reputation?! Are the Marines supposed to have no pride?!"
Across from him, a CP0 agent in a white mask stood expressionless.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Marines are merely the World Government's armed enforcement branch."
"You have no right to question the Government's decisions. Just do your job."
"You bastard…" Sengoku clenched his teeth, glaring holes into the agent's mask.
CP0 completely ignored his rage.
"And remember—Gorosei-sama are already displeased with your performance. A single fish-man, and you still haven't caught him."
Sengoku slammed his hand on the desk.
"That fish-man is too slippery. The moment there's danger, they jump into the sea. You want me to send Kizaru to fight them underwater?"
"That's not the excuse the Gorosei want to hear," CP0 replied coldly.
"It only makes the Marines look incompetent.
Remember your identity, Sengoku.
You're a Fleet Admiral appointed by the World Government. You will obey Gorosei-sama's orders unconditionally."
He placed a document on the desk.
"These are the candidates. Cooperate with CP on this, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
CP0 walked out as if he owned the place.
Sengoku slumped back in his chair and stared blankly at the ceiling.
Tsuru and Zephyr walked in.
They didn't say anything.
Just looking at Sengoku was enough to see the pressure crushing him. There were too many things he couldn't decide anymore.
"Notify the relevant departments," Sengoku said at last. "We'll comply with the World Government's orders."
Once he said it, his shoulders sagged, all strength drained.
In the New World, Gecko Moria sat before a CP agent and let out a sharp laugh.
"Kehehehehe! What brings the Celestial Dragons' dogs to me?"
The CP man in a bull mask didn't react.
He took a file from his briefcase.
"I represent the World Government. We're here to invite you to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria."
Moria took it and skimmed.
"Kehehehehe. Legal plunder, huh? Not a bad deal…"
The CP agent thought he'd agree.
Instead, Moria suddenly went berserk.
"Kehehehehe! Who do you think I am?! I'm Gecko Moria! A great pirate with thirty thousand men under me!"
"For a cheap deal like this I become a dog of the World Government? What do you take me for?!"
"Die, lapdog of the Celestial Dragons! Shadow Asgard Lance!"
The CP man's eyes went wide.
"Wait, Moria! I'm a World Government agent! You can't—"
"So what if you are? You're exactly the kind I love to kill!"
A wet, ugly sound echoed.
The CP agent fell, eyes wide open in death.
Moria laughed madly.
"Kehehehehe! Not a bad corpse. I can make a fine zombie out of you."
"Boys! Get ready to go to war with the Beasts Pirates!"
"Once I defeat Kaido, I'll be one of the three legendary pirates. One step closer to the Pirate King!"
"Yo-ho! Captain Moria! Beat Kaido! Crush the Beasts Pirates! Rule the New World!"
"Oh? The Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
Crocodile leaned back, slicked-back hair perfect, golden hook glinting as he smoked a cigar.
A CP agent nodded.
"Yes. You'll be a fully legal pirate. Please consider it carefully, Crocodile."
Crocodile's eyes were distant.
Whitebeard had shattered his confidence with a single strike.
One sword swing took his hand.
And cut down his belief that he could stand at the top.
Later, he'd gone to fight Barrett—and that fight, he only dared arrange on an island made entirely of sand.
This Shichibukai deal came at the perfect time.
He was searching for one of the three Ancient Weapons—Pluton.
A legal pirate identity would be ideal cover.
"I accept," Crocodile said.
"Excellent. The news will be in tomorrow's papers," the agent replied, and left.
The next day, the World Government officially announced Crocodile's appointment as a Warlord.
At the same time, the Shichibukai system was laid out to the world.
Morgans' World Economy News Paper exploded with it.
[Shocking! World Government Launches Shichibukai System—Proof of Marine Failure or a Refuge for Losers?]
The article went wild with speculation, criticism, and all kinds of unpleasant commentary.
"Yahahaha! Let's move, boys! We can't keep this base!"
Morgans laughed from his hot-air balloon as it drifted away.
By the time CP arrived and searched the place, all they found was a small box on the desk.
They opened it.
Inside was a note.
[This is a gift.]
Rumble!
The entire base blew sky-high.
"Yahahahaha! You think you can catch me? In your dreams!"
"That damned Morgans! He's asking for death!"
The Gorosei were furious.
"There's no helping it. We'll have to suppress the backlash."
Saturn narrowed his eyes.
"Keep hunting Morgans personally."
"Agreed."
The seas boiled.
"Legal plunder?"
"So that's our backup plan if everything goes to hell, huh?"
Pirates went wild.
In the New World especially, chaos erupted.
Until now many had still feared Whitebeard and the other great powers.
But after this system was announced, countless pirates threw caution aside and charged like madmen at the three great pirate crews.
The New World and Paradise alike descended into riots.
Marine branches clenched their teeth.
Many openly questioned Sengoku.
How could a system like this have been approved?
Wasn't this a slap in the Marines' face?
Were all their years of effort just scrap paper now?
Out at sea, Mihawk sat on his coffin boat, reading the paper.
"The Seven Warlords, huh? Somewhat interesting."
He folded the paper away, drew Yoru—
And casually sliced an oncoming pirate ship in two.
"Boring weaklings."
"Damn you, Hawk-Eye!"
Screams and curses rose from the sinking ship.
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◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
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◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.