"The original purpose of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was to balance the chaotic situation on the seas, even though in practice it later turned into Ozz's private turf…"
"But there's no denying it. If the Warlords' seats are left vacant, and the balance between the three great powers collapses, the state of the world will become even more unbearable."
The Warlords were never small-time figures. At the very least, symbolically, they represented a third balancing force outside of pirates and the World Government.
And with Ozz's name attached, they were enough to suppress an entire wave of would-be pirates before those fools even dared to set sail.
Even though certain incidents had soured the relationship between the World Government and Ozz, the Government still had to maintain the appearance of harmony.
Unless Ozz truly crossed a line the World Government could never accept.
"That bastard Crocodile really caused us quite the headache. Still, locking her up can also be seen as a small warning to Ozz."
"And Ozz approving the decision to send Crocodile to Impel Down is surely him giving the World Government face, forced by our pressure."
The Five Elders were extremely pleased with themselves.
"But the vacant Warlord seat must be filled as soon as possible."
Saint Nusjuro's gaze turned distant.
"There are countless eyes watching, especially those Emperors in the New World."
Saint Warcury spoke with icy calm.
"Now is not the time to tear things open with Ozz."
"Trading a few CP0 agents for a Warlord, we haven't lost too much face."
"What matters is selecting a pirate with enough fame and strength. This year's rookie pirates are unusually eye-catching."
Saint Mars stood rigid, intelligence reports in hand.
"Newcomers flood the seas like fish crossing a river. Their threat level is nowhere near as troublesome as those who've already matured."
Saint Saturn, the Warrior God of Science, looked particularly dangerous.
"Correct. And we must also pay attention to what secret Ozz is hiding."
"That man is far too mysterious."
"As someone who knows the secret of Laugh Tale, he's placing an absurd level of importance on something."
"That isn't his usual style. The CP investigation must not stop!"
Saint Peter nodded while flipping through another file.
"Perfect. While the meeting to re-discuss the Warlord list is underway, we can summon the Warlords to Marineford for deliberation."
"That will also create opportunities for CP."
"With the Warlords out of the way, CP0's operations should go much more smoothly."
Clearly, Mihawk cutting down several CP0 "rats" not long ago had become a very real obstacle for them.
From beginning to end, no one cared about what actually happened in Alabasta.
…
Marineford.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Report, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. The final conclusions from the Five Elders regarding the Crocodile incident have been delivered."
Hearing the order arrive, Sengoku paused his pen. Tsuru, Garp, and the others all looked toward the messenger.
Crunch crunch.
"What's this now? Haven't those Warlord bastards always been under Ozz's jurisdiction? Why's the World Government suddenly sticking their nose in?"
Garp spoke without restraint as he chewed on senbei, showing not a shred of respect for the Government.
The messenger did not dare reply. He could only open his mouth awkwardly, unsure what to say.
Sengoku slammed his palm onto the desk so hard the wood shattered. His face reddened with fury.
"Shut up, Garp!"
"And whose fault do you think it is? Your pirate grandson went and caused that massive mess in Alabasta!"
Garp acted like he didn't hear. He picked at his ear and dumped more senbei into his mouth.
Tsuru did not bother managing the two men who had argued their entire lives. Instead, she calmly set down her teacup and looked at the messenger.
"Go on. What's the Government's position?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
With Tsuru speaking, the messenger finally continued.
"First, the Marines are to oversee Crocodile's successful incarceration in the Great Underwater Prison, Impel Down, and to detain her in Level 6, the Eternal Hell."
The Marines already had arrangements in place. It would not take long to deliver Crocodile to Impel Down.
And to make sure she felt right at home, they were even putting her back in the same cell as last time.
"Second, a meeting of the Seven Warlords is to be convened to discuss candidates for filling the vacant seat, and to restore the Warlords to full number as quickly as possible."
"The World Government's recommendation, for now, is… Enel!"
Tsuru took a sip of her black tea and nodded.
Anyone with eyes could see what it meant.
They claimed they were asking the other Warlords for their opinions, but in truth they were asking Ozz's opinion, and testing who Ozz would consider acceptable.
And Enel, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, was the most obvious "best choice" they could think of.
"Enel, huh? I heard he showed up on Sabaody once, but there's been almost no news lately."
"Either way, the meeting will proceed."
"Who becomes the final Warlord isn't something Marineford has much authority to decide."
A few days later, the Warlords arrived with surprising speed.
A ship eased into port.
A blond man swaggered forward with an arrogant, crab-like strut, his legs spread wide. Behind him followed a massive figure holding a Bible.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo has arrived at the naval harbor!"
"Seven Warlords of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma has also arrived!"
Inside the conference room…
"Stop! What do you think you're doing?!"
"I'm not doing anything! My hands won't listen to me!"
"Quit messing around!"
"I'm not messing around!"
Two Marine officers were strangling each other in a brawl. Vice Admiral Tsuru acted as if she couldn't see a thing, calmly drinking her tea, while the other Marines quickly realized what was going on.
"Doflamingo! This is your doing, isn't it?!"
On the balcony, a blond man in a pink feather coat wore a twisted grin, fingers twitching as if plucking invisible strings.
"Fufufufufu… a boring meeting like this. Isn't it better with a little fun?"
Kuma simply drank his tea in silence.
"So noisy. What a disgrace, you sea scum."
A booming voice rang out.
Leading a goat by the rope, Sengoku walked in. Only then did Doflamingo withdraw his threads and behave.
"Honestly, I didn't expect this."
"Out of six Warlords, two actually showed up. That's a remarkably high attendance rate."
"Fufufufufu… I didn't want to come either. I was just too bored."
"Besides…"
"This kind of garbage meeting… isn't there really no need to hold it at all?"
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