"Fufufufufu… Hahahahaha!!"
Inside the conference room, bursts of brazen, mocking laughter rang out.
And yet, strangely enough, neither Sengoku nor Chief of Staff Tsuru reacted at all. They both chose to pretend they could not see Doflamingo lounging right on top of the table.
In truth, the Seven Warlords of the Sea and Marineford were on the same level. There was no official superior or subordinate relationship between them.
Even if there were, these pirates would not care.
Just as Doflamingo and Sengoku were trading barbs, a set of footsteps suddenly sounded at the door.
"If the purpose of this meeting is to spout empty, useless nonsense…"
"Then there really is no need to hold it."
A man stepped into the hall, his coat hem spreading as he moved.
A long blade like a crucifix rested on his back.
The moment everyone saw him, Doflamingo, Sengoku, and the Marine officers all froze in disbelief.
"This is… Hawk-Eyes!!"
"How is that possible?!"
Sengoku folded his arms, staring at the swordsman with wary caution.
"You came too?"
"I was bored. I'm just here to sit in and listen."
As he approached the conference table, Doflamingo abruptly turned his head toward that man with the icy gaze.
The grin on his face vanished, replaced by pure shock.
"Hey, hey, hey. Mihawk, why are you here right now?!"
"Shouldn't you be over there?!"
A sheen of cold sweat formed on Doflamingo's forehead.
No one understood better than him, one of the so-called "younger generation" and a major figure in the Underworld, how much Ozz cared about that project.
Kuma taking over for a shift was one thing.
But Mihawk, who was supposed to be guarding that place, was now standing in Marineford?
Then what about the facility?
Mihawk was Ozz's most favored man, his right-hand. Obviously he would be fine.
But what about the rest of them?
"Everything has already been arranged."
Mihawk could hear what Doflamingo was really asking, but he did not elaborate. There were Marines present.
"…"
Doflamingo did not dare press further. Gradually, he calmed down.
Yes. Someone as steady as Mihawk would never leave without preparations.
He just could not help wondering who was guarding the lab now.
"Even so, it's still surprising to see you attending a Marine meeting like this."
"I'm simply interested in the pirates involved this time."
Mihawk sat down casually.
The pirates he meant were not only Crocodile, an old companion he had known for years, but also the Straw Hat crew who had defeated her.
After all, those people seemed to have a major role in Ozz's "game."
And he was especially interested in Roronoa Zoro.
Even in the New World, he had heard about the Straw Hats' exploits.
Crocodile, the one who had once traveled with him and Ozz, stormed through the New World, traded blows with Yonko crews, arrogant to the point of madness…
Had actually fallen and been sent to Impel Down.
If Mihawk remembered correctly, the last one to accomplish something like that…
Was Marine Headquarters' Admiral Akainu, Sakazuki.
But debating it now was pointless.
Ozz and the Five Elders had already agreed to send "Little Croc" to Impel Down for "advanced studies."
No one could change that.
Just as the room was about to settle into its own rhythm, a calm voice sounded from the windowsill, cutting through everyone's thoughts.
"Pardon the interruption, everyone."
"May I have the honor of sitting in as well? Not only to listen."
"If possible, I would like to participate in this meeting."
A pale-faced man with red lips and a refined air appeared in the hall.
Everyone looked at him coldly, but he showed no fear at all.
"This meeting is about choosing a successor, yes?"
"About who will replace the defeated Crocodile as the next Warlord?"
Sengoku's expression turned awkward.
But Lafitte did not seem to notice. He continued smoothly.
"I'm here to recommend our captain, Teach, as the new Seven Warlord of the Sea."
Lafitte's gaze was serious, as if he truly wanted their approval.
No one responded.
Most of them simply wore awkward expressions and took a few sips of tea.
What were they supposed to say?
Agree or reject?
The real decision was not theirs.
In essence, the Marines were here on behalf of the World Government, and the Warlords were here on behalf of Ozz.
They were only holding preliminary talks about candidates.
Even if everyone in this room approved, if the Five Elders or Ozz rejected it, the meeting's conclusion would be meaningless.
Form over substance.
"Well…"
As the host, Sengoku had to say something. He was about to reject the unfamiliar name.
But another voice cut him off.
"Teach, huh? Ozz has mentioned that name before…"
Mihawk spoke with his eyes closed, taking a quiet sip of tea.
The instant those words left his mouth, Sengoku's reply stuck in his throat.
Kuma, Doflamingo, Tsuru…
Even Lafitte himself was stunned.
"Fufufufufu… seriously?"
"This guy's captain, a name I've never even heard…"
"And Ozz-san brought it up on his own?"
Doflamingo's mind churned violently as he etched the name into memory.
Even Sengoku changed his tone.
"I may not have heard of Teach…"
"But anyone Saint Ozz remembers can't be some ordinary nobody on the sea."
The strategist's glasses flashed as he began to think.
Meanwhile, Lafitte's smile stiffened. A few beads of sweat seeped out.
"I never imagined the infamous Black Gun would have heard of our captain…"
"If that's the case, surely that recognition itself counts as credentials…"
"Just give us a little time."
"We will become a name that shakes the seas."
At someone's earlier instruction, Mihawk finally gave the request his approval.
"Then go and try."
…
Elsewhere, Sabaody Archipelago.
In an office on the top floor of a towering building, Shakky answered a Den Den Mushi.
"Moshi moshi. Who is this?"
"It's me."
Her hand froze midair. Tears instantly welled in her eyes.
"O… Ozz-sama?!"
"Yes. I'm back."
"I'm on my way to Sabaody now. There are a few things I need to give you a heads-up about…"
"After a while…"
"Sabaody might get a little lively."
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