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In the Grand Line's Florian Triangle, sea fog permeated the air, making it as dark as night.
The Groudon advanced through the fog, quickly shaking off the pursuing Marine warships. Although the surrounding environment wasn't beautiful, it was at least safe.
"Smoker should really experience the dense fog here."
Daichi looked at the thick fog and sighed.
The special environment before him was very likely caused by the awakening of a Smoke-Smoke Fruit.
Developing a Devil Fruit to its extreme—especially reaching the awakening stage—could permanently change the environment. Thunder God Island in the New World, for example, experienced endless lightning strikes all year round.
Even some Paramecia types could achieve this effect.
There was an uninhabited island in the New World that floated upside down in the sky with reversed gravity. Passing ships were sucked onto the island—likely due to the awakening of a Gravity Fruit user.
If Smoker were a bit more flexible, developing in directions like silent assassination, clones, or illusions, he would definitely have more potential than just being a walking smoke pillar.
Unfortunately, everyone preferred brute force.
Daichi looked at Fujitora.
"Long time no see, Issho."
"Supreme Commander Daichi."
Fujitora was in a bad mood.
If he could have avoided it, he wouldn't have wanted to bear the crime of being a traitor, nor would he have wanted to leave the Marines. But in that situation, he couldn't tolerate standing by and doing nothing.
He didn't know how much his actions had helped, but at least they'd allowed some civilians to escape the battlefield in time.
Even saving one more person was worthwhile.
Daichi scrutinized Fujitora carefully.
He'd come to Lulusia Kingdom to incorporate the Revolutionary Army, but he hadn't expected the situation to evolve into what it was now.
The Revolutionary Army was nowhere to be found, but Fujitora was on his ship instead.
"Are you really planning to join us?"
"I recognize Hoenn's ideals. Justice should not serve power—justice exists to protect the people."
Fujitora replied slowly.
The Knights of God trampling on innocent lives had completely disillusioned him with the World Government. He had been paying attention to the Hoenn Government for some time now.
However, being blind, his understanding of Hoenn was mostly based on hearsay, much of which was slander.
Even so, he could still glean useful information from it.
Kuzan, Smoker, Doll...
Those renowned admirals had all joined Hoenn, which was enough to indicate underlying problems within the Marines.
Also, he'd sensed fear of Hoenn among many Marine Headquarters officers—an emotion Marine soldiers shouldn't have.
What kind of reason would cause a justice organization to fear another organization of the same nature, even going to great lengths to slander them?
He had the answer in his heart.
Fujitora hesitated for a moment, then made an awkward request. "Supreme Commander Daichi, allow me to be presumptuous for once."
"I want to serve as an admiral in the Hoenn Navy."
"No problem."
Daichi nodded with a smile.
His organization was still small, so the treatment had to be better.
"Any other requests?"
"Well."
Fujitora took a deep breath. "When I joined the Marines, I naturally had something I hoped to achieve. I want to abolish the Warlord system!"
"That doesn't seem difficult."
Daichi pondered for a moment.
Before he'd set off, Cross Guild was about to start a war, and by his reckoning, it had probably already ended.
With four former Warlords stationed there, even if Cross Guild couldn't defeat the Marines, escaping shouldn't be a problem.
The easiest way to abolish the Warlord system was to eliminate them. With the World Government's efficiency, the rate of replenishment certainly couldn't keep up with the rate of elimination.
In fact, there were only four Warlords left now, and one of them was Kuma, who was guarding the Straw Hats' ship and didn't follow orders.
If one or two more were lost, the Warlords would completely become a joke, losing their necessity.
Daichi spoke with a smile.
"You'll be a Hoenn admiral from now on, and you don't need to abide by the World Government's policies. If you don't like any Warlord, whether you beat him up or capture him, it's fine!"
Fujitora looked stunned, then let out a laugh.
What a simple and direct method!
Coincidentally, among the remaining Warlords, there was indeed one evil target he wanted to capture!
Donquixote Doflamingo!
Fujitora's expression darkened.
"Supreme Commander Daichi, as far as I know, 'Heavenly Yaksha' Doflamingo has close ties with the Beast Pirates. If I want to capture him, will you stop me?"
"No."
Daichi smiled and crossed his legs.
"Today's Hoenn and the Beast Pirates are two completely different organizations, and their ideals are in opposition. As long as it's not an all-out war, I won't interfere."
"If you want to capture Doflamingo, you only need Fleet Admiral Kuzan's permission. He is the Hoenn Fleet Admiral, and you'll be under his jurisdiction."
"As for Doflamingo, if he's killed by you, then he can only blame himself for being too weak!"
"One more thing—the Beast Pirates probably won't stand idly by and will likely send people to reclaim Doflamingo. You'll handle it yourself."
Small-scale friction between two major forces would result in considerable financial losses, especially for ships, but it also helped train their forces, eliminate opportunists, and cultivate strong individuals.
With the World Government as a common enemy, the two sides wouldn't have major conflicts. Besides, one's home base was in the North Blue, and the other in the New World, so there wasn't much friction between them to begin with.
"Then I'm relieved!"
Fujitora smiled.
His biggest concern had been Daichi. Not only was he Hoenn's Supreme Commander, but he also had influence in the Beast Pirates second only to Kaido.
He also knew that Hoenn and the Beast Pirates were like brothers, and facing the powerful World Government, it wasn't time to split up yet.
If Daichi didn't allow it, his actions would be severely restricted.
Daichi smiled and extended an invitation.
"Issho-san, I remember that Gecko Moria's territory is in this sea area. Are you interested in taking a look?"
"Moria?"
Fujitora thought for a moment, then nodded.
He had very little information about Moria. The man was too low-key. After being defeated by Kaido twenty years ago, he'd basically kept quiet. Every time he appeared, it was because of a summons from the World Government.
Rumor had it that Gecko Moria's ship was in the Florian Triangle.
Based on his judgment, Moria shouldn't be a dangerous person like Crocodile or Doflamingo.
Also, navigating in this strange, foggy sea area—it was already fortunate not to get lost. It should be very difficult to find Moria's ship, right?
"Supreme Commander Daichi, can you find Moria's ship?"
"I have my ways!"
Daichi showed a confident smile.
Just as he was about to elaborate, Kikara trotted over and whispered in his ear. "Daichi-sama, Gunko is awake."
"Good, I'll be right there."
Daichi stood up.
"Issho-san, I have something to take care of. We'll talk later."
"Mm."
Fujitora nodded in understanding.
He knew very well why Daichi was leaving.
That woman from the Knights of God was on this ship right now!