Another Seven Warlords of the Sea has died?
The other four elders were visibly shaken.
Marcus Mars, the white-haired and long-bearded Five Elder Star, distributed the latest intelligence in his hand. After everyone read it, the conference room fell into silence again.
After a long pause, the blond Five Elder Star said with a serious face:
"No matter what, the institution of the Seven Warlords of the Sea cannot be shaken because of this. The most urgent matter now is to fill the vacancy."
The kimono-clad Five Elder Star, Nusjuro, squinted slightly: "What do you mean?"
"Instead of letting him continue to create chaos, we might as well try to recruit him."
The blond Five Elder Star closed the document. "The institution of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was originally established to balance the powers at sea."
"Since he can successively defeat the Sand Crocodile and Hanafuda, it proves his strength. Even among all the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he's a top contender. If we can recruit him as a Warlord, he would be a more useful piece."
"That guy, he won't submit so easily."
Saturn frowned, "In just over a month, he's committed so many atrocities. He must be an ambitious and rebellious person. The invitation to the Seven Warlords of the Sea is something most pirates would dream of, but for this person, it might not hold much appeal."
"Precisely because of that, it needs to be controlled even more."
Nusjuro pushed his glasses slightly, "I agree with Saturn's opinion. The current situation in the New World is tense, requiring the Navy Grand Admiral to be on standby at all times. Over at Judicial Island, before reconstruction is completed, a large force is needed as well."
"For the Navy Headquarters, it's impossible to conduct a full-scale siege against him in the short term. Letting him roam free will only lead to more chaos. If we can restrain him with the position of Seven Warlords of the Sea, we can at least stabilize the situation temporarily."
"What if he refuses directly?" Saturn asked coldly.
"Then let CP0 take action to fill the manpower gap and collaborate on the purge."
Nusjuro stated calmly:
"Even if we can't capture him, at least we should drive him into the New World. We can't allow him to continue his tyranny in Paradise. Hanafuda is a friend of Kaido's. Hearing that he's appearing in the New World, the Hundred Beasts Pirates will not let him off easily."
"That's a reasonable statement, I concur."
"I also concur."
"Agreed."
"When the Seven Warlords of the Sea pact is drafted, who should be sent to deliver the letter?"
"Let that guy make the trip..."
In the conference room, the flickering lights swayed.
The five of them, speaking one after another, quickly reached a tacit agreement.
————
Meanwhile.
Alabasta, Royal Palace's side hall.
"Uncle Cobra, thank you for your gracious hospitality tonight."
"A mere banquet is nothing. We should be the ones to thank you."
Cobra leaned against the bed, his voice a bit weak, but his gaze toward Shano was sincere:
"If it weren't for your actions, the tragedy at the estuary of the Santora River might have been unavoidable, saving those caravans and the people by the riverbank, and preserving the dignity of our royal family."
"In addition, regarding Crocodile's matter, we also owe you a debt of gratitude."
Cobra bitterly smiled, "That man was conspiring to overthrow the royal family, and I failed to detect it all along..."
Hmm?
Shano was somewhat surprised, "Uncle, you already know?"
He hadn't even started to speak.
In order to prevent baseless accusations, when they first entered Alabasta, the Endgame had specially docked for a night at Canola Flower Port.
One reason was to return Binzi, yes, Robin's turtle was rented from a travel agency in this port city.
The second was because Robin's private base was also here, storing some of Crocodile's communication records, intended to be given to the royal family to expose his true nature.
However, it now seemed unnecessary to present this evidence.
"Yes, Lord Shano."
Cobra nodded slightly, a hint of complexity in his eyes, and sighed:
"Yes, these past two days, the guards have searched the entire vicinity of the Royal Capital and the regions around Rainville where Crocodile was active. Many hidden bases were discovered. The incriminating evidence inside... exposed the terrifying reality of that man's nature."
"If it weren't for his defeat at Lord Shano's hands, the entire Alabasta might have been kept in the dark, leading to unthinkable consequences."
Oh, no wonder.
The King's Army is quite efficient.
That's right; currently, in Alabasta, rebellion and civil war have not yet started, so Cobra's control over the country is at its peak.
Of course, if Crocodile were still alive, the contents of those secret bases could never have been discovered by the guards. Anything suspicious would have been moved long ago.
Besides, due to the trust and affection for this "national hero," Cobra would not have even thought of searching.
But Crocodile is dead.
And such a sudden death, while laying an ambush for himself in Whiskey Peak, probably thinking it would be a walk in the park, in and out easily.
The result was he never returned, causing a large amount of evidence to remain unremoved, eventually being uncovered by the Kingdom Guard.
"So, Lord Shano, you've saved our country twice from peril!"
"This grace, I will remember in my heart. From now on, you and your companions will forever be the benefactors and intimate friends of the Alabasta Kingdom."
Cobra solemnly placed his right hand on his chest and slightly bowed, performing the highest royal etiquette, "Whenever you require assistance, the entire nation of Alabasta will spare no effort to help."
"You're too kind, Uncle."
Shano smiled, "But speaking of which, I do have something I'd like to discuss with you, Uncle."