In the first half of the Grand Line, after leaving Windmill Village, Finn traveled to Loguetown again to replenish his supplies. Nothing fancy, just crossing Reverse Mountain, entering Twin Cape, and returning to the Grand Line.
When they reached Twin Cape, Finn went down to look for Crocus to see if Roger's ship doctor had returned. Even if he couldn't capture the man, he could at least chat with him and make him feel uncomfortable about Roger's execution.
As it turned out, Crocus wasn't there, nor was Laboon, the whale that loved to ram its head against the Red Line.
After that, Finn didn't use any Log Poses. He'd already recorded G-7's gravitational signature with his ability. The warship sailed smoothly through the Grand Line's chaotic waters.
At this moment, on a pirate ship's broken deck, Finn stood holding a pirate's collar in one hand and a Den Den Mushi in the other, chatting casually with the person on the other end.
"He's not a powerful pirate, just small fry with a bounty over thirty million berries. I happened to encounter him, so I took him out. Good opportunity to test my new sword's sharpness," Finn said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, he tossed the unconscious pirate aside and waved to the warship not far away. He didn't need to say anything. The warship quickly lowered several small boats, and two teams of Marines came to clean up the battlefield.
"So it really is as powerful as the legends say? The demon sword Shindokutō..." Stussy said with amusement through the Den Den Mushi.
Finn grinned. "Thank you so much for the information. It really is powerful. I like it very much."
"Hehe, I just provided information. Vice Admiral Finn, it was your own ability that allowed you to obtain Shindokutō." Stussy's voice carried a note of something unspoken. "Speaking of which, I came to say goodbye today. I'm heading to the New World. If you're still stationed at G-7, I'm afraid we won't be able to meet again in the short term."
Of course, Finn understood her hint. She probably wanted one more intense encounter before leaving. But the timing might be too tight.
Therefore, Finn didn't hesitate. He said with a smile, "That's really a pity. But if I have the chance, I will come to the New World."
"I'm really looking forward to it," Stussy said warmly.
"By the way, did you go to the New World for that Pleasure Street project?" Finn asked.
"Yes, that's right. According to our CP's internal decision, we plan to establish roots in the New World through Pleasure Street. After all, it's more chaotic there, and it's more convenient for us people who work in the shadows," Stussy confirmed.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty the Queen. You deserve the title," Finn said with genuine admiration.
Stussy's promotion speed was really impressive. Finn was already advancing rapidly, but he was still no match for her pace. When he'd met her at the orphanage a few years ago, she'd still been CP-9 Commander, the same level as Spandine.
Now, just a few years later, she'd become a senior executive of CP-0 and taken control of Pleasure Street. This woman was truly remarkable.
In fact, Finn didn't know that he'd thought Stussy had been in charge of Pleasure Street from the beginning. In the original timeline, she wouldn't have taken over Pleasure Street's operations until much later. But now, with her partial credit for Roger's capture boosting her reputation within CP, she'd naturally become Pleasure Street's first leader.
"I'm also waiting for you, Vice Admiral, to officially become Admiral," Stussy said curiously. "By the way, how is the situation on your side?"
Of course she would take this matter to heart. The New World was in such chaos right now. Don't think that just because she'd become a boss there meant it would be safe. It was extremely dangerous.
If Finn could become Admiral soon, having him as an ally would mean she could ask for help if she ran into serious trouble. Anyway, Stussy knew very well that she and Finn would prosper together or fall together. As their cooperation and communication continued to deepen, this relationship would be difficult to break.
Especially since Finn had used Dragon's situation last time to paint an ambitious future for her. This power-hungry woman had never considered working alone without Finn's support.
Glancing back at the approaching Marines, Finn took a few steps toward the edge of the deck, creating distance. He waved his hand, telling them to proceed without waiting for his permission. Then Finn whispered to the Den Den Mushi, "By the way, is there any news from the World Government? Any plans to contain the Great Pirate Era?"
Stussy paused, then said, "You mentioned last time that I should keep an eye out for news about using pirates to contain pirates, right?"
"Yes, something's developing?" Finn's eyes lit up.
"It should be, but the news is being kept very secret." Stussy raised the stakes, then didn't hide anything further. "It may just be a rumor, but we at CP have indeed received some investigation tasks."
"Investigating what?" Finn asked.
"Investigating the so-called 'new era' pirates' attitudes toward the World Government and their personal ambitions," Stussy explained.
Finn remained silent, and soon Stussy began analyzing the situation. "If it weren't for the hypothesis you suggested last time, I wouldn't have given it much thought. After all, this kind of thing is normal preliminary investigation work. But considering what you said, I think something might be developing. The World Government might be testing the waters, trying to figure out if they can bind pirates to their side with benefits and use them for their own purposes."
Finn nodded. "I think you're correct."
Needless to say, the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan was ultimately a terrible, garbage system. The entire organization would be filled with members who had their own agendas, using their positions as cover to wreak havoc and turn the seas into chaos. In the end, they'd be forcefully disbanded by the Marines at the World Conference.
There were many reasons why the Seven Warlords system developed into such a malignant state. The pirates' cunning nature was inevitable, the World Government's excessive assumptions were also factors, and the Marines must have also been obstacles and nuisances in this matter.
It was a distorted product from the start.
But there was no doubt that initially, the World Government should have had very high expectations for the Seven Warlords plan. This was a form of "recruitment." They hoped to recruit these so-called "new era" pirates, bind them with benefits, feed them with privileges, borrow their power to wipe out the remaining pirates, and at the same time resist the tide of the Great Pirate Era.
Finally, after the formation of the Four Emperors, they'd gradually transform the Seven Warlords into a strategic deployment to balance the forces of the sea.
Overall, the starting point was reasonable. But the World Government's failure lay in its overconfidence. They thought they could control the Seven Warlords like they controlled the Marines, but ended up being repeatedly manipulated and undermined.
But that was all speculation about the future. From what Stussy was saying, the World Government should have similar ideas forming. Judging from the current situation, implementation might come soon.
From what Finn could remember, after the policy was implemented, it took the World Government more than ten years to actually complete the formation of the full Seven Warlords roster. But that didn't matter. Finn didn't need the organization to be completely formed. He just wanted this concept to be openly proposed by the World Government.
The Marines would certainly be outraged. He'd already established connections with Sakazuki, and not long ago, he'd reached an unspoken agreement with Garp in the East Blue. He already possessed certain power to influence the Marines.
At the same time, he had the support of the new generation of Marine leaders like Gion, Doberman, Momonga, and Onigumo. He also wielded considerable influence.
What's more, Instructor Zephyr was his natural ally. Ever since tragedy struck Zephyr's family, his attitude toward pirates had taken a sharp turn for the worse. If the World Government dared to propose a Seven Warlords of the Sea plan now, Zephyr would definitely be furious.
In the original story, Zephyr couldn't stand the harsh reality of the Seven Warlords system. In the future when one of his students was killed by a pirate who later became a Warlord, and that same pirate severed his arm, Zephyr became completely disappointed with both the Marines and the World Government. He defected from the organization.
From this, one could see how much he despised the Seven Warlords plan.
At that time, as long as Finn seized the opportunity and persuaded Instructor Zephyr, with Zephyr's tremendous influence, he could further consolidate the Marines' will to resist.
These were all surface-level considerations. In fact, Finn could confirm that even Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong would have no choice but to hold their noses and accept this damned plan when the time came.
But in their hearts, they would definitely be disgusted with the Seven Warlords system. Because opposition would be the political correctness of the Marines! In hundreds of years, when had anyone heard such nonsense as the Marines supporting the legalization of piracy?
Although Finn knew very well that even if the Marines united as one and protested against the World Government's Seven Warlords plan, the Government definitely wouldn't completely bow to Marine pressure. Doing so would boost the Marines' confidence and further reduce Government control over the organization.
But appeasing the Marines was definitely something they'd have to do. This was what Finn wanted!
He wanted to take this opportunity to strike against the World Government and obtain the position of Marine Admiral, thereby completely shattering the Government's current idea of suppressing senior Marine officers.
It would be best if Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan could all strive for the title of Admiral Candidate simultaneously.
There were two core benefits to this plan.
First, needless to say, Finn would ascend to Admiral and wield tremendous power. The benefits were self-evident.
Secondly, he could use this incident to completely solidify his position as the new generation's Marine leader! Once this matter was accomplished, whether it was Sakazuki, Borsalino, or Kuzan, they would all owe him favors, and at the same time, they would all acknowledge his superiority.
Finn's prestige in the Marines would reach the level of veteran leaders like Admiral Sengoku, Instructor Zephyr, and Hero Garp. Truly establishing his own faction!
At the same time, once he obtained Admiral status, he could display his talents and build a proper career within the Marines.
"Once this happens, I will seize the opportunity and fight for the Admiral position," Finn said with a smile.
Stussy felt somewhat relieved after hearing this. "Then it probably won't be long."
At this moment, another Den Den Mushi on Finn's person also rang. After taking it out and glancing at it, he said, "Something's happening with the Marines. I won't talk more with you now. I'll contact you next time."
"Okay," Stussy responded simply and hung up.
Then Finn picked up the other Den Den Mushi. "Gion? What's going on?"
"Finn, something big has happened. Where are you? Are you close to Spring Queen Island?" Gion asked in a serious tone.
Finn was stunned for a moment, then said, "Not too far. What's the matter?"
"For some unknown reason, Douglas Bullet and Crocodile started a war on Spring Queen Island. Admiral Sengoku has formed a Buster Call fleet headed by Sakazuki, preparing to eliminate both of them on Spring Queen Island in one decisive strike. He's also recruiting nearby Marine officers to travel to Spring Queen Island on their own to cooperate in implementing the Buster Call!" Gion said gravely.
Finn's mind raced. It's almost 1503 already. Why are you, Crocodile, coming back to the first half of the Grand Line to cause trouble? Why don't you just go challenge Whitebeard already?
But he pushed aside his confusion and focused on the opportunity. "Understood. I'm changing course immediately. Inform Admiral Sengoku that Vice Admiral Finn will participate in the Buster Call operation!"
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