"Haha, Enies Lobby?"
A Marine general laughed openly. "That tiny place can't even properly monitor the seas. Forget supervising us. The Marines have long operated beyond Enies Lobby's reach."
"But creating such an organization would inherently infringe on Enies Lobby's authority," a staff officer said with a frown. "And possibly even Impel Down's."
"That's exactly why it must be internal," another officer replied. "Otherwise, how is this any different from before?"
"I agree with Staff Officer Tsuru," someone added. "This is a Marine problem. We should solve it ourselves."
"What would this new department be called?"
"And who would lead it?"
Tsuru didn't answer. She shifted her gaze to Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong. This was no longer within her authority to decide.
Sengoku looked at Kong. After a brief pause, Kong nodded, signaling that Sengoku could make the call. In the end, Kong would only need to approve it formally and relay the decision to the World Government.
"Then we'll call it the Supervision Department," Sengoku said. "As for its head…"
His eyes swept across the Vice Admirals.
This role would make enemies by default. The Supervision Department would need absolute authority and absolute impartiality. If its leadership showed even a hint of favoritism, the department would become just another tool for abuse.
"Let's leave that discussion for later," Sengoku continued. "First, we must notify the World Government. If they approve, then we can move on to staffing, regulations, and authority."
Everyone understood.
Creating a new department was never simple. The Supervision Department would hold immense power, and its rules alone would require endless debate.
Normally, this would spark fierce political infighting. But now, the Marines had no time. Their backs were against the wall.
Securing the World Government's approval was the first hurdle. No matter how independent the Marines were in practice, they were still officially under the World Government's command.
And this was not something that could be discussed casually over a Den Den Mushi.
They would have to go to Mary Geoise in person.
This meeting itself was highly confidential, known only to a handful of people. Still, once the Supervision Department was established, it would inevitably threaten the interests of many within the Marines.
Under normal circumstances, some might resist.
But not now.
This was a crisis. Anyone who dared step out of line would be purged without mercy.
As Tsuru had said, this could make the Marines stronger than ever.
Everything they were doing now was for that goal.
Far away, in the West Blue, another meeting was underway.
The Dark Council's conference room.
There were eighteen seats in total.
Five were occupied by the heads of the Dark Parliament's core departments. At their center sat the Speaker of the Dark Parliament, Ulysses, Redyat's successor.
He was nearly fifty years old, calm and ambitious, still very much in his prime. After "Hades" stepped down, Ulysses had been elected Speaker with over two-thirds of the vote, a result that spoke clearly of his influence and political skill.
Twelve large screens lined the room, each displaying the image of a First-Tier organization leader. These underground overlords ruled vast networks and territories and rarely appeared in person.
And then there was the final seat.
"Hades's" seat.
The seat of the Dark Parliament's founder.
On it sat only a symbol bearing his codename, a sleeping Den Den Mushi, and on the chair's backrest, the Nightfall Pirates' flag. Three skulls, crossed bones, and a dark, swirling vortex.
The seat was empty.
Yet no one dared ignore it.
Everyone here knew who its owner was.
"Hades" was a secret known only to the highest ranks of the Dark Parliament and the underworld's top powers. They had never seen his true face, but what he left behind was more than enough.
The Dark Parliament.
The Nightfall Pirates.
A pirate crew powerful enough to shake the world.
Today's meeting was a regular one. The Dark Council convened once a month, though any member could call an emergency session.
This meeting had been convened by Ulysses himself.
"Overall, the West Blue is stable," Ulysses said as he stood and activated the projection. Data appeared in the air. "However, due to the current era, our business has taken a serious hit."
"Pirates with no sense of proportion are attacking more frequently. Even when we repel them, the losses are significant."
He tapped the projection.
"Trade profits have dropped by thirty percent. This is last month's data. Last month, the Dark Parliament earned 7.3 billion Beri in trade."
"That means we're losing more than 3 billion Beri every month."
The room fell quiet.
Thirty percent.
The Dark Parliament functioned like an intermediary. It took a smaller cut, while the bulk of profits went to the forces that controlled resources and routes.
Which meant the actual losses were far higher.
Many of those present felt their chests tighten. Since the Dark Parliament's establishment, money had poured in so fast that they had grown accustomed to it.
Only now did they truly feel the loss.
"What can we do?" one leader complained. "The Marines are useless. They can't suppress pirates in the West Blue at all."
"And this era only breeds more pirates," another added. "Some of them are strong enough to force real battles. Losses are unavoidable."
Volson, Chief Judge of the Dark Arbitration Court, nodded slowly. "There are simply too many pirates. The West Blue is vast, and our manpower is limited."
"Our training programs are still in their early stages. There hasn't been enough time."
Pirates were not considered part of the underworld. The Dark Parliament had its own rules, and pirates didn't follow them.
The Dark Arbitration Court was powerful enough to sweep the West Blue, but it rarely interfered in routine matters. Only when losses became severe would it step in.
"If we rely solely on force," someone said, "we'll only provoke more resistance. Losses could increase."
"Hehe."
A familiar voice broke the silence.
"Why don't we consult Hades?"
It was Stephanie.
With the expansion of First-Tier forces, Phantom Street had only just secured its place among them. Its influence extended far beyond prostitution, covering intelligence, cosmetics, and women's fashion.
The room froze.
She wasn't wrong.
Every major decision made during Hades's tenure had been correct.
But that was precisely what made people uneasy.
Only after Hades stepped down did they truly realize what he represented.
The Nightfall Pirates.
After the Battle of Urso Island, their power was undeniable. Teach alone could crush the Dark Parliament if he wished.
Even Volson admitted he would lose badly against Redyat or Teach.
What reassured them was that the Nightfall Pirates had left the West Blue. To them, the Dark Parliament was merely a stepping stone.
Still, the better the Dark Parliament developed, the more it would ultimately benefit the Nightfall Pirates.
"…Very well," Morgan said at last, stroking his beard. "Then let's contact Hades."
Silence followed.
No one moved.
Ulysses stiffened.
Slowly, he turned his head. Every eye in the room, including those on the screens, was on him.
"Me?" he asked dryly.
"Who else?" Stephanie said with a light laugh. "You're the Speaker."
The others nodded in agreement.
Ulysses sighed and stood, walking to the far side of the table.
To Hades's seat.
He activated the Den Den Mushi.
Far away, aboard the Nightfall Pirates' ship, preparations were underway for a victory banquet.
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Teach grinned. "That's from the Dark Parliament, isn't it?"
Redyat nodded. "Looks like they need something."
"They already know who we are," Teach said, unconcerned. "What are they going to do? Resist?"
"Let's hear them out," Redyat replied, activating the call.
"What is it?" his voice came through calmly. "If nothing unexpected has happened, we won't interfere in the Dark Parliament's internal affairs."
The Dark Council members felt their hearts tighten.
It was only a question.
But the pressure behind it was overwhelming.