"He's right."
Mihawk's eyes sharpened, his narrow pupils flashing coldly as he stared at the Pacifista before him.
Everyone simultaneously turned toward that expressionless giant figure. No one questioned Mihawk's words. Among the Shichibukai, Mihawk's strength was undoubtedly first. Even in this conference room, no one dared guarantee victory against "Hawk-Eye," including even Sengoku. The title of World's Strongest Swordsman wasn't an empty one.
"Is this a mechanically modified human?" Crocodile asked while biting his cigar with narrowed eyes.
Sengoku shook his head: "No, this is a pure robot, not a modified human. This is a product designed and produced by Vegapunk, driven entirely by special power sources. You only need to know that Pacifistas like this, we currently have five hundred units!"
Five hundred units!
Everyone present showed shocked expressions. It might not sound like many, but it must be remembered that one Pacifista unit equaled Rear Admiral level combat power. Moreover, they knew no pain or fatigue; as long as they didn't receive fatal damage, they would continue fighting.
Looking at the earlier attack, its ability seemed similar to Kizaru's attack technique, which completely delivered area damage. Imagine five hundred Rear Admiral level combat units with Kizaru-like abilities deployed to the battlefield; the resulting effect needed no doubt.
Sengoku placed both hands on the table, his eyes behind his glasses sweeping over the seven people. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he asked flatly: "So, everyone, have you determined your choice?"
Silence, quite a long silence.
Finally, Moria became the first to state his position. He laughed strangely: "Kekekeke! I'm willing to serve the Marines!"
Moria had previously dealt with Vegapunk and was involved in treating Imu. He already knew this situation and the existence of PX-1, though he didn't expect the World Government had such numbers. As someone who had been to Karakuri Island, he knew full well how terrifying the power of these things was, especially in large numbers.
After that, the others one by one nodded in agreement. Even the most arrogant Doflamingo finally agreed to help the Marines fight the Yonko Alliance. Because this had become a battle whose outcome seemed clear.
As Shichibukai, high-level combat power in the pirate world, they couldn't stand alone. Once they chose a side, it was the same as putting a label on themselves. If later the Marines won while they chose the Yonko side, they would definitely be hunted down thoroughly by the World Government. Toward traitors, neither side would let them escape.
Seeing the strongest Mihawk also nod in agreement silently, Sengoku finally showed a satisfied smile and clapped his hands.
"Excellent. You've all made the most appropriate choice. The Marines welcome your official joining. Rest assured, the Marines are very friendly toward comrades-in-arms. After we destroy the Yonko Alliance, you'll all become meritorious heroes!"
The seven people didn't respond, they weren't interested in such empty promises.
"According to the latest intelligence report, the Yonko Alliance has gathered. Since you've officially joined, please immediately gather your forces and arrive at Marine Headquarters as soon as possible."
Sengoku gave a gesture of invitation, then led his officer lineup out of the conference room.
"Everyone, hurry!" Moria stood, his giant body projecting a strange warped shadow. He laughed cunningly: "We don't have much time. In this level of battle, even a little carelessness can lead to death, you know~"
Crocodile sneered: "Mind your own business, pathetic insect!"
He felt very disgusted toward creatures that lived in shadows.
Moria didn't care, he extended his finger claws and licked his lips: "When it comes to survival methods, I'm the strongest among you all, Kekekeke—"
"I'm leaving first!" Hancock stood, her voluptuous body swaying seductively. She signaled to Mihawk and Jinbei, then turned to leave the room.
"I'm leaving too!" Jinbei also stood and left.
Mihawk rose without a single word, his black cloak making his figure look even colder and more mysterious. Kuma left while hugging his book soundlessly, his flat face as if hiding certain emotions, as if thinking about something. The rest of them also one by one left the room. The conference room returned to silence.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The other side in the New World, Wano Country, Onigashima Island.
Currently, those waters had been filled with pirate ships. Various flags fluttered, striking black flags that made anyone who saw them feel daunted. Pirates laughed wildly or shouted fiercely in various styles.
From the distance, a giant pirate ship approached, followed by a fleet formation of other ships.
"That's... Moby Dick!" Someone recognized it and immediately shouted excitedly.
Everyone's gaze focused on that large ship with various expressions—some enthusiastic, sneering, or sour-faced. However, the atmosphere at the location immediately heated up. Unconsciously, they opened the way to let that fleet enter.
"This place is quite lively too!" Ace planted one foot on the ship's bow, bare-chested, grinning while looking at the surrounding pirate ships with a gallant laugh.
"Many new faces... Really a bunch of kids who don't know how high the sky is!" Jozu stood beside Ace while laughing, glancing toward several pirate ships that still looked amateurish.
Among these pirates, there were major pirates from the New World who were cruel with bounty values above ten million belly, some captains even valued above one hundred million belly. However, most of the others came from the four seas after hearing about this grand plan. Some wanted to build their reputation in this chaos so their names would be known worldwide.
Of course, even more were targeting Gold List rankings. Among those hiding in the four seas, there were experts who didn't stand out; if they could defeat or kill someone on the list, they would immediately leap to the world's peak.
Not a single pirate was a good person. Even Shirohige himself, in the past he had to step over mountains of corpses and seas of blood to reach his current position. The Yonko throne wasn't a place for the pure-hearted.
There were also those who wanted to seek protection under Yonko power to raise their status instantly. There were also those who wanted to fish in troubled waters, hoping to gain benefits from this tremendous battle to drastically increase their strength.
"Shirohige, you came late!"
In the forest at the beach's edge, tree shadows moved. Two magnificent giant figures pushed aside the trees and stepped out. Their figures were as tall as mountains, even several small pirate ships didn't reach their waists, looking like toys.
"Gurarara! Kaido, Linlin, it's been so long since we met!"
A heavy laugh rumbled accompanied by loud booming sounds. An equally magnificent figure jumped from Moby Dick, crossing a hundred meters distance in an instant, and landed hard at the beach's edge.
*BOOM!*
The ground cracked forming a large hole. The cloak on Shirohige's back fluttered fiercely, his weapon Murakumogiri was slammed hard to the ground until it produced a deep booming sound. He looked up at the two figures before him.