Conditions

"I agree."

Ron glanced at the bear beside him.

"But old man, I want to add someone to the Shichibukai."

"Who?"

Bartholomew the Kuma.

A rustling sound of tables and chairs came from the other end of the phone.

"The one from the Sorbet Kingdom?"

Which other one could it be?

"Ron, he's connected to the Revolutionary Army!"

"I know."

"Knowing that, you still dared to push him into the Shichibukai?"

"Please don't rush to scold me."

"His Paw- Paw-Paw Fruit, if it really came to war, could save an entire ship of Marines from under cannon fire."

"Wanting to use it is one thing, but whether the government dares to use it is another!"

That's why I came to find you.

Sengoku did not respond.

"Besides."

Ron smiled.

"The Shichibukai aren't recruited from model students; every single one of them has some kind of trouble to their name."

"Don't try to talk your way out of this!"

Sengoku slammed his hand on the table.

"Do you think the Shichibukai are a vegetable market? You can't just stuff whoever you want into there?"

"Then let's ask first. I didn't ask you to issue him the certificate on the spot."

Ron switched hands to hold the microphone.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

You still have more?!

"When the Shichibukai go on joint missions with the Navy, who will lead the team?"

"The Navy will take care of it."

"Then why don't you arrange for someone to take command of Mihawk?"

"You think I haven't thought about it?"

The Sengoku was quite annoyed.

"That guy doesn't even necessarily obey government orders!"

So, let me give it a try.

"You, a Rear Admiral, want to control the Shichibukai?"

"Why should we care? We only need to make sure they don't accidentally hurt each other during their missions. Once they're done, everyone goes their own way."

"You sure know how to create work for yourself!"

"Anyway, I've fought Mihawk before, he wouldn't be so disobedient as to not listen to me."

"Besides, didn't you say you were going to promote me to Vice Admiral?"

Sengoku snorted.

"I'm only responsible for submitting the application for special command. Whether it's approved or not is up to the higher-ups."

"Thanks!"

Don't thank me yet!

Suddenly, Sengoku remembered something.

"Where is Kuma himself? Have you discussed this with him?"

"Right next to me."

Ron glanced at the bear.

I'll sound him out first.

You'd better really be testing the waters!

"I know, I know."

"And you—"

Smack

The Den Den Mushi shut its mouth.

The bear looked down at Ron.

"Ron, are you really going to nominate me?"

"Otherwise what?"

Ron looked up at him.

"Let's see what they have to say first."

Xiong held the survey list in his hand and nodded slightly.

Not long after.

At the Port office, an encrypted Den Den Mushi (Den Den Mushi) rang.

"Rear Admiral Ron?"

"It's me."

"I am the officer in charge of recruiting Mr. Mihawk. Regarding his proposed terms for the duel..."

I agree.

Ron sat in the chair.

"But let's make this clear first: he can't suddenly come and attack my warship while I'm on a mission."

This point can be noted.

"Then please write down two more things for me."

The sound of turning pages on the other end of the Den Den Mushi paused for a moment.

"You said."

"I will coordinate all future joint missions of the Shichibukai approved by the government."

"Special command?"

"Right."

"Does the Fleet Admiral Sengoku know about this?"

"I know. He promised to submit the application for me."

The official flipped through the documents.

"The Shichibukai are not under the jurisdiction of the Navy."

"I didn't say I cared what they did all the time."

"That's still not allowed--"

"Alright."

Ron interrupted him.

"Just write it down; whether it gets approved or not is up to the higher-ups to decide."

I will specify...

The official had no choice but to pick up a pen.

"And the other one?"

Bartholomew the Kuma.

"What?"

"Put him on the list of candidates for the Shichibukai."

Please wait a moment.

There was a rustling sound of papers turning on the other end of the phone, and after a while, the official spoke again.

"The Kuma... the Sorbet Kingdom..."

The sound of turning over papers suddenly stopped on the other end of the phone.

"Buccaneer Tribe?"

"Right."

"Rear Admiral Ron, there's something wrong with this man's file."

What's the problem?

"The government's investigation order against the Buccaneer Tribe has not been withdrawn. If his name is submitted, it will probably be rejected immediately."

"Then let's discuss the investigation order as well."

The official paused for a moment.

"You want to withdraw the investigation order?"

"You can't expect them to catch pirates for you while you're also sending people to catch him, can you?"

I need to consult with my superiors about this.

"Perfect, saves me the trouble of saying it a second time."

Ron tapped on the table.

"And his wife and children shouldn't be taken away just because of blood ties."

"Do family members also need protection?"

"Nonsense!"

"He catches pirates for the government, and you turn around and arrest his wife and children. Do you expect him to work honestly?"

The official paused for a moment, his hand holding the pen still.

"This is not covered by the exemptions of the Shichibukai."

"Then add it separately."

Ron continued, "Finally, don't use your position as an excuse to force him to do any human experiments or body modifications."

"If they really want to cooperate, let them negotiate themselves."

"Rear Admiral Ron!"

"None of these three conditions are ones I can agree to!"

"Then report it exactly as it was said."

Ron leaned back in his chair.

"If we can't reach an agreement, he'll just give up the Shichibukai."

"What about Mr. Mihawk...?"

"Didn't I already agree to Mihawk's request?"

Ron was getting impatient.

"Kuma's terms are another matter; don't mix them up with mine."

The official had no choice but to agree.

"Understood, I will submit it as is."

After the call ended, Ron pushed open the door and walked out of the office.

The bear was standing in the open space outside.

"How about it?"

"The whole thing has been submitted. Whether it will work out is still unknown."

The bear bent down.

"Ron..."

As soon as the bear opened its mouth, Ron waved his hand.

"Go back and discuss it with Ginny. Don't let the government agree, but your wife disagrees first."

The bear paused for a moment, then laughed.

"Good."

He took a Den Den Den Mushi) out of his coat and bent down to hand it to Ron.

Contact me if you have any news.

"OK."

The bear turned and took two steps, then stopped.

Ron.

"What's wrong now?"

"Thanks."

Ron didn't turn around; he just raised his hand and waved.

"Go home quickly."

East Blue, Goa Kingdom.

Sabo had lost count of how many times he had peered out the window.

There were two guards at the gate, and another one under the window.

Stelly said the Gray Terminal was going to burn, but now he can't even leave his house.

Ace and the others knew nothing!

That evening, when his father took his men to a banquet, Sabo managed to escape by climbing over a large tree outside the wall during the changing of the guard.

He found his way to a warehouse on the edge of High Town, which was filled with barrels of kerosene.

The Bluejam Pirates are checking the inventory with the kingdom's soldiers.

"Is all the kerosene ready?"

"All set. Set them all on fire before the Celestial Dragons arrive."

Where is the city gate?

"All the gates to High Town are sealed off. Not a single person from Gray Terminal is allowed to enter."

One pirate clicked his tongue and said, "There are so many poor bastards inside, aren't you afraid someone will get killed?"

The soldier sneered, "Wouldn't burning it clean eliminate the problem?"

Sabo pressed himself against the wall, his teeth grinding together.

They even planned to burn the people inside!

Ace, Luffy, and Dadan are all nearby!

Just as he was about to step back, the warehouse door suddenly rang.

"Who's outside?!"

Sabo quickly crawled behind an empty wooden crate, covering his mouth tightly, and only ran back after the footsteps had faded into the distance, climbing over the wall.

He needs to inform Ace and Luffy.

Looking up, one could see that the city gates of High Town had already been reinforced with guards, and even the curfew gong had sounded ahead of schedule.