Inside the brightly lit room.
"We had originally planned to adopt a conciliatory policy toward the Phantom Sword Pirates, but it seems that won't work. They've grown too powerful to control," said a bare-chested man as he crushed out his cigar, his tone heavy.
"That Roy is indeed far too overbearing. We've already decided to let him enter the Grand Line, yet he's still setting his sights on us." Another middle-aged man dressed in gaudy clothes nodded in agreement.
"So the rumors in North Blue that he intends to conquer North Blue before advancing into the Grand Line are not without basis."
"He certainly has a big appetite. Let's see if he doesn't break his teeth on it."
"But a man like him is truly terrifying. If it weren't absolutely necessary, I really wouldn't want to make an enemy of him."
"We should make a decision soon. This time, it was the Wild Bull Pirates. Next time, it might be your Slaughter Pirates or my Plant Pirates."
"You're right. Hesitation only breeds disaster. We can't delay any longer. Once his power fully takes shape, the only path left for us will be to submit in silence."
"Very good. But the two of us alone still aren't enough. We need to find a powerful ally."
The tough-looking man frowned. "You think too highly of him. With the strength of our two crews combined, there is no enemy in North Blue we cannot defeat. Wild Bull must have simply been careless."
The gaudily dressed man raised a delicate hand and chuckled. "No, you're the one underestimating him. Although everyone who witnessed that battle firsthand is dead, I made some discreet inquiries and roughly learned how the battle unfolded."
"How so?"
"You probably think Roy wiped out Wild Bull by relying on his