Banquet Break, Abolishing the Shichibukai

"Banquet, banquet~~!!"

After the great battle, according to 'custom', there was of course a grand celebration with feasting and drinking.

After sleeping for a day and a night, Luffy led the group in a feast, complete with various 'talent' performances, turning the inn into... a chaotic mess.

To put it nicely, it was lively and bustling; to put it bluntly, it was noise pollution. However, Roman had already booked the entire hotel, and most of the townspeople had gone to check on the suddenly appearing 'battlefield traces' on the island, so it didn't really matter.

Although the innkeeper, the bespectacled girl Yadoya, had no recollection of inexplicably fainting the night before and then running outside the town, and was skeptical of Roman's explanations such as "pirates came to rob us in the middle of the night, but we drove them away, no need to thank us," however:

"Mr. Roman, how exactly did you persuade Yadoya?"

"I was originally planning to alter her memories..."

But the innkeeper acted as if nothing had happened, not only providing all the rooms for the Straw Hat crew but also thoughtfully preparing plenty of food. He seemed happy and not at all coerced.

Roman smiled calmly at Brulee, who looked on with a humble expression, who was asking for his advice.

"There is no problem in this world that money can't solve. If there is, it's because there isn't enough money."

?!

"Don't listen to his nonsense,"

Nami pulled Brulee towards the back.

"He's treating solid cannonballs like clay with one hand and pulling out millions of Beli with the other. Any normal person would know which to choose, right?"

In short, it's a carrot-and-stick approach, nothing particularly surprising. Behind the inn, there's an 'artificial hot spring' created by Nami's powers, perfect for relieving fatigue after the battle.

"Phew~~ Nami's ability is so convenient."

"Actually, it's not my ability..."

On the girls' side, there were only Nami, Robin, Brulee, Carrot, making the ten-square-meter hot spring seem quite empty. The group enjoyed Brulee's desserts while chatting about girly topics, and even swam in the water. Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall:

"Hey, hey, hey, those who know will say this is a hot spring, but those who don't might think it's a 'Manchu Han Imperial Feast'!"

Although it's still ten square meters, theoretically, ten strong men could fit inside without any problem, but...

Jinbe and Franky are both superhumanly tall, with waists measuring three meters! The rest are all muscular men, not quite as exaggerated as the other two, but still quite large. On the contrary:

"Yo ho ho~~ I think it's pretty good."

Brook lay sprawled in the hot spring, letting the Little Soft -like creature burrow into his ribs. Because they were both "power users," the Little Soft also hated water. If Brook weren't three meters tall with most of his body above water, the Little Soft would probably have crawled into his afro.

"Hey, Nami didn't take into account the number of people on our side."

There were four of them, all slim girls; over here were ten, all muscular men...

A raccoon dog protests—

"Paper Dance, Swamp, Earthquake Core!"

As Roman activated his 'Swamp Page' ability, a ten-square-meter depression immediately appeared next to the hot spring. Then:

"Ice,"

A large block of ice began to freeze.

"Fire,"

The raging flames encased the ice cubes, which then rapidly melted into boiling water.

Splash,

As the second hot spring filled with hot water, Roman nodded in satisfaction. "You all go and squeeze into one of those hot springs filled with burly men, while I enjoy this all to myself!"

Snap,

A figure leaped into the hot spring Roman had just created with a roar, followed by a second, a third...

"You guys... never mind,"

Roman lay down in the hot spring that Luffy Usopp had just created, which had been turned into a mess, and left behind the words "Don't bother me." Then Roman closed his eyes and began to control the White Knight located at Marine Headquarters.

Being a staff officer is such a miserable job!

"Zoan, Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Vampire Form?"

"That's right,"

In the Fleet Admiral's Office, facing Roman's report, not only Akainu, but also the usually slacking Kizaru, the unserious Garp and Sengoku, and Vice Admiral Tsuru, all wore solemn expressions.

"That Devil Fruit from three hundred years ago that can absorb life and regulate age?"

Tsuru, the Navy's Great Staff Officer, frowned. The 'Bat-Mythical Beast Fruit's' ability to restore youth differs from the 'Return-Return Fruit'; it's a Zoan ability and cannot be resisted by Armament Haki. In other words:

"If the Red Earl really gets his hands on that fruit, then we'll be in big trouble..."

Everyone present knew how powerful the Red Earl was in his youth. He was a formidable figure capable of defeating a former Fleet Admiral of the Navy head-on, and with the help of his pet Tanuki Pajon, he could create an army of Devil Fruit users with a wave of his hand! He was practically a highly mobile Four Emperors crew, even more of a headache for the Navy than the current Four Emperors on the high seas.

"Those old bastards!"

Hmm? X3

"I wasn't referring to you guys..." Realizing his slip of the tongue, Akainu quickly changed the subject, "Roman, tell us about the Red Earl's next move so we can gather our forces..."

"No need,"

?

"Although the Red Earl obtained the 'Bat-Mythical Beast Fruit,' he didn't absorb other people's lifespans to become younger. Instead, he plans to continue his assault on the King of the Pirates's throne while still 'aged'—that's the theory, but I think he's just preparing to travel the world with his pet..."

"Ha ha ha ha!!!"

Garp, who was laughing loudly on the sofa, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and turned to look at Sengoku next to him.

"I already said, the Red Earl is not someone who can 'go down in history.' Although he is very strong, he lacks ambition."

"Hmph, even so, we can't just let this go..."

Faced with the powerful Akainu, Garp simply shrugged.

How should it be managed?

"Given the Red Earl's Observation Haki, which allows him to read minds, and his speed and strength that allowed him to roam the seas even before he ate a Devil Fruit, who do you plan to send to keep an eye on him?"

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell on the lazy Admiral Kizaru.

"Oh dear, although I'd love to go, a monster like the Red Earl..."

Unless the Red Earl himself decides not to run, catching him will be extremely difficult. Moreover, unlike other Great Pirates with vast empires, the Red Earl is a lone wolf. With perhaps one pet, finding him is practically like searching for a needle in a haystack.

"So, we're just going to leave it at that?"

"······"

Faced with Akainu's question, Tsuru remained silent in thought, Garp and Sengoku stayed out of it, and Kizaru just slacked off... In the end, their gaze fell on Roman.

"Given the Red Earl's temperament, it wouldn't really matter if we just left it alone."

"This time, the 16th team was just unlucky and ran into the Red Earl who was looking for the 'Bat-Beast Fruit'. There had been no news about the Red Earl for the past two years, so let's just pretend he doesn't exist. After all, he's not our target right now."

Roman pointed to the documents on Akainu's desk; they were the resolution passed by the Reverie to abolish the Shichibukai.

That's right, the Reverie has already begun!

This year's meeting was chaired by Lincoln... cough cough, no! It was King Hanburg of the Ballywood Kingdom. The first agenda item was for the Amazon Lily to join the World Government Member States and gain the right to attend the Reverie.

Without a doubt, the issue that should have dragged on for ages was passed at lightning speed! After all:

Amazon Lily is practically the Navy's backyard and cash cow. Who would dare to oppose it? Casting an abstention is considered the biggest dissatisfaction. Otherwise, the Navy doesn't even need to lift a finger; just a rumor is enough to send a swarm of pirates to raze the country to the ground!

Even among the Five Great Nations, there's no need to create unnecessary trouble.

The second issue was also passed quickly, partly because the royal families of Alabasta and Dressrosa set an example, and other countries did not want a legitimate Great Pirates to come and steal their country; on the other hand, they knew that Marine Admiral was behind this issue!

The Marine Admiral is not only the highest-ranking officer in the navy, but also wields immense power. For example, the most famous one:

Buster Call!

Marine Admiral has the authority to issue Buster Call unconditionally. If he deems the target 'evil,' he can immediately launch Buster Call against a region or country! No reason or explanation is needed; the navy will immediately dispatch warships, elite soldiers, and Headquarters Vice Admiral to the battlefield, and then:

Destroy!

Two years ago, Spandam used the Golden Den Den Mushi given to him by Aokiji to launch the Buster Call. The Navy arrived and blasted Enies Lobby to smithereens without saying a word! On the one hand, the Navy was unhappy that a mere dark intelligence agency dared to be associated with them. On the other hand, it also demonstrated the absolute ruthlessness of the Buster Call.

Since Marine Admiral is standing behind them, and the Shichibukai will become ordinary Great Pirates after the proposal is passed, then the Marines should be the ones with a headache. Therefore:

After the proposal was quickly approved, the operation plan against the Shichibukai was immediately placed on Akainu's desk.

"Jora Mihawk, Buggy, Edward Weevil,"

In reality, there are only three people on the seas who still bear the title of "Shichibukai." The rest have either been sent to prison by the Straw Hat crew "recruited" by them. Add to that Kuma in the Navy's hands and Empress, who has joined the World Government, and the Shichibukai are currently at their weakest.

"Edward Weevil has a team led by Professor Zephyr to catch Bo, and they're also equipped with the latest 'Pacifism 2.0,' ensuring absolute success!"

Zephyr lost to "Whitebeard Jr.." back then because he happened to have an asthma attack. This time, with the Navy's Science Unit accompanying him, such a ridiculous mistake is unlikely. So, no need to worry. Therefore:

"Hawk Eyes is known as the 'World's Greatest Swordsman,' and Clown King the Buggy is Shanks' brother; neither of them are easy opponents! You..."

"I'm going to Buggy,"

Garp put down his senbei and was the first to answer, prompting Akainu to give him a puzzled look. Wasn't this old bastard usually so inflexible, only moving when given an order?

"... Then I'll go to Hawk Eyes's side."

Sengoku put his hand to his forehead, but then added.

"Even if I go, I'll only exchange a few blows with Mihawk at most. After all, if we push the World's Greatest Swordsman too far, our navy will suffer unprecedented losses!"

"Besides, Mihawk is more of a farmer than a pirate. He's the World's Greatest at growing his own food... He takes down quite a few pirate crews every year. I'll try to keep him in check, but don't even think about trying to persuade him to join the Navy."

"Can,"

Two years ago, Akainu would never have approved of such a 'weak' approach. However, after serving as Fleet Admiral for two years, even the most hot-tempered person has learned the importance of being cautious. Even with Absolute Justice, there are many times when it's necessary to turn a blind eye. For example:

Holy Land Mary Geoise next door!

"So, one last question: Kaido's contact with Big Mom, and the Straw Hat crew..."

As Akainu glared at Garp, who had a completely carefree expression,

"We must also be vigilant here!"

"I'll do it."

?!

Faced with Roman's renewed volunteering, Akainu glanced around at everyone present: Sengoku Garp, who were practically inseparable, aside from Tsuru, who nodded slightly, as for Kizaru ...

Success is slacking off until the end of the workday!

"Alright, but facing two Four Emperors at the same time—"

"Be careful."