(The update count reached 4,000. My OCD was satisfied, so here's another chapter for you.)
Holy Land Mary Geoise,
Chamber of Power.
The five men representing the highest authority in the world wore grave expressions as they stared at the Den Den Mushi on the desk in the center.
After hearing Austin's words, they exchanged glances.
Then they slowly nodded.
In truth, they had never needed to worry about whether the list Austin provided might have problems, or about the candidates' loyalty to the World Government.
Even the most obedient wolf was still a beast.
It could never compare to the Marines, their own loyal dog.
What they needed was the deterrent posed by those Great Pirates among the [Shichibukai]. That would help the World Government rule these seas more effectively.
Of course,
if Austin, hailed across the seas as the "King of the Next Generation," could join them, that would be even better. Unfortunately, he had refused them not long ago.
"Then... tell us, Austin!
You were once a crew member aboard Roger's ship. We recognize your eye for talent. Who is this man you think so highly of?"
After a moment of silence, Saint Saturn was the first to speak.
Upon hearing that, Doflamingo grew tense first.
But Austin said unhurriedly, "You should know this person quite well.
Donquixote..."
At the sound of that surname, all five Five Elders froze.
A Celestial Dragon?
"Doflamingo."
Five Elders:!!!
Seeing the shock and confusion on the Den Den Mushi's face, Austin smiled. "That's right, the brat you drove out of the Holy Land. He possesses Conqueror's Haki now.
At the very least, I can't understand what you were thinking. You abandoned a kinsman with Conqueror's Haki, yet dispatched admirals to protect that bunch of fools who only know how to ride slaves."
Austin had wanted to continue teasing them, but before he could say much more, the Five Elders cut him off coldly.
"The internal affairs of the Celestial Dragons are none of your concern! Let us discuss the Donquixote boy!"
Nusjuro, who was usually cold and taciturn, spoke icily as he held his sword in his arms.
No matter what, this was a Celestial Dragon family matter. Even if they had truly made a mistake, it was not for an outsider like Austin to judge.
No, rather,
Celestial Dragons could never be wrong.
"You should understand, Austin. Positions among the [Shichibukai] belong to Great Pirates with enough fame to intimidate the seas.
Doflamingo? We have indeed heard of him. He may have some reputation in the North Blue.
But across such vast seas, that is far from enough!"
That was right.
To them, an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old North Blue punk was still inadequate, even if he possessed a certain degree of power and influence in the underworld.
In their estimation, he needed at least one respectable accomplishment.
For example...
fighting an admiral one-on-one.
Clashing with one of the Four Emperors.
"You should give young people a chance, shouldn't you, Lords of the Five Elders?"
Austin had naturally expected that reason for refusal, but wise as he was, he had already thought of a response.
"You only want fame and deterrence, right? That's easy...
What if I were willing to guarantee it? What if I told the media and newspapers
that the Great Pirate—Donquixote Doflamingo—had narrowly lost to me, then successfully escaped alive?"
"This..."
Upon hearing that, not only was Doflamingo, who had once been instantly defeated, stunned.
Even the Five Elders, who had weathered countless storms and watched the world rise and fall, were dumbfounded for a moment.
You could do that?
Toy with the people of the seas the way they toyed with Wano Country?
But once their shock faded and they considered it carefully, they discovered with strange expressions that...
it really might work.
With Austin's status as a Pirate King crew member, combined with his world-shaking achievements, a few embellished details in the newspapers would be enough to fool the entire world.
Even the man in question had agreed. Who could question it?
With the qualification issue settled, the Five Elders briefly discussed it and agreed in principle.
However, Peter, one of the Five Elders, still offered a reminder.
"Austin, since you are willing to guarantee him with your own reputation, we naturally have no objections. But you must understand—
on these seas, the [Shichibukai], as forces nominally balancing the Marines and the rulers of the New World, are absolutely not permitted to suffer defeat."
"This means that once Doflamingo loses, it will not only damage the World Government's prestige, but your own reputation as well.
You understand, don't you?"
The meaning was already perfectly clear.
Put more crudely, if Doflamingo lacked the strength to back it up,
then forcing him into a high position he did not deserve would only humiliate them all.
But this was no problem for Austin.
Because he knew
that this flamingo born from rage and hell still had potential.
He had served as a Shichibukai for so many years without issue, only to be crushed when the protagonist arrived. Though it had something to do with his own lack of strength, it was also half a plot-driven defeat.
He was more than qualified to be a subordinate.
"Since you have doubts, how about we make an agreement?" Austin narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"I'm listening." A cold voice replied.
"If Doflamingo loses his qualification due to defeat, then let me take his place.
This stake should be heavy enough, shouldn't it?"
Austin entered the game himself.
Sure enough, upon hearing that condition, the Five Elders agreed immediately without even discussing it.
Because no matter how they looked at it, it was a deal they could not lose.
If Doflamingo could hold his ground, then with Austin's guarantee, that flag would never fall.
And if he could not,
then even better—if [Black Spear] Austin joined the [Shichibukai], alongside the other powerful Shichibukai, they would undoubtedly transform into a force truly capable of contending with the rulers of the New World.
And for the prestige of the World Government, that was unquestionably tremendous news.
Click.
After agreeing to the matter, the Den Den Mushi was quickly hung up.
The silent cell instantly became quiet again.
Only the dim candlelight flickered, illuminating the side of Doflamingo's face—the central figure of the conversation—filled with uncertainty and drenched in cold sweat.
Everything that had just happened felt like a dream, leaving him with a profound sense of unreality.
Something like this...
How could it be possible...?
In just a few words, a major figure of the seas had been elevated by the most powerful men in the world.
As easily as lifting an ant.
And likewise,
destroying him would be as easy as crushing an ant to death.
Watching the man slowly tuck the Den Den Mushi back into his robes, his expression calm as still water,
Doflamingo admitted that this was the first time.
The first time he had witnessed
what true power was!!!
Before you continue