Five Elders: What? Why Were They Suddenly Going to War with Whitebeard?

It wasn't just Smoker who received a conscription from the New World Marines.

Some of the Shichibukai also received this summons.

Kuraigana Island.

Currently, he has firmly established himself as the World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawk Eyes Jora Mihawk.

He spent his days alone on the island, surrounded by monkeys.

At this moment, he was sitting in his own castle, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand, looking at the secret letter from the Shichibukai delivered by the communication bat.

"Archino Island?" Mihawk frowned slightly and murmured.

He had no idea what Archino Island was.

However, Archino Island is a New World, so it is perfectly normal that Mihawk had never heard of it. Even Smoker did not know what Archino Island was.

The letter contained very simple information: it summoned the Shichibukai to gather at Archino Island to cooperate with the New World Marines.

Although the exact nature of the matter is unknown, the fact that Ortolan issued a summons and New World's Marines to carry out the operation suggests that it is a major event.

"If we can't find this Archino Island, then we'll go find Ortolan first..." Mihawk made his decision after a moment of silence.

This summons was not a forced summons, but a regular call to arms. It did not say that failing to appear would result in the stripping of one's status Shichibukai.

If this summons were from the Marine Headquarters, Smoker would probably ignore it, and Mihawk would most likely do the same.

But since this summons came from Ortolan, the two of them had to take it seriously.

The Marine Headquarters isn't that petty, but Ortolan is notoriously difficult to offend. Although his order isn't mandatory, would you dare refuse?

If you dare not go, you are disrespecting Admiral Ben. If you don't respect Admiral Ben, do you expect to live a peaceful life in the future?

If he doesn't remember it afterward, that's fine. But if he does remember and makes things difficult for you, can you handle it?

Think about the Red Hair Pirates; they offended Ortolan, and before they could even escape the New World, they were ruined.

If you offend Ortolan, he'll issue you a warrant just like Red-Hair', and all three of them—Black, White, and Gray—will come after you. Wouldn't that be like sitting on a hot potato?

Mihawk's side is recruited via secret letter, while Moria and Doflamingo's side only need the relevant person in charge to make a Den Den Den Mushi to inform them.

However, Doflamingo is currently holding a conference at Mary Geoise, while Moria is overseeing construction at the Golden City; both of them are busy with important matters.

However, this matter is not in a hurry. The Marines itself has not made arrangements yet, and it is estimated that it will not be implemented until after the World Conference ends at the earliest. Therefore, the two of them are not in a hurry.

As for Jinbe, Shichibukai Fish-Man Island, although he was busy in the Golden City, after some consideration, Ortolan ultimately did not issue a summons to Jinbe.

The reason is simple: Fish-Man Island has been well taken care of by Whitebeard, and to this day, the Whitebeard Pirates' flag still flies there.

Although Ortolan is currently quite close to Fish-Man Island, there's no need to force Fish-Man Island to make a choice for him.

Summoning Jinbe would likely not only be of no help, given his chivalrous and righteous nature, but could also strain relations, so there's no need for it.

Anyway, one more or one less makes no difference.

Why force Fish-Man Island to make a choice? After this battle, he wiped out the Whitebeard Pirates, making things much easier from now on. Fish-Man Island has no choice, so what's there to hesitate about?

At that time, Ortolan also ignored Crocodile, the Sand Crocodile from Alabasta, who had never left Alabasta and had never paid Ortolan any guarantee fee for Shichibukai.

Because he was hiding in the desert kingdom, Ortolan had no time to specifically go looking for trouble with him.

As for Crocodile, he had previously considered finding something for Ortolan, but he was later bogged down in the Alabasta affair and has not made any moves since.

Therefore, the two have absolutely no connection.

But Ortolan still keeps track of Crocodile's debt. He owes him 20 billion Beli, and now that Crocodile is rolling over, it must be at least 50 billion dollars.

If we ever run into this guy again and he doesn't pay off his debt, Ortolan is prepared to break both of his legs to settle the score.

Up to this point, the Shichibukai were never at full strength; they were called the Shichibukai, but there were only six.

Smoker, Doflamingo, Moria, and Mihawk will participate in this summons, while Jinbe and Crocodile will not be summoned.

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

At Panger Castle, the World Conference held on the morning of the 1st had already concluded.

The Marines commander from the Sengoku, rubbing his temples, emerged from the conference room.

To be honest, this kind of meeting is too 'vague' to discuss general matters, but it is also very political. Therefore, Sengoku had to wrestle with the royal families of many Affiliated Nation here and discuss the extent of Marines protection for them.

As soon as Sengoku turned the corner of the corridor, he saw a member of the CP standing there, respectfully saying, "Sengoku, the five lords request that you go to the Power Chamber for a while."

Sengoku paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand, I'll go right away."

The Power Chamber was located on the top floor of Panger Castle. Sengoku didn't need to take any detours and quickly arrived at the door, knocking on it.

A moment later, the voices of the Five Elders came from inside, and Sengoku then pushed open the door and went in.

"My lords, you were looking for me?" Sengoku asked Yu.

After the Five Elders invited Sengoku to sit down, Saint V. Nusjuro Shengcai asked, "We didn't participate in the Heavenly Council. What's the situation?"

Sengoku opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized there wasn't much to say, so he sighed softly, "Not much different from usual..."

Clearly, the Five Elders' attention wasn't on this matter either. The reason they didn't attend the meeting today was because they knew that the things to be discussed these past few days were actually 'garbage matters,' and there was no need to waste time on them.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Saint V. Nusjuro finally got to the point. "I noticed that your Marines delegation this time didn't include Ortolan, and why didn't Sakazuki come either?"

Ortolan didn't come because he had informed them that he had important matters to attend to in the New World. At that time, the Golden City had just begun to develop, and the Five Elders felt it was understandable and immediately granted his request.

Why did Sakazuki suddenly say he wasn't coming when it came down to it?

In the Five Elders' view, Sakazuki has always been the Admiral in the Marine Headquarters with the closest ties to Mary Geoise, and the Five Elders still have high hopes for Sakazuki.

We have always hoped to exert some indirect influence and control over the Marine Headquarters through Sakazuki.

The Five Elders were originally planning to have a chat with Sakazuki this time, but Sakazuki didn't show up at all, which puzzled the Five Elders.

Hearing the question, Sengoku quickly replied, "I was just thinking of reporting to you five when you have some free time in the next few days..."

"Oh? What happened?" Saint V. Nusjuro asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Yes, that guy, Ortolan, seems to have seized some opportunity and plans to attack the Whitebeard Pirates, intending to annihilate Whitebeard Pirates. After Sakazuki learned of this, he immediately decided to go to the New World to support Ortolan. They should be discussing their operational plan against the Whitebeard Pirates right now. After finalizing the plan, they will submit a copy to our headquarters, and we will then send it to you for review," Sengoku Shusuke quickly explained.

The Five Elders were all very surprised when they heard the news.

How could it be that without any warning or warning, Ortolan is planning to annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates?

Upon hearing this Saint M. Jaygarcia asked with some concern, "Isn't this too abrupt and hasty? There was absolutely no indication of this coming, and suddenly he's saying something like this..."

"Yes, Sengoku, Ortolan is still young, and perhaps he is not steady enough at times. You should keep an eye on him..." Saint Nashuro also chimed in.

Sengoku immediately nodded and said, "Yes, that's what I think too. But right now they're just making plans. I'm thinking that after they send the plans over, our headquarters will consult with them to see if they're feasible. If they are, we'll let them get started. If the plans aren't perfect and don't have much feasibility, I'll order them to stop by the order of the commander."

After Sengoku finished speaking, the Five Elders breathed a sigh of relief and agreed, saying, "It's good that you have your own ideas. However, I think we might be worrying too much. Ortolan's abilities are still quite good, and Admiral Sakazuki is also there. The two of them shouldn't be too frivolous. And in war, opportunities are fleeting. If they are truly confident, we shouldn't interfere too much. After all, if we can really wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates, it will always be a good thing..."