Ortolan: While I'm Working, You Trouble-makers Better Keep Quiet!
After chatting with everyone for a while, Ortolan clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back, and the meeting room fell silent.
"I've summoned you all to G-3 today because there are many things I need to discuss with you all recently. The Shichibukai are a very special organization. From the beginning of their operation... when did they start operating again?" Ortolan said, glancing at Crocodile.
Crocodile paused for a moment, but still gave a polite reply, "The proposal that appeared in the Marine Era 1499 was implemented in 1500."
"So much time has passed in the blink of an eye..." Ortolan sighed, then continued, "The creation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system had a historical context; it was a product of a special period. Ultimately, this organization could not last long, and it did not meet the needs of the times."
Hancock, who had just regained consciousness, felt something was wrong when she heard these words... Wait, I've only been Shichibukai for a few days, how am I already out of touch with the times?
But seeing that it was Admiral Bane who said this, Hancock felt that the Admiral must have a point. This so-called Shichibukai was better off not being one!
"Of course, I didn't mean to bring this up today. I just wanted to give you a heads-up, a heads-up, so that you won't be caught off guard when it's time to get things done..." Ortolan said.
After a moment of silence, Crocodile spoke first, asking, "Are you saying that the legitimacy of the Shichibukai organization will probably be abolished soon?"
"That's exactly what I mean." Ortolan nodded.
Doflamingo, now perfectly at ease, raised his hand and said, "I also think it should be this way. The reason the Shichibukai were established was because the tide of the Great Pirate Era was too turbulent. The Marines needed to concentrate its forces to resist the tide of that era and temporarily lacked the strength to suppress the Great Pirate on the seas. Therefore, the World Government took advantage of this trend and formed the Shichibukai, intending to help the Marines quell the storms on the seas. But now, the turmoil in the New World has subsided, and those massive pirate forces created by the Great Pirate Era have dispersed. Naturally, the Shichibukai no longer have a place to exist..."
"Admiral, don't listen to Doflamingo's nonsense. He's just talking without understanding the situation. He was bragging to me about his status as Admiral's assistant and Marine Admiral a long time ago. Look at his Doflamingo -feathered robe, do you see it? On his shoulder, this guy shamelessly wears Vice Admiral's epaulets!" Smoker was the first to stand up and complain, while also making a joke about Doflamingo.
Ortolan looked closely, and lo and behold, it was real!
Doflamingo had actually embroidered the Vice Admiral's epaulettes on his Doflamingo feather robe, but because the pink feathers were so thick, it was hard to see unless you looked closely.
This guy is so flashy?
Before Doflamingo could explain, Smoker continued, "He's now a registered Vice Admiral in the Marines, so naturally he doesn't need this Shichibukai status anymore. But I'm different, Admiral. I fought alongside you, risking my life on the battlefield of Archino Island. I've taken over the pirates' mess right now. If I lose this Shichibukai status, wouldn't I be your enemy on the surface?"
Of all the Shichibukai, Smoker and Crocodile are the most embarrassed to hear this news.
Doflamingo has redeemed himself and gone ashore; he's now Marine Admiral, so naturally he has nothing to worry about.
Moria is a businessman, you know? What pirate? What Shichibukai? It doesn't matter whether he's a pirate or not.
Mihawk didn't care at all. As long as that heartless Ortolan didn't bother him for no reason, it wouldn't matter whether he Shichibukai or not.
Jinbe to say, Hancock was just someone Fish-Man Island used to fill a quota. As for Hancock, as the saying goes, as long as she can follow in the footsteps of the Admiral, she doesn't care about Shichibukai.
Only Smoker and Crocodile are affected by this. Slokmindray is currently the biggest pirate in the New World and a legitimate pirate under the title of Shichibukai. As for Crocodile, he doesn't even know how he will survive in the New World after losing his Shichibukai status.
After all, his only connection to Ortolan is his status as Shichibukai. Now, the situation in the New World is clear: without Ortolan's connections, you can't survive in the New World. How could he not be upset?
"Looks like I really have to take that class he found for me?" Crocodile thought to himself.
"See, you're in such a hurry again." Ortolan chuckled and scolded her, "Didn't I tell you? This is just to give you a heads-up... As for your matter, can the New World do without pirates? We'll arrange things for you later."
Upon hearing this, Smoker immediately smiled and said, "Alright, I'm relieved to hear that from you, Admiral. I was just worried you might have forgotten about me..."
After this interlude subsided, Ortolan spoke up, "The reason I'm saying all this today is because a major problem has arisen on the World Government's side. It seems our Marines can no longer remain loyal to the World Government. Therefore, our Marines must establish a new order, and this new order obviously will not include the Shichibukai..."
As soon as Ortolan said this, everyone else's focus shifted from the Shichibukai to his statement. "The Marines can no longer remain loyal to the World Government!"
This statement can be considered the first time that Ortolan publicly expressed this attitude.
After a brief silence in the room, it was Smoker again. He was the first to slam his fist on the table and say, "If you ask me, we should have turned against this damn World Government a long time ago. They've really spoiled us. They even dared to strip you of your rank as a Marine Admiral. Where do they get the courage? Admiral, put aside all that, if you give the order, I'll storm Mary Geoise immediately!"
Doflamingo chimed in, "Exactly! And you're using the 'collusion with pirates' charge to slander you, Admiral, especially saying you colluded with me? Are you kidding me? I'm a Marine Admiral, what am I colluding with? As a Marine Admiral, is there a problem with me frequently contacting the Admiral? Isn't that perfectly reasonable? At most, it's just private communication between superiors and subordinates, how can you use a word like 'collusion'?"
Seeing that Moria was about to slam his fist on the table and make a statement, Ortolan quickly waved his hand and said, "Stop pretending. Mingde arrived late and has been working for the pirates all along. It's one thing if he doesn't know, but you're all putting on an act with me? The reason why our Marines can no longer be loyal to the World Government is because the World Government has violated the most fundamental logic that our Marines follows, which is justice!"
Then, Ortolan gave a brief account of the scandals, which were the things the Revolutionary Army would later expose.
Doflamingo and Moria had naturally received word of this long ago, and Mihawk was also very shocked when he learned of the situation. Crocodile was equally incredulous.
He thought he was bad enough being a pirate, but compared to those Celestial Dragons from Mary Geoise, he was practically a law-abiding citizen!
After everyone had processed the news, Ortolan spoke up, "I'm saying this now, and I'll also take this opportunity to arrange things for you. Smoker, stop thinking about attacking Mary Geoise. From now on, if there's any unusual activity, you'll be responsible for keeping an eye on all the pirates in the New World. Don't let any scum jump out and get in my way at a time like this!"
Upon seeing the seriousness in Ortolan's voice, Smoker immediately straightened his expression and replied, "Yes, Admiral!"
"Dover, no need to say more, you are also a vice Vice Admiral in our Marines, and you will be operating with the Marines. However, your focus will be on the coast guard..." Ortolan instructed again.
Doflamingo immediately interrupted Ortolan, his expression serious, and said, "The Sea Police Force, I can hand it over to Vergo, or to anyone else— Vice Admiral Stainless, Vice Admiral Kaisa, it doesn't matter. I must go with the main force to Mary Geoise. That's the only thing I..."
Before Doflamingo could finish speaking, Ortolan, seeing his serious expression, already knew what he meant, so he raised his hand and said, "Alright, then count you in."
Then, Ortolan looked at Jinbe and Jinbe, "You don't need to get too involved here. Just focus on getting things settled on Fish-Man Island and the Golden City."
After instructing Jinbe, Ortolan gave Hancock a few more instructions, reminding her not to get involved. He reiterated that the Marines was the true protagonist in this matter, and other forces should remain inconspicuous. Therefore, even with formidable forces like Charlotte Linlin and Kaido, Ortolan only intended to use them as a backup plan to build up reserves. Unless the situation in the attack on Mary Geoise deteriorated significantly, he didn't plan to deploy too many forces outside the Marines.
Finally, Ortolan turned his gaze to Mihawk and Crocodile, and after a moment, he said, "As for the two of you, I have only one request: don't cause any trouble during this time. The upcoming wave is a crucial stage that our Marines has been waiting for for over eight hundred years. Anyone who dares to mess with me at this time, don't say I, Ortolan, will show no mercy or consideration afterwards! When I have the time, I'll take their life!"
That's right, the reason he summoned the Shichibukai this time was not to borrow the power of the Shichibukai of the Sea pirates, but to warn these free-spirited guys to stop causing trouble when the Marines is putting on a show!
While I'm doing my job, all of you troublemakers, keep quiet!
Mihawk is currently recognized as the greatest swordsman, while Crocodile is inherently an unruly and rebellious person.
If it were anyone else, and they spoke so harshly and forcefully to their faces, they really wouldn't have tolerated it.
At this moment, sitting in front of them, staring at them with a fierce gaze, the person who spoke these words... was Bane Ortolan.
On this vast ocean, the only unchanging truth is that a strong fist carries the weight of authority!
His strength was undeniable; if they weren't convinced, he'd show them what the limits of power truly meant. So, whether it was Mihawk or Crocodile, under the ruthless gaze of Ortolan, they both silently nodded and agreed.