Pangea Castle, Chamber of Authority.
The Five Elders put away the map, stopped their discussion, and all sat down on their respective sofas.
A moment later, there was a knock on their door.
"Enter."
At that moment, a man in a black suit pushed open the door.
"Lord Five Elders, Saint Gawain has come to visit."
"Understood. Let him in. From now on, whenever he comes to see you, there's no need to report; just let him in."
After the Elder of Military finished speaking, he waved to the man in the black suit, who bowed and then turned to leave.
When only the five of them remained in the room, the Five Elders exchanged smiles.
"He's really in a hurry."
"Yes, it was like something was chasing him from behind, never stopping for a moment."
"It's not surprising. His Conqueror's Haki is pure and powerful, so it's not surprising that he has such determination."
"Lord Imu also had a good impression of him. I even think that Lord Imu seemed to smile when he saw his picture!"
"Haha, that kid is really likable, especially his style of doing things, which is much more decisive than our group of old guys."
Each person says one sentence, which is fair and reasonable. The five of them have been together for so long that they are used to this way of communicating.
Meanwhile...
Outside the corridor of Chamber of Authority, he looked at the man in the black suit who bowed down to him, urging him to continue.
Gawain was a little confused.
"You are... CP0, Ambrose, the one who delivered the Den Den Mushi to me?"
"I am deeply honored that Saint Gawain could remember my name!"
"No need, I'm just a little curious why you changed into a black suit?"
"The fact that Gawain likes to wear white suits has already spread throughout Mary Geoise."
As members of the CP who forever admire and are absolutely loyal to the Celestial Dragon, we certainly cannot wear the same style and color of clothing as you, Saint Gawain!
Two days ago, all members of CP0 changed their attire. From now on, we will wear only black, just like the other nine CP departments!
I hope this will make up for my previous mistake and earn your forgiveness for my small act of disrespect, sir!
"Um."
Gawain nodded and gave Ambrose a slight smile.
He then walked past Ambrose's bowing figure and toward the gate leading to the Chamber of Chamber of Authority.
Pushing open the door, Gawain looked up at the five elderly people sitting in front of him and greeted them naturally.
Good afternoon, seniors.
"Haha, what a unique meeting! I'll remember that for a long time, Gawain."
The Elder of Military laughed and waved, gesturing for Gawain to come closer.
Gawain walked to the sofa where the five people were, and after standing still, he smiled and continued to speak to the Five Elders.
"The reason I've come to see you seniors is that I've been planning this for a while and I want to talk to you about it."
"Forget it, you just want to inform us of your decision, right?"
I don't see any indication that you'd like to discuss this with us, haha!
The Elder of Military chuckled and joked, then waved his hand dismissively.
"Tell us, let us old folks hear what the young people are thinking these days."
"It's not so much an idea as a consideration."
Gawain smiled slightly and spoke casually to the Five Elders.
"I want Shichibukai."
"Oh?"
The Elder of Military was taken aback.
"Your goal is very clear: you don't plan to do anything yourself, but instead you're just going to steal meat from my plate, you brat!"
"Haha, old man, you're joking. It seems like the Shichibukai have never actually been served to you."
Judging from their current members: Crocodile Gecko Moria, Knight of the Sea, Jinbe, Dracule Mihawk, Empress Hancock Tyrant Kuma, and Donquixote Doflamingo!
Of these seven individuals, how many can truly become a force for World Government?
"It's not necessarily true that they have to become our strength to be used by us. For those who cannot be completely controlled by orders, exploiting their ambition is an essential tactic for us!"
Of these seven, neither Crocodile nor Doflamingo...
In less than ten years, these two individuals had already weakened the two World Government Member States to which their ambitions lay!
Our only enemies are those Affiliated Nation. Over the past seven hundred years, we have used blunt force to destroy and bury 110 World Government Member States, turning their monarchies into dust in history.
To this day, of the remaining 170 Affiliated Nation, the Shichibukai have destroyed two more for us!
Crocodile is incredibly greedy, but even so, I predict that Alabasta will eventually fall into his hands in three to five years.
The Nefertari Family has been estranged from us since the beginning of our lives, so it's time for them to experience the hardships of life!
In comparison, that Doflamingo did a pretty good job. He has completely taken control of Dressrosa. All he has to do is wait for time to pass, and Dressrosa, along with its history, will be lost to the cracks of time!
At this point, the Elder of Military placed his hands on the knife and frowned slightly.
"Unfortunately, back then, that bastard actually killed his own father, Donquixote Homing!"
If that weren't the case, I'd really like to bring that guy back into the Celestial Dragon's ranks!
We are Celestial Dragon. Whether we are brutal or ruthless, we can only do so to outsiders!
If we allow newcomers like Doflamingo to disrupt the stable order within the Celestial Dragon, it won't be long before the Celestial Dragon collapse from within!
After speaking, the Elder of Military looked at Gawain and said earnestly.
"You're the same, Gawain!"
We never interfere with fights or brawls. As for Charlos, even if you fight him every three days, or even every day, it doesn't matter.
But don't go to the last step!
"I know."
Gawain nodded expressionlessly.
"I'm not that bad at making mistakes in this area, seniors. Let's stop talking about unrelated things and get back to our main topic."
I've come to see you today with three main things I want to discuss. The first is the Shichibukai. I want to completely control this emerging power. Any questions?
"No problem!"
The Elder of Military nodded readily.
"As long as you don't try to shake the foundation of the three armies, we won't care if you become one of the Shichibukai, or even if you become one of the Four Emperors or even take control of the Revolutionary Army."
However, there's one condition: we won't provide you with any assistance!
You are Celestial Dragon, but you are only Celestial Dragon; you are not yet one of the Five Elders.
Therefore, if you want to control them, you'll have to rely on your own strength. The five of us won't give them orders to obey you, and besides, even if we did, they might not actually obey."
"That's enough!"
Gawain smiled with satisfaction.
"Knowing your attitude is enough. I'll handle the rest myself. However, there's one special case: Tyrant Kuma."
Gawain frowned, scrutinizing the Five Elders' expressions, and continued speaking.
"As far as I know, Tyrant Kuma and Vegapunk are quite close."
What, does Vegapunk have some kind of research that requires a bear?
If not, then I'll find a chance to take Xiong with me.
"If you can do it, then you can take it. There's no special relationship between Kuma and Vegapunk."
As for Vegapunk, all he needed was the bear's physical data, but he already had that.
"But I should warn you beforehand, Bartholomew Kuma has a rather unusual background. You'd better do your research, or I'm worried you'll run into trouble, kid."
"I see."
Gawain nodded.
At the same time, the Elder of Diplomacy standing next to the Elder of Military smiled and said to Gawain.
"Compared to your request, I'm more curious about why you want to become Shichibukai. Little Gawain, can you tell me why you've set your sights on the Shichibukai?"
For us, the Shichibukai are merely a temporary measure, something that can be removed at any time, a stopgap measure to counter the Great Pirate Era started by Roger, because they are, after all, pirates!
But I feel like you seem to have a different opinion about them?
"Yes, I didn't escape the eyes of my seniors. I do have special opinions about them."
Because I fundamentally believe that you've made a mistake in how you've used them!
Just like you said, they are pirates after all.
What I value is their identity as pirates, yet not pirates!
At this point, Gawain shrugged and smiled mysteriously.
"It's precisely because they are pirates, yet they are not pirates."
With the right approach, such an identity can be cultivated effectively.
Therefore, they are not just a new force known as the Shichibukai, but a completely new choice for young people all over the world who are preparing to set sail, in addition to the two traditional options of the Navy and pirates!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain raised his right hand, tapped his temple with his index finger, and continued.
"Seniors, although I have only been away for a few days, I have felt a great deal. On this vast sea, I wonder how many generations of hatred and conflict are brewing."
Whether pirates or marines, there are always many young people on the high seas who harbor hatred and do not want to join either of them!
But aside from the navy and pirates, young people preparing to set sail have no choice at all, because they will always end up with bounties on their heads after experiencing all sorts of things!
Therefore, I plan to offer them a new option.
I think young people always prefer new things!
What do you think?