Shichibukai Meeting

Naval port.

Warships lined up one Shichibukai, who had been summoned, arrived one after another.

Marine Headquarters Building.

Inside the round table conference room, five of the Shichibukai had arrived: Doflamingo "Heavenly Yaksha," Kuma the "Tyrant," Crocodile the "Sand Crocodile," Boa Hancock the "Empress," and Post "Withered One."

"Tyrant" Xiong remained silent, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Crocodile, with his slicked-back hair and a cigarette dangling from his mouth, exudes the aura of a mafia boss. No one dares to doubt his strength. As Logia Sand-Sand Devil Fruit User, his power has grown increasingly terrifying over the years.

He wouldn't have come if it weren't for Whitebeard.

Boa Hancock held her head high, as if she didn't care about anyone else.

Although her strength may be slightly inferior to that of the other Shichibukai, she is only twenty-five years old and already possesses such strength, which is enough to demonstrate her terrifying potential.

In a few years, her strength will be even greater.

In contrast, Post Withered was a little nervous. However, as Shichibukai, he was a smart man, and his own strength was unmatched among pirates on the Grand Line. He would express the appropriate attitude.

He is still growing and developing, so it's best to avoid entering the New World while he's still weak.

That's my goal in becoming Shichibukai.

He now felt that he was strong enough to establish himself in the New World. After this war ended, the Whitebeard Pirates' vast territory would be vacant, and he felt that would be the opportunity to invade the New World.

Therefore, offending the Navy and the World Government before that is absolutely not worth it.

Perhaps out of boredom, or perhaps out of a twisted sense of humor, Doflamingo used Parasite String to control the body of a Marine Vice Admiral, making him fight against his colleague.

The chief of staff crossed his arms, rested his chin on the back of his hand, and watched all this with a calm expression, seemingly unconcerned.

Vergo, who was also representing the Navy and sitting upright in the conference room, and Novoya, who had his legs crossed, didn't seem to care.

As Marine Vice Admiral, their performance was indeed lackluster, so easily manipulated by Doflamingo.

But there was nothing they could do; Doflamingo was too strong, his power was terrifying, and they simply couldn't fight against him.

The others also looked at him with apprehension.

This ability is indeed terrifying, but we don't know its potential. So far, Doflamingo seems to be using it very easily.

Moreover, the Parasite String are very well concealed; if Observation Haki is not strong enough, even a powerhouse of the same level could be controlled by them.

Tsuru was not surprised by Doflamingo's behavior; he was simply a person with a wicked temperament.

"Doflamingo, is this your doing? Stop it! We're the Navy!" The controlled Vice Admiral named Mosambia roared in shock and anger.

"Baboon~ If you don't want to cause trouble, then hurry up and explain things clearly, and end this boring party as soon as possible."

Doflamingo let out his signature laugh; he wasn't lacking in patience, he was just killing time.

Besides, he didn't dare to act recklessly and was very careful with his actions.

"Stop it, both of you." Just then, Tsuru spoke up. As soon as she finished speaking, Novoya and Vergo's gazes fell on Doflamingo at the same time, bringing a sense of pressure.

Perhaps out of fear of the crane, Doflamingo lowered his hand, and the Vice Admiral named Mosambia regained control of his body.

"This isn't a place for you to fight." Fleet Admiral Sengoku appeared at the doorway without anyone noticing, his hands in his pockets, with one of his sheep following him.

"Oh dear, I'm a little late in greeting you all, you remnants of the sea." Sengoku's expression relaxed, but his words didn't sound like a proper greeting at all.

"Baboon, baboon, what are you saying?"

Soon, Sengoku took his seat in the main position.

"Mihawk should still be on his way. To be honest, I was really surprised that six out of seven people came." The headquarters had also had doubts about whether the Shichibukai would come.

Even though this is a forced conscription, none of the Shichibukai are easy to talk to.

They had known beforehand that Jinbe had refused to be conscripted and had been imprisoned in Impel Down.

"That's true! I didn't really want to come either, the construction on the island is progressing too smoothly."

"I was so bored, so I came here."

Doflamingo said this as he sat down directly on the table, right across from Sengoku.

"I see, then it really is disturbing my peaceful sleep." Sengoku crossed his arms.

"The pirate business is thriving, while things are rather sluggish here."

"Baboon, you're being incredibly unreasonable. Even the name of Buddha can weep, Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Doflamingo could hear the sarcasm in Sengoku's voice.

"Besides, how can you compare them? Your navy is vast and powerful, while we only have a small island."

No one believed Doflamingo's nonsense. As the king of Dressrosa, he single-handedly transformed Dressrosa from a poor country into a famous tourist destination.

More than a decade has passed since a kingdom became wealthy in just a few years.

This forces one to acknowledge his abilities.

This is someone who can stir up storms both at sea and in the Underworld.

Its ability, however, is merely that of a seemingly ordinary String-String Fruit.

The sound of crisp footsteps rang out, and all eyes fell on the wide-open door.

"I overheard some boring conversation."

With his signature attire and prominent Black Blade, Dracule Mihawk arrived, his figure emerging from the shadows.

"Have I come to the wrong place?"

"With the Shichibukai of the Marine Headquarters, and such a power struggle underway, the round table is completely meaningless."

The round table represents peaceful talks, but the positions of the Navy and the Shichibukai are opposed.

"What a surprising man to have arrived. I thought someone like you wouldn't care about this kind of thing." Doflamingo was somewhat surprised that the arrogant Hawk Eyes would participate in this operation.

It's worth noting that many years ago, during the war Flying Pirates and the World Government, the Navy also summoned the Shichibukai. At that time, only Crocodile and Doflamingo went, while Hawk Eyes refused outright.

Of course, the number of the Shichibukai was relatively small at that time; they were mostly added in recent years.

"Hmph! I'm just here as an observer. I'm somewhat interested in the pirates who caused this trouble, that's all."

"In that case, can I be considered an observer as well?"

An unfamiliar voice rang out.

"Oh dear, it's actually a bit different from being an observer."

Those present looked in the direction of the sound, towards the window, and those who recognized the voice all had their pupils shrink.

He was bent over, holding a cane in one hand and pulling down the brim of his hat with the other, obscuring his face.

"You bastard! What are you? Where did you come from?!" a Marine Vice Admiral angrily cursed. It was Mosambia, who had just been controlled by Doflamingo.

He was already holding back his anger, and without recognizing the person's identity, he started cursing.

"But they really are all hideous faces."

Lafitte looked up, instantly snapping the Marine Vice Admiral, Mosambia, to his senses; he recognized Lafitte.

The next moment, his body stiffened as a slender hand gently rested on his shoulder.

The speed was so unpredictable that no one could react in time; before they even saw how the attack was made, Lafitte appeared behind them.

The others dared not make any rash moves, after all, Lafitte represented the Dark Emperor.

If the Night Pirates join the battle, this fight will become extremely unpredictable.

Moreover, Lafitte's own strength is also terrifying. Just the fact that he could infiltrate the Marine Headquarters silently without anyone noticing before he made a sound is quite frightening.

And then there's this terrifying ability to lurk.

Lafitte did not make any further moves, but took a step back, which relieved Mosambia.

"Long time no see, Staff Officer Tsuru, and Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"Gentlemen, it is an honor to meet you all."

Lafitte greeted them, took off his hat and held it to his chest, and bowed at a sixty-degree angle.

"Lafitte, what exactly does your Night Pirates want?" Sengoku couldn't hold back any longer and questioned.

However, he restrained his anger and wanted to know what the Night Pirates' purpose was.

Sending someone to infiltrate the Marine Headquarters to participate in the Shichibukai meeting at such a critical moment.

He felt only deep apprehension towards the Night Pirates, because he had suffered too many losses over the years.

The World Government's current situation bears the shadow of the Night Pirates, and the pirate alliance that Golden Sea Battle was most likely formed under the organization of the Dark Emperor.

Only the Night Pirates would unite with other top-tier pirate forces.

The formation of the Four Seas Alliance was also influenced by the Night Pirates; it all started in the West Blue.

Compared to the East Blue, the West Blue was most deeply influenced by the Night Pirates, who controlled the West Blue Night Pirates Dark Council and indirectly facilitated the formation of the West Blue Alliance.

Some things are no longer secrets; they're easy to guess.

Moreover, the Night Pirates now maintain close ties with the West Blue across the Calm Belt, engaging in various collaborations and transactions.

He dared not act rashly before knowing the Night Pirates' true purpose.

Or rather, relying on the Night Pirates, Lafitte can come and Marine Headquarters as he pleases; that's just how reality is.

"Hehe! I came with goodwill, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

Lafitte remained calm and composed in front of so many people, showing no sign of panic.

To be honest, he was initially somewhat skeptical that his captain had sent him.

However, he did not refuse. This mission was also a challenge for him, and it was very exciting, as he was going to infiltrate the Marine Headquarters alone.

Little did Lafitte know that this would be his most memorable moment, his most glorious instant.

Teach didn't want it to just disappear like that.

With his current status and power, he can do whatever he wants.

"Speak your mind," Tsuru asked directly. Lafitte's arrival was truly unusual, and he didn't sense any strong hostility from Lafitte, so he was willing to listen.

The many Shichibukai members remained silent, sitting there. They were somewhat surprised and curious about what would happen next.

"When the war begins, Kaido will come."

Lafitte essentially sold out Kaido, though it's more of a transaction than a sale, and Kaido wouldn't care if the Night Pirates revealed his presence.

Regardless of the circumstances, it doesn't change the fact that he participated in this war.

Finally, I want to say sorry to you all!

With a strange smile on his face, Lafitte vanished from the spot in a flash.

Lafitte left just like that.

The whole process felt strange, even eerie.

Lafitte only said two sentences.

The information about Kaido's arrival is quite important.

The Navy had long been prepared to withstand any powerful reinforcements that might arrive, Kaido was naturally among their considerations.

More importantly, there's Lafitte's second point: why apologize to the Navy? There's only one reason: the Night Pirates were plotting against the Navy.

These two sentences seemed to have no beginning or end, casting a shadow over the minds of the naval personnel present.

But why tell them these things? It's hard to understand.

How could they know that Teach simply wanted Lafitte, the diplomat of the Night Pirates, to make his moment of fame?

As for what he said, it's absolutely true; Kaido's coming is a fact.

As for the apology, only one person present understood what Lafitte meant: Novoya.

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself; pirates apologizing to the navy, really.

He apologized before the incident, but the Navy didn't understand what he meant.

It's hard to imagine that, looking back on this moment after it happened, it's incredibly ironic.

The only certainty is that Kaido will come, and the Night Pirates, not wanting to be left out, will definitely take action.

But once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. Preparations for this battle have reached this point, and it's impossible to suddenly stop.

The Whitebeard Pirates will not abandon their family, and the Navy will not let Thatch go.

The Shichibukai had different expressions. They had thought the Navy had victory in the bag, but now it seemed there were still some uncertainties.

With Kaido of the Beasts and the Night Pirates plotting something unknown, that preemptive apology, regardless of anything else, indicates that it's not good for the Navy.

It's specifically targeting the navy.

The biggest question is why the Night Pirates said all that. They traveled all that way just for these two sentences; they might never understand it in their entire lives.