The Five Elders' Scheme!

Red Line Continent, Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle, Chamber of Power.

The bald Gorosei — World Government's Financial Martial God —Izambaron V. Saint Nusjuro noticed Sand Crocodile's displeasure, but he didn't mind at all.

For Shichibukai to be willing to lower himself and contact the other party is already a great honor for him, one of the Gorosei!

Moreover, the Sand Crocodile was displeased.

Saint Nusjuro was also in a very bad mood.

"Shichibukai, recognized by the government, actually lost to a rookie pirate who had just emerged!"

Saint Nusjuro tossed a brief fax onto the table and coldly Den Den Mushi Crocodile on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

"Sand Crocodile, what do you take the government's reputation for?!"

The brief fax contained several news photos from the World Economic News Paper.

There is a photo of a "White Dragon" soaring through the sky;

There is a photo of Crocodile lying on the ground, unable to get up;

One photo shows a "White Dragon" replacing the "Golden Banana Crocodile," perched atop the Rain Banquet Pyramid...

The contents of these photos are connected.

Even someone who is illiterate can understand the meaning of the picture.

Crocodile, Sand Crocodile of the Shichibukai, suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of "White Dragon"!

Regarding this incident.

The World Economic News Paper has already compiled the relevant news and plans to make it the front page headline tomorrow!

The World Government received advance warnings from the World Economic Journal.

This news event involved the Shichibukai, so it naturally reached the ears of the highest authority— the Gorosei.

This is also why Saint Nusjuro called Crocodile.

The Gorosei need to personally confirm whether this veteran Shichibukai truly suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of "White Dragon".

Through Saint Nusjuro's words, Crocodile had roughly figured out the ins and outs of this matter.

The other party somehow found out that he had lost to White Dragon...

The Gorosei are bastards!

White Dragon is a bastard too!

Crocodile gave Storm a cold glance, then spoke indifferently to the Gorosei on the other end of Den Den Mushi.

"When has the World Government ever cared about things like 'face'?"

Although Sand Crocodile is Shichibukai, he doesn't have the habit of fawning over the Gorosei.

"My actions are none of the business of the World Government!"

"How dare you!"

Saint Nusjuro instantly flew into a rage.

"Sand Crocodile, watch your attitude!"

"Since the government can invite you to become Shichibukai, it can also revoke your status as Shichibukai at any time!"

"Laugh..."

Crocodile scoffed, his disdain evident in his expression.

If the establishment and abolition of the Shichibukai were really that easy.

Then the World Government wouldn't have gone to the trouble of setting up this "legal Great Pirate" system!

However, despite his disdain, Sand Crocodile ultimately refrained from further remarks or direct mockery of Saint Nusjuro.

The positions of the Shichibukai.

Crocodile is still quite concerned about this.

Despite the White Dragon revealing the secret of the "Pluton Blueprint"...

However, Crocodile preferred to believe the information he had.

Pluton must be in Alabasta!

It's such a shame about Nico Robin...

Chamber of Power.

After offering a few polite words to uphold the dignity of the Gorosei, Saint Nusjuro got down to business.

"Sand Crocodile, Vongola Storm still in Alabasta?"

Vongola Storm?

Crocodile was instantly startled.

The Gorosei actually know that White Dragon's real name?!

Who exactly is this White Dragon?

Crocodile asked, seemingly without changing his expression.

"Who is Vongola Storm...?"

"That's that 'White Dragon' thing! Humph!"

Saint Nusjuro gave a rather displeased snort.

"A brat from the Navy actually possesses such a title, the same title as Admiral... How laughable!"

"Navy?"

Crocodile was once again deeply shaken.

"Is White Dragon a Marine?"

"He is the biggest stain on the Navy!"

Saint Nusjuro was clearly unwilling to talk much about the "White Dragon".

After all, in his view, if "White Dragon" hadn't defected, the Navy might have gained another Admiral.

By then, the government's rule will be more secure, but unfortunately, it's too late to say anything now...

Slaughter in the Infinite Hell, escape Impel Down, and plunder naval warships.

Vongola Storm is absolutely lawless!

The Navy's biggest stain?

Crocodile realized something.

White Dragon must have committed some offense, which is why he left the Navy—or perhaps defected?

For the news of the White Dragon to reach the ears of the Gorosei, this guy must have committed a serious offense...

Just as Crocodile was deep in thought, Saint Nusjuro continued to ask questions.

Is that guy still in Alabasta?

Crocodile snapped out of his daze and responded coldly.

"No comment!"

"Sand Crocodile!"

Saint Nusjuro raised his voice again.

"The Shichibukai have an obligation to cooperate with the government's actions!"

"Snort!"

Crocodile ignored Saint Nusjuro's warning.

"Since the World Government has such well-connected intelligence channels, you can go and gather intelligence yourselves!"

Snap!

After Crocodile finished speaking, he immediately hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"White Dragon? Navy? Huh?"

Sand Crocodile stared at Storm, as if demanding an explanation.

Who doesn't have a past they'd rather forget?

Storm spread his hands, then suddenly changed the subject.

"For example, I had a friend before named -- Embrio Ivankov."

"The Okama King is a very honest person. He told me that there's a veteran Shichibukai..."

Upon hearing the name of the Okama King, Crocodile sensed that something terrible was about to happen.

Before Storm could finish speaking, he abruptly interrupted him with a dark expression.

"Enough!"

There's absolutely no way White Dragon could be a Marine!

The Gorosei were right!

This guy is just a stain!

Pangea Castle, Chamber of Power.

The Gorosei gathered together.

Saint Nusjuro tossed aside the Den Den Mushi he was holding, then picked up the Famous Sword beside him.

"What a pity, it seems the Sand Crocodile didn't die at the hands of the White Dragon..."

"That's strange..."

With a scythe-like beard and a scar on his forehead, the World Government's Legal Martial God, Topman Saint Warcury, said in bewilderment.

"Judging from what White Dragon did in Infinite Hell, Sand Crocodile should be dead for sure."

"Why did White Dragon kill so many pirates in Infinite Hell, but Sand Crocodile after leaving Impel Down?"

"Pirates' actions are always unpredictable."

The World Government's Agriculture Martial God, Shepard X. Saint Peter, with his blond hair, shook his head.

"Perhaps after leaving Impel Down, White Dragon had other ideas, wanting to recruit subordinates and build a power base..."

"Recruit the Shichibukai?"

"This is what Marcus Saint Mars, the World Government's Environmental War God with a goatee, said."

"That's quite a bold speculation."

"Compared to all that, I'm more concerned about why the White Dragon appeared directly in Alabasta."

"Wearing a black hat, with white hair and a white beard, the World Government's Science Defense Martial God — Lucy Saint Saturn— reminded me."

"He was in Impel Down, the Impel Down, and Alabasta, which were almost half a world apart!"

"The White Dragon can fly..."

"Makkas Saint Mars said calmly."

"Although I don't know why the [Clay Fruit] allows him to fly, it's clear that White Dragon has a knack for developing his Devil Fruit abilities..."

"Hmph! [Clay Fruit]..."

Topman Saint Warcury snorted disdainfully, like a wild boar snorting.

"Even if it's developed to a high level, what good will it do?"

Saint Nusjuro spoke up at the opportune moment.

"At least enough to Shichibukai, isn't that more than enough?"

Upon hearing this, a soft chuckle rippled through the Chamber of Power.

"That's true. Judging from the strength White Dragon has shown before, his [Clay Fruit] has fully Awakening..."

"Awakening Paramecia Devil Fruit, more than enough to be one of the Shichibukai..."

"Wasn't the original purpose of establishing the Shichibukai to divide the increasingly large pirate group...?"

"White Dragon enjoys dealing with pirates so much, let him continue doing that..."

"Unfortunately, the Sand Crocodile didn't die..."

"But given White Dragon's personality, he'll probably approach the other Shichibukai soon, right?"

"The Shichibukai aren't exactly obedient, so having a newcomer replace them can serve as a warning..."

"Letting someone with a 'blemish' from the naval system become Shichibukai will serve as a warning to the navy..."

"Let the Navy set a bounty for Vongola Storm first..."

The contents of the Gorosei's private meetings are unknown to the outside world.

However, news of the Shichibukai defeat quickly spread like wildfire.

The day after the Baroque Gustav returned to Alabasta.

The World Economic Journal's newspaper was then sent to every corner of the world.

Front page headline --

<A Hero's Crushing Defeat! The Strongest Rookie Pirate in History!>

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

Storm looked at the newspaper in his hand and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"That's a really good headline."

"Anyone who doesn't know the situation would think I beat up that 'hero' from the Navy..."

"Snort!"

The Alabasta hero standing nearby let out a disdainful snort.

"The strength of Hero Garp is beyond your imagination!"

"Crocodile."

Storm put down his newspaper and looked at Sand Crocodile with a puzzled expression.

"Do you have some strange illness? It's called the 'Unimaginable Disease'!"

Crocodile's face darkened as he was mocked.

"Alright, that's enough for now. I'm going to find my next 'collaborator'."

With a casual wave of his hand, Storm conjured a Blue-Eyes White Dragon and soared into the sky with Robin in tow.

Set off.

Banaro Island.