In the battle at Marineford, the Seven Warlords of the Sea had been almost entirely wiped out. Aside from those who had refused the summons, practically every one who came had met their end there.
Although Doflamingo had been rescued, his fate still hung in the balance.
Jinbe and Blackbeard had already been stripped of their titles as Seven Warlords of the Sea, leaving the ranks in desperate need of fresh blood.
Especially now, with the World Government's main forces occupied with the Revolutionary Army, the pirates needed the Seven Warlords of the Sea to keep them in check even more.
As for whether this would grant the Seven Warlords of the Sea too much power, the World Government could no longer afford to worry about that.
Thus, after a new round of selection, the vacant positions were swiftly filled.
Weevil, the foolish pirate who called himself Whitebeard Jr., was chosen as one of the new Seven Warlords of the Sea. Whether he truly was Whitebeard's son remained unknown. He insisted that he was, while the World Government only cared about his strength.
Until he met Whitebeard in person, no one could confirm his identity.
There was also Buggy the Clown, who had made quite a name for himself during the Paramount War. The World Government intended to make use of his identity as a former crewman of the Pirate King, if only to stabilize a portion of the pirate world.
Along with a newly risen Supernova, and Law.
The remaining choice was Crocodile. This former Seven Warlord of the Sea had escaped from Impel Down and then stirred up the Paramount War.
Yet even so, the World Government put aside past grievances and extended him an invitation. So long as he was willing to return, everything would be forgiven.