Fujitora and Aokiji

Inside the Magic Cube Hall, in a secret storage room.

"How about these M Ore?" Buggy casually picked up a crystal-clear blue ore and weighed it in his hand.

"This ore contains a very high amount of M Element, which could provide a large amount of energy if used as a core energy source," Nilek said, standing to the side. "It's more abundant than the rocks on the Sky Island. Even as a substitute for cargo, it has considerable practical value."

Nilek used two types of energy stones, Obsidian and White Radiant Stone, on the Sky Island, but these two were too rare and of mixed quality, far inferior to M Ore.

"Yeah..."

The blue M Ore in the storage room, at most, has a reserve of about twenty cubic meters, which is the cumulative output of the island from hundreds of years ago.

There should have been more, but because the previous Grand Priest conducted numerous experiments with M Ore, not only was a significant amount of M Ore consumed in feeding Heracross, but some was also used for his passion for human experimentation. He used death row inmates as the subjects of his feeding experiments, constantly recording and observing their condition after ingestion. However, humans cannot withstand this element, and most of them died painfully during the experiments. A small group of people survived the experiments, but they would die within three years at most. Only this Heracross has survived to this day.

The mining of M Ore was a promise left by Joy Boy, and thus the island's successive national sacrifices have followed his rules because of Joy Boy's great achievements, which has gradually evolved into a custom.

"Keep half for our own use, including your research..." Buggy thought for a moment, "And the other part, as a deal, a deal with the World Government ..."

"Should we make a deal with those people?"

On the day of the Marineford War, Nilek witnessed firsthand the World Government's large number of humanoid weapons, which were providing assistance to this organization that would one day become his enemy, and he was somewhat worried.

"Since we're going to be stationed here for a long time, we'll definitely need plenty of food and weapons. Besides, we're outnumbered and outmatched in the New World, so we'll need a strong reinforcement to lend a hand. And the only ones who can rival the Four Emperors are the Navy. Moreover, I now hold the position of Shichibukai, putting me on the same side as them. Let them stir up trouble in the New World, and we'll have a better chance to gain more benefits..."

Buggy paused. "Of course, another option is to make a deal with the Donquixote Family. However, Donquixote Doflamingo is ultimately just a middleman in the Underworld. Even if we get resources from him, it won't really affect this unchanging New World. As for the others... oh, I do know Gild Tesoro, but I don't have much faith in his character and ambition. And those Supernovas who can be called 'new generation forces'... forget about them..."

Seeing that Buggy had his own theory, Nilek didn't argue with him. He was more interested in continuing to develop this M Ore.

He nodded. "Whatever you want, you're the king anyway."

Two months after the outbreak of the Marineford War, the Navy, which was seen as sluggish by the world, finally took action. Originally, it only sent a small number of warships to the New World to monitor the actions of the Four Emperors. Now, a large number of Marine warship have begun to storm the New World.

As the current Fleet Admiral Aokiji still regards Marineford as the Marine Headquarters. Unlike Akainu's ideology, Aokiji is not in a hurry to declare war on the native pirate forces of the New World, or rather, his current forces are not enough to confront the Four Emperors head-on.

Compared to Akainu's radical sense of justice, his current approach is to firmly control the first half of the Grand Line and deploy more naval forces to the four seas to fundamentally suppress the pirates' riots and arrogance.

Although pirates continue to multiply across the seas, ignoring this and instead focusing attention and manpower on the top powers of the New World will only lead to a shortage of manpower for the navy across the seas and cause more and more innocent civilians to suffer from pirate attacks, which is something his sense of justice cannot tolerate.

The navy's manpower is ultimately limited. After two months of reorganization, it was finally able to free up some manpower to launch a probing attack on the New World. The leader of this force was sitting in the Fleet Admiral's Office at the Marine Headquarters.

"Yixiao, you've finally arrived!"

The lazy look on Aokiji's face vanished. He pushed aside the mountain of documents piled on his desk, his expression much more relaxed. "I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Fujitora bowed slightly in apology, "Your Fleet Admiral, I was delayed by a day on my way back in order to capture Yutaston, a former prisoner from Impel Down 6 who had escaped. Please forgive me!"

"This shouldn't be considered a crime, of course. This prisoner has already been transferred to Impel Down, hasn't he?"

Fujitora was promoted to Admiral through a rigorous selection process by the World Government, possessing undeniable strength, a fact that Aokiji was fully aware of.

"I've already sent someone to deliver it to Chief Hannyabal," Fujitora nodded.

"Well... that's good. Let's get back to the main topic."

Aokiji said, "Although the Navy has strengthened its control over the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line, it still cannot ignore the New World. Therefore, I plan to send you to the New World and establish two Marine Branch based New World as support and bases. What do you think?"

"That's exactly right. The New World, shrouded in pirates, needs a sharp blade to pierce through the filth. Although my strength is limited, I am willing to contribute!" Fujitora's face showed a sense of duty. Because he was a little excited, his eyes rolled up slightly, revealing a patch of white.

Aokiji said, "Besides you, I will send Commodore Smoker from headquarters to assist you. However, you must not clash with the [Four Emperors]. The Navy has just gone through a major battle and needs some time to recover."

Fujitora said, "It is unwise to fight a losing battle with an egg. I understand that, so please rest assured, Fleet Admiral!"

"There's one more thing. You've probably heard of Buggy, haven't you?"

"I've heard of it. It's said that he joined Whitebeard Pirates to cause a huge disturbance during the Marineford War and even saved Portgas D. Ace, the second Whitebeard Pirates. However, after the war, he accepted an invitation to become Shichibukai appointed by the World Government."

"It's him..." Aokiji said calmly, "This Red Nose gentleman has successfully entered the New World and secured a place for himself. The Navy is currently outmatched, but if needed, we can borrow his strength."

"The Shichibukai..."

Fujitora paused for a moment, then continued, "Forgive my bluntness, but the Seven Warlords of the Sea system should be abolished. These vile individuals, under the guise of justice, commit atrocities everywhere, causing widespread suffering and even usurping the throne. It is truly difficult for me to rely on their power."

"You mean Crocodile, the former Shichibukai...?"

Aokiji stood up and looked out the window. "If this is your principle, I won't force you. However, in the face of this new era of turmoil, the Shichibukai are an indispensable force. Even if they are pirates, we still have to compromise."

His tone carried a hint of helplessness. After taking the position of Fleet Admiral, the burden on his shoulders became heavier. He had more or less begun to understand Sengoku's mindset back then. Now, he not only had to consider the pirates who were causing trouble everywhere, but the Navy also had to explain its next actions to the World Government. In other words, the pressure from the World Government was even heavier than that from the pirates.

"I understand."

Fujitora could sense Aokiji's hardship to some extent, so he said no more.

"I have prepared the warships. If there are no other issues, you may depart now."

"Alright, then I'll take my leave."

Fujitora left the Fleet Admiral's Office in his wooden clogs. Aokiji stared blankly at the surging sea outside the window, touched the burn scar that ran through his right eye, and his gaze gradually hardened. He had fought hard for this position, so how could he easily back down now!

The Navy's justice, my justice, will surely be upheld and used to deter the world!

Festival Island, Magic Cube Hall.

Buggy flipped through the latest intelligence reports; things were starting to get turbulent everywhere.

The vacancy of the Shichibukai has finally been filled again. The new pirate is Edward Weevil, a pirate with a bounty of 480 million Berries. He has been declared by the World Government as the second Whitebeard and should have arrived in the New World. He seems to be causing trouble for the Whitebeard Pirates everywhere.

This guy's strength is indeed extraordinary. Many years ago, he cut off one of the arms of former Marine Admiral Zephyr. Of course, besides Zephyr's age, there was probably also an element of carelessness involved.

It seems that this former Admiral will also be leaving the Navy to form his own army, the Neo Marines.

Meanwhile, clashes between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates continue, with each side now occupying half of the former Whitebeard Pirates' territory, creating a power struggle.

In addition, Buggy also saw information about several Supernovas. Trafalgar Law has been collecting pirate hearts recently, and if things go as expected, he may fill the last position of the Shichibukai in a few months.

Eustass Kid's Kid Pirates accidentally entered Big Mom's territory. However, due to Big Mom's recent Hunger Pangs and rampage, they were defeated by her disgruntled crew members and, according to the rules of the roulette wheel, had one arm crippled and were blasted out.

Drake, one of the Supernovas, accidentally wandered into Kaido's territory, but was noticed because of the Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit power and joined the ranks of the Four Emperors Kaido.

Another Supernovas, Capone Bege, offered up his pirate crew, thus gaining the opportunity to join the ranks of Four Emperors, Big Mom.

The navy also dispatched warships to the New World to test the waters, with the newly Marine Admiral Fujitora as the highest-ranking officer.

Under normal circumstances, Admiral would not easily leave Marine Headquarters, and each deployment would require permission from the World Government. However, things are different now. The storms brought about by the new era are causing headaches for the World Government, and many things can only be done by Aokiji. It seems that Fujitora will stay in the New World for some time.

Puff puff puff...

The Den Den Mushi (a type of Den Den Mushi) started ringing.

Buggy put down the intelligence file, took the Den Den Mushi, listened to the instructions requested on the other end, and said, "Okay, bring them over."

On the edge of the Ritual Town, a group of people gradually walked towards the center of the town.

Rob Lucci, dressed in a pure white suit and trousers, walked down the street expressionlessly, turning his head slightly as he subtly surveyed his surroundings. Patrol soldiers came and went, and civilians thronged the streets.

As a special envoy of the World Government, he suddenly couldn't understand why the New World was said to be the most dangerous sea area and the most difficult place to establish a foothold.

But in such a short time, this Buggy the Star Clown not only possessed his own territory here, but everyone in the town was so harmonious that not a single person stood up to oppose his rule. He had managed to achieve this in such a short time...

The Shichibukai, summoned by the World Government, are indeed no small fry.

Rob Lucci's lips slowly curled into a cold smile; he found it amusing.

"You must be envoys from the World Government?"

Jody Lane leaned slightly against the wall, glanced sideways at Rob Lucci, and licked the corner of her mouth with her scarlet tongue.

Rob Lucci stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Although he had met Buggy before, this was his first encounter with Jody Lane... Possessing the beastly aura of his own kind, was this the prisoner who had escaped from Impel Down?

A flash of wildness crossed his eyes. "Shichibukai, lead the way. We're here on behalf of the World Government to discuss energy mines."

"Of course, if you weren't here to discuss things... I wouldn't be the one greeting you."

"Really? Now that you mention it, I'm quite curious..."

"You won't like it," Jody Lane turned and led the way. "Come with me."

"Hmph." Rob Lucci gave a noncommittal hum.

Half an hour later, the team led by Rob Lucci, accompanied by Jody Lane, arrived at the Magic Cube Hall.

Upon seeing Rob Lucci, Buggy calmly said, "Oh, it's you..."

Rob Lucci cut to the chase, "Regarding the energy mine you mentioned, if it indeed meets the quality you described, 'we' can do business with you."

Buggy placed a piece of crystal-clear M Ore he had prepared on the table. "Test it however you like."

"Alright then."

Rob Lucci gestured to the several researchers behind him, who were wearing white lab coats. The researchers then picked up their briefcases, took out a few small instruments, and began fiddling with the M Ore.

After confirming the results, one of the scholars, with thinning gray hair, stated, "This ore does indeed contain abundant energy, which will greatly benefit our subsequent research..."

The scholars exchanged glances, and the one with thinning white hair said, "Evaluation grade: A+."

Upon hearing the conclusion the group had reached, Rob Lucci looked at Buggy and asked, "How much of this ore can you provide?"

Buggy replied casually, "Ten cubic meters."

"Where are the materials you want to trade?"

"Ten billion Beli... or the equivalent in food and weapons."