Headquarters Negotiations! The Three Greatest Powers

Sengoku was fairly familiar with Kaido.

After all, Kaido had once been a member of the Rocks Pirates. Although he had not stood out within the Rocks Pirates at the time, after the Rocks Pirates were crushed in the battle of God Valley, its crew members had all become immensely famous pirates across the seas.

Among them, Whitebeard Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, and Golden Lion were the most renowned.

Now, Golden Lion had been thrown into the great prison, while the remaining three showed faint signs of dominating the latter half of the Grand Line.

The Navy's control over the latter half of the Grand Line was far too weak, and it did not have many bases there.

If Moria could deal a blow to Kaido, then even if he lost, he would still be worth inviting.

"Fleet Admiral?"

When the person on the other end of the Den Den Mushi saw that Sengoku was not speaking, he hesitantly asked.

"Send people to Wano Country to investigate. Focus on Moonlight Moria. I want to know the outcome of this battle."

"Understood!"

"Wait. Do it as before. Avoid clashing with Kaido as much as possible. Just send people to investigate in secret."

Sengoku said gravely.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

After saying that, the eyes of the Den Den Mushi in Sengoku's hand closed once more.

Yet Sengoku did not put down the Den Den Mushi. He directly called Vice Admiral Tsuru.

"Tsuru!"

"Is this about Moonlight Moria entering Wano Country?"

Before Sengoku could explain why he had called, Tsuru spoke first.

Sengoku was taken aback.

"Wait until I get there."

The Den Den Mushi was hung up. Sengoku looked at it with some confusion, hesitation in his eyes.

Before long, Vice Admiral Tsuru arrived at the Fleet Admiral's office.

"I received the news from the World Government."

Without waiting for Sengoku to speak, Tsuru took the initiative to explain.

"The World Government has its eye on Moria and believes he could be a candidate for the Seven Warlords, so it has been keeping track of his whereabouts. This time, Moria headed toward Wano Country, and the World Government guessed that he might clash with Kaido."

After sitting down, Tsuru spoke, then looked around in inquiry.

"That Garp isn't here?"

"He went out."

Sengoku was startled by the question and answered instinctively.

Tsuru frowned. Ever since Gol D. Roger had been executed, Garp had been acting strangely. Especially after learning that the World Government suspected Gol D. Roger had left behind a child and was searching extensively, Garp had become even stranger.

"Forget about Garp!"

Tsuru could think of it, and naturally Sengoku could as well.

But the two of them wisely chose not to delve deeper into the matter.

"I contacted you because of Moonlight Moria. You should know quite a bit about Moria's activities this past year, so what do you think?"

Sengoku steered the conversation back.

"Moonlight Moria cannot defeat Kaido. There should still be quite a gap between him and Kaido."

Tsuru frowned and thought for a moment.

"Although Moonlight Moria has made quite a name for himself on the Grand Line over the past year and has won many battles against other pirate crews, Kaido is no weakling."

As she spoke, Tsuru looked up at Sengoku.

"If he can emerge from this battle unscathed, I think selecting him as one of the Seven Warlords would be acceptable."

"You mean?"

Sengoku was somewhat puzzled.

"Right now, Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido each occupy their own territory in the latter half of the Grand Line. It will not be easy for anyone else to intervene. If Moria loses, he will likely withdraw from the latter half of the Grand Line.

Isn't the purpose of selecting the Seven Warlords to have them guard the Grand Line and deter pirates in the New World?"

At Tsuru's words, Sengoku nodded lightly.

"That is true."

"But it is still too early to talk about this."

Tsuru shook her head slightly. "After all, the outcome has not been decided yet. No one knows whether Moria can leave Wano Country alive."

As for Moria winning, neither Sengoku nor Tsuru had ever considered that possibility.

"I have already sent people to Wano Country to investigate this battle. Unfortunately, Wano Country lies too deep within; taking the opportunity to station troops there is impossible."

Sengoku sighed.

"It was never possible in the first place. Our control over the latter half is too weak now. Moreover, Wano Country has closed itself off, making it difficult for outsiders to interfere. Stationing troops there could lead to a major conflict with Wano Country."

Tsuru shook her head.

"Forget it. We need to wait for the outcome. By the way, do you have any other candidates for the Seven Warlords?"

"Others? Not for now. Though there are indeed quite a few young people who have become well-known recently."

After recalling the intelligence, Vice Admiral Tsuru replied.

"For example, Donquixote Doflamingo."

The moment Tsuru mentioned that name, Sengoku's expression became somewhat strange.

"I pursued that boy before, but he got away."

Vice Admiral Tsuru said with a smiling expression.

"That fellow's identity..."

Sengoku shook his head slightly, his expression peculiar.

A Celestial Dragon who had given up his own Celestial Dragon status.

"There is no need to worry about so much right now. After all, this plan cannot be completed overnight. The World Government does not seem to be in much of a hurry either. The Navy only needs to wait and see."

Wait and see?

Hearing Tsuru's words, Sengoku fell into thought.

"I understand what you mean!" Seeing Sengoku's expression, Tsuru sighed. "But pirates are pirates. While some pirates do conduct themselves with a bit of restraint, it does not really matter. Still, if you want to choose them yourself, I can keep an eye out for you."

"Then I'll have to thank you."

Sengoku smiled at her words.

Although all who went to sea were pirates, different pirates had different ways of doing things.

Since the Seven Warlords plan could not be stopped, he might as well choose some people himself to become Seven Warlords.

But Sengoku also knew that the World Government would not relinquish control so easily, so the candidates needed careful consideration.

After becoming Fleet Admiral, Sengoku finally understood just how troublesome it was.

It was many times more difficult than when he had been an admiral.

He needed someone to share the workload.

Unfortunately, that Garp did not want to be promoted to admiral.

"There is one more matter."

Tsuru looked at Sengoku and spoke again.

"Regarding the Navy's three admirals, none of the three currently have enough achievements to be promoted to admiral. It just so happens that many pirates have entered the New World now, so my suggestion is that the Navy should deploy more often."

"Mm, I have considered that as well. It is indeed a waste to have all three of them stationed on guard."

It was indeed wasteful for the Navy's three vice admirals with Logia Devil Fruit powers to all be stationed on guard.

The three admirals and the title of greatest powers were also meant to deter the ever-increasing number of pirates.

The publicity work still had to be done properly.

"I will make arrangements afterward. As for Garp, I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on him. Don't let him cause any trouble."

Sengoku said.

Tsuru nodded, stood up, and left the office directly.

As for Sengoku, he once again turned his attention to the huge pile of documents in front of him. That day, Sengoku's pet lamb Sean ate until it was stuffed, and its somewhat aged body could no longer support digesting so many documents.

Wano Country.

Following their orders, the Navy approached Wano Country in a small boat, preparing to investigate the battle.