The Shichibukai and the Marines had always been in a mutually exploitative relationship.
At the same time, the Shichibukai's strength could not be underestimated. Most importantly, the Whitebeard Pirates were no longer as powerful as people imagined.
Whitebeard was extremely weak, already in the twilight of his life. He had long prepared himself to die.
However, because Luffy and Ace were both Garp's grandsons, most Marines were prepared to go easy on them.
Only Akainu was serious.
"We called you here this time to provide support, mainly for the execution of Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"This Ace carries the sinful bloodline of the Pirate King!"
The Pirate King's bloodline?
Pirates also lived in a world that valued bloodlines. Bloodlines and Devil Fruit abilities were both indispensable; everything was predetermined.
And merely revealing that he was the Pirate King's son would draw countless followers to him, let alone the fact that Ace belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates.
Even if Whitebeard was gone, the identity of the Pirate King's son could still support the pirate crew.
They had now made foolproof preparations.
Upon hearing that Ace was the son of Pirate King Roger, several Shichibukai were surprised. Only Jiraiya and Fugaku felt nothing.
Neither of them had any feelings about the so-called Pirate King. Having never experienced the Great Pirate Era, they could not comprehend the Pirate King's influence at all.
Still, they understood that this was an event capable of affecting the entire world.
Shikaku Nara had already begun brainstorming, analyzing the current balance of interests and Konoha's role in this war.
Konoha had already been inevitably dragged into this war and, for the moment, stood on the Marines' side.
So Konoha needed to consider where to position itself. How could it obtain greater benefits?
Without a doubt, Konoha needed