After entering the lavish palace, Werther saw a huge dining table with quite a few people already gathered around it.
Hawk-Eyes, Kuma, Gecko Moria, and Blackbeard had arrived.
With Werther and Doffy there, six of the Shichibukai were present. Only Empress Boa Hancock had yet to arrive.
Werther was surprised to see Blackbeard. So the man had come here too. Apparently, he hadn't gone straight to Impel Down. Instead, he was waiting until the standoff between the Marines and Whitebeard reached its most tense point before making his move.
"Now that you two are here, everyone's present. Find yourselves a seat."
An elderly woman's voice rang out. Werther looked toward it and saw Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Having said her piece, Vice Admiral Tsuru closed her eyes to rest. She clearly didn't think much of the Shichibukai.
Werther ignored the old woman and took an empty seat beside Hawk-Eyes. Doffy found himself a seat as well.
"How much longer are we supposed to wait? Didn't you call us here to help the Marines fight a war? It's been two days. What are you Marines doing?"
The towering Moria had clearly run out of patience. He glared at Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Wait patiently. Or do you no longer want to be a Shichibukai? If you're giving up your position, you may leave."
Leaning back in her chair, Vice Admiral Tsuru gave Moria a brief glance and ignored him.
"You bastard, what did you say?"
Gecko Moria started to rise, then remembered where he was and sat back down. He kept glaring at Tsuru but said nothing more.
"Zehahahaha! You must be the new Shichibukai. We haven't met before. How about it? Want to join my crew?"
Sitting beside Moria with a slice of cherry pie in his hand, Blackbeard watched Werther with