-February 1517, aboard Lucifer's Glory.
The Glory of Lucifer flew along its planned route, high enough to be mistaken for a large bird by anyone looking up from the sea.
The purpose of this voyage was to provide cover for his identity as the Great Angel.
Kuma had sent word earlier that, after seven months of searching, he had finally found the Heart Pirates.
A submarine really was hard to find. Doflamingo had searched for years without catching so much as a glimpse of Luo.
The Revolutionary Army's intelligence network was fairly capable.
After successfully making contact with the Heart Pirates, Kuma explained his purpose and told them the Great Angel would be involved. Sure enough, Luo was tempted.
In truth, Sephiroth could easily have used Teleportation to meet Kuma's group and discuss how to deal with Doflamingo.
The problem was that Shining's name had already become well known.
Sephiroth himself, however, was known in the Blue Sea as an easygoing fellow with some strength.
His Great Angel identity urgently needed a stepping stone with some weight behind it. Heavenly Yaksha of the Shichibukai had a decent ring to it.
That was why he needed to meet them as the "Great Angel." Once things happened, all the traces would connect.
"Lord Sephi, your coffee and pineapple pizza."
Dressed in women's armor, Laki entered the captain's cabin carrying a tray that would have enraged the Italians.
In actual combat, she wore the latest model of adamantine Electromagnetic Powered Armor.
Her current outfit, light armor layered over a sailor uniform, was more about aesthetic appeal than protection.
"Thanks, Laki. Why don't you sit down and have some?"
Sephiroth put down his newspaper and gestured for Laki to sit.
"Then I gladly accept..."
Just as Laki was about to sit on the sofa