However, when some fail in their challenge, others find alternative paths.
Those pirates who were defeated but not incorporated by the five major powers did not simply disappear.
Some of them were being targeted by another force.
World Government.
At the suggestion of Saint Saturn, the Five Elders initiated a long-planned scheme—
The " Shichibukai " system.
Recruit powerful and renowned pirates, grant them legitimate rights to plunder, and make them "lackeys" under the World Government.
In exchange, they must hand over a portion of the wealth and resources they plunder to the World Government.
At the same time, they must also be called up by the World Government when needed to fight alongside the Navy.
The announcement of this plan immediately caused a huge uproar.
Some mocked, some questioned, some watched and observed, and some...
I gladly accept.
In the autumn of 1500 in the Sea Circle Calendar, the World Government officially announced the first batch of " Shichibukai ".
Seven people.
The first one, of course, is my old acquaintance, Donquixote Doflamingo.
Devil Fruit User, the overlord of the North Blue Underworld.
The second one--
The Corrupt King, Abaro Pizarro.
The former king of a kingdom in the New World was overthrown due to his tyranny and went into exile at sea.
Two years ago, the Supernovas failed to challenge Whitebeard and fled back to Paradise. However, his escape from Whitebeard greatly enhanced his reputation.
Thus, they were absorbed by the World Government.
The third one--
Crescent Moon Hunter, Katarina Demi.
Both were Supernovas two years ago, female pirates, and possessors of the Mythical Zoan, Nine- Nine-Tailed Fox Form.
The fourth one--
Hanafuda, the Lizard King.
He is also Kaido's good brother.
As his name suggests, he possesses Zoan - Ancient Zoan Zoan-type Devil Fruit in the Komodo Dragon Form, granting him venom, immense strength, and regenerative abilities, making him a nightmare for countless pirates.
The bounty is a staggering 890 million Beli.
The fifth one--
The Heavy Drinker, Basque Chote.
He's a fat man who loves alcohol, but don't be fooled by his appearance.
Paramecia Sake-Sake Fruit, allows the user to spray alcohol from their mouth, causing an explosion.
The bounty is a staggering 850 million Beli.
The sixth --
Vinsmoke Judge, the ruler of the North Blue.
King of the Germa Kingdom and head of the Vinsmoke Family.
His Germa army is renowned for its technology, possessing powerful combat suits and cloning technology.
His bounty is a staggering 780 million Beli.
The seventh --
Blizzard, Light.
Logia Devil Fruit user, Snow-Snow Devil Fruit User.
He also failed in his challenge against Whitebeard, but miraculously escaped and became famous throughout the seas.
The bounty is a staggering 720 million Beli.
The World Government announced this list along with a statement—
The Shichibukai will have the legal right to plunder, but they are prohibited from attacking World Government Member States or from being enemies of the Navy; otherwise, their status will be revoked and they will be reinstated to the bounty list.
The news caused the sea to boil once again.
Some call them lackeys of the World Government, while others envy them for gaining legitimate status.
Others watched coldly, waiting to see their fate.
Meanwhile, on Hachinosu, Roy was looking at the newspaper in his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
" The Shichibukai..."
He murmured,
"Interesting."
Roy put down his newspaper, leaned back in his chair, and gazed out the window at the distant sea.
The seven names from the newspaper were still clearly imprinted in his mind.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
The Corrupt King, Abaro Pizarro.
Crescent Moon Hunter, Katarina Demi.
Hanafuda, the Lizard King.
Heavy Drinker Basque Chote.
Vinsmoke Judge, the Overlord of the North Blue.
Blizzard Light.
Seven people, seven names. Apart from the last one, Blizzard Light, Roy knew a little about the other six.
Doflamingo, that guy, he's quite the troublemaker.
Having suffered setbacks twice at Roy's hands, he has finally carved out his own niche.
Now that they have the backing of the World Government and have become legal pirates, they will likely be even more unscrupulous.
The Corrupt King, Abaro Pizarro.
The Tyrant who was overthrown actually became one of the Shichibukai.
Roy remembered that in the original story, this guy later joined the Blackbeard Pirates and became one of Blackbeard's captains.
Now that he's been recruited by the World Government, it's uncertain whether he'll still go down that path.
Crescent Moon Hunter, Katarina Demi.
A female pirate, a user of the Mythical Zoan Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox.
He's a ruthless character too.
Hanafuda, the Lizard King.
Ancient Zoan being with venom, immense strength, and regeneration—he's definitely a troublesome fellow.
The Heavy Drinker, Basque Chote.
The Devil Fruit User the Barrel-Barrel Fruit has the ability to put anything into a "barrel".
He was also a member of the Blackbeard Pirates in the original manga.
Vinsmoke Judge, the ruler of the North Blue.
The king of the Germa Kingdom, a technologically advanced nation.
Roy remembered that this guy had a daughter named Reiju and a son named...
Never mind, it's not important.
The important thing is that Judge's technology is actually quite impressive.
Combat suits, clones, cyborgs...
If we can cooperate with him, it might bring new breakthroughs to the technological development of Hachinosu.
However, now that he is Shichibukai with the backing of the World Government, he probably won't easily make contact with me.
Finally, Blizzard Light.
Roy didn't recognize this guy at all.
The Devil Fruit User the Logia Snow-Snow Fruit, who managed to escape from Whitebeard's clutches, is indeed quite skilled.
To survive being personally hunted by Whitebeard, his strength is absolutely not to be underestimated.
Roy put down the newspaper and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
Shichibukai...
This system, in the original work, stirred up a storm across the entire sea.
They are nominally lackeys of the World Government, but in reality, they each have their own agendas and calculations.
Doflamingo secretly runs an underground arms trade, and the Corrupt King and others were originally imprisoned in Impel Down, so they're probably not exactly peaceful characters. Judge has been searching for a powerful marriage partner...
These people, on the surface, obey the World Government, but in reality, they are just using this identity to seek greater benefits for themselves.
The World Government isn't stupid; they certainly know what these people are thinking.
But as long as we can keep them in check for the time being and prevent them from turning to the real enemies, that's enough.
Mutual benefit, each getting what they need.
This is the essence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system.
Roy snapped out of his thoughts and looked back at the list.
Doflamingo...
This guy will probably make a move on Dressrosa soon.
After all, that was his former home, a place he had always wanted to take back.
Although Dressrosa has already been planted with the Roy Pirates ' flag and is under their protection,
But given Doflamingo's personality, he certainly won't let this go easily.
What will he do?
Infiltrating covertly?
A direct assault?
Or will they use their status as Shichibukai to apply to the World Government for a "legal occupation" of Dressrosa?
Both are possible.
Roy's lips curled into a cold smile.
Doflamingo, you want to play? Then I'll play with you.
Perfect, let's see just how much this Shichibukai is really made of.