" Mr. Sengoku! I've come to ask you something about Blackbeard becoming Shichibukai. Is it convenient for you?"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Vic got straight to the point: Blackbeard becoming Shichibukai was making Vic worried about Ace!
Although Blackbeard could have had many options for the pledge of allegiance he offered to the Navy, Ace was constantly tracking Blackbeard at the time, and in order to get rid of this big trouble, there was a good chance that Blackbeard would use Ace as a pledge of allegiance.
After all, Ace already has a bounty of 500 to 600 million, which is definitely enough. He is also the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, comparable to Big Mom's Sweet Commander and Kaido's All-Stars.
It's only because Ace hasn't been at sea long that his bounty isn't as high as those others. Under Vic's tutelage, Ace's strength is much greater than in the original story. In terms of strength, he's no less than Sweet Commander or All-Stars. Using such a person to exchange for a Shichibukai position, even if Ace isn't the Pirate King's son, is still enough.
In the original story, Blackbeard used Ace's past as a basis to obtain the position of Shichibukai. Now, even Whitebeard doesn't know Ace's past, let alone Blackbeard. However, Ace is now worthy of the position of Shichibukai even without relying on his past.
"This isn't confidential, I can tell you, go ahead and ask!"
Sengoku originally thought it was something important, but he didn't expect that Vic would make such a big trip for such a trivial matter. He could have easily asked through Den Den Mushi, since they do have Den Den Mushi to communicate with each other.
Vic was actually a little worried about Ace, and also because he was going to the Sabaody Archipelago, so coming to Marine Headquarters was on the way.
He also wanted to come here to see Gion and the children. Although it hadn't been long since Gion last saw them, for Vic, it had been more than 20 years since he had seen them!
He spent over twenty years alone in the world of the Rainbow Mist. Although the power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit could suppress many of his instincts, it couldn't suppress his emotions. He also missed his family and friends!
"I want to ask how Blackbeard became Shichibukai? Was he nominated by the other Shichibukai, the World Government, or the Navy?"
There are only a few ways to become Shichibukai. The World Government has the most say, followed by the Navy. As for the nominations of other Shichibukai, they are rarely adopted.
The World Government and the Navy did not want the Shichibukai to form factions. The later Cross Guild caused the Navy and the World Government a lot of headaches. The World Government and the Navy understood this point. However, after the Seraphim, they thought everything would be fine. Unexpectedly, it still led to the alliance of the Shichibukai.
"No, it was a Blackbeard user named Laffitte, one of Lafitte's subordinates, who came to recommend him. It happened while I was meeting with the other Shichibukai to discuss who should be the new replacement. I did call you through Den Den Mushi, but you still refused. I don't think it was you who answered the Den Den Mushi, right?"
As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku couldn't possibly make those phone calls to notify the Shichibukai to attend a meeting in person. Few people showed up at that meeting, and the Shichibukai knew their opinions were unlikely to be adopted, so they simply decided not to go. They figured the title of Shichibukai could be given to whomever they wanted.
Doflamingo was sent to eliminate the Straw Hat Pirates after this meeting. The people who attended the meeting were just bored and watching the show. Doflamingo, on the other hand, wanted to use any useful information to benefit himself. As a result, he was conscripted by the Five Elders and almost died at Rebecca's hands.
" Blackbeard recommended himself and succeeded? His ulterior motives are too strong. I heard that Blackbeard has great ambitions and has been hiding in the Whitebeard Pirates for decades, just to obtain a Devil Fruit!"
This kind of person is very dangerous. He definitely has some kind of conspiracy to get the title of Shichibukai. You should all be careful of this man!
Vic naturally knew Blackbeard's purpose in wanting the title of Shichibukai, but he couldn't say it directly.
Blackbeard's goal was simple and clear: after gathering a group of desperados from Impel Down, he immediately discarded the title of Shichibukai without any hesitation, and then led all his followers to Marine Headquarters to kill his Pops and seize the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. This series of plans was perfect.
Blackbeard first handed Ace over to the Marines, putting the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates in a tense and confrontational state. Blackbeard had been on the Moby Dick for so long that he knew Whitebeard would definitely come to rescue Ace.
Ace's identity as the son of the Pirate King meant he was destined to be publicly executed, making a major battle inevitable. Just as the Navy was preparing for a major battle with Whitebeard, Blackbeard led his men into Impel Down to gather stronger subordinates. Then, while the Navy and the Whitebeard Pirates were locked in a fierce battle, Blackbeard planned to take advantage of the situation and seize the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
The Paramount War gave Blackbeard everything, and then he and his powerful crew slowly encroached on the territory previously owned by the Whitebeard Pirates.
In just two short years, Blackbeard, a pirate who wasn't even a captain, became the new Emperor of the Sea. His rise was terrifying, so Vic felt it necessary to remind Sengoku not to be made a fool of.
"It's certainly difficult to recommend oneself, but he came with a gift. When the government first established the title of the Shichibukai, there were only five of them. Later, in order to make it seven, they invited Fire Fist Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. At that time, Fire Fist Ace hadn't joined Whitebeard's crew yet."
However, the little guy refused, which was somewhat disrespectful to the World Government. Blackbeard's gift to Blackbeard was this Fire Fist Ace!
Therefore, Blackbeard's self-recommendation was quickly approved by the World Government's high command. As for any deeper considerations involved, that's beyond my knowledge as Fleet Admiral!
Because Ace's true identity was not revealed, and the World Government did not issue any order to publicly execute him, Sengoku did not take Ace very seriously.
Blackbeard's actions were a deal with the World Government, and Ace had already been imprisoned in Impel Down. Impel Down and the Marine Headquarters are institutions of the same level. So far, none of Ace's handover procedures have gone through the Marines, so Ace's life or death has little to do with the Marine Headquarters. That's why Sengoku didn't have much time to pay attention to these matters.
"I see, I didn't know there was such a tactic. Blackbeard really knows how to pick his targets!"
Vic's expression remained unchanged, but a sigh escaped his lips. He had spent so much effort transforming Ace, yet Ace had still followed the same old path!
However, he did not receive any news that Ace was to be publicly executed, which was a significant change. Sengoku had no reason to hide this from him. If Ace were to be publicly executed, then Shichibukai, a powerful Shichibukai, would certainly be on the list of those to be summoned. There was no need to deliberately conceal this from him.