"Heh, Crocodile? He's really unlucky to have run into the Kirikage!"
Zesi was taken aback when he heard the news that Crocodile had trespassed into the Azure Emperor Palace 'Azure Emperor Palace, been defeated by the Kirikage, and was now imprisoned there.
Zesi wasn't surprised at all that the Kirikage defeated Crocodile.
Currently, within the entire Azure Emperor Pirates, aside from Zesi and Bullet, there's probably no one else who can reliably defeat the Kirikage.
That guy is a genius, a kendo genius.
During this period, his strength has increased at a visible rate.
Especially after becoming the Azure Emperor Apostle and being infused with the Azure Emperor's Will, his body was greatly strengthened. Combined with his swordsmanship and the Armament Haki passed down from Wano Country, he also benefited greatly.
His strength within the entire Azure Emperor Pirates is second only to Zesi and Bullet.
Of course, this also depends on Shanks' recent growth.
After the battle with the Silver Axe Pirates, Shanks left the Azure Emperor Pirates and began wandering the Four Blues in search of companions.
After more than a year of sailing, he traveled the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Blues.
It's said he's returning to the New World soon, but I wonder how strong he is now.
Will he be able to recapture the charm of Red Hair from the original work? Zesi wondered.
Even if Shanks returns, Zesi doesn't think the Kirikage will lose by much.
That's why Zesi said, " Crocodile is really unlucky to have run into the Kirikage. But his timing is perfect; we were just about to go find him, and he delivered himself right to our doorstep!"
" The Azure Emperor wants to see him? He's just a newcomer. Although he's Logia Devil Fruit User, he's not someone the Azure Emperor would pay attention to!" Kirikage said in surprise.
"Does the captain intend to make him Shichibukai?" Spencer asked.
After Moria reached the first half of the Grand Line, Zesi issued the Azure Emperor's Decree.
Moria was appointed as one of the Azure Emperor Palace Shichibukai, tasked with guarding a route along the first half of the Grand Line.
Therefore, Spencer and the others already knew about Zesi's Shichibukai Plan.
"Hehe, our next plan for Azure Emperor and freight transport is to develop seven routes in the first half of the Grand Line. However, we can't extend our reach to the first half for the time being, since there's the Red Line in between. If something happens in the first half, we'll inevitably be unable to attend to it. Therefore, I need seven pirates with a strong presence in the first half to help us guard these seven routes. This is the Azure Emperor Palace Shichibukai."
"Although Crocodile isn't the strongest, he's Logia Devil Fruit User, which is enough of a deterrent in the first half of the Grand Line. Moreover, I value his business acumen. I think with him in charge, business on that route should be quite good!" Zesi said with a smile.
The Shichibukai are not just about intimidating pirates; intimidating pirates is only the foundation of the Shichibukai.
As a Shichibukai, one also needs to know how to manage affairs, strengthen one's power, gain people's trust, and make them willing to do business with him and entrust their goods to him for transport, etc.
Therefore, for Zesi, Crocodile is a valuable asset.
Unlike those pirates who only know how to fight and kill.
Pirates who are good at managing their businesses on the high seas and have a strong enough deterrent force are actually quite good.
"Should I bring Crocodile here? I didn't know the Azure Emperor valued him so much. Be careful, or he might die!" Kirikage asked. "Heh heh heh, bring him here, and bandage him up while you're at it. Don't let him die!"
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku was also troubled by the newly emerged Shichibukai. " The Azure Emperor Palace Shichibukai?"
"Has the Azure Emperor Pirates begun their operation?"
" Moria actually joined the Azure Emperor Pirates and became Azure Emperor Palace Shichibukai." "Using seven great pirates to suppress the seven Grand Line?"
"Is the Azure Emperor Pirates planning to expand their influence to the first half of the Grand Line?"
Sengoku didn't think that Zesi appointed this Shichibukai simply for the safety of the Azure Emperor Passenger Transport and cargo transport.
The Azure Emperor Pirates are, after all, a pirate crew.
It's impossible to create something like the Seven Warlords of the Sea just for some passenger or freight transport.
He could only conclude that the Azure Emperor Pirates were starting to make moves again, and that they were trying to extend their reach into the first half of the Grand Line.
It's entirely possible to replicate the Azure Emperor Territory in the first half of the Grand Line!
Moreover, it must be said that this Shichibukai Plan is a brilliant move for the current Azure Emperor Pirates.
The biggest problem Azure Emperor Pirates right now is a shortage of manpower.
The Azure Emperor Pirates currently have five headquarters divisions with over three thousand members, as well as more than ten thousand Death Army.
However, for the vast Azure Emperor Territory, these people are indeed few in number.
Moreover, while there are indeed promising talents within the pirate crew, none of them are yet capable of standing on their own.
With the Azure Emperor Pirates already struggling to control just the Azure Emperor Territory, let alone extend their reach to the first half of the Grand Line.
However, this Shichibukai Plan effectively solved the Azure Emperor Pirates' shortcomings of insufficient manpower and lack of capable leaders.
With this Shichibukai, the Azure Emperor Pirates can extend their reach to the first half of the Grand Line, and even the Four Blues.
This was precisely the headache that plagued the Sengoku.
"Just a little Moria? I'll go and arrest him right now!" Sakazuki said coldly. " Moria is nothing, the problem is the Azure Emperor behind him!" Borsalino said. "If our Navy takes action against Moria, it's equivalent to starting a war with the Azure Emperor Pirates." Kuzan. "Actually, it's just the Moria Pirates. As long as the Azure Emperor Pirates aren't backing them up, they're easy to deal with. Besides, the first half of the Grand Line is like it's right in my mouth; I can eat it whenever I want." Others said disdainfully.
"Furthermore, we're going to launch a counterattack on the New World, and a large number of our forces will be transferred New World. These Shichibukai can help us suppress the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line," another Marine Vice Admiral said.
They held the Moria Pirates in utter contempt.
It's no wonder they feel this way.
Following the World Government's massive conscription, the Navy has been significantly upgraded. All three Marine Admiral are now present! (Although one has died.)
The number of Headquarters Vice Admiral has also increased several times over, including a few who can be described as monsters.
"Speaking of the Azure Emperor Pirates, one person who recently appeared in the Azure Emperor Pirates deserves our attention even more!" Tsuru said at this moment.
Upon hearing He's words, everyone's eyes turned to look at He.
They knew that this naval chief of staff never exaggerated or spread alarmist rumors.
If he speaks, it will surely be about something important.
" The Azure Emperor Pirates' First Division Commander, Red-Haired Shanks, has become a troublesome figure in just over a year. If he continues to grow, he might become a new major problem for the Navy!"