"Dad, big news! A major incident has occurred in the Kingdom of Alabasta! Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, has been severely injured and arrested by the Fourth Admiral of the Navy, Bai Yu, on charges of stealing the Celestial Gold and plotting to seize the kingdom."
"This news has now spread throughout the seas, completely shattering the notion that the Shichibukai an iron rice bowl!"
Diamond Jozu quickly handed over the brand-new newspaper he was holding.
Upon seeing the enormous image above, both Whitebeard and Jinbe's expressions changed.
Just a moment ago, they were praising the special status of the Shichibukai and the privileges granted by the World Government, which allowed them to act with impunity.
They never imagined that one day it would be a naval newcomer who would bring them down.
"The little devil playing in the sand got seriously injured?"
Whitebeard glanced at the photos, especially the one on the front page where Bai Yu was carrying Crocodile, who looked like a dead dog, and his expression darkened slightly.
"I initially thought that the Marine Headquarters ' sudden announcement of Fourth Admiral was just a publicity stunt, but I didn't expect him to actually be quite capable."
"This kid playing in the sand challenged me more than ten years ago, and I ended up cutting off his hand. I never thought that after so many years, he would lose his last arm too."
"I wonder if this action against the Shichibukai was ordered by the World Government, led by the Five Elders, or by the Marine Headquarters."
"If this is just the Fourth Admiral's personal opinion, then things won't be simple. Jinbe, you'd better be careful."
As the leader of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard has always been the target of many people's covetousness.
It is hailed as the closest thing to the Pirate King in this vast ocean.
This is enough to attract people with all sorts of challenges.
Crocodile, who was young at the time, also set his sights on Whitebeard.
Unfortunately, after a series of battles, he was not only defeated, but also had his right hand cut off by Whitebeard.
This has caused Crocodile, to harbor resentment ever since.
That's why they went to Alabasta to search for the so-called Pluton.
Now that Pluton can't be found, he almost lost his life.
"Don't worry, Pops, I'll keep an eye on it," Jinbe said in Jinbe voice.
"Unlike Crocodile, I became Shichibukai to protect Fish-Man Island. Based on that alone, neither the Marine Headquarters nor the World Government has any excuse to attack me."
"However, we should still speed up our search for Fire Fist Ace. The fourth Admiral of the Navy has increased the uncertainty of this sea."
Whitebeard and the others suddenly fell silent.
Faced with Jinbe's words, there was indeed a feeling of having no way to refute them.
The death of Golden Lion, the emergence of the Marine Fourth Admiral, and the breaking of the privileges of the Shichibukai.
All of this demonstrates that the once stagnant sea is now slowly beginning to stir.
The Marine Fourth Admiral unexpectedly became the driving force behind this.
Meanwhile, news of Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, being severely injured spread throughout the entire ocean.
Inside the castle of the Dressrosa Kingdom in the New World.
Doflamingo, dressed in a Doflamingo feather outfit, sat with his legs crossed, looking at the newspaper in his hand with a mocking smile.
"Young Master, I didn't expect that Crocodile, after rejecting your cooperation invitation, would actually run to the Alabasta Kingdom with his own ulterior motives."
Trebol sniffed.
"However, this Fourth Admiral seems to act without any logic. Should we be wary? After all..."
"After all what?" Doflamingo chuckled.
Do you really think that Crocodile are comparable to us?
"Our Donquixote Family is merely reclaiming what is rightfully ours. Besides, Crocodile's ambitions are far too limited."
"Compared to him, I not only possess the secrets of the Celestial Dragons, but also the threat of an alliance with Kaido of the Beasts of the Four Emperors. I'd love to know if that brat has the courage to touch me!"
"Haha, young master is right. Our Donquixote Family is the king of the underworld in this world," Diamante laughed.
"Once we're no longer the reins, this area will surely descend into chaos. Unless the Marine Headquarters is truly not worried about the Beasts Pirates ' madness, who would dare to touch us!"
Among the Shichibukai, each one possesses their own power.
Among them, Doflamingo is undoubtedly the most successful in managing his power.
Not only does he possess the secrets of the Celestial Dragons, but he also knows how to conduct scientific research, creating Artificial Devil Fruit and leading Kaido of the Beasts by the nose.
This undoubtedly made Doflamingo the most arrogant of the Shichibukai.
"Alright, it's getting late. I just received information from Vergo. This time, the Fourth Admiral leaked the information on his own. Sengoku leaked it beforehand to avoid the World Government's Thunder, acting first and informing later."
Doflamingo closed the newspaper in his hand and said with a playful smile.
"However, those five old men are no ordinary people. This kind of 'act first, report later' tactic will definitely not convince them. Next, they will probably deal with this Fourth Admiral. Let's just relax and watch the show."
Three days later, at the Marine Headquarters dock.
Smoker leaned against the bow of the ship, watching the Fluttering Flag in the wind, a cigar dangling from his lips, lost in thought.
Also by his side was Tashigi, who had been officially transferred here today to become his adjutant.
" Captain Smoker, this is your appointment. You are being transferred from Loguetown back to Headquarters as a Headquarters Colonel. We hope you will continue to serve Headquarters diligently."
A woman wearing a red striped suit, with shoulder-length pink hair, sunglasses, and a cigarette in her mouth, is reading aloud from a document in her hand.
Looking at Smoker's absent-minded expression, he frowned and said.
" Smoker, at least say something in response. Hina is very angry."
Even if you don't follow the rules, shouldn't you at least set a good example for the new adjutant?
" Hina is quite envious that she was able to transfer back to headquarters and immediately get a swordsmanship prodigy as her adjutant with Armament Haki."
Hina, Isuka, and Smoker were recruits in the same cohort.
He was also one of the best among his peers.
Hina and Smoker have always been superior to Isuka because Devil Fruit User.
Now, not only Smoker has acquired Armament Haki, but even Isuka, who has always been overshadowed by them, has it.
This made Hina feel a little aggrieved.
" Captain Hina, you've got it wrong. I was able to Awakening Armament Haki entirely because of Admiral Bai Yu. Compared to Admiral Bai Yu, I'm not some swordsmanship prodigy at all."
Tashigi adjusted her glasses and hurriedly explained.
Smoker also snapped out of his daze, glanced at Tashigi, and then said.
" Hina, how could I be breaking the rules? I also trust my adjutant; he would never break the rules."
"Since Professor Zephyr has assigned her to me, I think she will definitely stick by my side."
"But have you noticed that there seem to be quite a few more people at the dock?"