Chapter 537: The Seven Warlords of the Sea (Part 1)
Commanders like Robert, Deidara, and Sif had been yawning repeatedly throughout the meeting. Their strength wasn't yet at a level where they could endure such high-intensity battles for long periods.
By the time the meeting ended, the sky had turned completely dark. Fires were lit throughout the camp, illuminating the area. Most of the crew had already fallen asleep, but a portion of them continued to patrol. They couldn't afford to be caught by a surprise counter-attack from the Marines. In his past life, Charlotte had seen countless historical dramas where carelessness led to a devastating counter-attack and utter defeat. He had no intention of making the same mistake.
In the dead of night, a Marine fleet crept silently towards them.
"Admiral, the pirates' defenses are extremely tight. There are patrol posts everywhere. It's very difficult for us to get close!" a Rear Admiral reported, approaching with a group of men. His face was covered in dust, his uniform was tattered, and blades of grass were stuck to his body—all signs that he had just returned from his mission.
Sengoku looked at the distant island through his binoculars.
"Sigh... Let's head back," he said with a helpless sigh. The Fleet Admiral had ordered him to take a fleet and harass the pursuing Rockefeller Pirates to buy more time for the main force's retreat. But he hadn't expected them to be so cautious. The island was covered with hidden patrols, leaving the Marines no opportunity to strike.
The Marine fleet turned back, a hint of regret in the air.
At the port, Tesla stared out at the dark sea, a small sigh escaping his lips. "They actually left. What a shame." The man known as the human radar looked out at the pitch-black ocean with disappointment.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, the sharp sound of a bugle call echoed through the camp. Vast swathes of the Rockefeller Pirates assembled and boarded their warships. At a single command, the sails were raised, and the fleet headed for the first half of the New World. A great chase was about to begin.
In Pangea Castle, Mary Geoise, on the Red Line.
Slap.
A document was tossed onto a table.
"The Marines have been defeated and are retreating to Marine Headquarters. What are your thoughts?" Saint Marcus Mars asked the other four of the Five Elders, a faint smile playing on his lips and a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, who was holding his sword, didn't even look at him, turning his head away without a word. The other three Elders, not wanting the atmosphere to become too tense, spoke up.
"We'll proceed with the plan we arranged previously. Block the pirates of the New World and allow the Marines to return to Headquarters safely. We must preserve the foundation of the Navy," said Saint Topman Warcury.
"Hmph. Wouldn't watching the entire Marine forces be annihilated have suited your wishes better?" Saint Saturn retorted sarcastically.
The others ignored his angry words.
"The islands near the Red Line cannot be occupied by pirates. We've already received protests from many of the affiliated kingdoms on those islands, saying we've abandoned our allies," added Saint Shepherd Ju Peter.
"Mm. This must indeed be resolved," Saint Mars agreed. "Have the God's Guards handle it. They are not to conflict with the three great pirate crews of the New World. They just need to ensure the islands near the Red Line remain ours. We can cede the New World to the pirates for now."
"Now then," Saint Mars said, looking at the others, "let's discuss what we should do in the aftermath of the Marines' failure."
The other four Elders remained silent, looking at Mars and waiting for him to continue.
"News of the Marines' defeat has already spread; it cannot be concealed. The seas will once again fall into turmoil, and the ambitious will no longer be able to restrain themselves. They will choose this moment to make their move. The Marines alone cannot suppress this upheaval. It is time to implement the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea' plan we discussed before."
Aside from Saint Saturn, none of the others showed any expression, waiting for him to elaborate.
"We will select seven great pirates, recognized throughout the seas. Who are your candidates?" Saint Mars asked.
It was time to divide the cake. The reason no one had objected to Mars's plan was because they were all waiting for this moment, to receive their slice.
Saints Shepherd Ju Peter, Topman Warcury, and the other Saturn all sat up straighter. Even Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, who had worn a sour expression for the entire meeting, straightened his posture.
"It has been five years since Roger started the Great Age of Pirates," Saint Ju Peter began, being the first to put forth his choice. "In these five years, pirates have swarmed from all over the world, but very few have managed to make a name for themselves. They were either killed by the Marines or by the three Emperors in the New World. The only one with a real chance of confronting the three Emperors is that hero from the West Blue... Gecko Moria."
Gecko Moria, captain of the Moria Pirates, with a bounty of 320 million Berries. In the New World, this bounty was considered unremarkable. But one should not underestimate Gecko Moria because of it. Those who had looked down on him had all become souls under his command. His bounty was low simply because neither the Marines nor the World Government had paid him much attention.
And Gecko Moria, for his part, had been very prudent. Unlike other pirates, upon entering the New World, he didn't immediately challenge the three Emperors. Instead, he constantly absorbed smaller forces around him, gradually growing his power in the spaces between the three great crews. With the three Emperors focused on each other, none of them made a rash move against Moria, which gave him the opportunity to develop.
The reason he was not taken lightly was precisely because of this. Those who witnessed Moria's strength as he annexed other crews were all astonished by him. This was why more and more people were saying that Gecko Moria was the most likely candidate to become the fourth Emperor of the New World.
Before the Marines' defeat, Moria might have been inconspicuous, not yet on the radar of the major players. But with the advent of the Seven Warlords system, Gecko Moria would be the most dazzling name on the list of candidates. One must not forget that the Moria Pirates under his command numbered at least ten thousand strong—a formidable force in the New World.
"Moria," the other Elders murmured, slightly surprised by the name. But after reviewing Gecko Moria's file, their furrowed brows relaxed.
"He is indeed a good choice," Saint Mars said, after reading the document. "But will Gecko Moria agree? The file says he is a proud man. Would he submit to the World Government?"
Saint Ju Peter shrugged. "Who knows? Let's give it a try. If he joins us, it will be tantamount to the World Government driving a nail into the New World."
---
Read up to 35 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*