There are two types of summons.
One is an emergency summons triggered by a major event, and the other is a standard meeting summons.
The letter delivered by the News Coo this time belonged to the latter.
Since becoming a Warlord of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk had never responded to a standard meeting summons. Only an emergency summons that he couldn't ignore would make him attend.
But this time, on a whim, he decided to participate in the upcoming Warlord meeting.
As for the reason...
It wasn't just because of the renowned great sword he had glimpsed in a newspaper photo, but also because of the keen interest shown by the close friend beside him.
"You're leaving already? The drinks aren't even finished."
Shanks, surprised, tried to persuade him to stay.
"Next time."
Mihawk glanced back at Shanks, who appeared as carefree as ever, then strode toward the shore where his small raft was moored.
Shanks scratched his cheek but didn't insist. Instead, he grinned and said, "I'll save the drinks for when you get back."
Mihawk's pace remained unchanged as he walked away.
He really does care, doesn't he, Red-Haired...?
...
Alabasta.
Located in the first half of the Grand Line, it was one of the rare superpowers of the world.
However, the nation was now shrouded by the shadow of a Warlord of the Sea.
Rainbase.
Situated at the heart of Alabasta, this thriving city was hailed as the "City of Dreams."
At its center stood a grand, gilded, pyramid-shaped casino built atop a lake—Rain Dinners, the personal domain of Warlord Crocodile.
In the lowest level of Rain Dinners was a lavish and expansive room.
Click-clack...
A tall, slender figure pushed open the door and descended the steps.
The crisp sound of high heels echoed through the spacious chamber.
Not far from the staircase, a dining table covered with a white cloth was set.
Seated at the table was a man with slicked-back hair and a prominent scar running across his face—Crocodile.
The woman descending the stairs, clad in revealing attire that exposed much of her skin to the air, was none other than Crocodile's most trusted subordinate—Nico Robin.
A smile played on Robin's lips as she held a bounty poster and a letter, making her way to the table.
She placed both items on the surface before him.
Crocodile spared only a glance at the bounty poster before setting his fork down. With a slight movement of his finger, a wisp of sand lifted the letter from the table and delivered it to his hand.
Using his Devil Fruit ability, he corroded the seal and withdrew the letter inside.
After scanning its contents, Crocodile let out a cold chuckle. A moment later, the letter crumbled into dust within his grasp.
Robin observed him and smiled. "Moria's situation has been making waves lately."
"Hmph. That fool actually lost to a rookie?"
Crocodile's eyes flashed with disdain. He was an exceedingly proud man, and Moria's defeat at the hands of a newcomer was nothing short of pathetic in his view.
His gaze drifted back to the bounty poster Robin had set on the table.
"Still... this rookie's bounty is rising rather quickly."
Even someone as engrossed in his Operation Utopia as Crocodile had taken notice of this up-and-coming pirate.
"Indeed."
Robin's smile remained, though her eyes were unreadable. She chuckled softly. "In terms of bounty growth, in recent years, only Fire Fist Ace—the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates—can compare."
The mere mention of Whitebeard caused Crocodile's expression to darken.
Robin, well aware of his past, took note of his reaction but kept her smile intact.
Crocodile quickly masked his emotions and said flatly, "Have the men prepare a ship."
"You're attending the Warlord meeting?"
Robin was mildly surprised, but deep down, she felt a flicker of delight.
She had infiltrated Baroque Works with ulterior motives. If Crocodile left for Mary Geoise, it would provide her with more freedom to move in secret.
Crocodile shot her a cold look.
Had it been anyone else, even that simple question might have been enough for him to turn them into a dried husk.
"Why? You seem surprised."
"Yes." Robin didn't attempt to hide her thoughts, responding calmly, "Given the current situation, this doesn't seem like the best time for you to leave."
"Guhaha..."
Crocodile suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
Robin's smile faded slightly as she maintained her composed expression.
When his laughter subsided, Crocodile raised his golden hook hand and said, expressionless:
"Right now, I'm not just Alabasta's so-called hero. I'm also a responsible Warlord of the Sea. How could I be absent from such an 'important' meeting?"
"Understood. I'll arrange for the ship immediately."
Robin smiled, turned, and headed toward the stairs.
As she ascended, a gleam flickered in her eyes.
Crocodile's decision to attend the Warlord meeting was an incredible opportunity for her.
The thought brought a brighter glint to her gaze as she continued up the stairs.
The sharp sound of her heels echoed through the chamber.
"Miss All Sunday."
Crocodile's voice interrupted her movement just as she reached the steps.
"In half an hour, I expect to see you on the deck."
Robin paused, her expression shifting slightly before she steadied herself. "Given my position, I shouldn't be showing my face... especially in a place like that."
"You won't be going to that lofty place. You'll wait below."
"..."
Robin bit her lip lightly.
Crocodile's insistence on bringing her along meant she had lost a golden opportunity to act freely.
...
New World. Dressrosa.
Inside the Donquixote Family estate.
"Fuffuffuffu... Bacardi Maude..."
Doflamingo stood by a floor-to-ceiling window, his piercing gaze hidden behind his sunglasses, fixed on a heavily creased bounty poster in his hand.
"That shadow fool turned out to be weak after all... And to think, in less than a week, he traveled from Lorre Island to the Florian Triangle... Fuffuffu..."
His laughter carried an unmistakable murderous intent.
"Young Master, shall we prepare a ship?"
A subordinate approached, holding the summons delivered by the News Coo.
"No need."
Doflamingo didn't even turn his head.
Traveling alone, his String-String Fruit ability made his method of flight far more convenient than a ship.
...
Somewhere on the sea.
A Marine battleship cruised across the ocean, bound for Marine Headquarters.
"Arara... So the target is Moria, huh?"
On the deck, Aokiji reclined in a chair, scanning the newspaper's headline about Maude's defeat of Moria.
He knew exactly how Maude had bypassed the Florian Triangle's dense fog to find Moria so quickly.
Without Kuma's assistance, it would have been near impossible to pinpoint Moria's location, let alone reach the Florian Triangle in under a week.
"Maude... You wouldn't be thinking of—"
Aokiji suddenly considered a certain possibility.
The Warlord seat...
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