These three were the remaining Shichibukai summoned.
Dracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, and Jinbei—the strongest among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, all known throughout the Grand Line.
After receiving a formal summons from Marine Headquarters, they deliberated and ultimately complied, appearing at Marineford at last.
"It's about time," Luo Ye said with a frown as he faced the trio.
He had hoped to eliminate Kaido before the arrival of the Shichibukai, but their delay threatened to derail his plans.
Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman known as "Hawk-Eye," stepped forward, his black coat fluttering and his massive black blade, Yoru, sheathed across his back. He looked at Luo Ye with sharp eyes.
"So, you're the monster boy Red-Hair mentioned," Mihawk said.
He and Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, had crossed blades many times in the past, earning a deep mutual respect despite being rivals.
Shanks had once spoken highly of a young Marine with terrifying potential in swordsmanship—someone who had impressed him during an encounter.
Even though that boy lost, Shanks claimed he had the spirit of a future king. That boy was Luo Ye.
Mihawk had long wanted to meet him. He had few equals in combat, and if Luo Ye was truly as strong as rumored, perhaps a worthy challenge stood before him.
Though Mihawk had never crossed paths with the kid from East Blue who cost Shanks his arm—Monkey D. Luffy—he was now standing before someone Shanks held in equally high regard.
Just as Mihawk's stare sharpened with rising battle intent, a sudden kick was launched at him. Mihawk shifted his body, easily dodging it. He turned his gaze toward the attacker.
It was Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress and captain of the Kuja Pirates. Her beauty was mesmerizing, but her temper burned hot.
"You dare look at Lord Luo Ye like that, Hawk-Eye?" she snapped.
Mihawk's brow furrowed at the unusual form of address. Lord Luo Ye? Why did Boa Hancock, a woman infamous for her disdain toward men, show such loyalty to this Marine?
Luo Ye, though surprised by Hancock's protectiveness, felt a flicker of warmth.
"Boy, how about a duel?" Mihawk said calmly, gripping the hilt of Yoru, one of the 12 Supreme Grade swords, a blade only legends wield.
For Mihawk, strength was everything. Whether this was Marineford or an enemy island didn't matter. If there was someone strong to fight, he would not hesitate.
Luo Ye remained unfazed by the challenge from the world's strongest swordsman.
"There will be a time for that," Luo Ye replied evenly. "But not now."
Mihawk frowned but did not press further. He understood the situation. The Marines had summoned the Warlords—surely with important matters in mind. A personal duel could wait.
"If you're that eager for a fight, let me handle you!" Hancock interjected, her face flushed with anger—and something else.
"Enough, Hancock," Luo Ye said.
Though Hancock's power was immense—her Mero Mero abilities capable of petrifying entire fleets—she would likely still fall to Mihawk in a head-on clash. And internal conflict among the Warlords would only delay the operation against Kaido.
"As Lord Luo Ye commands," Hancock said sweetly, her demeanor shifting from fiery to affectionate in an instant.
Her sudden softness left the others visibly stunned.
Jinbei, the Whale Shark Fish-Man and former captain of the Sun Pirates, stepped forward.
"Silver Eagle Admiral," Jinbei began respectfully, "is it Marine's intention to target all Shichibukai?"
He had heard rumors—confirmed now—that Luo Ye had recently killed both Crocodile and Donquixote Doflamingo, two powerful Warlords. If Marine sought to dismantle the system, the consequences would be dire.
Jinbei's concern wasn't for himself, but for the safety of Fish-Man Island. His Shichibukai title had helped keep pirates and slavers at bay. Without it, chaos would return.
Luo Ye's expression hardened.
"If all the Warlords acted with honor and refrained from harming civilians," he said, "I'd have no reason to intervene."
But Crocodile had tried to overthrow Alabasta. Doflamingo had ruled Dressrosa with tyranny. To Luo Ye, their deaths were too merciful.
"If I wanted to eliminate all of you, I wouldn't waste time talking."
He had given the same answer to Gecko Moria. The message was clear: follow the law, or be hunted.
Jinbei exhaled deeply, a quiet relief washing over him. As long as he could protect his people, he would comply.
But the situation remained tense. Even Hancock, who had only answered the summons to see Luo Ye and protect Amazon Lily, felt uncertain.
At that moment, three legends entered the square.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Chief of Staff Tsuru—figures known as the Marine's Iron Triangle—strode forward, each exuding decades of experience and power.
"It's time," Sengoku said. "This meeting concerns the very future of the Shichibukai system. All of you should be present."
His words sent ripples through the gathered Warlords.
Could it be that the era of the Shichibukai was ending?
"Heh… So, what's your plan for us, Marines?" Moria sneered from the side, his shadow writhing.
"If you keep your swords sheathed and hands clean, we won't touch you," Sengoku replied. "But if you follow the path of Crocodile and Doflamingo, Silver Eagle here won't hesitate."
All eyes turned to Luo Ye again. He didn't flinch. Sengoku's words reflected his own views. If the Warlords acted above the law, he would strike them down, regardless of title.
Sengoku gave a nod of approval. This boy—no, this Admiral—was already a force that even the Five Elders could no longer fully control.
"Now," Sengoku continued, "let's discuss the Warlords' role going forward—"
"—and the coming assault on the Beasts Pirates."
Chapter 50 – The Arrival of the Shichibukai
These three were the remaining Shichibukai summoned.
Dracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, and Jinbei—the strongest among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, all known throughout the Grand Line.
After receiving a formal summons from Marine Headquarters, they deliberated and ultimately complied, appearing at Marineford at last.
"It's about time," Luo Ye said with a frown as he faced the trio.
He had hoped to eliminate Kaido before the arrival of the Shichibukai, but their delay threatened to derail his plans.
Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman known as "Hawk-Eye," stepped forward, his black coat fluttering and his massive black blade, Yoru, sheathed across his back. He looked at Luo Ye with sharp eyes.
"So, you're the monster boy Red-Hair mentioned," Mihawk said.
He and Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, had crossed blades many times in the past, earning a deep mutual respect despite being rivals.
Shanks had once spoken highly of a young Marine with terrifying potential in swordsmanship—someone who had impressed him during an encounter.
Even though that boy lost, Shanks claimed he had the spirit of a future king. That boy was Luo Ye.
Mihawk had long wanted to meet him. He had few equals in combat, and if Luo Ye was truly as strong as rumored, perhaps a worthy challenge stood before him.
Though Mihawk had never crossed paths with the kid from East Blue who cost Shanks his arm—Monkey D. Luffy—he was now standing before someone Shanks held in equally high regard.
Just as Mihawk's stare sharpened with rising battle intent, a sudden kick was launched at him. Mihawk shifted his body, easily dodging it. He turned his gaze toward the attacker.
It was Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress and captain of the Kuja Pirates. Her beauty was mesmerizing, but her temper burned hot.
"You dare look at Lord Luo Ye like that, Hawk-Eye?" she snapped.
Mihawk's brow furrowed at the unusual form of address. Lord Luo Ye? Why did Boa Hancock, a woman infamous for her disdain toward men, show such loyalty to this Marine?
Luo Ye, though surprised by Hancock's protectiveness, felt a flicker of warmth.
"Boy, how about a duel?" Mihawk said calmly, gripping the hilt of Yoru, one of the 12 Supreme Grade swords, a blade only legends wield.
For Mihawk, strength was everything. Whether this was Marineford or an enemy island didn't matter. If there was someone strong to fight, he would not hesitate.
Luo Ye remained unfazed by the challenge from the world's strongest swordsman.
"There will be a time for that," Luo Ye replied evenly. "But not now."
Mihawk frowned but did not press further. He understood the situation. The Marines had summoned the Warlords—surely with important matters in mind. A personal duel could wait.
"If you're that eager for a fight, let me handle you!" Hancock interjected, her face flushed with anger—and something else.
"Enough, Hancock," Luo Ye said.
Though Hancock's power was immense—her Mero Mero abilities capable of petrifying entire fleets—she would likely still fall to Mihawk in a head-on clash. And internal conflict among the Warlords would only delay the operation against Kaido.
"As Lord Luo Ye commands," Hancock said sweetly, her demeanor shifting from fiery to affectionate in an instant.
Her sudden softness left the others visibly stunned.
Jinbei, the Whale Shark Fish-Man and former captain of the Sun Pirates, stepped forward.
"Silver Eagle Admiral," Jinbei began respectfully, "is it Marine's intention to target all Shichibukai?"
He had heard rumors—confirmed now—that Luo Ye had recently killed both Crocodile and Donquixote Doflamingo, two powerful Warlords. If Marine sought to dismantle the system, the consequences would be dire.
Jinbei's concern wasn't for himself, but for the safety of Fish-Man Island. His Shichibukai title had helped keep pirates and slavers at bay. Without it, chaos would return.
Luo Ye's expression hardened.
"If all the Warlords acted with honor and refrained from harming civilians," he said, "I'd have no reason to intervene."
But Crocodile had tried to overthrow Alabasta. Doflamingo had ruled Dressrosa with tyranny. To Luo Ye, their deaths were too merciful.
"If I wanted to eliminate all of you, I wouldn't waste time talking."
He had given the same answer to Gecko Moria. The message was clear: follow the law, or be hunted.
Jinbei exhaled deeply, a quiet relief washing over him. As long as he could protect his people, he would comply.
But the situation remained tense. Even Hancock, who had only answered the summons to see Luo Ye and protect Amazon Lily, felt uncertain.
At that moment, three legends entered the square.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Chief of Staff Tsuru—figures known as the Marine's Iron Triangle—strode forward, each exuding decades of experience and power.
"It's time," Sengoku said. "This meeting concerns the very future of the Shichibukai system. All of you should be present."
His words sent ripples through the gathered Warlords.
Could it be that the era of the Shichibukai was ending?
"Heh… So, what's your plan for us, Marines?" Moria sneered from the side, his shadow writhing.
"If you keep your swords sheathed and hands clean, we won't touch you," Sengoku replied. "But if you follow the path of Crocodile and Doflamingo, Silver Eagle here won't hesitate."
All eyes turned to Luo Ye again. He didn't flinch. Sengoku's words reflected his own views. If the Warlords acted above the law, he would strike them down, regardless of title.
Sengoku gave a nod of approval. This boy—no, this Admiral—was already a force that even the Five Elders could no longer fully control.
"Now," Sengoku continued, "let's discuss the Warlords' role going forward—"
"—and the coming assault on the Beasts Pirates."