"Attack the Beasts Pirates?"
Everyone among the Shichibukai turned to Sengoku in disbelief.
They had assumed the Marines summoned them only to clarify the World Government's stance on how the Shichibukai system would work moving forward.
No one expected such earth-shaking news right out of the gate.
The New World's power balance had remained unchanged for decades.
The Four Emperors—Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, and Blackbeard—had held their thrones with iron might.
Many had tried to challenge them, and every attempt had ended in failure, disgrace, or death.
Like Gekko Moria, now one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
He had once fought Kaido of the Beasts in the New World, back when he still had the ambition of becoming Pirate King.
But after a crushing defeat that obliterated his crew and pride, Moria retreated to the eerie Devil's Triangle, building his undead army and nursing his wounds in the shadows.
He clung to the title of Shichibukai only as a means of survival.
The memory of Kaido's overwhelming power haunted him—Kaido, the so-called "Strongest Creature," who had survived countless execution attempts and leaps from sky islands.
No matter how many times the Marines had captured him, Kaido always broke free.
Now he ruled Wano Country, an iron fortress no outsider could easily touch.
To Moria, this Marine-led assault seemed destined for disaster.
If Kaido wasn't killed outright, he would exact brutal revenge on anyone involved.
It made participation seem suicidal.
Moria glanced around at his fellow Warlords.
They, too, looked stunned, but none voiced objection.
Were they seriously considering joining the Marines in open war against a Yonko?
Moria hesitated, unsure if they were brave—or just foolish.
Sengoku, reading their varied reactions, knew exactly what they were thinking.
He wasn't launching this operation on a whim.
This was a coordinated plan between himself, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and Hero of the Marines, Garp.
Two Admirals would be dispatched—perhaps not enough to kill Kaido, but enough to cripple the Beasts Pirates.
Even if Kaido survived, their goal was to shatter his power base.
And with a rising force like Admiral Luo Ye among them—an anomaly whose strength had skyrocketed in recent years—they had a wildcard the world hadn't yet accounted for.
If Luo Ye couldn't defeat Kaido today, he might do so soon.
Let this battle be his proving ground.
Moria, still doubtful, asked Sengoku with a sneer, "With all the might in the Marine ranks, do you really need the Shichibukai to take on the Beasts Pirates?"
Before Sengoku could reply, Admiral Luo Ye spoke up, his tone flat.
"If you don't want to participate, Marine won't force you. But Gekko Moria will be stripped of the Shichibukai title."
"You—"
Moria's face twisted in anger and disbelief.
Since when did Marines speak so boldly to a government-appointed Warlord?
They had already eliminated Crocodile during the Alabasta incident and executed Donquixote Doflamingo after Dressrosa.
And now they were threatening Moria?
Once, the Shichibukai were protected by political necessity.
Now, it seemed the Marines were done playing nice.
And Luo Ye—the source of this shift—stood unflinching, his cold eyes making Moria uneasy.
With a forced grin, Moria said, "Well, if that's the case, of course I won't refuse. With Marine backing, I might finally get my revenge on Kaido."
Moria's Kage Kage no Mi made him a scavenger of battlefields.
He didn't care who won, as long as there were corpses for him to harvest.
If Kaido died, excellent.
If not, as long as someone fell, Moria could grow stronger.
Fight for the Marines? Not exactly.
But strike a blow against Kaido while staying alive? That he could get behind.
If things turned ugly, he'd vanish faster than Perona's ghosts.
"Hee hee hee hee…"
"Lord Luo Ye, are you personally going to fight Kaido this time?"
Boa Hancock asked softly, her eyes on the admiral.
She wasn't concerned with Marine tactics or Yonko politics.
She knew the World Government wanted the Shichibukai to set an example—showing the world even pirates must bow before justice.
Hancock didn't care.
If Luo Ye was going, she'd go.
If he wasn't, no amount of threats could make her leave Amazon Lily, not even if it cost her title.
Luo Ye smiled and replied, "Of course. I killed Jack the drill. If Kaido doesn't see me there, he'll never rest."
Jack the drill?
The Warlords were stunned.
If true, that confirmed it: the Marines weren't bluffing.
Jack, one of Kaido's three Disasters, had been defeated.
Even if the Marines didn't strike first, Kaido would seek vengeance.
Moria scowled.
He hadn't seen Crocodile fall at Marineford, nor had he personally witnessed Doflamingo's downfall.
And now Jack was dead—killed by this rising admiral.
This battle might actually bear fruit for him.
If Kaido fell, perhaps Moria could take his place among the Four Emperors.
"Hee hee hee hee…"
The thought alone made Moria tremble with anticipation.
"Wow! As expected of Lord Luo Ye—you even defeated Jack the drill!"
Hancock looked at him in awe.
Her admiration grew with every passing moment.
If only Luo Ye wasn't a Marine Admiral…
Wouldn't it be better for them to run away together and live in peace on Amazon Lily?
…
As the Warlords followed Sengoku toward the strategy meeting, one figure quietly approached Luo Ye.
Dracule Mihawk, the strongest swordsman in the world.
"I've heard Red-Haired Shanks speak of you," Mihawk said, his voice calm. "He claims your swordsmanship is exceptional. I have no interest in this war against the Beasts Pirates."
"What I really want," he added, eyes gleaming, "is to cross blades with you."
Luo Ye glanced back at the man known as Hawk-Eye Mihawk, his own eyes calm but alert.
"There will be chances in the future."