The Elders had given such instructions to the Marines:
Persuade Crocodile to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
As for Sammi, the World Government's response was the same.
"Apologies, Miss Sammi, but Crocodile cannot be released for now—unless she agrees to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan."
"The World Government cannot allow its dignity to be trampled at will… unless, of course, the other party is one of our own."
When she heard CP0 give such a reply, Sammi was momentarily stunned.
Then, the other party patiently explained to her the details of the Seven Warlords plan.
But even after hearing it, Sammi still couldn't quite understand.
Since when had the World Government become so assertive?
In the past, whenever Orin-sama intervened, the World Government would give in if they could, and if they couldn't, they would find a way to compromise.
But this time… they were suddenly concerned about "dignity"?
Truly abnormal.
"Have you ever considered what will happen if Orin-sama learns that you've detained one of his companions…?"
With no other option, Sammi could only invoke Orin's name, trying to exert a little pressure as the "Black Emperor" on the World Government.
In the past, this tactic would have absolutely worked, but this time was different.
The CP0 agent on the other end of the call seemed as if they had been briefed in advance, and still responded calmly:
"As for Orin-sama's stance, the Elders have, of course, taken it into consideration. But we believe Orin-sama will give the World Government some respect in this matter."
Sammi was left speechless.
After all, the reason she could speak directly with the World Government came entirely from her position—acting as Orin's representative when he was traveling the world and had no time to manage his forces or affairs.
Since they had said as much, she could only pass along the message.
What a troublesome time…
Beside her, Airi—her trusted aide and one of the first to follow Orin—was processing reports.
She couldn't help but complain:
"Honestly, taking advantage of their good relationship with Orin-sama, the World Government has been getting bolder and bolder lately. Not long ago, they even blatantly sent a slave ship into our territory, and only to capture those three sisters."
"Probably just some twisted hobby of the Celestial Dragons. Disgusting."
Sammi rubbed her temples. Hearing Airi's words, her intelligent, beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze turning dangerous.
"That incident happened with my permission."
Airi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How could you agree to something like that? With our scale and influence, we don't need their money or anything—especially not for the sake of those perverted Celestial Dragons…"
"That was an order from Orin-sama himself, issued to CP0."
The moment those words left Sammi's mouth—
The righteous anger on Airi's face immediately vanished, replaced by a pause of silence.
"...Well, when you put it that way, Orin-sama must have had his reasons. No wonder he dotes on Lina and Mei so much—what a playful mood!"
Looking at her aide's lightning-fast change of face, Sammi could only shake her head helplessly.
Really, she didn't think things through.
Without Orin-sama's explicit approval, how would those human traffickers have dared?
Airi sheepishly smoothed over her earlier, offensive remark. Seeing that Sammi didn't seem inclined to hold it against her, she sidled up with a sycophantic smile and handed her a cup of coffee.
"So… should we contact Orin-sama? In the past, we've always avoided calling unless it was absolutely necessary, so as not to disturb his travels~"
Sammi accepted the coffee, blowing on it gently. Her gaze darkened slightly as she glanced at her deputy.
"Of course. This is a serious matter—I wouldn't dare decide it on my own. Since the World Government is so confident, there's nothing more for us to say. Regarding Crocodile, we'll just follow Orin-sama's decision."
Airi nodded.
"By the way, where's that kid Enel gone? I feel like I haven't seen him in ages."
Just as she was about to fetch the Den Den Mushi to contact Orin-sama, Sammi seemed to remember something and asked Airi.
The latter tilted her chin in thought for a moment.
"That guy… I think the girls in the red-light district tricked him out of all his living expenses. Now, every evening after work, he goes bounty hunting to earn cash. And get this—he almost got talked into joining the Marines while he was at it!"
While helping Sammi with her work, Enel was also following Orin's instructions to train his Haki, making his days rather packed.
When he finally had time to relax, he would spend it in a private room being worshipped like a god and showered with flattery—money flowing out by the fistful.
Sammi gave him a decent allowance, but it wasn't enough to withstand such spending.
The poor fool, wrapped around Sammi's finger, didn't even know one crucial fact—
—As Orin's underling, he could go anywhere and never have to pay.
After he failed to join the Marines and was officially confirmed as a companion of the Black Emperor, the Marines' attitude flipped instantly.
Wanted Poster
Thunder God Enel
Companion of Black Gun Orin, LogiaRumble-Rumble Fruit user, extremely dangerous.
Bounty: 1,936,000,000 Belly.
Dead or alive. Heinous criminal!
He refused to join in the morning, and by the afternoon, the wanted posters were already printed.
When Sammi heard that Enel had gone to make some extra cash again, she didn't bother interfering.
Let him waste away.
...
New World
At the foot of the Red Line's starting point.
Thunder roared, rain poured, and a luxurious passenger ship was sailing through the storm.
Such harsh weather was nothing unusual in the New World. There had even been days when fireballs fell from the sky, so the passengers weren't panicking—just quietly watching the dark clouds.
Of course, there was another reason:
The most luxurious suite on the ship housed a guest who preferred peace and quiet.
Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, a figure in a bathrobe and slippers lounged casually on a sofa, gazing out at the stormy sky.
He could have scattered the clouds, but why bother?
After seeing sunny days so often, rainy ones had their own kind of charm.
Huuuh…
"So this stuff is really that good to smoke?"
Yes—now twenty years old, he had, for the first time, decided to try a cigar.
At first, he didn't quite see the appeal, but as he continued, he found it increasingly addictive.
No wonder Crocodile and the others always had one between their lips—there was something to it.
"I've seen most of the New World already. Let's just head back to Paradise via the Holy Land. I heard Shanks has been making a name for himself lately…"
With the thought of meeting an old friend, he smiled faintly, taking a slow puff before exhaling.
If he remembered correctly, this should also be about the time when Luffy and Uta would "refresh" into the timeline.
His thoughts drifted… until they were interrupted by the sudden ringing of a Den Den Mushi.
"Buruburuburu…"
Click.
As the line connected, the Den Den Mushi's face shifted to a pretty visage with red lips and seductive eyes. The woman spoke respectfully:
"Forgive me for disturbing your leisure over a trivial matter… Orin-sama!"