"The World Government is actually starting to take the World Summit seriously again, even though it's been little more than a formality for years now... Looks like things haven't been going too smoothly for them lately."
In the secluded palace, Chinjao folded his arms, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"But the worse the World Government's life gets, the happier I am."
"Hmph, you pointy-headed old man, you don't have that many years left, yet you're still trying to meddle in young people's affairs!"
"What's that supposed to mean, Garp? You think my sharp head isn't sharp enough?"
"My fists aren't exactly soft either!"
Garp sat beside Michael, the look in his eyes toward Chinjao full of excitement.
Anyone with eyes — not just Michael — could see that this old man's hands were itching for a fight.
Especially after seeing his old rival again, that itch only got worse.
"Enough. They're here for the meeting, and you're here for the meeting. There's not much difference."
Michael waved his hand and gestured for Chinjao to sit down.
"If you really want to fight Garp, that's fine — just wait until after the meeting, once we leave Mary Geoise. You can fight all you want then."
"Ahem, ahem, I was only joking."
Chinjao gave a couple of awkward laughs.
Though he once harbored deep hatred for Garp, he had long since come to terms with reality...
He really wasn't Garp's match.
Not only was there a gap in strength between them — their natural talent was worlds apart.
To say nothing of anything else, even as one of the possessors of Conqueror's Haki, Chinjao could only consciously use bits of it, never having figured out how to perform Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
Even among conquerors, there were levels.
And ever since Michael healed his head, the hatred he once held toward Garp had completely vanished.
Now, at most, he just instinctively wanted to argue with him a little.
Michael nodded.
Chinjao was a good old man in every respect — whether as a member of the Shichibukai or as the Guardian of the Kano Country, he was diligent and nearly flawless.
It was only when facing Garp that he tended to get overly excited.
But that wasn't a big deal... After all, for the past few years, Garp had gone to beat Chinjao once every year, until the man completely gave up on fighting back.
He really couldn't win anymore.
"So, where are the others?"
After sitting down, Chinjao noticed Doflamingo slumped on the sofa looking utterly lifeless.
"They're not here yet?"
"I gave them all until the end of today. Whoever doesn't show up gets delisted."
Michael smiled pleasantly.
"It's only noon right now — no rush, no rush."
"You're being pretty generous," Chinjao sighed.
"By the way, have you all heard? Apparently, at this year's World Summit, the World Government plans to increase the collection of the Heavenly Tribute even further."
"Hmm?"
Michael frowned, exchanging a look with Garp.
"I haven't received any intel on that."
"I didn't know either," said Chinjao. "It was my king who told me about it on the way to Mary Geoise."
Michael fell into deep thought at those words.
Increasing the collection of the Heavenly Tribute?
What were they planning? To squeeze everyone dry and run away?
Or... preparing for war?
"Is that all?"
"There's more. This time, the World Summit will also reestablish a new World Government member nation — the Ryugu Kingdom of Fishman Island."
Michael nodded slightly.
That part he already knew. He hadn't told the Ryugu Kingdom to refuse — on the contrary, he'd instructed King Neptune and Queen Otohime to attend the World Summit with utmost pride and dignity, and become the newest member nation of the World Government.
Planting spies and ticking bombs within the enemy's ranks — the World Government did it, and of course, Michael could too.
But would the World Government dare target Fishman Island the same way Michael had targeted the regional justice faction within the Marines?
Setting aside Fishman Island's ties with both the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates...
Right now, Fishman Island was a highly sought-after trading partner for nearly every country in the world. Who wouldn't want to establish long-term trade relations with them?
Opportunities to make money together were always worth seizing.
Even the most decadent and pleasure-obsessed kings wouldn't refuse profit.
"Looks like the World Government is preparing for something big... Otherwise, they wouldn't be scrambling so hard for money."
"Stop guessing about the World Summit's agenda," Garp said calmly as he sat down.
"Once it starts, you, me, Sengoku, and Tsuru will all be attending as observers anyway. Instead of worrying about that now, maybe you should wonder why your fellow Shichibukai still haven't arrived."
"I already sent my attendants to the Mary Geoises port to receive them."
"Your attendants... aren't they always just Enel and Hawk Eyes?"
"Who said that? Lately, I've added Yamato and Jack too."
"Wait... are you sure those two know anything about 'hospitality'?"
"Coming from you, that's rich! You've got no room to talk, old man!"
...
"Papa! Is this the legendary Mary Geoise?"
On the deck of the Red Force, a little girl with red-and-white hair sat perched on the bow. She wore headphones, and her outfit had distinct white feather motifs.
She stared at the towering city of Mary Geoise emerging in the distance, then shouted back excitedly.
"Uta! How many times have I told you — don't sit on the bow like that! It's dangerous!"
A much more mature Red-Haired Shanks stepped out from the cabin.
"And Mary Geoise isn't exactly a nice place..."
"If it's not a nice place, then why are you going, Papa? Don't take me for a kid you can fool!"
Uta pushed off from the bow with a light step, flipping backward through the air and landing gracefully on the deck.
"I'm a member of the Red-Haired Pirates, the daughter of Shichibukai Shanks, and a brave warrior of the sea!"
"A warrior of the sea, huh?"
Shanks smacked Uta lightly on the head, exasperated.
"What do you think I was just doing in your cabin? Your room's practically overflowing with Michael merchandise!"
"Ahem, ahem — that's just a little personal hobby," Uta said with an awkward cough.
"I'm a young girl; that's perfectly normal, right?"
"...Didn't you just call yourself a warrior of the sea?"
"Being a warrior doesn't conflict with being a girl."
Uta made a face at Shanks, then scrambled up onto his shoulders.
"Hey, Papa, if Mary Geoise is such a bad place, why are you going?"
"Unfortunately, as one of the Shichibukai, when that man summons a meeting, we're required to arrive within the set time. If we're late, or skip it on purpose... there'll be serious consequences."
"That man?"
"You're nine years old now — I guess it's time you learned a few things."
Shanks sighed, pointing toward the cabin behind him.
"You know how you adore Michael from those comics you read? Well, bad news for you — the 'man' I'm talking about is Michael, the legendary Chief Inspector of the Marines."
"Wow," Uta said calmly, nodding.
"Then don't forget to get me his autograph."
"You're taking this awfully well. Isn't Michael supposed to be your idol?"
"I just like the manga," Uta said, twitching her mouth.
"If it came to meeting the real person, that'd be kind of crazy. Honestly, people who obsess over celebrities like that... probably have a few screws loose."
Just as she said that, a loud sneeze suddenly erupted from the lead Marine warship ahead.
"Ah-choo!"
Yamato, dressed in a Marine officer's uniform and carrying her trusty kanabo, rubbed her nose.
"Why do I feel like someone's badmouthing me behind my back?"
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