"To be honest, as pirates, even as Shichibukai, it's hard to get used to coming to Mary Geoise."
Perospero stuck out his long tongue, glancing around the palace interior.
"The Celestial Dragons sure are something else. Even a remote palace like this isn't much worse than Mama's room."
"You'll get used to it."
Michael chuckled beside him.
"After all, they're the Celestial Dragons — the ones who rule the world. A little wealth is only natural, isn't it?"
"Enough about the Celestial Dragons, Vice Admiral Michael."
Katakuri cut in just in time, stopping Michael and Perospero's pointless chatter.
"This so-called 'Shichibukai Summit' — what's the purpose of it this time?"
"Strictly speaking, it's nothing major. Mainly, we just want to get an update on your recent activities."
Michael looked at the six Shichibukai seated before him, then took his place at the head of the table.
"And there's one more thing — regarding the position of the seventh Shichibukai. Do you have any recommendations?"
Shichibukai? Candidate recommendations?
The six exchanged looks. Though they weren't familiar with each other — for some, this was even their first meeting — they instinctively studied one another's expressions.
In each other's eyes, they all saw the same four words.
Are you kidding me?
The appointment of a Shichibukai wasn't something they decided. That was Michael's job. As chosen ones themselves, they at least had that much self-awareness.
"From your expressions, it seems none of you actually believe I want your honest recommendations, huh?"
Michael observed their unspoken hesitation and finally let out a laugh.
"Good. That means you're still self-aware. You understand that some lines shouldn't be crossed — even if I'm the one saying it."
The exact number of Shichibukai didn't really matter.
What mattered was that Michael could confirm one thing — none of those present harbored rebellion in their hearts. Not yet.
"Alright, enough joking. The main purpose of this summit is to determine your future activity zones."
Michael's tone turned serious.
"Once your areas are designated, you must maintain good relations with the nations there. Ideally, you should build up a reputation — perhaps even earn the title of 'hero' in those regions. Make it so that when something happens, the first ones they think to turn to aren't the World Government or the Marines — but you."
"Activity zones?"
Chinjao, the oldest among the Shichibukai, immediately understood what he was implying.
"You want us to gradually weaken — even isolate — the ties between the World Government and its member nations?"
"Exactly. And it's a job only you can do."
Michael shrugged.
"After all, we're the righteous Marines. It's only proper that we stay in the shadows this time."
By weakening the connection between the World Government and the nations that loyally supported it, not only would they be cutting off its wings — more importantly, most of the regions Michael was assigning were under the control of corrupt, degenerate nobles.
That way, once the Revolutionary Army began its official liberation of the Grand Line, they could easily seize those countries — nations that had already been isolated and fragmented by Michael and the Shichibukai.
"I see… so Michael, your ambitions were never limited to Marine authority alone, huh?"
Doflamingo looked at Michael, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
He didn't yet know what Michael was scheming exactly…
But perhaps — he could profit from it.
After all, he'd been the first one Michael threatened into cooperation.
Sure, he'd since joined forces with Kaido behind Michael's back… but hey, it's not like he'd betrayed him yet!
If there was money to be made and benefits to be taken, why not?
It wasn't like Doflamingo had any shame anyway.
However…
What he didn't notice was the faint trace of wariness in Michael's gaze.
As the secret benefactor behind the Cross Guild, Michael could easily obtain intel on Doflamingo whenever he wanted.
Rosinante had originally planned to continue his undercover mission — but Michael rejected the idea outright.
Someone of Rosinante's caliber was far too talented for mere surveillance.
Even without him, information on Doflamingo flowed to Michael effortlessly.
But then, unexpectedly, after sending Rosinante back to the Marines, Doflamingo had completely gone off the rails.
He'd conspired with Kaido — and even seized control of the Red-Light District, turning it into the new headquarters of the Donquixote Family.
This sudden development had genuinely surprised Michael.
But more than that — it delighted him.
He hadn't anticipated that Doflamingo's reckless moves in the New World would actually help advance his revolutionary agenda.
"Could it be I've misjudged him? Maybe Doflamingo's actually my most cooperative subordinate?"
Michael muttered to himself.
Of course, he didn't believe it for a second.
After all, this was Doflamingo — pure evil, born a villain through and through.
...
"I hereby declare — the World Summit of Sea Circle Calendar Year 1512 is officially in session!"
"Let's get straight to the point and begin with the first agenda item!"
At the center of an extraordinarily long table, one of the Five Elders — Saint Nasujuro — announced the start of the meeting.
"The first item concerns the payment status of the Heavenly Tribute among all member nations."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Starting next year, we will be increasing the tribute collection. As you all know, this so-called Great Age of Pirates has forced both the Marines and CP intelligence agencies to undergo significant expansion."
"In order to better protect the world from the forces of evil, the World Government has decided to raise the tribute amount — ensuring sufficient military funding to sustain the Marines and CP agents."
Saint Nasujuro's words were straightforward and pragmatic.
But no matter how pragmatic his tone was, none of the kings could ignore his real intent…
Money.
Lots of money.
"Saint Nasujuro, the contributions we make to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons are given willingly — and with gratitude."
No one expected that the first to speak after Nasujuro's announcement would be none other than Neptune, King of the Ryugu Kingdom on Fishman Island.
Although the member nations had already accepted Ryugu Kingdom's reentry into the World Government…
Wasn't that supposed to be one of the agenda topics for this very summit?
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