"Rabble of the seas? Are you praising me? Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo's nature was wild and unhinged, but that didn't mean he was a fool. No matter how outrageous his actions, he always kept himself balanced on a careful line. After Sengoku's arrival, though his words stayed insolent, the pressure he radiated dissipated.
"Hmph."
Sengoku gave a cold snort and ignored him. Taking his seat at the round table, he said curtly, "Let's begin. Waiting longer won't bring anyone else. With two of the Seven Warlords here, attendance already exceeds my expectations."
The Warlords and the Government only cooperated by agreement. Whether they showed up was purely their own whim. Pirates lived by their moods; nothing they did was strange. Sengoku had even prepared for the possibility that none of them would attend.
"I've had it too easy lately. I only came back because I was bored," Doflamingo said with a smirk as he dropped into a chair.
Sengoku's face was cold. "Is that so? The smoother things are for pirates like you, the harder the Navy has to work."
"You sound almost jealous."
Through Doflamingo's mockery, Aizen's face remained unchanged. But then he felt it—a sharp, cutting aura approaching from behind.
So, that man had come.
"I've heard nothing but drivel since I arrived. I thought I'd walked into the wrong place."
Footsteps echoed. A tall, lean figure entered the corridor, dressed in a wine-red shirt beneath a long black coat. A greatsword rested on his back, shaped like a cross. From beneath his black hat, a pair of hawk-like golden eyes swept the hall without hesitation.
The world's greatest swordsman—Dracule Mihawk.
"No way. The one least likely to come actually showed up," Doflamingo drawled.
Even Sengoku was surprised. In the past, Mihawk had never once attended a Warlord meeting.
"You came as well?" Sengoku asked.
"Nothing special. I just came to sit in, since I'm curious about the pirate under discussion." Mihawk's tone was indifferent. "That's all."
Though the Navy told the world that Smoker had captured Crocodile, the truth was plain to those at the top. Mihawk had kept watch on the Straw Hats ever since his brief encounter with them in the East Blue. Not only because of the swordsman Zoro, who had caught his eye, but because he recognized the straw hat on Luffy's head—it was once Shanks's.
Their defeat of Crocodile had only deepened his interest.
…
Mihawk crossed the hall, giving his answer. But when he passed by Aizen, he gave a low hum.
"Hm?"
His piercing eyes fixed on the marine Vice Admiral.
"Is there a problem, Mihawk-san?" Aizen asked with a faint smile.
As though guided by a swordsman's instinct, Mihawk made his move.
"You're impressive. Let's spar sometime."
His words rang through the chamber, freezing the room into silence. The others stared in disbelief. This was Mihawk—the greatest swordsman alive, a man whose strength rivaled the Admirals. And he had just invited a Navy Vice Admiral to duel.
Could this Vice Admiral truly be worthy?
Mihawk's gaze locked on Aizen, waiting for his answer.
Beside them, Kuma once again raised his eyes to assess Aizen. Doflamingo only chuckled with malice, pretending disinterest.
The air was taut, heavy with expectation—until a voice intruded from outside, breaking the tension.
"Sorry to disturb such distinguished company. Might I have the honor of sitting in?"
All eyes turned toward the windowsill, where a man in a top hat balanced with a cane twirling in his fingers. His appearance was like that of a magician.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" a Navy Rear Admiral barked.
This was Mary Geoise, the heart of the World Government. For someone to slip past layers of security and intrude—if the officials demanded accountability, it would not end lightly.
"Who I am is irrelevant. Let's speak of business." The man smiled faintly. "You're gathered to discuss Crocodile's replacement, aren't you? I've come to recommend a hero of the seas for the position of Warlord."