"Lafitte, is it?"
Aizen's calm gaze turned to the figure perched on the windowsill. Under the eyes of Sengoku and the others, he stated the man's identity plainly.
"Former security officer of the West Blue. Expelled from his nation for excessive violence in enforcement."
"My, what an honor. To think someone's actually heard of me," Lafitte replied smoothly, twirling his cane as he drew the topic back. "But please, allow me to finish, Vice Admiral. The one I wish to recommend is none other than our captain—Blackbeard, Teach."
"Teach? Never heard of him," Sengoku said, his tone flat.
But the name made him wary. To sail under the title "Blackbeard" while Whitebeard still lived—such recklessness was either stupidity or strength. And given that his subordinate had managed to infiltrate Mary Geoise undetected, Sengoku was inclined to believe the latter.
Still, to be granted the title of Warlord, courage and power alone were not enough. One also needed reputation great enough to strike fear into the seas.
"A nameless pirate won't intimidate anyone," Sengoku said coldly.
"Rest assured," Lafitte answered, "we already have a plan for that. All we need is a little time."
Aizen listened silently. He knew this plan well: Teach intended to capture a pirate with a bounty over one hundred million, offering it as tribute in exchange for the Warlord title. No one expected that he would cross paths with Ace, which would later lead to Ace's capture and Teach's appointment.
Yet Aizen made no move to interfere. Instead, his interest shifted to Lafitte himself. To intrude upon Mary Geoise alone, under the noses of the Fleet Admiral and the Warlords—this took more than skill. It required audacity.
In contrast to Teach, who had been willing to languish in Whitebeard's crew for decades, waiting for a single Devil Fruit, Lafitte seemed far more intriguing.
Aizen had looked into his past. There were no records of him harming innocents—only of excessive force against criminals. Violence, yes, but nothing unforgivable in this chaotic age. Evil must be met by evil.
I hadn't intended to seek you out, Aizen thought, but since you've come to me, I'll give you a chance.
His lips curved faintly.
At that moment, Lafitte suddenly stiffened, as though a predator's eyes were fixed upon him. Cold dread clawed at his chest.
Adjusting his hat, he swallowed. "So… what do you all think of my proposal?"
"In that case, you'll be given a chance," Sengoku said lightly. The Warlords themselves were of little consequence; all that mattered was their deterrence. With volunteers stepping forward and a plan already in place, there was no need to search further.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
Eager to escape, Lafitte spread his arms, his hands transforming into white wings.
But as he moved to take flight, Aizen's elbow slid forward on the hilt of his blade. The sword slipped free by an inch.
His lips moved silently.
"Shatter… Kyōka Suigetsu."
No one noticed. Only Lafitte, facing the room, caught a fleeting glint of steel before it vanished.
A trick of the light?
He dared not linger. Wings spread, Lafitte departed.
Afterward, Sengoku rattled off other candidates: Whitebeard's so-called son, Edward Weevil; Chinjao of the Happo Navy; the giant pirate Panz Fry… all recorded in the Government's lists of potential Warlords. If Teach failed, there would be others ready.
As discussion continued, Mihawk quietly pressed for details about the Straw Hat crew.
At last, the meeting ended without incident—or so it seemed.
Mihawk turned his hawk's eyes once more toward Aizen.
"It's over. Now, let's find a place."