Marine Headquarters.
Sengoku was currently on the phone with Lancelot.
He demanded, "What exactly happened? Why wasn't it reported immediately?"
He had learned about such a major incident through the newspaper of all things!
Lancelot, however, sounded nonchalant. "What's the big deal?"
"What's the big deal?"
Hearing this, veins bulged on Sengoku's forehead.
He then roared, "Jack, Snack, Broye, Custard—which one isn't a notorious pirate in the New World? Moreover, each of them is backed by an Emperor Crew. You're telling me this isn't a big deal now?
"Lancelot! Have you gotten too carried away with your rapid promotion?"
Lancelot chuckled lightly. "Calm down, calm down. The strongest among these people are just pirates who've barely crossed the one billion bounty mark. They're not big shots."
Lancelot was different from before.
His strength had officially reached Admiral level, and he feared no one now.
In the cultivation world, there are only three types of people: seniors, fellow practitioners, and ants...
And in this one piece world where strength reigns supreme, it's still the same.
Now, he stood at the peak of the world.
Except for a few "fellow practitioners" at his level, everyone else was just an ant.
Naturally, he didn't need to be as cautious about this and that like before.
"YOU..." Sengoku was so angry he nearly lost his temper. "Then tell me, what's going on with Broye and Custard? Why are they following you?"
Hearing this, Lancelot's smile widened. "Well... these two women saw my handsome face, developed affection, abandoned the dark side, and joined our World Government."
Sengoku was speechless.
"BWAHAHAHA..."
Garp, who was eating donuts nearby, couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"In all my years, I've seen plenty of shameless people, but someone as shameless as you, kid, is a first."
Lancelot on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was momentarily stunned.
He immediately realized who was speaking, as only he would dare talk like that in front of Sengoku.
So he laughed and said, "Thank you for the praise, Vice Admiral Garp."
Sengoku roared, "Who's praising you?"
Seeing that Sengoku was about to completely lose his temper, Lancelot's expression finally turned serious.
"After I defeated Snack, Broye, and Custard, I proposed a commercial alliance between the Four Seas Exchange and the Big Mom Pirates.
In the Big Mom Pirates' territory, they'll protect my merchant convoys. Of course, I'll also provide them with some supplies they need. Moreover, I'll have Broye and Custard personally escort them."
As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the Fleet Admiral's office instantly fell silent.
Tsuru, Kizaru, Akainu, Aokiji, and even Garp, who was eating donuts, all froze in place.
This showed just how much impact Lancelot's words had on them.
"Nonsense..."
Akainu was the first among those present to jump up.
He possessed a belief in Absolute Justice, even going so far as to achieve his goals by any means necessary.
He wouldn't hesitate to kill civilians and his own soldiers alike.
But there was one thing he absolutely couldn't accept.
That was the Marine collaborating with pirates...
Akainu roared, "Don't forget, you're a Marine."
Fortunately, Lancelot wasn't in front of him, otherwise he would have definitely thrown a couple of punches at him!
Lancelot nodded. "I am indeed a Marine, but I'm also the director of the Four Seas Exchange under the Celestial Dragons. Isn't it also my duty to expand the Four Seas trading area and strive for greater benefits?
"Besides, I already reported this matter to the Celestial Dragons yesterday. They fully approve... What, do you have a problem with that?"
After saying this, he added, "And who are you anyway! Why are you so arrogant... How dare you interrupt my conversation with Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Go play somewhere else..."
Sengoku was speechless.
This guy has really let it go to his head!
Vice Admiral Tsuru was also speechless.
'Oh no, it seems our previous intention to bring him into the Marine's upper ranks might have been a mistake! He's too arrogant...'
Kizaru just watched the show silently.
'Yohohoho... What a good show! Look at Akainu's face... It was already unpleasant before, now it's downright unbearable.'
Kuzan sighed.
'Another troublesome fellow.'
Garp laughed out loud. "Hahahaha—"
He couldn't care less how ugly the expression on Akainu's face beside him was.
Akainu gritted his teeth. "I am Akainu... Do you know the consequences of disrespecting a Marine Admiral, officer?"
Lancelot rolled his eyes, and this expression was fully transmitted by the Den Den Mushi.
Akainu's arms directly turned into magma, showing just how intense the fury in his heart was at that moment.
"Ahem..."
At that moment, Vice Admiral Tsuru coughed twice.
She eased the atmosphere a bit, then said to Lancelot, "Since you've already reported to the Celestial Dragons and they've agreed, we naturally have nothing more to say. But let me remind you, you're wearing a Marine uniform. So, no matter what happens in the future, you must report in advance. That's the first point, and the most important one.
"Second, I imagine your so-called commercial alliance with the Big Mom Pirates isn't just about earning Berries, is it?"
Lancelot nodded. "Of course not. Broye and Custard are both quite attractive. Not taking them for myself would be a disservice to my identity as a man."
Vice Admiral Tsuru was speechless.
She found it hard to resist and felt a bit like hitting someone!
But just then, Lancelot added, "Of course, that's just a small personal desire of mine. As a Marine officer, naturally, I have other plans.
One, to see if we can disrupt the current balance in the New World. If we can, great; if not... there's no loss either.
Two, given Kaido's personality, if he finds out that the death of his trusted subordinate is related to a mere Rear Admiral, and the person who personally killed his trusted subordinate is still by this Rear Admiral's side... What do you think he'll do?"
As these words fell, the entire Fleet Admiral's office once again fell into complete silence.
When everyone processed this, their eyes widened in shock and horror.
Sengoku's breathing became rapid.
"Huff... huff..."
He took several deep breaths before managing to calm himself down a little.
Finally, with a somewhat incredulous expression, he pressed further, "Could it be... your target from the very beginning has always been Kaido? Things like the commercial alliance with the Big Mom Pirates were just incidental?"
After saying this, even he found it hard to believe.
Did Lancelot really dare to do this?
Alright!
He was genuinely shocked.
That was Kaido of the Beasts... one of the Emperors of the New World...
Forget a Rear Admiral; even the Marine Headquarters would need thorough preparations to take him down.
They would have to mobilize numerous powerful fighters and devise a comprehensive plan before daring to make a move!
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