Crocodile looked at his men standing firm, and for a brief moment, he felt a strange surge of emotion.
"Even after everything… they still won't abandon me? Perhaps… I really was too cold and ruthless in how I did things before." he thought to himself.
Daz Bonez spoke up.
"Boss, are you kidding us? That is El's crew we are talking about! Most people would give anything just to be allowed aboard his ship!"
"Exactly! Getting to join him is the luckiest thing that could ever happen to us!"
"Oh man… just thinking about becoming crewmates with one of the Emperors of the Sea makes me tremble with excitement!"
Crocodile was utterly speechless.
So the reason they refused to leave was simply because El's name carried such immense weight and appeal!
In truth, Crocodile had severely underestimated just how much influence El held among pirates.
El had always kept a low profile and never cared for gathering followers or building a massive faction.
Yet, anyone who knew the history of the seas understood one thing perfectly:
El was the most legendary, the most revered, and the most admired pirate alive today.
Countless men dreamed of joining his crew but never had the chance.
Active ever since the era of Rocks, having achieved countless earth-shattering feats… El's reputation and history inspired even more awe than Whitebeard's.
It was only because El disliked being called "Father" or "Old Man" that he didn't already have thousands of self-proclaimed sons swarming around him.
…
Several days later, the ships of Baroque Works arrived at El's territory.
Only then did these pirates finally meet the legendary El in person.
Right after this meeting, intense debates broke out among the ranks.
"How is this possible?! El must be incredibly old by now! Why does he look exactly like a young man in his twenties?!" Daz Bonez exclaimed, completely unable to believe his eyes.
He himself was already over thirty, yet El appeared far younger and more vibrant than he did. It honestly made Daz feel a bit depressed.
"I heard rumors that El underwent the Immortality Operation! He's an eternal being who will never age or die!" Bentham chimed in, enjoying the gossip.
The others shook their heads in disbelief. "No way… can those rumors actually be true?!"
They begged Bentham to transform into El so they could see for themselves.
Bentham, never one to refuse a performance, used his abilities to perfectly copy El's appearance.
But no matter how much they looked at him — up, down, left, and right — something felt completely wrong.
"Your face looks exactly the same, your build is identical… so why do you look so completely different from him?!" Daz Bonez asked, confused.
Mr. 3 spoke up: "Forget it, stop trying so hard."
"How could someone like you ever hope to truly imitate a great man like El?"
"Didn't you all feel it when we met him just now? The aura surrounding El… there's no way Bentham could ever replicate that!"
His words were met with unanimous agreement.
"That's it! That's exactly what I felt too!"
"It's Conqueror's Haki! A quality found in only one in a million people! You can't fake that!"
"It's the dignity of an Emperor. Bentham… at the end of the day, you're just an okama…"
…
The news that Baroque Works had officially joined forces under El's banner caused a massive uproar across the seas.
Thanks to the News Coo, newspapers reporting this event were delivered to every corner of the world.
The first to react, naturally, was Sengoku.
By this time, he had already become the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
Beside him was a new addition: a small goat that loved eating paper, constantly chewing away at old documents and reports.
Meanwhile, the previous Fleet Admiral, Kong, had been promoted to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the entire World Government's military forces.
Sengoku held the newspaper in his hand… and suddenly slammed it onto the table, jumping up in fury.
"Too arrogant! How dare Crocodile treat us Marines with such disrespect!"
"Joining and leaving as he pleases! Does he think this place is some sort of public restroom?!"
At his side, Admiral Kizaru sat lazily, casually holding a copy of the very same newspaper.
The headline read clearly: "WARLORD CROCODILE DENOUNCES HIS TITLE AND JOINS EL'S CREW!"
Kizaru drawled slowly: "Now, now, Fleet Admiral Sengoku… don't get so angry. It's bad for your health, you know?"
Sengoku crumpled the paper and threw it aside, fuming.
"That Crocodile…" He ground the name between his teeth.
Just then, Akainu marched in with heavy steps.
BAM!
He slapped his own copy of the report hard onto the desk.
"We must punish Crocodile!"
He stared straight into Sengoku's eyes and spoke every word with heavy emphasis.
"If we let this slide, they'll think they can do whatever they want!"
Logically speaking, Akainu was absolutely right.
The system of the Seven Warlords was a key pillar in maintaining the balance of power on the seas.
If there were no consequences… If men like Crocodile could do exactly as they pleased without repercussions…
What authority or deterrent power would the Marines have left?
No one would ever take the Marines seriously again!
"You are right…" Sengoku replied. "But… we need to think this through carefully first."
"Think about what?!" Akainu demanded sternly.
"It is time to prove the Marines' authority and might!"
Sengoku looked back at him gravely.
"Fine then… tell me — who exactly is going to carry this out?"
"Crocodile is part of El's crew now. Who here is capable of fighting El? You perhaps?"
It pained Sengoku deeply to even say those words.
Years ago, four of their strongest had joined forces… and yet, they were utterly defeated by El alone.
The only reason they were still alive today was because they had begged El for mercy!
It was a trauma that would forever haunt Sengoku.
Hearing this, Akainu fell silent instantly.
Right… In the entire Marine force… who could possibly fight El?
Who dared to fight El?
Back then, four of the Marines' strongest figures — including Sengoku and Garp — had been taken down by El single-handedly.
Now? Even if all three Admirals attacked together, they might still not be his match!
Akainu remained silent.
A Marine that had to compromise simply because the enemy was too strong… was not the kind of Marine he wanted to be.
Kizaru looked at the two of them and spoke lazily from the side: "Oh well… since we clearly aren't his match… why torture ourselves over it?"
A heavy, awkward silence filled the conference room.
Suddenly, there was a knock, and Vice Admiral Momonga stepped in.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
He spoke urgently. "There is a pirate here… requesting to negotiate a partnership with us!"
"A pirate? Partner with us?!"
Sengoku and the two Admirals were shocked.
What kind of era are we living in? Nothing surprises me anymore…
Sengoku looked at Momonga and asked: "What exactly did he say?"
Vice Admiral Momonga replied: "He claims he has a business proposition that will benefit both sides… and says he can help the Marines restore their former glory!"
Hearing this, Sengoku and the Admirals exchanged glances.
That was certainly an interesting claim!
And more importantly… it struck exactly where it hurt most.
"Very well then… let us hear what he has to say." Fleet Admiral Sengoku decided after a moment of thought.
Even Akainu — who normally would have fiercely opposed such an idea — remained silent this time.
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