Holy Land Mary Geoise.
At the highest seat of authority, the Five Elders were discussing the incident at Enies Lobby.
"The Marines are truly useless," Saint Nusjuro of Venus snorted coldly.
"They couldn't even wipe out a small pirate crew despite activating a Buster Call."
"I say their military budget is still far too generous."
The bald elder holding a cursed blade was filled with displeasure, clearly irritated by the Marines' incompetence.
"This incident is indeed the Marines' responsibility," Saint Peter of Jupiter said.
"Aokiji was already dispatched, yet the Straw Hat Pirates still managed to escape."
"Did he truly fight with full commitment?"
The blond elder expressed clear doubt toward Aokiji.
As someone who knew very well how powerful a Marine Admiral truly was, he found the result hard to accept.
Even if that ninja could manipulate seawater, it shouldn't have mattered—
after all, Aokiji could freeze the sea itself.
Yet the enemy still escaped?
"He probably didn't arrive in time," Saint Warcury of Mercury said after some thought.
"Otherwise, with Aokiji's abilities, capturing them wouldn't have been difficult."
The mustached elder analyzed the situation calmly.
"But the Marines' incompetence is undeniable!"
"Mm, that's true," Warcury nodded.
"However, pursuing their mistakes now is meaningless. Besides, the Buster Call wasn't truly initiated by Aokiji."
"Spandam…" Saint Saturn narrowed his eyes.
"What's his current status?"
The short, heavyset elder clearly intended to pursue responsibility.
"He's dead."
"…Dead, huh. Then forget it."
"Compared to that, I'm more interested in this ninja," Saint Mars said.
"Do you remember the Lunarian race?"
The tall, thin elder's eyes gleamed sharply.
"You mean his power may also originate from bloodline?"
"Possessing so many strange abilities… it's not impossible."
"Yes," Mars nodded.
"The Marine report clearly states he is not a Devil Fruit user."
"A power capable of manipulating the sea itself… in naval combat, that is simply terrifying."
"It's practically the natural enemy of Devil Fruit users."
All five of them were Devil Fruit users themselves.
They understood better than anyone how threatening such an ability was.
"Hmph. This sea is truly amusing," Nusjuro sneered.
"No matter how many bizarre races we exterminate, more just keep appearing."
"Isn't that precisely what makes it convenient?" Saturn said indifferently.
"If we capture him, his power may become ours."
Bloodline?
That could be researched.
Cloning technology was already largely mature—it simply hadn't been officially deployed yet.
Besides, his abilities might not even require a special bloodline.
What if anyone could learn them?
"Still, capturing him isn't the only option," Mars said.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think pirates truly pursue on this sea?" Mars asked calmly.
"Money, women, power?"
"More or less," Mars nodded.
"The trash of this sea desires nothing beyond those things."
"People like Roger were the exception."
"As for the Straw Hat Pirates… frankly, I don't believe they belong to that category."
Pirates who genuinely sought freedom and adventure were exceedingly rare.
Most were nothing more than murderous scum.
Against such people, the World Government had countless methods.
"But don't forget," Saturn said,
"the Straw Hat crew defeated Crocodile and saved Alabasta."
"You truly believe pirates would save a nation?" Mars scoffed.
"More likely, it was coincidence."
"Don't forget—becoming one of the Seven Warlords is the finest stepping stone for pirates."
Every year, countless fools challenged the Warlords and died.
This time, the Straw Hats merely happened to win.
"Then how do you explain Enies Lobby?"
"They care deeply about their companions," Mars replied.
"But that doesn't make them another Roger."
"Pirates are still pirates."
"Besides…"
"that ninja only joined them recently."
"Do you really think he's formed deep bonds with that crew already?"
"So… lure him with利益?" Saturn said thoughtfully.
"I understand your meaning."
Still, such methods weren't guaranteed to succeed.
Those with rare bloodlines usually preferred staying far away from the World Government.
"So what do you propose?"
"How about a Warlord title?" Mars said calmly.
"The Seven Warlords?!"
"Yes. The Seven Warlords."
"Have you forgotten the message Sengoku sent us earlier?" Nusjuro frowned.
"Due to Crocodile's fall, there is indeed one vacant position—but Blackbeard is clearly more qualified."
Everyone present understood what Ace represented in Blackbeard's hands.
If handled properly, it might even result in Whitebeard's death at Marineford.
"Of course I'm aware," Mars said.
"Blackbeard will still receive the title."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have handed over Fire Fist Ace."
"We don't truly fear the Yonko," he continued.
"But the Marines still need achievements."
No matter how powerful pirates became, they posed no real threat to the World Government.
They never united—always scattered.
With a little manipulation, they could even be turned against one another.
"That still doesn't explain your meaning."
"It's exactly as it sounds," Mars said.
The others exchanged glances, momentarily confused.
"The Straw Hat Pirates' route may bring them into contact with Gecko Moria, who resides in the Florian Triangle."
"I don't believe that waste can defeat them."
If even a Marine Admiral failed, there was no chance Moria could succeed.
After losing his will, that man probably couldn't even use Haki anymore.
"You mean… after the Straw Hats defeat Moria, we tempt them with the Warlord title?"
"Precisely," Mars said.
"Just like Bartholomew Kuma."
"Once they accept the title, our room to maneuver increases significantly."
"And if they never encounter him?"
"Then CP0 will track them down," Mars replied indifferently.
"We'll use other incentives."
"I've said it already—pirates desire only those things."
"We can give them whatever they want."
"As long as he submits, nothing is off the table."
"Even if he wants a massive harem to pass down his bloodline, that's acceptable."
"Of course…"
"In return, he must surrender his special abilities."
Whether bloodline research or ninjutsu transmission—
they would obtain it, one way or another.
The others exchanged looks again.
This proposal… had merit.
The ability to control seawater was simply too tempting.
"And if he refuses?"
"Then we take him by force," Mars said coldly.
"While we're at it, we reclaim Nico Robin."
If he refused the carrot, then the stick would suffice.
"Have Bartholomew Kuma head toward Moria's territory," Saturn said.
"If they agree, all is well."
"If they refuse…"
"Then Kuma can seize them directly."
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ZoroTL442