"Monkey D. Luffy."
Atop the Red Line, within a palace crafted from exquisite porcelain tiles, the Five Elders, the highest authority in the world, uttered this name for the first time.
"To think Crocodile would be taken down by a brat like that..." The robed Elder carrying a katana scratched the bridge of his nose with his index finger, a look of deep disappointment etched onto his face.
"He brought this upon himself," snorted the Elder with the scimitar-shaped mustache dismissively. "A defeated general like him deserves nothing more than to be locked away in Impel Down forever. What matters now is the candidate for the new Warlord."
"Indeed..." The curly-haired Elder with the flat cap leaned on his cane and nodded in agreement. "What are the Navy's thoughts regarding the vacancy in the Seven Warlords?"
"A few rookies with some talent have emerged this year, much like that Straw Hat Luffy, but none have truly matured yet. If we are to make a selection, there are plenty of pirates in the New World drifting between the territories of the Yonko."
"What about Tesoro of the Donquixote Alliance?" the blond Elder suggested.
"One of the three heads of the Donquixote Alliance? His influence and status are certainly sufficient."
"I object," the Elder with the long white hair countered. "The Donquixote Alliance is arguably the strongest force in the New World outside of the Yonko. Even Big Mom and Kaido of the Beasts go out of their way to protect them, and they have dealings with Alucard as well. There are too many entanglements."
He paused before continuing, "Doflamingo and Treasure within that alliance are already members of the Seven Warlords. If the final leader joins them, their collective power would be far too great."
Hearing this, the other four agreed. Having two Warlords forming a pirate alliance was already pushing the boundaries of their treaty; if it became three, they would be completely uncontrollable.
"And it has to be now, right when the Government is in a critical struggle with Alucard over the sky territories. Dammit," the sword-wielding Elder hissed through gritted teeth.
Wooo— Wooo—
Just then, at the sea current wharf leading from the old Marine Headquarters to Mariejois, a steady female voice announced over the broadcast: "Attention: Donquixote Doflamingo-sama, Mad Treasure-sama, and Sabo-sama of the Seven Warlords of the Sea have arrived at the port."
Doflamingo was as arrogant as ever, walking with his hands in his pockets and his signature bow-legged, crab-like gait.
Behind him was his ally, the Treasure Hunter Mad Treasure. Bare-chested with chains draped over both shoulders and wearing dark sunglasses, his head-high, chest-out posture was no less flamboyant than Doflamingo's.
Finally, there was a young man of average height, around 180cm, with wavy blond hair. He wore a black top hat, a black trench coat, and carried a lead pipe on his back as a weapon. He looked no older than twenty.
The youngest Warlord, Sabo.
"Fuffuffuffu! Shouldn't a young brat like you be out there chasing dreams? Instead, you've become a lapdog for the Government?"
Sabo suddenly heard Doflamingo speak. Even though the man's back was turned to him, Sabo knew instantly that the comment was directed at him.
"Isn't it also strange for a pirate to stop pillaging and start running a business instead?" Sabo didn't answer the question directly, but countered with one of his own.
Doflamingo's expression stiffened for a moment before he let out a series of strange cackles. "A sharp-tongued brat, indeed."
Ten minutes later, inside the round-table conference room.
Great Staff Officer Tsuru sat with her hands crossed under her chin, her face a mask of indifference.
Not far away, a Marine officer was clutching the throat of another. The victim cried out in terror, "You—what are you doing?! Stop it!"
The officer strangling him looked equally horrified. "No, it's not me! My body... my body moved on its own!"
"Stop joking around! Cut it out!"
The two didn't stop; instead, the situation escalated as they began to draw their blades.
Tsuru shifted her gaze coldly toward Doflamingo. This "Sea Scourge" hadn't changed one bit.
Tap, tap.
Tsuru knocked on the table twice. Doflamingo, who was sitting on the windowsill with his legs crossed, saw the signal and smugly released his ability.
The gasping officer glared at Doflamingo, shouting in rage, "This was your doing, wasn't it?! Doflamingo!"
"Quiet. Where do you think you are? Have you no sense of propriety?"
Sengoku entered the room leading his pet goat. After rebuking his subordinates, he turned toward the three Warlords and smiled thinly. "My, my, how rude of me. Welcome, scumbags of the sea."
"Fuffuffuffu! Is that a compliment?" Doflamingo laughed boisterously.
"Let us begin. Having half of the six present is already better than I expected."
Sengoku took the head seat. Of the seats reserved for the Warlords, four remained empty. Since three had not arrived and one spot was vacant, Doflamingo chose to sit atop the large round table itself.
"Fuffuffu... Yeah, Treasure and I didn't really plan on coming," Doflamingo said, raising a finger. "Living a life of luxury for too long isn't good for the soul. Besides, business in the city is booming; I just came out for a breath of fresh air."
"Jararara! I'm only here because I haven't found a new treasure lead yet. Don't lump me in with you, Doflamingo." Treasure sat with his feet up on the table, his arrogance rivaling Doflamingo's.
"I've been listening for a while, and all I hear is nonsense."
A steady voice accompanied by clear footsteps echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hawk-Eye!?"
The man who entered was indeed Dracule "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk.
"Have I taken the wrong seat?" he asked coolly.
"Well, well," Doflamingo said, sticking his tongue out in an exaggerated fashion. "The man least likely to show up has actually appeared."
"It's no big deal," Mihawk said, finding a seat. "I am merely interested in the pirates who are currently causing such a stir."
"Oh?" Sabo chuckled softly. "What a coincidence. So am I."
"Jarararara!" Treasure grinned widely. "I heard you and Red-Haired Shanks were friends. That guy was killed by Alucard, wasn't he? How about it? Want to team up with me and take Alucard's head?"
Mihawk's hawk-like eyes flicked toward Treasure with utter disdain. He said nothing, but the room was suddenly filled with an oppressive, chilling intent.
"You bastard..." Treasure hissed, his eyes burning with a rage that looked ready to spit fire.