Hearing this title, even someone like Sengoku—who had weathered countless storms on the sea—couldn't help blurting out in confusion.
What did that mean? That title!
"Who's beside you, Kong!!!"
At that sudden exclamation, one of the Elders who had been calmly issuing orders—Saint Saturn—narrowed his cold gaze and questioned Kong directly.
Kong lowered his head and reported respectfully.
"Reporting to Saint Saturn-sama, it is Marine Headquarters Admiral Sengoku."
"Sengoku, huh..."
Hearing that name, Saturn's expression eased slightly.
After all, he was the very one they had personally decided upon to succeed Fleet Admiral Kong's position—future Fleet Admiral of the Marines. It wasn't a problem for him to hear some intel ahead of time.
So he chose not to press the matter further.
But for Sengoku, this revelation hit like a cannon broadside.
If the ruler of the seas was a Celestial Dragon...
Then all those years the Marines had targeted Orin—holding endless meetings, making countless preparations—what had that all been for?
Yet clearly, the other two on the line had no concern for Sengoku's state of mind.
"The identity of 'Sand Crocodile' Crocodile—you should be quite clear on that, Kong."
Saint Saturn, Warrior God of Science and Defense, held the Den Den Mushi in one hand, eyes narrowing to slits as a glint of light flashed within them.
Facing those eyes, Kong seemed to already guess where this was going. As if all strength had been drained from his body, his expression showed hesitation.
Helplessly, he replied.
"Yes. 'Sand Crocodile' Crocodile is... a companion at Orin-sama's side."
But he didn't stop there. Instead, thoughts of countless Marines, of his own position, and of the sailors lost on sunken warships surged within him—responsibility weighing heavily on his mind.
He added.
"At the same time, she is also a pirate who sank Marine warships and attacked Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"..."
Apparently not expecting Kong's tone, the Elders on the other end of the line were momentarily stunned—then their brows furrowed deeply.
"Watch your tone, Kong!!!"
Clad in a white robe and holding the First Generation Kitetsu, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's eyes flashed with a cold gleam as he barked into the Den Den Mushi.
"Even if the Marines suffered losses, that is no excuse for you, as their leader, to let your emotions dictate your actions!!!"
Standing nearby, Sengoku—still with a full head of black hair and only just into middle age—had never witnessed such a scene before. He could only gape, unable to speak.
Fleet Admiral Kong... was actually arguing with the highest authority in the world...?!!
And this was just over Crocodile.
He truly didn't dare imagine—if it were Orin himself, say another invasion of Marineford—would the scene be even more outrageous than this?
Would they have to stand there and let Orin strike them, even cheer him on?
This world... was starting to feel unfamiliar—mad, even.
But in truth, Kong hadn't intended to argue.
At just one reprimand from the Elders, he fell silent.
Perhaps seeing that Kong didn't dare talk back—or perhaps simply sticking to their original plan—their expressions softened again after the scolding.
"Enough. There's no need for such childish displays of emotion, Kong," Saint Saturn said, gripping his wooden staff as he continued.
"We did not call to demand you release Crocodile unconditionally."
"Nani?"
Kong and Sengoku both froze for a moment at those words.
They exchanged puzzled glances.
Had the sun started rising in the west?
The Marines had clashed with Orin, yet the Elders weren't siding with him this time?
That wasn't how it worked before...
In the past, whenever the Marines had conflicts with Orin, the Elders would always scold their own Marines first—saying things like,
"What is Marine pride worth? You're nothing but a tool fed by the World Government."
As for Orin, they would always urge him to calm down. Calm down. And calm down again.
But today...
While the two were still lost in their thoughts, the Elders continued speaking.
Saint Topman Warcury said slowly.
"You should remember that matter we mentioned to you before, Kong—the one about using pirates to restrain pirates."
Standing tall beside him, Saint Marcus Mars added.
"The strength, reputation, and... the forces Crocodile commands all meet the criteria we agreed upon—enough to serve as one of the powers suppressing a quarter of the seas."
At these words, Kong suddenly recalled something the Elders had discussed with him before.
It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea—they had been planning it for many years.
Could it be that, faced with this runaway era, they intended to bring that plan forward?
"Honored Elders, are you perhaps referring to... the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan?"
"Precisely."
Perhaps because this plan would likely be implemented during Sengoku's term as Fleet Admiral, Kong, with the Elders' permission, explained to Sengoku what it was.
"As Kong has said, this is a means to maintain stability on the seas and guide the situation toward balance," Saint Warcury added.
"In fact, when this plan first began to take shape, we even invited Orin—who had just left the Roger Pirates at the time—to join. Unfortunately, he had no interest."
...
As an uncrowned king of the seas, failing to recruit him in his youth had always been a regret for the Elders.
But now, that regret could be addressed by a successor.
If they could bring in Crocodile, and even 'Hawk Eyes' Dracule Mihawk—both companions or allies of Orin—then by leveraging their identities, it would be akin to borrowing Orin's influence to suppress the raging seas.
"And the other candidates for this plan...?"
Sengoku asked curiously. After all, this would likely be something he'd have to manage once he took over as Fleet Admiral.
The Elders saw no reason to hide it.
"Apart from Crocodile, the other tentative candidates are..."
"'Hawk Eyes' Dracule Mihawk—recently fought Silvers Rayleigh, the right hand of Orin and, arguably, the world's greatest swordsman (pending confirmation)."
"'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo—infamous pirate, one of the major figures in the underworld, subordinate to Orin."
"Gekko Moria—a notorious pirate who once fought one of the Four Emperors, Kaido of the Beasts, and survived."
"'Hanafuda'—a great pirate and ally to one of the Four Emperors, Kaido of the Beasts."
"'Tyrant' Kuma—King of the Sorbet Kingdom, terrifyingly powerful, having defeated countless great pirates."
These were only tentative choices; none had yet been approached.
Of course, there was also one last position they hadn't mentioned—because it had once belonged to that man...
If, by the time the plan was officially launched, he still refused, the Elders would find someone else.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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