"Fufufufufufu… hahahahahaha!!!"
From inside the meeting room came waves of unrestrained, mocking laughter.
What was strange, however, was that neither Sengoku nor Tsuru paid the slightest attention to Doflamingo, who was sitting on top of the table.
The Shichibukai were, in essence, on equal footing with Marine Headquarters. There was no real hierarchical authority between them.
And even if such authority existed, these pirates would never care.
Just as Doflamingo and Sengoku were bickering back and forth,
Footsteps suddenly echoed from the doorway.
"If the content of this meeting is just empty, meaningless nonsense, then indeed, there's no need to hold it."
The hem of his coat drifted as a man bearing a massive cross-shaped sword on his back stepped into the room.
Seeing this silhouette, Doflamingo, Sengoku, and every Marine officer present wore the same expression of disbelief.
"This is… Hawk Eyes!!!"
"How is this possible!!!"
Sengoku folded his arms, staring warily at the swordsman before him.
"You actually came?"
"I simply came to listen. I was bored."
As he approached the conference table, Doflamingo suddenly snapped his head toward the man with the cold eyes.
The grin on his face disappeared instantly—only shock remained.
"Hey hey hey~ Mihawk, why are you here right now?!!"
"Aren't you supposed to be there???"
A faint layer of cold sweat formed on Doflamingo's forehead—his disbelief clear.
He knew better than anyone how much attention Orin placed on that project. As a "younger generation" pirate and one of the underworld's leading figures, he understood the gravity of it all.
Bartholomew Kuma being swapped out was one thing—but Mihawk, who should have been stationed there, was now at Marine Headquarters?
Then what about the experimental site?
Mihawk was Orin's most trusted and favored subordinate—nothing would happen to him. But what about everyone else involved?
"Everything has already been arranged."
Mihawk naturally understood what Doflamingo meant, but said nothing more—there were Marines present, after all.
"…"
Realizing he shouldn't press further, Doflamingo gradually calmed down.
Yes… Mihawk was a dependable man. He wouldn't have left unless everything was perfectly prepared.
Still, who exactly was replacing him at the laboratory now?
"Even so, your presence here really is a surprise."
"I'm simply… interested in the pirates involved this time."
Mihawk casually took a seat.
The pirates he referred to were not only Crocodile—who had been a long-time companion of theirs—but also the Straw Hat crew who defeated her.
After all, they had quite the presence in Orin's game. He was particularly interested in Roronoa Zoro.
Even while in the New World, he had heard about the Straw Hat crew's exploits.
Crocodile—once someone who sailed alongside him and Orin, crossed the New World, clashed with Yonko crews—arrogant and unstoppable…
Had actually been defeated and thrown into Impel Down.
The last person who'd accomplished something like that was—
If he remembered correctly,
It was Marine Headquarters Admiral, Akainu Sakazuki, wasn't it?
But discussing that now held no meaning. Orin and the Elders had mutually agreed to send Crocodile into Impel Down for discipline—no one could change that.
As these memories stirred,
A calm voice suddenly drifted in from the windowsill, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
"My apologies for interrupting, everyone. May I also participate as an observer? Of course, not just to listen—if possible, I would like to join this meeting as well."
A pale-faced gentleman with red lips appeared in the hall.
Everyone stared coldly at him, but he remained utterly unfazed.
"This meeting is to discuss the successor who will replace Crocodile after her defeat, yes?"
Hearing this, Sengoku's face stiffened with embarrassment.
Lafitte, however, did not notice and continued speaking:
"I am here to recommend our captain—Teach—as the new Shichibukai. I hope everyone will consider it."
He cast a sincere gaze across the room—clearly seeking approval.
But no one responded.
Most of them merely looked awkward, sipping their tea.
What were they supposed to say?
Agree? Reject?
They had no authority to decide. The Marines simply represented the World Government. The Shichibukai represented Orin. This meeting was just a preliminary discussion about candidates.
Even if they approved, if the Elders or Orin rejected it, the meeting would be meaningless.
Formality over substance.
"This…"
As host of the meeting, Sengoku had no choice but to speak. He had planned to reject this unheard-of name—
But before he could speak, another voice cut in.
"Teach, huh? Orin has mentioned that name before…"
Taking a sip of tea, Mihawk spoke with his eyes closed.
And the moment those words were spoken—
Sengoku froze mid-sentence.
Kuma, Doflamingo, Tsuru—
Even Lafitte himself—
All were stunned.
"Fufufufufufu… no way. That guy's captain—a name I've never even heard before—actually got mentioned by Orin-sama???"
A surge of emotion rippled through Doflamingo's heart. Quietly, he memorized the name.
Even Sengoku changed his tone.
"Though I've never heard of Teach before… anyone memorable enough for Orin-sama to mention is unlikely to be simple."
The strategist's eyes gleamed as he pondered.
Lafitte, however, now had beads of sweat forming on his face, his smile strained.
"To think the famed Black Gun has heard my captain's name… Such an honor should surely count as a qualification, no?"
"Just give us a little more time—we'll make a name that shakes the seas."
And to this request, with earlier instructions from a certain someone,
Mihawk gave his approval.
"Go try, then."
…
Meanwhile, on the other side—Sabaody Archipelago.
Inside the top-floor office of a tall building, Sammi picked up a Den Den Mushi.
"Moshi moshi, who is it?"
"It's me~"
Hearing the voice, her hand froze in place. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
"O… Orin-sama?!!!"
"That's right. I'm back. I'm heading toward Sabaody Archipelago now. Just wanted to give you a heads-up on something…"
"In the coming days, Sabaody Archipelago… might get a little lively~"