After chatting casually with everyone for a while, Ortoren clapped his hands, drawing all attention back to himself. The conference room quickly quieted down.
"Calling everyone to G-3 today is mainly because there have been quite a few developments recently that need to be discussed," Ortoren said. "The Shichibukai is a very special organization. Ever since it began operating… when exactly did it start operating again?"
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Crocodile.
Crocodile paused for a moment, then replied politely, "The proposal appeared in Sea Circle Calendar 1499 and was officially implemented in 1500."
"So many years have passed in the blink of an eye…" Ortoren remarked with a sigh before continuing. "The Shichibukai system was created under very specific historical circumstances. It was a product of a special era. Ultimately, this organization was never meant to last forever. It no longer fits the needs of the times."
Hancock, who had just fully come back to her senses, felt something was off the moment she heard this.
Wait… I've only been a Shichibukai for a few days. How is it already not in line with the times?
But when she realized it was Admiral Benn speaking, Hancock immediately felt that whatever the Admiral said must be right. If that was the case, then this Shichibukai title wasn't worth clinging to anyway!
"Of course," Ortoren added, "this isn't the main point of today's meeting. I'm just giving you all a heads-up, a bit of advance warning, so that when the time comes to act, you won't feel blindsided."
Crocodile remained silent for a moment before being the first to speak.
"So you mean that the legitimacy of the Shichibukai organization will likely be revoked before long?"
"That's exactly what I mean," Ortoren nodded.
Doflamingo, who had already landed safely on shore, raised his hand and spoke up.
"I think that's only natural. Back when the Shichibukai system was implemented, the waves of the Great Pirate Era were simply too violent. The Marines had to concentrate their strength just to withstand that tide and didn't have the spare capacity to suppress the major pirates at sea. So the World Government took advantage of the situation and created the Shichibukai to help the Marines stabilize the seas. But now, the turbulence in the New World has settled. The massive pirate forces born of the Great Pirate Era have already scattered where they should. Naturally, the Shichibukai no longer have any reason to exist."
"Admiral, don't listen to Doffy spouting nonsense," Slekemind immediately jumped in, sounding aggrieved while taking the chance to mock Doflamingo. "He's just talking big because it doesn't affect him anymore. Just this morning he was bragging to me about being an Admiral's aide and a Navy Vice Admiral. Take a look at that flamingo coat of his. See it? Right there on the shoulder. That shameless bastard actually stitched Vice Admiral insignia onto it!"
Ortoren narrowed his eyes and looked more closely.
Good grief—it was actually true.
Doflamingo had embroidered Vice Admiral shoulder insignia onto his flamingo feather cloak. The only reason it wasn't obvious was because the pink feathers were so dense that you'd miss it if you weren't looking carefully.
Was this guy really that flamboyant?
Before Doflamingo could explain himself, Slekemind continued without pause.
"Now that he's officially registered as a Navy Vice Admiral, of course he doesn't need the Shichibukai title anymore. But I'm different, Admiral. I fought alongside you, risking my life on the battlefield of Achino Island. What I'm handling right now are still pirate-related affairs. If the Shichibukai status disappears, then on the surface, wouldn't I end up becoming your enemy?"
In truth, among the current Shichibukai, the ones most awkward about this news were Slekemind and Crocodile.
Doflamingo had already washed his hands clean and was now a Navy Vice Admiral, so there was nothing for him to worry about.
Moria was a businessman at heart. Pirate? Shichibukai? Whether those titles existed or not made little difference to him.
Mihawk cared even less. As long as Ortoren, that heartless bastard, didn't go out of his way to pick fights with him, whether he was a Shichibukai or not changed nothing.
As for Jinbe, there was no need to say more. He had originally been pushed forward as a placeholder by Fish-Man Island.
And Hancock?
As always, as long as she could follow in the Admiral's footsteps, the Shichibukai title meant nothing to her at all.
Only Slekemind and Crocodile were truly affected by this. One was currently the largest pirate in the New World, still wearing the legal cloak of a Shichibukai. The impact on him was enormous. As for Crocodile, he didn't even know how he was supposed to survive in the New World once he lost the Shichibukai title.
After all, the only identity that allowed him to maintain any connection with Ortoren was precisely that of a Shichibukai. Now, the situation in the New World was painfully clear: without Ortoren's backing, you simply couldn't make it there. How could that not weigh on him?
"So it looks like I really do have to take that job he mentioned…" Crocodile thought to himself.
"See? You're getting anxious again," Ortoren scolded with a laugh. "Didn't I say it already? This is just a heads-up. As for you, do you really think the New World can exist without pirates? You'll be arranged properly later."
Hearing this, Slekemind immediately smiled.
"Alright. With those words from you, Admiral, I'm relieved. I was just afraid you'd forget about me…"
Once this brief interruption passed, Ortoren continued.
"The reason I'm bringing this up today is because something very serious has happened on the World Government's side. The Marines will likely no longer be able to remain loyal to the World Government. And because of that, the Marines must establish a new order after this. Clearly, that new order will not include the Shichibukai."
The moment Ortoren said this, everyone's focus completely shifted away from the issue of the Shichibukai. Instead, all attention locked onto his words: the Marines could no longer remain loyal to the World Government.
This was the first time Ortoren had publicly expressed such a stance.
The room fell silent for a brief moment before, once again, Slekemind was the first to slam his hand on the table.
"If you ask me, we should've turned on that damn World Government a long time ago! They've really been spoiled rotten. How dare they strip you of your Admiral rank? Where did they get the nerve? Admiral, say the word and I'll charge straight into Mary Geoise!"
Doflamingo immediately followed up.
"Exactly. And then they had the audacity to slander you with accusations of colluding with pirates, especially claiming you colluded with me. What a joke. I'm a Navy Vice Admiral. Colluding with whom? As a Vice Admiral, staying in contact with an Admiral is perfectly normal. That's just routine communication between superiors and subordinates. How can they call that collusion?"
Seeing that Moria was also about to slam the table and declare his stance, Ortoren quickly waved his hand.
"Enough with the act. Mingde arrived late and has been working among pirates this whole time, so it's understandable if he doesn't know. But you lot are still pretending in front of me? The reason the Marines can no longer remain loyal to the World Government is because the World Government has violated the most fundamental principle the Marines stand for: justice."
After that, Ortoren gave them a general rundown of the incriminating material, the same things the Revolutionary Army would later expose.
Doflamingo and Moria had already heard rumors about it. Mihawk was deeply shocked when he learned the truth, and Crocodile looked just as incredulous.
He had always thought he was already wicked enough as a pirate. But compared to those Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise, he was practically a law-abiding citizen.
Once everyone had some time to digest the information, Ortoren spoke again.
"I'm telling you all this now so I can also assign what comes next. Slekemind, stop thinking about charging into Mary Geoise. From here on out, if there's any movement, your task is to keep an eye on all the pirates in the New World. Don't let any trash jump out and get in my way at a time like this."
Seeing how serious Ortoren looked, Slekemind immediately straightened his expression.
"Yes, Admiral!"
"Doffy," Ortoren continued, "there's no need to say more. You're a Vice Admiral of the Marines now, so you'll act together with the Navy. But your focus should be on the Marine Police…"
Before Ortoren could finish, Doflamingo cut in, his expression solemn.
"The Marine Police can be handed over to Vergo, or to anyone else. Vice Admiral Stainless, Vice Admiral Kaisha, it doesn't matter. But I must go with the main force to Mary Geoise. On this point, I—"
There was no need for him to finish. The moment Ortoren saw the look on Doflamingo's face, he understood. He raised his hand.
"Fine. Count you in."
Then Ortoren turned to Jinbe.
"You don't need to get too deeply involved. Just make sure Fish-Man Island and Gold City are properly taken care of."
After giving Jinbe his instructions, Ortoren said a few words to Hancock as well, telling her she didn't need to participate either. As he had said before, this matter was one where the Marines were the true protagonists. Other forces were best kept out of the spotlight.
That was why even fighters on the level of Charlotte Linlin and Kaidou were treated merely as reserves. As long as the situation at Mary Geoise didn't completely collapse, Ortoren had no intention of mobilizing too much power outside the Marines.
Finally, Ortoren looked toward Mihawk and Crocodile. After a short pause, he spoke.
"As for you two, I only have one requirement. Don't cause any trouble during this period. What's coming next is a stage the Marines have been waiting for over eight hundred years. Anyone who dares get in my way at a time like this, don't blame me later for showing no mercy or regard for old ties. Once I free up my hands, I'll take their life."
That was the truth.
He hadn't summoned the Shichibukai to borrow their pirate strength. He had called them here to warn these free-spirited troublemakers face to face: don't jump out and make things difficult while the Marines were putting on their grand performance.
While I'm doing my work, you thorns had better stay quiet.
Mihawk was recognized as the world's strongest swordsman. Crocodile was inherently arrogant and unruly.
If anyone else had spoken to them in such a harsh, uncompromising manner, neither of them would have tolerated it.
But the man sitting in front of them now, staring at them with ruthless eyes as he spoke these words, was Benn Ortoren.
On these seas, there was only one unchanging truth: if your fist was strong enough, your words carried weight.
His strength was right there. If you refused to accept it, he would show you the very limits of power.
And so, whether it was Mihawk or Crocodile, under Ortoren's fierce gaze, both of them silently nodded and accepted it.