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Alongside Doflamingo, the members of the Donquixote Family trailed behind him.
Led by the Shichibukai, they strolled casually through the passage toward Marine Headquarters.
The Marines stationed along the walls stiffened, swallowing nervously. Each member of the Shichibukai was a sovereign of the seas; their combined presence alone could shake oceans. Just witnessing the first arrival today had already offered a taste of the chaos looming ahead.
Gradually, Doflamingo's group vanished into the Headquarters building, and the Marines reluctantly averted their gazes.
Half an hour later, a second ship creaked into the harbor.
"Gekko Moria!"
Moria stepped onto the dock, chuckling darkly, his subordinates trailing behind. He moved under the watchful eyes of the Marines.
"What sort of fun is this that Sengoku would summon me personally?" he muttered, irritation evident. "I just found an interesting test subject, and haven't even begun modifications yet. How troublesome."
Grumbling aside, he vanished into the Headquarters.
Moments later, the Tyrant Bartholomew Kuma materialized at the harbor, his expression unreadable, stepping forward without a word.
Ten minutes passed before "Sea Knight" Jinbe arrived, his face stern, voice silent.
The Marines waited tensely, knowing only one Shichibukai remained. Among them, this final arrival was the most unusual, both in status and reputation.
An hour crawled by, their stomachs growling. Even the commanding officer at the front shifted uncomfortably. Hunger gnawed at them.
Then, a small boat appeared on the shoreline. A sharp-eyed Marine immediately recognized the figure aboard: one leg crossed, clad in a burgundy-patterned shirt, black coat draped over his shoulders, white trousers, eyes sharp as a hawk, expression cold.
"Hawkeye Mihawk!"
"He's finally here!"
Relief washed over the Marines. Their postures straightened, renewed resolve igniting. If he hadn't arrived soon, they might have crumbled from the wait.
As the little boat docked, Mihawk rose, moving toward Headquarters with measured steps.
With him, all but the already-deposed Crocodile and the mysteriously absent Empress Hancock had arrived.
Inside Marine Headquarters, the conference room was silent but tense. Sengoku, Garp, and the three Admirals sat around the table, hands resting on the surface, expressions grave and unwavering.
The four Shichibukai each bore distinct demeanors: cold, inscrutable, or twisted with peculiar smiles. Their thoughts were a mystery to all.
Strangely, no one spoke in the conference room.
"Marshal Sengoku, to summon every last one of us here, what exactly do you intend to say?" Doflamingo's sunglasses caught the light, flashing with a strange gleam as he spoke, his tone teasing.
Sengoku's gaze flicked to him, eyes narrowing slightly.
"One more has not yet arrived. I will speak when everyone is here."
At these words, the other three Shichibukai's expressions shifted subtly, eyes flickering with unease.
To summon all Shichibukai at once, it was clear that whatever Sengoku intended, it would be no minor matter.
"Is this about the Whitebeard Pirates? For Sengoku to orchestrate such a grand move…"
Moria sneered, though his eyes betrayed doubt.
Suddenly, the conference room door swung open.
All eyes turned as a figure entered, striding with purposeful steps. He pulled out a chair from an empty spot, sat heavily, and casually propped both feet on the table.
Doflamingo's grin widened as he observed the newcomer.
"Now that everyone is here, Marshal, you can speak, can't you?"
Then, his gaze flicked toward a richly dressed man in the corner, sunglasses glinting, tone laced with suspicion:
"And who is this stranger? Does he also qualify to sit here and converse with us? He doesn't look like a Marine."
The man was King Yuanli. At Doflamingo's words, his face immediately grew cold.
"If this king has no right, then you're the one who should leave!"
Doflamingo's eyes darkened, but a cruel smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Interesting… very few dare speak to me like that."
He turned his gaze back to Sengoku.
"I want an answer, Marshal, who is this man? Someone with no connection to the Marines?"
Sengoku's expression darkened. He rapped his fist sharply against the table, the sound echoing through the tense room.
"Enough. No fooling around here.
"From this moment on, everyone in this room is on the same side. I will not tolerate conflicts between you.
"Even if there are grudges, hold them back, settle them after the war."
At those words, Doflamingo and Moria, who had been trading sharp barbs, let out cold laughs and fell silent.
"Since everyone is here, I will not waste time. I'll get straight to the point.
"Today, I summoned you all for one reason, the coming war against the Qin's Nation!"
Every gaze in the room sharpened at those words.
"Qin's Nation… from what I know, they've already unified half the Grand Line. When I was traveling recently, I saw countless warships patrolling the seas," Mihawk spoke suddenly, his tone calm but precise.
"That's right. Their power, and their rate of expansion, are becoming increasingly terrifying. Just days ago, their armies had advanced to the area around Long Ring Island," Sengoku confirmed, nodding gravely.
The less-informed members paled at the news. If Sengoku's words were true, the Qin's Nation was no ordinary country, it was a force rivaling, perhaps even surpassing, the Yonkō.
"Then what does Marshal Sengoku intend to do?" Jinbe asked, his voice deep and serious.
"I need you to join us. This war is no longer merely about the World Government or the Marines. It concerns the entire world."
Sengoku inhaled slowly, measuring his words, then gestured toward King Yuanli.
"King Zheng of Qin does not come from this world. Behind him is not just the Qin's Nation you've seen, there is very likely an even greater world beyond."
"From the intelligence my men gathered not long ago, he has already established Realm Gate Projections in your world, connecting both realms. At any moment, he could summon an army through them."
"To halt his advance… it will be extremely difficult. It may require the combined strength of the entire world!"
King Yuanli shrugged, then spoke swiftly, outlining the general situation.
As the details sank in, everyone's eyes narrowed.
A long, tense silence followed.
Then, "What an interesting story. But Marshal Sengoku's goal is simple: to launch a war. I understand, and I get the point!"
Doflamingo clapped his hands, a cruel smile playing across his face, then stood and began to leave.
Before he stepped away, he cast a sharp glance at King Yuanli.
"And you… we will meet again."
King Yuanli remained seated, his gaze icy and unyielding.
"I hear you have a kingdom in Dressrosa.
"This king… is very interested in it as well."
(End of Chapter)