At this historic moment, Morgans the News Coo acted as the official recorder, documenting the event for posterity.
On August 8th, 1524, at 9:36 AM, the Pirate Council—symbolizing the world's third major power—was formally established!
However, since neither Morgans nor Stussy were pirates, they were ineligible to join the council.
"This is the moment when pirates officially step onto the stage of history to vie for supremacy! For pirates, the significance of this day will surpass even Roger's legacy, elevating our kind to even greater heights!"
Crocodile felt his blood surging, as if transported back to Loguetown 22 years ago, standing in the storm and listening to Roger's earth-shaking words!
Not just Crocodile—every pirate present, including Kaido, Linlin, Shanks, even Rayleigh and Gaban—gazed at Caesar with dazed eyes.
Caesar's towering, mountain-like figure and his commanding presence, as he announced the official establishment of the Pirate Council, seemed to overlap with the image of Roger from 22 years ago.
Rayleigh's eyes even grew slightly moist.
"Roger…"
Katakuri's heart swelled as he stared at Caesar, his reverence reaching its peak at this moment.
"This bastard… he really lives up to his reputation as the former strategist. Quite the showman. Taking this huge risk to come here was definitely the right choice."
Ganzui felt relieved that he hadn't hesitated upon hearing the news of Caesar's return, setting off from the Grand Line at once to reach Totto Land.
"I just wonder… if he can accomplish what even Rocks failed to achieve back then!"
Teach too, was overwhelmed with excitement, barely holding back from shouting aloud.
'Dad's the best! So damn cool!'
As he reveled in the moment, Teach glanced at Katakuri, feeling a smug satisfaction.
"Hmph, Katakuri… He probably has no idea I'm his long-lost brother, does he?"
At the same time, a twinge of envy crept into Teach's heart.
Seeing how closely Katakuri resembled Caesar in appearance, Teach found himself unusually self-conscious about his own physique for the first time.
"I need to find a Devil Fruit that can alter my form—something that lets me take on the appearance of the Oni Clan. Devon's would've been perfect, but she's dead… Damn it, why didn't I think to retrieve her fruit back then?"
Shanks was also deeply stirred, his emotions in turmoil as he took in Caesar's imposing figure, sensing an aura of indomitable dominance, as if capable of swallowing the world whole.
Seizing the momentum, Caesar immediately moved on to the second matter of the day.
"Borororo! Now that the Pirate Council is officially established, today we shall elect the first Chairman! Since everyone's exact strength hasn't been tested yet, making it difficult to rank the council members, this election will be conducted with one vote per person. Katakuri, distribute paper and pens to everyone. The voting will be anonymous to prevent any petty grudges from forming."
"Yes, Father!" Katakuri rose respectfully, and a stack of tightly wrapped papers materialized in his palm.
"I'll help," King said with a smile, taking a stack and beginning to distribute them.
"Fufufufu, let me hand some out too." Doflamingo felt an inexplicable surge of exhilaration, an urge to vent his excitement.
The Pirate Council!
No one yearned for this moment more than Doflamingo.
In his mind, the establishment of the Pirate Council was far more significant than finding Laugh Tale or becoming the Pirate King.
No matter how powerful the Pirate King might be, it was still just one person, one crew.
But the Pirate Council was different—it was a sacred institution capable of uniting all pirates of the New World, even the entire world!
"Fufufufu, it seems I need to step up my game. I must secure a vice-chairman position—can't let anyone look down on me!"
Perhaps the number of Gold Council members wouldn't be large, but compared to the vice-chairman position, which required at least admiral-level strength, it still seemed far too insignificant.
Sharing the same thoughts as Doflamingo were Crocodile, Gin, and King.
As for Moria...
Forget it.
He was still racking his brains trying to figure out how to deal with the predicament he'd face in three days.
After all, he wasn't twisted enough to endure being... "hardened" by a man.
Once Caesar saw that the paper and pens had been distributed, he continued speaking:
"The chairman position changes once a year. Re-election is allowed, but no more than three consecutive terms. No two members from the same pirate crew can serve consecutive terms.
In other words, if I become chairman this year and step down next year, the vice-chairman from my crew cannot be elected as chairman the following year.
Oh, and the chairman is elected from among the vice-chairmen—keep that in mind. The strength requirement is considerably high."
"Now, based on my judgment and the reputation on the seas, I'll confirm the list of vice-chairmen. The chairman will then be elected from among them.
If anyone believes they qualify as a vice-chairman, speak up now, and I'll assess their combat ability."
Without waiting for objections, Caesar began calling names.
"Teach, Shanks, Rayleigh, Gaban, Kaido, Linlin, Ganzui, Katakuri... Hmm, Beckman, you barely make the cut."
Beckman's lips twitched as he grumbled inwardly,
'Barely make the cut? I'm pretty strong!'
'Even Marine admirals freeze when my Haki-infused firearms are aimed at them.'
'If only my financial resources weren't so limited—if I had better guns to unleash my full power—hmph!'
'My lethality wouldn't be far behind Shanks's...'
'Haki-infused bullets—I'm the only one on the seas who can do that.'
With that thought, he glanced furtively at Shanks, wondering if he should just take all of Shanks's treasures to craft better firearms later.
After all, Shanks never kept track of his own wealth.
"What are you all standing around for? Get up on the platform! If you don't come up, some people won't even know who you are!"
Seeing everyone still hesitating, Caesar snapped impatiently.
Kaido curled his lip and reluctantly followed Linlin toward Caesar.
Ganzui, however, was thrilled.
Swinging the Seven Stars Sword, he trotted eagerly up the red-carpeted stage.
Shanks scratched his head, feeling oddly embarrassed.
Though he was no stranger to grand spectacles, standing before hundreds of pirates to showcase his presence was a first for him.
On the platform, the strongest from each crew lined up.
The Beast God Pirates had the most vice-chairmen—even without counting Ice Demon and Blood Demon, they still dominated.
Next were the Red Hair Pirates and Roger Pirates, each with two.
The Blackbeard Pirates fared the worst, with Teach as their sole representative.
If Shiryu hadn't died, he might have barely qualified... but alas.
'Zehahaha! Bet you didn't see this coming—I'm part of the Beast God Pirates too!'
Teach smirked at Shanks and the others, thoroughly pleased with himself.
Of course, in Teach's memory, Shiryu, Lafitte, Devon, and others had all died at the hands of the Navy Admirals.
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