Among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, aside from the outlier Buggy the Clown, it's hard to determine who is the weakest. But there's no doubt about who stands at the top.
"The World's Greatest Swordsman," Hawkeye.
Apart from Hawkeye, there's another among the Warlords who is exceptionally unique. It's difficult to gauge the extent of her strength, but even someone as powerful as a Four Emperor might fall under her spell.
"This is the Pirate Empress!"
"So beautiful!"
"I'd give her everything I have!"
The pirates' eyes turned into hearts as they drowned in Hancock's beauty. Even as their comrades turned to stone one after another, they couldn't suppress their restless emotions.
Jimbei, who had arrived alongside Hancock, was completely overshadowed.
"Filthy men."
Hancock glanced at the pirates with undisguised disgust. If not for Gurd's request, she would never have come here.
Yet, her disdain only deepened their infatuation.
"Lady Hancock!"
Crack!
Another batch of stone statues joined the collection.
Up on the platform, Crocodile and Law watched the commotion below, their brows furrowed with wariness.
There was no denying it—the Pirate Empress's ability was devastatingly effective against men. Almost no one could resist her charm.
But as an ally, she was undoubtedly a formidable asset.
Moments later, in the captain's quarters.
"Long time no see!"
Crocodile grinned.
"Boa Hancock, Jimbei."
"Crocodile!"
The two stared at him.
Having all once been part of the Royal Seven Warlords, they were familiar with each other. Jimbei and Crocodile had even been cellmates, escaping the Great Prison together.
This meant there was already a foundation for cooperation.
Without wasting time on small talk, Crocodile knew they had been sent by Gurd to reinforce them—and likely to join the Cross Guild in the future.
Crocodile cut straight to the point: "I assume you've heard. The World Government has summoned the Royal Seven Warlords, and their target is us!"
"Hawkeye, Doflamingo, Gekko Moriah, and Kuma—who's been reduced to a slave. None of them will be easy to deal with."
"Most critically, the Marines might even send an Admiral!"
If it were just the Royal Seven Warlords, the situation might still be manageable. But if an Admiral got involved, they would be in serious trouble.
"Kuma probably won't come."
Hancock said coolly, "Not long ago, I saw him on Sabaody. For some reason, he was guarding the Straw Hat Crew's ship."
"That's good news."
Kuma's abilities were particularly troublesome. His absence was undoubtedly a relief, significantly lightening their burden.
A glint of ambition flashed in Crocodile's eyes. "This war isn't just about repelling our enemies. More importantly, it's about strengthening the Cross Guild!"
"What are you planning?"
Hancock and Jimbei frowned simultaneously.
They knew all too well that Crocodile was a schemer.
"Hah—hah—hahaha—"
Crocodile's laughter was dark.
"I plan to recruit Hawkeye and the other two into the Cross Guild. With them on board, we'll finally become a force no one dares to provoke!"
"What?!"
Everyone was stunned.
If Hawkeye and the others joined, the Cross Guild would have seven former Royal Seven Warlords. One of the three great powers of the past would be reborn—no longer stuck in its current awkward position.
"Are you confident?"
"Of course."
Crocodile smirked.
The Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea are now practically in name only, and the World Government is looking for ways to abolish them.
Coincidentally, he had some inside information.
"Wait!"
The quiet Law finally spoke up.
"There's one man I won't allow to join the Cross Guild!"
"Who?"
"Doflamingo!"
Law's eyes burned with killing intent.
"He's my sworn enemy!"
"..."
Crocodile frowned slightly.
He had already tested Law's strength—his Haki was still immature, but his extremely unique ability more than made up for that disadvantage.
In other words, he acknowledged Law.
As for Doflamingo, that guy was just as ambitious as him. They had clashed fiercely during the Summit War.
He despised Doflamingo.
Not just because their personalities clashed, but more importantly, that guy was too restless. He could never become his subordinate, nor could they stand as equals.
One ambitious schemer was enough.
"Fine."
To everyone's surprise, Crocodile agreed to Law's request.
"I have some unfinished business with that guy too!"
"I see."
No one said much more.
It was too early to draw conclusions—things hadn't even taken shape yet. For all they knew, they might not recruit anyone in the end.
Besides, even among the Royal Seven Warlords, Doflamingo was an outlier. Calling him a rogue would be a compliment—"agent of chaos" fit him far better.
Cooperating with Doflamingo meant constantly watching your back for betrayal!
Meanwhile, at Holy Land Mariejois.
"Fufufufu~~"
Mingo crouched on the table, looking at Hawkeye.
"The once-mighty Royal Seven Warlords, one of the three great powers, now reduced to just a few of us. How laughable."
"..."
Hawkeye furrowed his brow.
This was something that worried him too.
In just a few years, the Warlords had suffered consecutive defeats, their deterrent power completely gone. At this rate, their existence might soon become unnecessary.
He still wanted a few more years of peace.
Getting no response, Doflamingo turned to provoke Moria.
"Moria, I heard you were defeated by the Straw Hat Boy. If that's true, you're hardly qualified to remain a Warlord."
"You looking to die, Doflamingo?!"
Moria's anger flared.
The mere thought of Straw Hat Luffy made his heart burn with vengeance—that defeat was the greatest humiliation of his life!
The atmosphere grew tense instantly.
Tsuru entered the conference hall.
"Enough of this pointless squabbling."
"Fufu, very well, Staff Officer Tsuru."
Doflamingo reined in his rogue demeanor.
He maintained some "respect" for Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Tsuru threw a newspaper in front of the three men.
"Latest news."
"Huh?!"
They picked up the paper and froze.
["Pirate Empress" and "Sea Knight" Join Cross Guild!]
Undoubtedly, a bombshell.
The Cross Guild was already gaining momentum, and now with two former Warlords joining, their influence had skyrocketed again.
But for them, this was bad news.
Originally, when planning to suppress the Cross Guild, they had some understanding of two core members—Crocodile and Law. But Buggy and Mr.3's strength remained unknown.
During the Summit War, neither had displayed much power, yet every action they took significantly impacted the battlefield.
"Unknown" was the most troublesome factor.
With Boa Hancock and Jimbei now joining, the Cross Guild's power has grown significantly. Relying on just the three of them probably won't be enough!
"Fufufu, is this turning into a Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea banquet?"
Doflamingo gloated with schadenfreude.
The Cross Guild's expansion was truly a headache for the World Government and the Marines, but it didn't really affect them much!
"Enough with your sarcastic remarks!"
Tsuru said coldly: "If we fail to destroy the Cross Guild this time, your Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea titles will be revoked!"
"..."
Doflamingo stopped laughing.
(End of chapter)