After leaving Foosha Village, Diarmuid made a quick stop in Loguetown. After stocking up on supplies, he skipped the fanfare and simply crossed Reverse Mountain, entered the Twin Capes, and returned to the Grand Line.
While at Twin Capes, he even went down to look for Crocus, Roger's former doctor, just to see if he was around. If he had been, Diarmuid figured he could have had a chat, or at least annoy him, even if he didn't plan on arresting him.
It turned out that Crocus wasn't there, and neither was Laboon, the whale who loved to slam his head into the Red Line.
Diarmuid didn't use a Log Pose after that; he had already mentally mapped out all of G-7's lines. His warship cut directly across the Grand Line.
At that moment, on a pirate ship, Diarmuid was standing on the shattered deck. He held a pirate by the collar in one hand while the other held a Den Den Mushi, talking to someone on the other end.
"It's nothing special, just a small fry with a bounty of over 30 million Berries," Diarmuid said with a laugh to the person on the phone. "I just happened to run into him, so I took care of him. It was a good chance to test out my new sword."
As soon as he finished speaking, he tossed the unconscious pirate aside and waved to his warship in the distance. Without him needing to give an order, the warship quickly deployed several small boats, and two squads of Marines came over to clean up the battlefield.
"So, is it as powerful as they say? The legendary cursed sword, Kokorowatari?" Stussy's voice came through, sounding amused.
Diarmuid grinned. "I have to thank you. It's ridiculously good. I really like it."
"Heh heh, I just provided the information. The fact that you, Vice Admiral Diarmuid, were able to get Kokorowatari is a testament to your own skill. On that note, I called today to say goodbye. I'm heading to the New World. If you stay in G-7, I don't think we'll be able to meet for a while..." Stussy said softly.
Diarmuid understood her hint immediately. She was likely hoping for another explosive confrontation before she left. But the timing was off. He didn't hesitate, smiling as he replied, "That's a shame. But if the opportunity arises, I might take a trip to the New World myself."
"I'll be looking forward to it, then," Stussy said with a chuckle.
"Speaking of which, are you heading to the New World for that Pleasure District?" Diarmuid asked.
"Yes, that's right. According to an internal decision by our CP agency, we're planning to establish the Pleasure District in the New World. It's more chaotic there, which makes things easier for people like us who operate in the shadows," Stussy explained.
"Well, congratulations on your title, Queen," Diarmuid said, a hint of emotion in his voice.
Stussy's rise through the ranks was incredibly fast! He considered himself fast, but she was on another level. Just a few years ago, when he first met her at the orphanage, she was only a CP9 Chief, on the same level as Spandine is now. A few years later, she's a high-ranking member of CP0 and has the reins of the Pleasure District firmly in her hands.
This woman was undeniably impressive.
Diarmuid didn't realize that he was the reason Stussy's rise was so accelerated. He thought she had been in charge of the Pleasure District from the beginning. In reality, had he not interfered, Stussy wouldn't have been the first "Queen of the Pleasure District." She would have only taken over much later. But now, with the glory of helping to capture Roger, Stussy was at the peak of her power and became the first one to take the helm of the Pleasure District.
"I'm also waiting for you, Vice Admiral, to officially become an Admiral," Stussy asked, her tone curious. "By the way, how are things on your end?"
This was something she naturally paid close attention to. The New World was a mess. Even if it seemed like she was going there to become a big shot, the danger was immense. If Diarmuid could become a Marine Admiral quickly, she'd have an ally she could turn to if she ever got into serious trouble.
Stussy was well aware that their relationship was a "one prospers, all prosper" situation. As their cooperation and communication deepened, it would be difficult for their bond to ever break.
Especially since Diarmuid had used Dragon to get her to commit to a long-term plan last time. This woman, who had a strong desire for power, never even considered trying to work alone without Diarmuid.
Glancing back at the Marines who were now approaching, Diarmuid took a few steps toward the edge of the deck, creating some distance. He waved his hand, signaling them to continue their work without needing his permission.
"By the way," Diarmuid said quietly into the Den Den Mushi, "any news from the World Government? Any plans to deal with the chaos of the Great Pirate Era?"
Stussy thought for a moment. "You mean the plan you told me about, to use pirates to curb pirates?"
"That's the one. Is there something going on?" Diarmuid's eyes lit up.
"There seems to be, but the information is highly classified," Stussy said, building up the suspense before continuing without hesitation. "It might just be a rumor, but we in CP have received some investigation requests."
"What are you investigating?" Diarmuid asked.
"We're to investigate the so-called 'new era' pirates and their thoughts on the World Government, along with their ambitions," Stussy explained.
Diarmuid remained silent, and Stussy quickly continued her analysis. "If you hadn't mentioned that theory last time, I wouldn't have thought much of it. It's a normal reconnaissance mission, after all. But considering what you said, I feel like something is off. The World Government might be testing the waters, trying to see if they can bind pirates with mutual interest and use them for their own purposes."
Diarmuid nodded. "It must be."
The Seven Warlords of the Sea project, ultimately, was a terrible failure. The organization was a breeding ground for self-serving pirates who used the system to cause chaos across the seas, only to be "disbanded" by the Marines at the Reverie.
There were likely many reasons why the organization became a malignant tumor, but the pirates' cunning was a given. The World Government's overconfidence was also a factor, and the Marines probably didn't do anything to stop it, either.
It was a twisted creation.
But there's no doubt that the World Government initially had high hopes for the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan. It was a strategy of "pacification." They hoped to pacify these "new era" pirates, bind them with mutual interest, and use them as bait to hunt down other pirates.
At the same time, they wanted to use them to stem the tide of the Great Pirate Era. After the Yonko emerged, the Seven Warlords were meant to act as a balancing force in the seas.
In essence, their initial intention was good.
The World Government's failure was in their excessive self-confidence. They thought they could control the Seven Warlords just as they controlled the Marines, but they were played for fools over and over again.
Still, that's all in the future. For now, Diarmuid knew from Stussy that the World Government already had a similar idea. Judging by the current situation, the plan might be implemented soon.
As far as Diarmuid could remember, it took the World Government more than a decade to fully establish the Seven Warlords organization after the policy was put in place.
But that didn't matter. Diarmuid didn't need the organization to be fully formed. All he needed was for the concept to be officially announced by the World Government. That would be enough!
The Marines would be furious. He had already won over Sakazuki and, not long ago, reached an unspoken agreement with Garp in the East Blue. He already had the power to rally a certain part of the Marines.
At the same time, he had the support of rising Marine stars like Gion, Doberman, Yamakaji, and Momonga, giving him considerable influence.
Moreover, his mentor, Zephyr, was a natural ally. Ever since Zephyr's family was killed, his attitude toward pirates had soured. If the World Government dared to create a "Seven Warlords of the Sea" plan now, Zephyr would be absolutely livid.
In the original story, Zephyr ultimately betrayed the Marines because he couldn't stand the evil system of the Seven Warlords, especially when the pirate who cut off his arm and killed his students was appointed as a Warlord. This showed how much he despised the plan.
Diarmuid just needed to seize the opportunity and convince his sensei. With Zephyr's influence, he could further solidify the Marines' resistance.
These were the public factors. Privately, Diarmuid was sure that even if Admiral Sengoku and Fleet Admiral Kong had no choice but to accept the plan, they would also be deeply against it.
This was an obvious political move for the Marines! In hundreds of years, has there ever been a time when the Marines supported the legalization of pirates? It was out of the question!
While Diarmuid knew that even if the Marines united to protest the Seven Warlords plan, the World Government would never completely back down. It would only boost the Marines' morale and further weaken the World Government's control over them. But appeasing the Marines was something they would have to do.
And that's exactly what Diarmuid wanted!
He planned to use this opportunity to strike a blow against the World Government, get the position of Marine Admiral, and completely shatter their current idea of suppressing high-ranking Marine officers.
The best-case scenario would be to secure the title of Admiral candidate for Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan.
This plan had two core benefits. First, Diarmuid would become a Marine Admiral, and all the advantages that came with that were obvious. Second, he could use this event to solidify his position as the leader of the new generation of Marines!
Once this was done, Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and the others would all owe him a favor and would essentially fall in line behind him.
His prestige within the Marines would reach the same level as veterans like Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp. He would truly establish his own faction!
At the same time, with the rank of Admiral, he could finally take bigger steps and get more things done within the Marines.
"Once this plan is confirmed, I'll use it as leverage to secure an Admiral position," Diarmuid said with a smile.
Stussy was somewhat relieved to hear this. "It probably won't be long now."
Just then, Diarmuid's other Den Den Mushi started to ring. He took it out, looked at it, and said, "Something's come up with the Marines. I have to go. Talk to you next time."
"Alright," Stussy replied simply, hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
Diarmuid answered the other one. "Gion? What is it?"
"Diarmuid, something big has happened. Where are you? Are you close to St. Poplar?" Gion asked, her voice serious.
Diarmuid was stunned. "Not too far. Why?"
"For some reason, Douglas Bullet and Crocodile have started fighting on St. Poplar. Admiral Sengoku has assembled a Buster Call fleet led by Sakazuki to eliminate them both on the island. He's also calling on nearby Marine officers to head to St. Poplar and assist with the Buster Call!" Gion said in a low voice.
Diarmuid was flabbergasted. 'What the hell? It's almost 1503, and you, Crocodile, are back in the first half of the Grand Line stirring up trouble? Why aren't you out challenging Whitebeard?'
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