On the Floating Island of Water 7, after Pain and others cleared out Blackbeard and Big Mom's outposts, they successively cleaned up some miscellaneous third-rate pirates on the island.
The series of actions by the group did not escape the attention of the Marine, nor did they intend to conceal it. Pain and others dared to do this because they knew how long it would take to get from the New World.
Even if Blackbeard and Big Mom received the news of their outpost's demise now, they would not be able to immediately retaliate and could only watch helplessly.
As for the future, even if the Four Emperors did not trouble Pain, Pain would go and trouble them. The Marine's actions were also being carried out quickly under Akainu's command, which Pain and others were all aware of.
Having completed their mission, everyone has now returned to the conference room at the Floating Island headquarters.
"The Marine has already taken control of the warehouse in the island's shipyard. Their goal is definitely to prevent us from obtaining Materials to build the warship Pluton."
"Has the secret of us building the Pluton been leaked?"
Everyone took their seats, and Konan raised the question.
"We cannot rule out that possibility. When we went to find Iceberg, there were CP0 agents lurking around him."
"Our conversation with Iceberg might have been monitored or eavesdropped on by CP0."
"After all, these are their Good at tricks."
Roux took Konan's question and proactively explained.
"If the World Government already knows our objective, then their current actions are not surprising at all."
"The World Government must have already formulated a series of plans against our organization. I believe we should strike first."
Golden Lion also proactively offered his suggestion after careful consideration. Golden Lion's mind is actually very flexible; as long as he hasn't been drinking, he is a very astute thinker. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come up with the plan to destroy the East Blue.
"If we strike first, then how exactly should we do it?"
"I believe the World Government's purpose in doing this is likely to provoke us into making a move. The two Shichibukai are bait; once we actively attack..."
"The World Government will definitely ambush us nearby."
Oden listened to everyone's discussion and also voiced his own opinion.
The only one who hadn't spoken yet was Pain, who listened silently to everyone's discussion, pondering the next course of action.
"I believe the reason the World Government is doing this is to test our true strength. If we are to strike first, then we cannot all act together."
"My suggestion is that this time, Pain and I will make a move to test the World Government's actions."
"Pain and I will hide on the side, letting the Four Paths attack the enemy."
"I will also arrange some paper Clones disguised nearby to see if the World Government has any follow-up actions."
"This way, if Oden doesn't appear, the World Government won't deploy all their forces. We can also deal with the Shichibukai first."
Konan analyzed the overall situation very thoroughly. This time, there was no plan to split forces to deal with the Shichibukai, but rather to opt for a probing attack.
The advantage of doing this is that it allows them to test the strength of the Shichibukai without incurring losses. If the World Government holds back, then it doesn't matter; Pain and Konan can cooperate to deal with the Shichibukai.
"So, who is our target?" Oden highly approved of Konan's plan and was the first to ask.
"Whoever is stronger, we'll take them down first," Konan replied calmly.
"That would definitely be Hawkeye Mihawk. This person is incredibly strong, not inferior to the Four Emperors, and has always been very low-key and reserved, with no ambition."
"Mihawk has always been a lone wolf, acting on his own terms, never fearing any challenge, and has never suffered a defeat to this day."
"Mihawk is known as the World's Strongest Swordsman because of his superb swordsmanship and undefeated record."
"I don't know why he was summoned by the World Government to deal with us this time. I suggest that if we can defeat him, perhaps we can use his pride to recruit him."
Oden is very familiar with the strong individuals of this world. Although Hawkeye is a junior in Oden's eyes, he is a junior whose strength is not inferior to his own. Such strong individuals often feel a sense of mutual appreciation.
"Master, why can we use his pride to recruit him?"
"I don't quite understand that point." Roux was very curious about Oden's words.
"Mihawk has spent his entire life seeking challenges from strong opponents. If someone can defeat him, he will definitely not admit defeat and will surely demand to continue their duels in the future."
"Pain can use this reason to make him join the organization."
"If Mihawk doesn't agree, then refuse his challenge. Mihawk would absolutely not allow his heart of a strong warrior to be left with regret, which creates the possibility of recruiting him."
Oden explained the confusion to Roux, while also analyzing Hawkeye's personality.
"Since Hawkeye likes to duel with strong opponents, why doesn't he challenge the Four Emperors?" Konan also asked, puzzled, after hearing Oden's analysis.
"Hawkeye and the Four Emperors Red Hair are good friends. They used to spar frequently and were evenly matched."
"The Four Emperors Red Hair lost an arm saving Luffy, and Mihawk has never sought to spar with Red Hair again."
"As for whether Mihawk has challenged the other Four Emperors, I'm not really sure. But I suspect their strengths should still be evenly matched."
Oden also wasn't sure if Hawkeye had challenged the other Four Emperors, so he could only guess to answer Konan's question.
"I understand all your suggestions, so..."
"Let's proceed with the mission according to this plan."
Pain listened to everyone's discussion, found it agreeable, and finally made the decision.
Seven Water Island. West Coast · Kuja Pirate Ship
"Sister, how long are we going to wait?"
"Is the World Government just going to leave us hanging after summoning us?"
The question came from Hancock's third sister, Boa Marigold. They had received orders to come here two days ago, and the World Government had yet to issue any instructions.
"How would I know?"
"There's nothing we can do... To protect our citizens, we can only endure it."
Hancock was also very helpless. Hancock and her two sisters had always been very displeased with the World Government, but due to the World Government's power and their ties to their citizens, they could only swallow their anger.
"Mihawk has also been summoned. The enemy we face this time might not be simple, huh?"
"Should we cooperate with Hawkeye?"
The second sister, Boa Sandersonia, had also arranged for personnel to scout the vicinity and learned of Mihawk's arrival.
"Hawkeye has always been a lone wolf; he won't cooperate with us."
"I also disdain cooperating with anyone."
"We'll wait two more days. If the World Government still hasn't issued any instructions, we'll go back."
"I am so beautiful; I believe anything I do will be forgiven."
Hancock finished speaking haughtily, then winked at her sisters.
Seven Water Island. North Coast
Hawkeye lay on his small boat, basking in the sun, his face covered by his hat to avoid direct sunlight. Hawkeye had also been here for two days.
The reason Hawkeye was able to quickly travel from the New World to Seven Water Island was thanks to the World Government's Gates of Justice. Traveling from the Gates of Justice's special currents to Seven Water Island could save a lot of long-distance travel time.
Hawkeye's summons was entirely to avoid endless harassment from the World Government in the future, but Hawkeye knew very well that although this summons could preserve his unique status, he might not be able to refuse future World Government summons.
Originally, according to Hawkeye's strength, the World Government had no way to control or restrain him, but Hawkeye's mansion on his island was his weakness; it was a place he considered a pure land paradise.
Hawkeye very much wanted to escape this predicament, but Hawkeye, who had always been a lone wolf, had no interest in joining any faction, which led to his current awkward situation.
Hawkeye was originally covering his face, enjoying the sun's rays, when suddenly: Hawkeye frowned and slowly sat up, looking curiously towards the beach.
Although the beach was currently empty, a strong intuition told Hawkeye that someone was there.
Hawkeye was not left in doubt for too long. Animal Path emerged from its invisible state in front of Hawkeye, lightly chanting, "Summoning Jutsu..."
To be continued...