Talking was easy.
Actually reaching the Five Elders was not.
Blackbeard had no direct way to contact them.
But one of his crew did.
"Lafitte."
"Yes, Captain."
A man in a black top hat and theatrical clothing stepped forward.
"The Warlord meeting is about to begin. How about you deliver a message to the Marines for me?"
Lafitte smiled.
"It would be my honor."
"Zehahahahaha!"
While Blackbeard sent Lafitte out, far away in Marineford, Ezra D. Vale had just returned to headquarters.
He barely had time to lie down before Sengoku dragged him into his office.
Half asleep, Ezra glared at him.
"Old man, if you cannot give me a good reason, I might just punch you across the room."
Sengoku twitched.
Am I the Fleet Admiral or are you?
He swallowed his complaint.
"Well… the Seven Warlords are about to hold a meeting."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because of Garp's idiot grandson. Crocodile's seat is empty now, so we need to select a replacement."
Ezra clicked his tongue.
He remembered Luffy was currently in Moria's territory. That meant this meeting might lose another Warlord soon.
And Ace…
Before he could think further, Sengoku continued.
"These are the current Warlords. Mihawk, Jinbe, Bartholomew Kuma, and Doflamingo are confirmed. The other two have not responded."
Ezra nodded.
"So my job is to drag them there."
Sengoku nodded.
"Why not send Kizaru or Akainu?"
Sengoku sighed.
"Akainu is stationed in the New World hunting pirates nonstop. Kizaru is guarding the science division."
Ezra waved his hand.
"Fine. Guess I am the only one with free time. I will go now."
"Thanks, Ezra."
Ezra left the office and headed toward the warship.
"I wonder how Pluton is coming along. I really want to pilot that thing. I mean, Pluton."
Muttering to himself, he boarded the ship and tossed the mission scroll to Kuzan.
"Warlord summons."
Kuzan flipped through it.
"So we have Hancock and Gecko Moria. Pick one?"
Ezra rolled his eyes.
"Is that even a question?"
Kuzan nodded.
"So Moria?"
Ezra glared.
"Why would I choose that ugly bat when I can visit a beautiful woman?"
"Kuzan, shut up. Set course for Amazon Lily."
Kuzan scratched his head as he walked away.
"What is so special about women anyway…"
Ezra pinched the bridge of his nose and lay back on a deck chair.
Soon, the warship entered the Calm Belt.
"Admiral, Amazon Lily is ahead."
Ezra nodded lazily.
At that moment, a pirate ship appeared before them.
"Marines. This is Amazon Lily. Stop immediately."
Ezra stood up and looked ahead.
"The Perfume Yuda. Hancock's ship."
Only Hancock's sisters were visible. The one who spoke was Sandersonia.
Kuzan called out.
"The Navy has business with Boa Hancock. Tell her to come out."
Sandersonia was about to refuse when a voice came from behind her.
"Stand down."
"Yes, Sister."
The women parted.
Boa Hancock stepped forward.
Her long black hair swayed as she walked, snake shaped earrings glinting in the light. Her deep blue eyes fixed on Ezra.
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
So this was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Boa Hancock. By order of the Navy, you are summoned to the Seven Warlords meeting."
Kuzan spoke beside him.
Hancock frowned, somehow becoming even more beautiful.
"I have no interest in your meeting."
Just that small expression caused countless Marines to fall into a daze.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"She does not need to go."
Ezra snorted.
The soldiers snapped back to their senses.
"S sorry, Admiral."
"Silence."
The deck went quiet.
Hancock looked at Ezra with watery eyes.
"Admiral, surely I can stay?"
Ezra shrugged.
"That look does nothing to me. You are coming."
Hancock froze, then her face turned cold.
"I do not know why your heart is unaffected, but I will not attend."
"Are you sure?"
"If you refuse, how about I wipe Amazon Lily off the map?"
Hancock's anger exploded.
"How dare you."
A wave of Conqueror's Haki burst from her.
Ezra answered with his spiritual pressure.
In an instant, her Haki shattered.
The Kuja warriors collapsed.
Even Hancock dropped to one knee, crushed by invisible force.
Ezra looked down at her.
"Oh? You can handle one ten thousandth of my power. Impressive."
Hancock stared in disbelief.
One ten thousandth?
Ezra smiled.
"Let us try one percent."
The sea began to boil.
The sky was torn apart by pressure.
Hancock was forced flat against the ground, terror filling her eyes.
This power…
Was this truly something a human could possess?