Gecko Moria looked at the two men before him and recognized them instantly.
"Admiral Ezra D. Vale and Vice Admiral Kuzan. What brings you here?"
Kuzan handed him the docking order.
"The Seven Warlords have been summoned to Marineford for a mandatory meeting. This is your authorization."
Moria nodded.
After his battle with Luffy, his zombie army was gone. The shadows he had spent years collecting had scattered. He no longer had the will to resist.
"I understand. I will be there on time."
Kuzan nodded.
"That is good. By the way, what happened to this place?"
Curiosity got the better of him.
Moria's expression darkened as Luffy's face flashed through his mind. He spoke of his defeat, holding back his anger.
After listening, Kuzan sighed.
"That Straw Hat kid is growing too fast."
Ezra shook his head.
"It is not growth. He simply found Moria's weakness with shadows."
With their task complete, they left the gloomy ship and returned to their warship, setting course for Marineford.
Across the world, the other Warlords who had received the summons also began heading toward Marineford.
Several days later, at the Marineford harbor, Ezra and Kuzan had just disembarked when a familiar figure approached them. A flamboyant pink feathered coat made him impossible to miss.
"Fuffufufu. Admiral Ezra, it has been a while."
Donquixote Doflamingo bowed slightly, a subtle gesture of respect.
Ezra raised an eyebrow in approval.
"Kuzan, go ahead. I will catch up."
"Yes, Admiral."
Kuzan walked off, not suspecting anything.
Once they were alone, Doflamingo's tone changed.
"Master, I wanted to ask about the ten tasks."
Ezra remembered his promise. If Doflamingo completed ten assignments, his old status would be restored.
"Since you brought it up, I will give you the first one."
Doflamingo's eyes gleamed.
"Awaken your Devil Fruit."
He hesitated.
"Everything else depends on your strength. The earlier you awaken it, the more it will shape your future."
Doflamingo nodded solemnly.
"I understand."
He left for the conference hall while Ezra headed to report to Sengoku.
Ezra knocked.
"Come in."
"I have delivered the summons. Hancock and Moria are on their way. They should arrive by noon."
"Good work."
"Oh, one more thing. Gecko Moria was defeated by Luffy."
Sengoku paused.
"Really?"
"Should his Warlord title be revoked?"
Sengoku shook his head.
"Not yet. The news has not spread, and he obeyed the summons."
Ezra shrugged.
"Your call."
The conference hall was already filled. Doflamingo, Mihawk, Jinbe, and Bartholomew Kuma were seated.
Doflamingo glanced at Kuma.
"Mihawk and Jinbe make sense. But you, Kuma? Why are you here?"
Kuma turned a page in his book.
"Then why are you here, Joker?"
Doflamingo scoffed and fell silent.
Soon, the three admirals entered, followed by their vice admirals. Moria and Hancock took their seats. Sengoku arrived last and spoke.
"Crocodile has been stripped of his title. One seat is vacant. You may recommend a replacement."
No one spoke.
They all understood the unspoken rule. Whoever claimed that seat could shift the balance of power.
Sengoku knew exactly what they were thinking.
Then Ezra's eyes narrowed as he looked toward a window.
"Hadou Number One, Thrust."
A shockwave slammed into the glass.
A scream followed.
A man with black wings and a top hat crashed into the room.
Akainu's magma began to drip as he stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
"Do not kill me. My name is Lafitte. I am here on my captain's behalf to recommend a new Warlord."