"Tsuru, if you have any concerns, speak your mind."
After the meeting ended, Sengoku stood in his office and looked at Tsuru calmly. At the moment, only the two of them were present.
Tsuru frowned slightly. There was no longer any need for restraint. In front of other Marines, as the strategist and moral backbone of the headquarters, she had to remain composed at all times and never reveal anxiety.
But now, she laid out all her worries in detail.
Sengoku listened quietly, then let out a long sigh. "What can we do? This is an open scheme by the Nightfall Pirates. Teach wants chaos. Only in chaos can they grow faster after entering the New World."
During this period, Sengoku had been overwhelmed with internal affairs and had not personally followed developments on the seas. He had noticed that the Nightfall Pirates were using the gold beneath Jaya Island to divert attention from the vast fortune they themselves had acquired, but he had not fully grasped the deeper implications.
After Tsuru explained it, even he felt a chill.
With his experience, Sengoku could clearly see that Tsuru's speculation was almost certain to come true. Unless something even more shocking occurred, which he found hard to imagine, nothing could surpass the impact of over ten thousand tons of gold.
"Still, there's no need to panic," Sengoku continued. "Even if conflicts erupt, it will take at least a year. The clash of interests is too severe. Even the World Government cannot intervene decisively so soon. Right now, very little gold has actually been recovered from the waters around Jaya Island."
His thinking aligned with Katakuri's. The storm around Jaya Island would not begin quickly, and it certainly would not end quickly either.
"In three months, the promotions must proceed smoothly. We need stability during that period, no unexpected incidents," Sengoku said, tapping the table with the pen in his hand. "After that, we can consider other matters."
Tsuru nodded. In three months, Sengoku would be promoted to Fleet Admiral, and the four Admiral candidates would officially take their positions. Even their titles had already been decided and would be announced then.
The current Fleet Admiral, Kong, would not retire. Instead, he had been elevated to the newly created position of Commander in Chief of the entire military. In rank, he now stood above the Fleet Admiral. The World Government was unwilling to let such a powerful figure fade into obscurity, so they created this role specifically for him. Previously, no such position had existed, and overall command of the Marines and Army had only been nominal.
This was also because Kong's strength was truly terrifying. His physical combat prowess, which had trained both Sengoku and Garp, combined with a perfectly suited top tier Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, made him an irreplaceable asset.
The Marines' internal renewal would usher in a new era, meant to counter the rise of the Sea Emperors in the New World.
At this point, Sengoku's expression darkened. "However, that plan has already been finalized. The World Government is just waiting for the right moment to announce it, most likely around the time of our promotions."
"That plan?" Tsuru's brow furrowed.
She knew exactly what Sengoku meant. Having spent time in the North Blue, she had not followed its progress closely and had assumed it would take years. She never expected it to be completed so quickly.
It was far too fast.
From proposal to completion, the speed was abnormal.
Even Tsuru's expression changed. She could already foresee the consequences, especially the devastating blow it would deal to the Marines' dignity.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Seven powerful pirates officially recognized by the World Government, each possessing destructive power comparable to a nation.
The purpose was to counter the overwhelming rise of pirates during the Great Pirate Era, reduce the burden on the Marines, and encourage internal conflict among pirates. At the same time, it would create a three way balance between the Marines, the Four Emperors, and the Warlords.
In theory, it was a strategic masterstroke.
In reality, it was an insult.
Each Warlord would enjoy extraordinary privileges. They would accept mandatory summons and pay tribute, but otherwise act freely, free from government interference. Their bounties would be frozen, past crimes forgiven, and even privateering would be tacitly approved so long as the government received its share.
They were legal pirates.
The World Government would even agree to reasonable personal requests to maintain their loyalty.
To the Marines, this was like being slapped across the face. It openly declared that peace could not be maintained without relying on pirates.
Internally, the Marines opposed the plan almost unanimously. Externally, their opinions were ignored completely.
The World Government did not care about Marine honor. They only wanted results.
"I don't know why it moved this fast," Sengoku said, rubbing his temples. "If Kong hadn't told me, I would have thought it needed at least two more years. The timing is completely wrong. I don't know what they're thinking."
"Many people in the World Government don't trust the Marines anymore," he continued bitterly. "They support this plan wholeheartedly. There's nothing we can do to interfere."
The Marines were under immense pressure. Their losses in the New World had been severe, and although they were working to suppress the Four Seas, that was a long term effort. The higher ups wanted immediate results, something impossible to deliver.
This impatience directly gave birth to the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan.
Behind it were countless vested interests.
Doflamingo was one of its strongest proponents. He was confident he would become a Warlord and expand rapidly under its protection.
After eight hundred years, the World Government was rotten to the core. Corruption ran deep, and under the crushing weight of利益, efficiency became terrifying.
"The impact of this is too great," Sengoku said firmly. "We must distance the Marines from it. This was never our idea."
"Sengoku, you're planning to…" Tsuru understood immediately and could not help but worry. Such a move would undoubtedly offend the World Government.
"I've made up my mind," Sengoku said, eyes sharp. "The announcement of the Seven Warlords must be staggered from our internal renewal, preferably before it."
"But don't worry. I won't be personally involved."
Someone else would take responsibility and face the World Government's pressure.
A scapegoat.
The Marines would make it clear that the Seven Warlords plan was entirely the World Government's decision.
"I've already arranged it," Sengoku added.
Tsuru fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Since preparations are complete, so be it."
She knew the consequences, but there was no better choice.
In truth, Sengoku also knew the plan had already been approved by the Five Elders. It would be announced within days. Today's chaos had only accelerated his decision.
Two days earlier, Kong had told him everything.
Now, it was too late to stop.
Meanwhile, the Nightfall Pirates were sailing steadily toward Water 7. At their current speed, it would take three days from Long Ring Long Land. More than half the journey was already complete.
"ZeHeh heh, let them make a mess. The bigger, the better."
Teach leaned back, reading the intelligence in his hand, a wide grin splitting his face.
Since the birth of the Great Pirate Era, the seas had never truly been peaceful.
This incident was the closest yet to fulfilling Roger's final words.
Conflicts in the New World usually stayed there. The people of the Four Seas watched from afar, unconcerned. It was the Marines and the World Government who bore the pressure.
But Jaya Island was different.
Gold buried beneath the sea, enough to drive the entire world mad.
Kingdoms, nobles, merchants, pirates, and dreamers chasing overnight wealth.
No one could resist.
Amid this storm, the Nightfall Pirates withdrew cleanly and headed into the New World to grow in safety.
Yet even Teach had not expected the chaos to escalate further.
Four pieces of intelligence lay before him.
One detailed the aftermath of his interview.
Two came from Doflamingo and Stephanie, confirming that the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan had been finalized and would be announced within days, possibly tomorrow. Pirates across the world would be recruited as candidates.
The last came from Mostima in the New World.
Big Mom Pirates and Beast Pirates had both mobilized.
The Big Mom Pirates vanished from Whole Cake Island aboard massive formations of flying Homies, destination unknown.
The Beast Pirates, meanwhile, sailed openly toward the territory of the hegemon level Silver Axe Pirates, their murderous intent undisguised.
With Big Mom and Kaido's tacit coordination, Teach immediately identified their targets.
Silver Axe and Wang Zhi.
Two old era overlords who had already fallen once, now chosen as stepping stones.
"The Emperor struggle has begun," Teach murmured.
Once the moves were made, the world quickly understood.
Other overlords quietly exhaled in relief. They were not the targets.
This was an Emperor's war. Those unqualified to participate could only wait and watch.
Morgans, ever eager, spread the news at lightning speed. He confirmed that both pirate groups were preparing for massive wars, and public attention shifted, at least partially, away from Jaya Island.
Attention did not halt action, but it diluted focus.
Far away, Silver Axe sat upon his throne, clad in knight like armor. A shield and axe rested at his sides.
Short, broad, and terrifying.
Even after his defeat by Whitebeard, his prestige remained unshaken.
"So, those brats want to ascend," he laughed. "Fine."
"Gather everyone. Prepare for battle."
Elsewhere, Wang Zhi did the same. Facing Big Mom's challenge, retreat was never an option.
In just two days, explosive news followed one after another.
The world barely had time to breathe before the storm truly arrived.