Time passed slowly...
On the surface, everything in Water 7 seemed calm and peaceful, yet the civilians gradually began to sense that something was off.
There was no helping it. Over the past few days, far too many unfamiliar faces had appeared on the island.
Water 7 was a shipbuilding island, so strangers weren't unusual, but this was excessive. Just walking down the street, you could easily run into seven or eight people you'd never seen before.
Some well-informed individuals knew the reason, but they didn't flee. For one thing, Scrap Island was extremely independent. Even if fighting broke out, the conflict wouldn't reach where they lived. For another, if a huge windfall happened to fall into their laps, even a tiny share would be enough to make them rich.
Most people, however, had no idea what was really going on. They simply blamed everything on that sinful man, Roger.
Water 7.
The residence of Barbarov, the current mayor of Water 7, was under heavy guard today. Soldiers armed with all manner of weapons stood watch everywhere.
The reason was simple. Earlier that morning, the bosses of the Seven Great Shipbuilding Companies, who had never gotten along and could even be called mortal enemies, had gathered here together for the first time ever. They had come to discuss how to deal with the increasingly chaotic situation on the island as the Great Pirate Era unfolded.
Inside the massive and spacious round conference hall, smoke hung thick in the air.
Around the enormous round table sat eight men, cigars clenched between their teeth as they puffed away.
They were:
The boss of Marque Shipbuilding Company, Marque Makki.
The boss of Caffrey Shipbuilding Company, Caffrey Torreia.
The boss of Hero-Lobato Shipbuilding Company, Lobato Anier.
The boss of The One Shipbuilding Company, Vas Tino.
The boss of Shadow Moon Shipbuilding Company, Sol Ming.
The boss of Delix Shipbuilding Company, D.X.
The boss of Precious Sail Shipbuilding Company, Kinster.
And the mayor of Water 7, Barbarov.
Aside from them, an empty seat held a Den Den Mushi that was fast asleep.
Seeing that everyone had finally arrived, Barbarov, as the host, raised his head slightly and spoke.
"It really wasn't easy. Ever since we went our separate ways twenty years ago, there haven't been many chances for all of us to gather like this."
In an instant, everyone's gaze turned toward Barbarov. The atmosphere grew heavy for a brief moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Gihahahaha… yeah. For twenty years, pretending every day that we're ready to kill each other. It's almost funny."
"At this point, I can barely tell whether we're friends or enemies anymore."
"Speaking of which, Caffrey, didn't you steal my business again recently?"
"Hihahaha. That's not my fault. Your company's craftsmen just aren't up to standard. They came to me on their own."
"Hey, even though Lord Umit ordered us not to kill each other, if you really piss me off, I'll still kill you."
"If you think you can, then try it. Lahahahaha."
As the argument threatened to escalate, Barbarov remained expressionless and spoke coldly.
"That's enough. Stop arguing. In front of fifty billion Belly, whatever grudges you have should be set aside."
This time, everyone really did calm down.
"Fifty billion Belly… that's a tempting number. But can we really get it? That's no ordinary pirate crew. Even a monster like Bullet couldn't take them down. Do we really stand a chance?"
"Exactly. And the Marines and the World Government have been acting strangely too. They know those people came here, yet they chose to keep their heads down. That's rare."
"Sol Ming, if you don't want to join, you're free to leave. But that fifty billion Belly will belong to us."
"Gihahaha… fifty billion Belly. Even if all seven major shipyards worked ourselves to death for years, we'd never earn that much."
"Making money's getting harder these days. Material prices keep soaring, and my transport ships have taken heavy losses from pirate raids lately."
"The Marines and the World Government are becoming more and more useless. But that's fine. Our era is about to begin…"
"Hihihihihihi…"
Just then, the Den Den Mushi that had been sleeping suddenly let out a puru puru sound.
Everyone in the room was startled, and the hall fell silent in an instant.
As the mayor, Barbarov carefully pressed the Den Den Mushi's answer button.
In the room, so quiet you could hear people breathing, a deep snoring sound suddenly echoed.
"Snore… snore… snore… oh… so everyone's finally here?!"
In an instant, everyone stood up, bowed toward the Den Den Mushi, and greeted it respectfully.
"It's been a long time, Lord Umit!!!"
"Snore snore… indeed. It's been twenty years since we changed from pirates into rulers of the underworld… you've all done very well…"
"You flatter us, Lord Umit. This is simply our duty."
"Alright, everyone, sit down. We don't have much time. With fifty billion Belly practically placed in front of us, there's no reason to hand it over to anyone else."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone returned to their seats.
"Unfortunately, I'm currently in the New World. The Red Line is in my way, so I can't rush over quickly. But that obstacle works both ways. While it blocks me, it blocks others as well. Barbarov, report what you know."
"Yes, Lord Umit."
Barbarov stood up, bowed toward the Den Den Mushi, then turned to the other seven.
"Based on the intelligence we've gathered so far, our biggest competitors are the Germa Group, the Happo Navy, and the Loan Shark King."
"The Germa Group has long operated across the world as mercenaries. Their leader, Vinsmoke Judge, possesses power and technology that can't be underestimated. They're expected to be the first to reach Water 7."
"Next is the Happo Navy. Their leader, Chinjao, is a terrifying monster capable of fighting the Marine hero Garp. The violent pirate force they command is filled with experts. After receiving the news, they immediately set out from the New World and are also among the fastest."
"Lastly, there's the Loan Shark King, Feld. He won't be coming personally and isn't skilled in combat, but he has already hired extremely vicious individuals. We don't yet know who they are, but they're said to be monsters as well…"
"That's the extent of the intelligence, Lord Umit!!!"
After finishing, Barbarov looked around the room.
It was obvious that all seven bosses were shaken by such a terrifying lineup.
With that level of force, not only could they wipe out a pirate crew, destroying Water 7 itself would be more than possible.
As if sensing their shock through the Den Den Mushi, Umit asked another question.
"Then what about our own strength…?"
"We've secured the cooperation of two groups that are very willing to work with us. One is the Accino Family, flag hunters who've recently risen to fame on the Grand Line. The other is the treasure hunter Mad Treasure. Judging by the timing, they should be arriving soon…"
"Is that all? That sounds a bit weak!!!"
Compared to the three major forces mentioned earlier, which were already well-known throughout the world, the two groups Barbarov named did seem unimpressive.
Just then, gunfire erupted outside, accompanied by terrified screams.
"Mon… monsters…"
"Run! We're going to melt!"
"Ah—"
Everyone in the room was startled. Before they could even react, the temperature in the air surged upward. A figure radiating heat and blinding light like the sun itself walked in.
"I think I just heard someone looking down on us…"