After Sakazuki finished speaking, both men fell into an awkward silence. It was a good plan, but they were short one person to watch the house. While the likelihood of Whitebeard and the others changing their plans to sneak-attack their base was slim, it was still a possibility. Neither Sakazuki nor Diarmuid was the type to gamble on such a risk.
To do so would be a sign of poor judgment. The Navy currently held such a massive advantage that they could essentially win by default. To suddenly take such a desperate risk, if not a sign of a problem, what was it? If things truly went south, it would be a total collapse. Having a perfect situation ruined by Diarmuid and Sakazuki would make them the greatest sinners in Marine history.
After a long silence, Sakazuki finally spoke. "Should we call for someone else?"
"Call who?" Diarmuid asked. After a short pause, he continued, "Everyone is currently at the meeting in Mariejois. It wouldn't be appropriate to pull anyone away now. If I'd known, I really would have brought Gion along..."
Sakazuki thought about it and agreed. Calling for more people would be like trickling reinforcements in one by one—it would only make things worse.
"True. And one might not even be enough," Sakazuki added after some thought.
Exactly. If they were actually hit by a base trade while Sakazuki and Diarmuid were away, even calling in one Admiral-level combatant likely wouldn't be enough to hold off the combined force of those three. To safely call for reinforcements from Mariejois, they would need to summon at least two Admiral-level fighters.
That was clearly not feasible.
"Yeah..." Diarmuid nodded.
Another silence followed. Suddenly, Sakazuki looked up at Diarmuid, a flicker of expectation in his eyes.
Diarmuid: "???"
"What are you doing?" Diarmuid asked hesitantly.
"Quick, such a great tactical plan is only missing one final step to close the loop. Aren't you, Diarmuid, known for being 'ever-calculating'? Think of a way to fill this hole so we can go take care of those pirate bastards," Sakazuki said.
"When the hell was I ever known for being 'ever-calculating'?" Diarmuid grumbled helplessly.
"You can be known for it starting now. As long as you come up with a solution, I, Sakazuki, am willing to call you 'Ever-Calculating'!" Sakazuki said seriously.
"Give it a rest. Do I need you to call me that?" Diarmuid rolled his eyes.
Hearing this, Sakazuki's expression fell slightly, and he asked tentatively, "Is there really no way? Do we really have to just keep waiting? Wait until Mariejois finishes dragging its feet before we start the war?"
In truth, Diarmuid's arrival in the New World to rendezvous with Sakazuki didn't have much to do with whether the war started or not. He had mostly just been bluffing Sakazuki because he didn't want to suffer in Mariejois any longer. Even if he had to wait a bit, it would soon be the year 1517; starting the war with the New World pirates then would be perfectly acceptable.
However, seeing Sakazuki's somewhat dejected and miserable expression, Diarmuid felt a twinge of guilt. After all, he was the one who had bluffed Sakazuki in the first place, giving him hope and then failing to follow through.
For a man like Sakazuki, his greatest pursuit since joining the Navy wasn't becoming Fleet Admiral, but rather the total eradication of those damned pirates. He was now just one step away from that goal; making him wait indefinitely was undoubtedly painful.
After being colleagues for so many years... Diarmuid eventually sighed. "Let me think..."
"Mm." Sakazuki nodded, no longer pressing him.
Diarmuid stood up with his teacup and walked to the window, looking out at the G-1 Marine Base under the night sky. It was truly magnificent and vast.
"The final battle, huh..." Diarmuid suddenly murmured softly.
At some point, Sakazuki had come to stand beside him, his eyes filled with a mix of sentiment and distant focus. Hearing Diarmuid's murmur, Sakazuki also said softly, "That's right. The final battle. Once this war is over, there won't be another major conflict for twenty years. In fifty years, the pirates might not even be able to form a significant presence again. We work for the present, but the benefit is for a thousand autumns..."
This was even Sakazuki speaking cautiously. He was only considering the deterrent of Marine power. If the new united organization being formed at Mariejois could be efficient and clean, perhaps even sparking a different kind of flame, the peace and stability brought by this war could last a century or two.
Within a century or two, the seas might never again see the rise of great pirates like Rocks, Roger, Shiki, or Whitebeard. As for ordinary pirates? Well, that went without saying. This world was made of islands and oceans. Whether it was Navy or pirates, they were eternal components of the sea. No one could truly eliminate the root of the "pirate" evil; it didn't exist, nor was it realistic.
"Yeah, after this war, the pirate issue won't be an issue for a while. Pirates..." Diarmuid's eyes suddenly lit up as if he'd thought of something.
Seeing Diarmuid stop mid-sentence, Sakazuki glanced over and asked with pleasant surprise, "You thought of something?"
"Mm!" Diarmuid grunted in response, then laughed loudly. "Lately, I've only been thinking about using our Marine forces. I almost forgot… we still have the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
Sakazuki blinked, then also began to laugh. "That's right! I forgot too!"
It was normal for Sakazuki to forget. He never paid much attention to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, only knowing that many of them were "their own people."
Looking at the current situation: Crocodile was dead. Bartholomew Kuma had been imprisoned in Impel Down not long ago, but since Dragon had successfully "gone legit," he had been pardoned and released. It was unknown if he would choose to return as the King of the Sorbet Kingdom or join the new united organization with Dragon.
That left five remaining Warlords. Aside from Mihawk, who was a true "tool," everyone else was one of their own!
Jinbe "Knight of the Sea," Smoker (one of the Yonko), Donquixote Doflamingo "Heavenly Yaksha," and Boa Hancock "Pirate Empress."
Doflamingo didn't need to be considered. He had only just left, and Diarmuid felt it was time for him to enjoy his life; after carrying his burden for so many years, there was no need to trouble him further.
That left Jinbe, Hancock, and Smoker, who could definitely be put to work. They were essentially Marines in pirate's clothing, each was a genuine Vice Admiral level fighter, and their strength was formidable.
Though Smoker couldn't compare to true Yonko powerhouses like Whitebeard, having risen through the ranks thanks to the Navy, he had been active in the pirate world for years and his strength was not poor. He was countless times stronger than in the original story! After all, in the original story, he was just idling in the East Blue, whereas here, he had been constantly operating in the "Hell Mode" that is the New World. Could they be the same? Otherwise, Diarmuid wouldn't be thinking of recommending him as an Admiral candidate once he returned.
Jinbe's strength required no explanation. In sea battles, very few could be his equal. With his Fish-Man Karate and Fish-Man Jujutsu combined with his powerful Haki, he could hold his own against a monster like Charlotte Linlin for a short time. With a home-field advantage, he might even be able to push back.
As for Hancock, while her strength always felt somewhat "vague," Diarmuid knew she was exceptionally strong. She was a genius-type combatant with incredible natural talent, raised in a country with a fierce warrior culture like Amazon Lily, and had spent years training within the Navy. Her educational environment was top-notch. She possessed Conqueror's Haki, was proficient in all three types of Haki, and her personal charm perfectly complemented her Devil Fruit ability.
If she weren't so low-key, and if her beauty hadn't to some extent masked and caused people to overlook her strength, she would certainly have had even better showings. In the original story's fight against Douglas Bullet, Hancock demonstrated powerful dominance and pressure. It seemed her combat power was directly proportional to the severity of Luffy's injuries. But thinking carefully, one realizes it's just because the Empress usually doesn't fight at full strength. One wonders if Hancock had gone to Wano with Luffy, Kaido might already be dead... kicked to death.
To borrow a quote from Hancock: "We were able to become the Seven Warlords because our strength is great enough!" That was her confidence.
If Hancock, Jinbe, and Smoker were all summoned here, watching the house should be no problem at all.
When he shared these thoughts with Sakazuki, the latter also felt it was "brilliant." If it were someone like Doflamingo, who, while one of their own, didn't have a formal Navy identity, Sakazuki might have felt some rejection. But Jinbe, Smoker, and Hancock were all legitimate Marines. They all had professional experience and were simply sent out to "play" the role of pirates. They were on a mission. Sakazuki wouldn't look at them through colored glasses; he saw them as his own people. He trusted them completely.
Having reached an agreement with Sakazuki, Diarmuid took out his Den Den Mushi. After a moment's thought, he dialed Hancock's number. Although it was late at night, the Den Den Mushi was quickly picked up.
Hancock asked with a hint of excitement in her voice, "Admiral?"
"It's me," Diarmuid said with a smile.
"It really has been a long time since you contacted me. How is it? The matters at Mariejois have ended. Is it about time for the Seven Warlords to disband? Am I finally returning to the Navy?" Hancock asked.
Despite being the Empress of Amazon Lily, she hadn't been a "real" Marine for a long time. Hancock truly missed it. She wanted to go back, put on that "Justice" greatcoat, and walk through the Marine Headquarters at Marineford with heroic flair.
"Ah... oh, about that... yes, it should be. Mariejois is currently discussing those matters. Barring any surprises, the Seven Warlords organization will definitely be disbanded within two years... You'll be able to come back then," Diarmuid said quickly.
Saying two years was actually being slow. Once the pirate problem in the New World was solved, the Seven Warlords organization would no longer be needed in the short term. Barring surprises, this would probably be the last time they were summoned as Warlords.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Hancock said happily. At the same time, Diarmuid seemed to hear some commotion on her end, as if people were cheering.
Not thinking much of it, Diarmuid shifted the topic. "By the way, there's something I need your help with."
Hearing this, Hancock immediately said, "Mission will be completed. Everything for Justice!"
That was undoubtedly the Navy's slogan. Sakazuki, listening from the side, let his smile grow even wider. See? As expected of our own Marine.
"Good. Where are you now? I need you to come to the New World at the highest speed..." Diarmuid said.
"Eh? I am already in the New World," Hancock said, startled. She had thought Diarmuid was in Mariejois.
Diarmuid was also a bit stunned. Hancock usually had the "homebody" trait; she rarely left Amazon Lily unless there was a reason. How did she suddenly end up in the New World?
"Where are you?" Diarmuid asked curiously.
"Smoor Tobacco City," Hancock answered directly.
Smoor Tobacco City? Isn't that Smoker's base?