Bringing up this particular pirate crew, the Five Elders all wore different expressions.
Lately, intelligence reports about this crew had been flooding in non-stop.
The Phantom Pirates were proving to be even more active—and problematic—than Roger's crew back in the day.
"I hear Figarland recently recruited a new batch of God's Knights... formed some sort of 'Zodiac Knights' squad?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn brought it up, seemingly pivoting to an unrelated topic.
"Word is they have ties to the Phantom Pirates. They escaped from that colossal ship of theirs, possessing some rather bizarre abilities," Topman Warcury replied. "They brought us quite a bit of intel on that crew."
"Hmph. Playing petty, boring tricks," Saturn scoffed, his face twisting in displeasure. It was hard to tell if his disgust was aimed at this new squad or at Figarland himself.
"So, where do we stand on the intelligence gathered against this crew?"
"Aside from the Kakin Empire and all that futuristic tech..." Topman interjected. "Teach has delivered the most recent intel."
"He claims this group possesses some unknown method to strip away Devil Fruit abilities and claim them as their own."
"Crocodile's Sand-Sand Fruit power has allegedly appeared on a Phantom Troupe member named Machi."
"Furthermore, Teach asserts that their massive ship flying through the sky might not have anything to do with future tech at all. It's highly probable they hunted down 'Golden Lion' Shiki and stole his power."
The contempt on Saturn's face immediately vanished, replaced by a dark, heavy scowl.
"They've consecutively liberated three entire nations... Rumors are already spreading that they've inherited the Drums of Liberation. It might be tied to the Will of D," Topman continued.
Saturn's scowl deepened even further.
"In fact, our investigations suggest this crew's existence... might even be connected to the Revolutionary Army!"
"The Revolutionaries' recent movements are entirely different from their usual tactics. They seem to have abandoned direct confrontation with the Navy. Instead, they've gone completely underground, secretly building their forces... and awakening the minds of the masses."
"Operating like this... the Revolutionary Army is a far greater threat to us than ever before."
With every word Topman spoke, Saturn's expression grew increasingly grim.
But it was Topman's final sentence that made all Five Elders change their expressions in unison.
"And Nico Robin, the Demon Child of Ohara, is on their ship. Intel even suggests... it's highly likely they have already secured the contents of two Poneglyphs."
"And... they fully intend to keep looking for more."
"!!!"
"Hmph," Saturn sneered coldly. "This so-called Will of D... truly a stubborn nuisance that refuses to die."
"The history of the Void Century absolutely cannot be uncovered by anyone."
"Moreover, a power capable of stealing Devil Fruits for personal use cannot be allowed to exist. If we let them grow, they will become a genuine threat to the World Government's rule."
Topman stated flatly, "Then there is only one path forward."
The Elders exchanged glances before slowly speaking the words.
"Buster Call."
"Approved."
"Approved."
"Approved."
The five reached a unanimous verdict.
"Initiate a maximum-level Buster Call," Saturn ordered coldly. "Notify Cipher Pol. Keep a constant watch on these thieves. The moment they make landfall on any island, trigger the Buster Call and annihilate them!"
Saturn's bulky frame slowly moved toward a Golden Transponder Snail. He picked it up and dialed.
---
At that exact moment, on the first floor of Pangu Castle, the Silver Transponder Snail sitting in front of Fleet Admiral Sengoku began to ring.
Sengoku's usually unshakable composure cracked. Shock flashed across his face as he slowly raised his hand to answer it.
"Saint Jaygarcia."
"Sengoku. We have approved Blackbeard's appointment as a Warlord. Dispatch him immediately, alongside Cipher Pol, to escort Ace into Impel Down."
"Understood."
"Furthermore... given the identity of the prisoner, Portgas D. Ace, we have decided to schedule his public execution in three months' time."
"We will use this to legitimize the absolute authority of the World Government and bring an end to the Great Pirate Era."
"The Navy must be fully prepared. Recall all combat assets to counter the inevitable assault from the Whitebeard Pirates. This will be the first true clash between the Navy and an Emperor's crew. Do not disappoint us."
On his end of the line, Sengoku looked absolutely stunned. He knew better than anyone that publicly executing Ace meant provoking that man—the Strongest Man in the World.
He could already foresee the apocalyptic storm this decision would unleash.
Yet, he was a soldier. And a soldier's absolute duty was to follow orders.
Besides...
Ending the Great Pirate Era during his tenure as Fleet Admiral would be a monumental, legendary achievement on his record!
"Yes, sir."
"There is one final matter," Saturn's voice echoed through the receiver, dead and flat, as if nothing in the world could actually stir his interest.
But his next words made Sengoku—a man who had spent decades cultivating a stoic, unflappable demeanor—let out an involuntary gasp.
"Have Marine bases everywhere keep a constant watch on the Phantom Pirates. Order Commodore Smoker to continue tracking their position. The moment they are confirmed to have landed on any island..."
"...Immediately initiate a maximum-level Buster Call! Dispatch Sakazuki and five Vice Admirals. You must annihilate these enemies completely."
Sengoku's ears were ringing. He didn't even realize how he hung up the phone, nor did he know just how badly his expression had slipped.
A maximum-level Buster Call, led personally by a Marine Admiral...
Just how many years had it been since they invoked something like that?
And this wasn't just about erasing the Phantom Pirates. "Maximum-level" meant...
No matter which island this crew landed on next, both the Phantom Pirates and the very earth beneath their feet would be wiped from the world map, reduced to nothing more than history.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku... Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
Vice Admiral Yamakaji's voice pulled Sengoku back to reality.
Teach wore a probing expression. He was incredibly curious. Just what the hell did the Fleet Admiral—a man standing at the absolute pinnacle of power—hear to make him pull a face like that?
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, how are things looking regarding my appointment?"
Sengoku composed himself, his voice returning to a steady, authoritative tone. "Your appointment has been approved, Marshall D. Teach. As of today, you are an official member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"We have also agreed to your request. Effective immediately, you will accompany Cipher Pol to oversee Ace's transport to Impel Down."
Teach slammed both hands on the table and stood up, a feral, excited grin splitting his face. "Now that's what I like to hear—!"
His eyes then narrowed slightly. "Sengoku, I thought I heard something about the Phantom Pirates just now..."
"That does not concern you," Sengoku cut him off coldly.
Teach threw his hands up in mock surrender and slowly backed away. He figured that, based on his intelligence report, the Navy would at least skyrocket the Phantom Pirates' bounties.
But whatever. It wasn't his problem anymore.
He turned and walked out. His primary goal was achieved. He was going to use this trip to Impel Down to recruit the most vicious, bloodthirsty criminals in the world.
Only the true monsters locked in the absolute lowest depths... were worthy of joining his crew.
With them, his pirate crew would finally step onto the true stage.
And then... he would unleash his vengeance upon the entire world.