And there was another thing.
Boa Hancock.
She was someone the Marines had explicitly ordered to be hunted down and captured.
Yet here she was, protected right under El's wing.
It was clear as day: El didn't take the Marines seriously at all.
Every Marine's gaze was fixed sharply on El.
Meanwhile, Boa Hancock walked with her chin held high, radiating pride and completely ignoring them.
Her demeanor practically shouted: "You want to come catch me? Go ahead and try!"
The Marines were furious, seething with rage... yet completely powerless to do anything.
For a moment, the atmosphere turned icy and silent.
Now, all three major factions had arrived.
Although El's group was the smallest in number, they were by far the strongest and most undeniable force present.
Everyone took their seats around the round table.
Then, the Red-Haired Pirates made their entrance.
The Red-Haired Pirates looked exactly as they always had.
They walked over and took their seats on the opposite side of the table. This was the place reserved for the Witness.
For a meeting of such magnitude, only a crew of their standing was worthy of bearing witness.
Now, sitting around this one table were no less than three of the Four Emperors, alongside the Marines.
The most powerful forces in the entire world were gathered in one spot.
Whatever they decided here would send shockwaves across every ocean and landmass.
Once everyone was seated, Fleet Admiral Sengoku spoke first.
"Boa Hancock... I am surprised to see you here completely unharmed."
Hancock lifted her head and replied coldly, "Of course I am. Do not underestimate the Kuja Pirates... and certainly not you pitiful Marines!"
El added leisurely, "Let me make this clear: the Kuja Pirates are now our allies. I hope that certain shortsighted individuals will weigh their own strength carefully before trying to make a move... understood?"
His words were a blatant, unmasked threat.
As soon as he spoke, the Marines' expressions turned incredibly ugly.
Is El trying to humiliate and intimidate us right to our faces?
In the distance, the watching crowds gasped loudly.
"I knew it! She really allied with El!"
"Otherwise, she'd be running and hiding from the Marines right now!"
"That's El for you! One simple alliance, and suddenly the Marines don't dare lift a finger! Incredible!"
Whitebeard burst into hearty laughter.
"Wahaha! Your orders are truly ridiculous! Abolish the Warlords, hunt them down...?"
"You don't even have anyone left capable of hunting them!"
And he was absolutely right.
The vast majority of the Warlords the Marines wanted to arrest were already standing right behind El as his subordinates!
Only two remained: Donquixote Doflamingo — of whom nothing had been heard recently.
And Bartholomew Kuma — who was already deeply connected to the Marines and never really needed chasing.
The Marines' grand order had turned into nothing more than a worthless piece of paper... a joke.
Sengoku slammed his hand onto the table and stood up. "Do not push us too far!"
At that moment, Shanks quickly stepped in to mediate.
If he didn't speak up now, they might very well start fighting all over again, turning the meeting grounds into a battlefield.
"Enough! Everyone, calm down!" Shanks said loudly. "We are here to talk today!"
He looked around. "Is everyone present? If so, let the conference officially begin."
"Wait just a moment!"
Admiral Akainu spoke suddenly.
"We... the Marines... are not fully assembled yet!"
With that signal, a message was sent out.
Immediately, from another large ship docked in the harbor, a large group descended onto the shore!
Leading them was a massive, towering figure — none other than Charlotte Linlin, Big Mom herself!
Behind her came her many children, all famous and powerful figures in their own right:
The Three Sweet Commanders — Charlotte Katakuri, Charlotte Cracker, Charlotte Smoothie, and Charlotte Snack.
The five of them walked slowly toward the round table.
Their arrival caused absolute pandemonium.
"What is this?! Why are the Big Mom Pirates here?!"
"Four Emperors are present now!"
"This is going to turn the whole world upside down!"
"Did the Marines ally with Big Mom?! Is the Summit War not over yet? Are they starting it all over again?!"
Countless spectators cried out in fear and panic.
Everyone believed this was simply the continuation of the Summit War.
After all, with so many powerful legends gathered in one place...
it would be stranger not to have a fight break out!
Meanwhile, the Marines finally wore smug, triumphant expressions.
They looked eagerly at Whitebeard's crew and El's group, hoping to see shock and confusion on their faces.
To their disappointment... there was none.
El and Whitebeard remained completely calm and composed.
News of this alliance was no secret or surprise to them.
Marco had already warned them beforehand.
So naturally, there was no shock to be seen.
The Marines were crestfallen.
"What is going on?! Why do they look so calm?!"
"Do they have some other backup plan we don't know about?!"
Akainu's heart raced with anxiety; cold sweat dripped down his back.
Big Mom's group reached the table and began greeting everyone casually.
"Yo! El! It's been a long time!"
Big Mom addressed El first.
"Indeed... nearly five years, hasn't it?" El replied calmly.
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