He wasn't wrong in saying that.
After all, countless pirates needed to dock at Water 7 to have their ships repaired or refitted.
Whoever controlled the city held the lifeline of the pirate world.
"I just feel... it's not that simple," Kizaru murmured thoughtfully.
Being a cunning and shrewd old-timer, he had sensed something was off from the very beginning.
El's goals didn't seem as straightforward as they appeared.
"What else could it be? Do you think he wants to control the construction of our warships too?" Aokiji retorted.
The Marines had their own exclusive shipyards. While the companies in Water 7 did some work for them, it never interfered with major operations.
The others agreed with Aokiji and Akainu.
In their view, El's main motive was to gain leverage over other pirates.
It wouldn't actually affect the Marines all that much.
"Very well then. In that case, we'll agree to his terms," Sengoku decided.
"But of course, we won't just hand things over freely. I believe giving him two territories is the absolute limit. What do you all think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Even Garp looked up and spoke up. "Giving him two islands is already pushing it too far! If he demands more, we'll have no choice but to fight it out!"
As he spoke, a heavy, murderous aura radiated outward.
With Garp having made his stance clear, everyone returned to the round table.
The negotiations resumed.
"Alright then," El said, looking at the returning Marines.
"You've been whispering back and forth for ages. Did you finally come to a decision?"
The Marines looked grim.
"We can agree to give you Water 7," Sengoku said sternly.
"But there is one condition: once you take this territory, your demands end here. No more requests."
The meaning was clear — only two territories would be granted. That was it.
El nodded casually. "Agreed."
He accepted instantly and without hesitation.
The Marines were taken aback. They hadn't expected him to be so reasonable and compliant.
Of course El agreed.
Two territories might not sound like much, but in reality, they were enormous prizes.
Alabasta, needless to say, was a massive kingdom with vast land and resources.
And Water 7? Aside from controlling the entire shipbuilding and repair industry, it was a critical strategic hub.
The Sea Train network relied entirely on it. It was effectively the throat of the Grand Line.
With these places secured, El's true objectives were fully achieved.
And what's more — the Marines and the World Government had absolutely no idea why.
Later, they would come to bitterly regret losing these two vital locations.
Sitting back in his chair, El began planning for the future.
Meanwhile, back in Water 7...
The broadcast of the meeting had caused a massive uproar.
People everywhere were watching and exclaiming in shock.
The mayor of Water 7, and president of the Galley-La Company, Iceburg, sat watching the screen, deep in thought.
Several shipwrights came rushing over.
"President! Did you see the news?!"
Iceburg turned and nodded at them. "I saw it... Our city is going to become the territory of the great pirate El."
The shipwrights looked worried.
"Do you think life will be hard for us from now on?"
Iceburg didn't answer immediately.
He simply stared at El's image on the screen.
He had been present during the Summit War. He had seen El — a powerful pirate who had nonetheless saved many lives, including Monkey D. Luffy.
He knew that Luffy and his crew were good people. And surely, the man who saved Luffy couldn't be entirely evil... could he?
Just then, El's voice came from the screen.
"Let me add this: just like with Alabasta, I claim ownership of Water 7, but I will leave authority in place here. Professional matters will be handled by the professionals who know best."
It was as if he had heard exactly what Iceburg and the shipwrights were thinking.
Hearing those words, Iceburg and the others breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Did you hear that? He said he won't interfere with anything we do here!"
"Does that mean he won't mess with our shipbuilding work?"
"Of course not! Why would he even care about that?" the shipwrights joked.
But the person most affected was Iceburg.
As both mayor and company president, he held the highest authority in the city.
When El said he wouldn't interfere, he was essentially addressing him directly.
While Iceburg felt relieved, he also became deeply curious about El's true intentions.
If he truly didn't want to change anything or control the city's operations... why go to such lengths to claim Water 7 at all?
Back at the summit...
The Whitebeard Pirates and Marine representatives argued fiercely for a long time.
In the end, Whitebeard secured two territories as well.
One was the island near his homeland.
The other was the region surrounding Fish-Man Island.
Now, the territories of the Whitebeard Pirates and El's crew stood side by side.
Together, they formed an impenetrable defensive wall across the sea.
The Marines looked absolutely miserable.
This entire meeting had felt like being slowly but surely carved apart.
No one would be happy losing so much land and influence.
Suddenly, El seemed to remember something.
"Wait a moment!"
His voice made everyone freeze.
Sengoku glared at him. "You wouldn't dare go back on your word, would you?! We have already agreed to the terms!"
El shook his head. "I just forgot to mention one thing."
"The Kuja Pirates are sworn allies of the El Pirates. Amazon Lily falls under our sphere of influence as well."
He declared clearly: "Anyone foolish enough to try and invade it... will never return home alive."
As soon as El spoke those words, Sengoku's expression turned even uglier.
__________________
For more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.
"Schedule"
Monday - Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day
Saturday - Sunday - Off