Sea Calendar 1500.
This was the second year since the Great Pirate Era began, a year when the situation completely descended into turmoil.
Countless people surged toward the sea, and the number of pirates grew exponentially.
The Four Seas, the Grand Line, the New World—every stretch of ocean was filled with pirate flags.
And amidst this chaos, a new force was quietly rising.
The Volunteer Army founded by Monkey D. Dragon, after several years of development, had grown into a force that could not be ignored.
They traveled everywhere, rescuing oppressed people, overthrowing tyrannical rulers, and sowing seeds of freedom in every corner of the world.
And with the addition of a man named Bartholomew Kuma, the Volunteer Army officially changed its name to—
The Revolutionary Army.
...
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Pangaea Castle, Power Hall.
The Five Elders sat around a round table, each with a grave expression on their face.
Saint Saturn spoke first:
"The Volunteer Army founded by Dragon has officially changed its name to the Revolutionary Army. Its ambitions are self-evident."
Saint Nusjuro snorted coldly:
"That Marine traitor has truly brought us quite a lot of trouble."
Saint Warcury clasped his hands together on the round table:
"Due to Roger's influence, pirates have proliferated massively, and the Marines are severely lacking in manpower.
Admiral-in-Chief Sengoku has just sent a request, hoping to conduct a Worldwide Conscription."
Saint Peter raised his head, a gleam flashing in his eyes:
"It seems that the Seven Warlords of the Sea System we proposed earlier should also be implemented."
The other four looked at him: "Oh? Do you already have suitable candidates?"
Saint Peter took a stack of documents from beside him, pulled out three bounty posters, and placed them on the round table.
Three bounty posters, three names.
The first—Hawkeye Mihawk, bounty amount 6 billion Belly.
The second—Gecko Moria, bounty amount 320 million Belly.
The third—Crocodile, bounty amount 310 million Belly.
Saint Peter pointed at these three bounty posters and slowly said:
"One year ago, Hawkeye Mihawk challenged Raiver and suffered a crushing defeat.
Crocodile challenged Whitebeard and suffered a crushing defeat.
Gecko Moria encountered the Beasts Pirates in Wano Country, his entire crew wiped out, only he escaped alone.
These three are all new pirates who emerged after the Great Pirate Era began, with immense potential.
Moreover, they all have grievances with the Four Emperors—they are the most suitable candidates to become the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Saint Warcury nodded:
"Then it's settled. Send Cipher Pol Aigis Zero to contact them and convey the World Government's intentions."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
Four voices reached a consensus.
Saint Warcury added lastly:
"Additionally, permit Marine Headquarters to conduct the Worldwide Conscription. The manpower shortage must be resolved as quickly as possible."
...
Alabasta.
Since his crushing defeat against Whitebeard a year ago, Crocodile had been drifting around the New World, evading Marine pursuit.
Eventually, he arrived in this desert country.
Alabasta.
During his escape, he accidentally learned a secret—the royal family of the Kingdom of Alabasta held clues about the Ancient Weapon "Dark King."
"Damn Whitebeard..."
Crocodile clenched his cigar between his teeth, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes:
"Once I find the Ancient Weapon Dark King, the first shot will blow you to pieces!"
Moreover, he realized this desert was practically tailor-made as his battlefield.
As a Logia Type Sand-Sand Fruit user, in this endless desert, his combat power could be unleashed to its fullest.
"Alabasta is a World Government Affiliate Nation..."
He muttered to himself, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes:
"It seems plotting to obtain the secret of the Dark King will require careful, long-term planning."
Just then, two figures suddenly appeared before him.
White suits, white masks.
Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.
Crocodile instantly went on guard: "CP0? Are you here to arrest me?"
"Arresting Pirates is the Marines' task," the lead CP0 agent's voice was calm, devoid of any emotion:
"We have come to see Mr. Crocodile to convey the World Government's wish—to sincerely invite you to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Crocodile was stunned.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Legal Pirates recognized by the World Government. You can plunder legally, will not be bountied by the Marines, and need not worry about being pursued."
A sharp light flashed in Crocodile's eyes.
Legal plundering? No bounty? No pursuit?
Right now, he needed to lay low, develop, and accumulate strength.
The title of Warlord was the perfect protective umbrella.
"What do you say, Mr. Crocodile? This position is limited; the offer won't last."
After weighing the pros and cons, Crocodile decided to join this organization.
"No problem, I'll take this position!"
...
At the same time, in some unknown sea.
Gecko Moria sat on the ship's railing, the vast ocean beneath his feet, a ship full of coffins behind him.
Inside those coffins were the corpses he had brought from Wano Country—Ryūma's corpse, and the remains of other powerful figures from past generations.
But all his subordinates had died on that snowy plain.
"Kaido..."
He gritted his teeth, flames of hatred burning in his eyes.
Just then, a ship approached him.
The people on board wore white suits and white masks.
Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.
"Gecko Moria, the World Government sincerely invites you to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
Moria was stunned.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Legal Pirates recognized by the World Government. You can plunder legally and will not be bountied or pursued."
Moria remained silent for a long time.
He glanced at the coffins behind him, then at the white-clad figures before him.
Finally, he nodded.
"I'll join."
...
Not long after, news spread across the seas, shaking the world.
"The Seven Warlords of the Sea Established! Legal Pirates Recognized by the World Government!"
The front page of the newspaper bore the photos of three individuals—Hawkeye Mihawk, Gecko Moria, and Crocodile.
Below were their names and Bounty amounts, along with a striking headline:
"The World Government's First Collaboration with Pirates! They Will Join Forces with Marine Headquarters to Combat Other Pirates!"
The entire world was in an uproar.
"Has the World Government gone mad?! Actually allying with Pirates?!"
"Didn't you see the Warlords' duties? They're to fight against the Three Emperors of the New World and other Pirates!"
"The World Government wants to use force against force! Using Pirates to deal with Pirates!"
"Brilliant! This move is truly brilliant!"
For a time, everyone was abuzz with discussion.
Some supported it, believing it was a good method to deal with the increasingly rampant Pirates.
Others opposed it, arguing that allying with the World Government and Pirates was akin to destroying one's own defenses.
But regardless, the Seven Warlords of the Sea System was born just like that.
Meanwhile, in the North Blue, on a certain sea.
Aboard the flagship of the Donquixote Pirate Crew, Doflamingo sat on his throne, holding that newspaper in his hand.
His gaze swept over the three names—Mihawk, Moria, Crocodile.
All were Supernovas of equal fame to him.
All were individuals who had made a name for themselves alongside him after the dawn of the Great Pirate Era.
But now, all three of them had become Seven Warlords of the Sea.
And he had not received an invitation.
"Fufufufu..."
Doflamingo laughed, a twisted, chilling smile on his face:
"I'm not on this list? Ignored by the Five Elders?"
He crumpled the newspaper into a ball and threw it to the floor.
"You're forcing my hand."
As a Supernova of equal standing to those three, while the others had been invited to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he alone had received no invitation.
This was a massive blow to his pride.
Moreover, joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea would bring him numerous benefits for his future plans—at the very least, he wouldn't have to keep running from that old woman Tsuru day after day.
He needed leverage.
Leverage that would force the Five Elders to bow their heads.
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