The Gorosei first summoned Sakazuki, while Doflamingo was escorted to a side hall.
As Sakazuki entered the hall, the burly Gorosei spoke:
“Did that fellow say anything along the way, Sakazuki?”
Sakazuki pondered for a moment:
“No.”
“Even under constant torture, he had no strength to speak.”
“His bones are quite stubborn.”
Sakazuki had met the Gorosei several times as his status rose, and he was somewhat familiar with them.
The burly Gorosei nodded:
“Is that so…”
The sword-wielding Gorosei next to him spoke:
“You’ve surely heard about Kong’s promotion to Commander-in-Chief of the Three Branches.”
“At that time, the Fleet Admiral will be chosen between you and Sengoku.”
“What are your thoughts on this?”
“We are rather fond of you.”
Sakazuki thought for a few seconds and shook his head:
“Becoming Fleet Admiral is not my goal.”
“My goal is to eradicate all the trash in this sea.”
“If I were Fleet Admiral, I would have to remain at Marine Headquarters.”
“I haven’t killed enough pirates yet.”
“This so-called Great Pirate Era must be brought to an end.”
The sword-wielding Gorosei nodded:
“If that is the case, then so be it.”
“The World Conference is imminent, you may return to Marine Headquarters to report.”
It was merely a symbolic inquiry. Although they favored Sakazuki, Sengoku was also a perfectly viable candidate. The only difference was that Sengoku lacked Sakazuki’s brutal and decisive methods.
Furthermore, Sakazuki’s age was not ideal. If they wished, they could expedite his promotion. After all, Sakazuki would be a very useful tool as Fleet Admiral.
However, if he didn’t want it, Sengoku was just as capable, simply not as sharp as Sakazuki.
Sakazuki nodded and slowly walked out.
Once Sakazuki had completely disappeared, several CP agents immediately escorted Doflamingo in.
After placing him down, they withdrew.
Doflamingo stretched his body.
Thump—
He lay on his back on the ground. The warm sunlight filtered through the glass, shining on him. A grin spread across his lips:
“Ufufufufufu~”
“It’s quite comfortable, much better than a prison.”
The curly-haired Gorosei glanced at Doflamingo and said:
“We meet again, boy from the Hominous family.”
“Do you think you can walk out this time?”
Doflamingo smiled knowingly:
“Why not…”
“After all, you wouldn’t want the world to know about the existence of that ‘national treasure’, would you…”
------
East Blue, Kingdom of Goa.
The tidy kingdom was adorned with festive decorations.
Within the immense city, golden ornaments hung everywhere, to welcome the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
The nobles residing within the inner city had long been waiting at the port.
Eager to catch a glimpse of the ‘true nobility’.
As a small black dot appeared on the horizon.
Boom, boom, boom—
Continuous fireworks erupted in the sky.
Even in broad daylight, the dense barrage of fireworks created a dazzling spectacle.
Countless people waved the World Government’s flag and cheered.
“The government ship has arrived!”
“That’s where the ‘true nobility’ are!”
“Celestial Dragons!”
“Ahhhh!”
On the World Government’s luxurious vessel,
A fat Celestial Dragon impatiently watched the distant crowd.
“Are these lowly peasants welcoming us?”
A nearby CP agent respectfully replied:
“Yes.”
The fat Celestial Dragon looked down on the crowd with disdain:
“How troublesome.”
“Maintain strict vigilance against these low-class peasants.”
“There might be some disrespectful individuals.”
The nearby CP agent replied respectfully:
“Yes!”
------
Night.
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
A young green-haired urchin was exercising, lifting several boulders much larger than himself.
By the nearby railings, several other disciples from the dojo watched.
A few children gazed in awe at the massive ship, everything on it was so novel.
“Did you guys see that person with the super big face during the day?”
“Mhm! I’ve never seen anyone like that before!”
“Look! There are children on that ship as big as us!”
“Huh! Really!”
“What are they holding? A sword?”
“No! It looks like…”
“A pipe!”
Meanwhile, the green-haired urchin was immersed in his own world, lifting the boulders:
“580… 581… 582…”
-----
On the Revolutionary Army’s grand ship at Shimotsuki Village port.
Ivankov was feeling bored until a gentle breeze blew, rousing him:
“You’re really slow, Dragon!”
Seeing Dragon, who had returned to human form, Ivankov called out:
“How long do you expect me to wait!”
“Honestly… where did you wander off to?”
Dragon walked over:
“Sorry.”
“I went to attend the welcome ceremony for the World Nobles.”
Ivankov looked utterly bewildered:
“Huh?”
“You went to a place like that without me!”
“Why didn’t you bring me along!”
Dragon looked up at him, then shook his head:
“No… you’re too conspicuous.”
He walked to the ship’s railing, looking in the direction of the Kingdom of Goa:
“We must quickly gather our strength.”
“And prepare for the next World Conference.”
He turned to the helmsman:
“Are the supplies replenished?”
The helmsman came out to answer:
“Yes, completed.”
“The dojo in the village gave us some food.”
Dragon nodded:
“Is that so…”
“Prepare to set sail, return to Baltigo.”
-------
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the Fleet Admiral’s office, Kong rubbed his temples with a headache:
“This is troublesome, every time this period comes around.”
“Countless pirates emerge.”
“What is the latest situation?”
A clerk, holding documents, reported:
“There are no issues at present.”
“As of 10 AM, over thirty pirate crews attempting to kidnap various royal families have been repelled.”
“All were driven away before they could reach the ships.”
Kong nodded:
“Inform the patrol units not to relax for a moment.”
“This concerns the prestige of the World Government and the Marines; even if we die, we cannot let the pirates succeed.”
The clerk saluted crisply:
“Yes!”
He turned and went to relay the order.
Sakazuki walked in from outside:
“You’ve been working hard, Fleet Admiral.”
Kong smiled:
“You rascal, you’re finally back.”
“Where else would one run off for several years right after becoming an Admiral?”
Sakazuki chuckled softly:
“Can’t help it, there are too many pirates.”
“I can’t kill them fast enough.”
Kong shook his head:
“You…”
“By the way, I will soon be promoted and sent to Mary Geoise.”
“What are your thoughts on this?”
Sakazuki sighed:
“None… truly none…”
“It’s not just you who’s asked; the Gorosei have asked, and even some crooked generals have come to inquire…”
“As you know.”
“My ‘lifelong wish’ is to eliminate all pirates in the world.”