Six days before the public execution of Portgas D. Ace, the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Holy Land, Mariejois.
Nagato sat in the lounge specially arranged for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, passing the time by reading various newspapers.
Responding promptly to the summons, Nagato had immediately set out from the Sabaody Archipelago, where he had dealt a heavy blow to the Supernova Pirates. Three days ago, he arrived in Mariejois, always being the most proactive among the Seven Warlords, to the extent that the World Government and the Navy regarded him as a model Warlord.
The Five Elders and Sengoku found this understandable, as his active participation was part of the agreed terms.
However, only Nagato knew the real reason for his actions — waiting for Kuma and deceiving the World Government.
Apart from a huge dining table designed to accommodate some of the larger Warlords, the room was equipped with sofas, lounge chairs, coffee tables, and various other furnishings. Additionally, several elite Vice Admirals were stationed inside, while Marines guarded the exterior and the surrounding building, all to keep a close watch on the Seven Warlords.
After all, though nominally subordinate to the World Government, neither the government nor the Navy trusted these exceptionally powerful and rebellious pirates.
“Nagato-sama, your rise from appearing out of nowhere to becoming the King of Dressrosa and a Warlord of the Sea has been unbelievably swift,” said Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Navy’s chief strategist and one of the senior veterans, breaking the silence.
“Is that so?” Nagato lifted his gaze from the newspaper to look at Tsuru. “You seem to know a lot about me, Vice Admiral Tsuru.”
Tsuru’s lips twitched as if she wanted to smile but didn’t, and said, “I recognized you from the Golden Incident at Water 7. Who could have predicted that you would soon recruit the criminals from Enies Lobby, the former CP9, and then effortlessly defeat Doflamingo, taking over Dressrosa.”
Though Tsuru addressed Nagato respectfully, her words were full of the strange points since his emergence.
Uninterested in Tsuru’s probing, Nagato deflected, saying, “Effortlessly? You’re overestimating me, Vice Admiral Tsuru.”
“I think the government and the Navy have underestimated you,” Tsuru continued. “So, could you tell an old veteran like me about your past? We know nothing about you before Water 7, and the Navy would very much like to understand you better.”
“This routine might work on other Warlords, soldier,” Nagato dismissed her inquiry and returned to his newspaper.
Nagato calling Tsuru a soldier despite her prestigious rank was clearly a snub, but she showed no anger or defiance, instead closing her eyes to feign sleep.
“Bang!”
Their conversation ended abruptly as the room’s door was pushed open, and Vice Admiral Onigumo walked in, followed by five others. He had just returned with the new Warlord who replaced Crocodile, Blackbeard!
The five people were “Blackbeard” Marshall D. Teach, “Demon Sheriff” Lafitte, “Supersonic” Van Augur, “Fighting Champion” Jesus Burgess, and “Death God” Doc Q.
Recognizing their status, Blackbeard’s crew quietly moved to a separate small round table designated for them while Blackbeard himself approached Nagato with a broad smile.
“Zehahaha! So you’re the new Warlord who took down Doflamingo, ‘Six Paths’ Nagato!” Blackbeard laughed, sitting a seat away from Nagato.
Nagato looked up from his newspaper, nodded at Blackbeard, and said, “Teach, I’ve heard of you too. This summon was because of you.”
Blackbeard grabbed a large rib from the table, tearing into it, and laughed, “Zehahaha! You’re too kind, King of Dressrosa. Saying that I caused the summon is an exaggeration, hahaha!”
Before Nagato could respond, Blackbeard continued, “We’re both newcomers among the Warlords. Getting to know each other could be beneficial, zehahaha!”
“We’d prefer not to see the King of Dressrosa mingling too closely with pirates,” Tsuru interjected before Nagato could answer.
Blackbeard, who had been devouring his food, looked up and saw Tsuru, replying with a grin, “Don’t be so harsh, Vice Admiral Tsuru. We both follow the government’s orders as Warlords.”
“Let’s hope so,” Tsuru said indifferently, choosing not to continue.
Since Nagato and Blackbeard had both performed their duties well since becoming Warlords and were the first to arrive at the summons, Tsuru had little to criticize. Despite their outward compliance, both Nagato and Blackbeard harbored their own schemes.
Nagato knew Blackbeard’s plans, and Blackbeard, while feasting, inwardly mocked Nagato’s seemingly obedient demeanor, thinking, “If this guy is also plotting something, the government and Navy are in for a treat!”
“Bang!”
The door opened again, and Kuma entered alone. Being aware of Kuma’s modifications by Vegapunk and his status as a government experiment, Nagato wasn’t surprised to see him without a Vice Admiral escort.
Blackbeard, possibly knowing something about Kuma’s condition, didn’t greet him either.
Kuma sat beside Nagato without eating, drinking, or moving. Nagato glanced at him but didn’t find any signs of interaction or intention to communicate, as if he had truly become a robot. Thus, Nagato didn’t initiate a conversation.
This wasn’t the place for talks, and Nagato wasn’t in a hurry, planning to contact Dragon after the war.
Shortly after, the door opened again, and Mihawk and Moria entered together, escorted by two Vice Admirals.
Moria, injured from his fight with the Straw Hat Pirates, was bandaged and visibly grumpy. He sat down without a word.
Mihawk, as usual, was aloof, taking a seat at the far end, propping his legs on the table, and closing his eyes.
While Blackbeard taunted Moria, Nagato only greeted Mihawk, saying, “Mihawk, I’ve long admired your reputation.”
Mihawk opened his eyes, nodded, and replied, “Likewise, King of Dressrosa.”
With that, Mihawk resumed his silence, and Nagato didn’t continue the conversation.
On the other hand, Moria, angered by Blackbeard’s taunts, retorted, “What did you say, kid? Be careful, newbie Warlord!”
Blackbeard, despite his previous boldness, backed down, laughing loudly before falling silent.
Thus, the Seven Warlords, recognized by the World Government as a formidable force comparable to a nation’s military, were almost all present, except for “Knight of the Sea” Jinbe, imprisoned in Impel Down, and “Empress” Boa Hancock, who hadn’t yet accepted the summon.
The only difference from the original trajectory was that “Heavenly Yaksha” Doflamingo was replaced by “Six Paths” Nagato.
However, one thing remained unchanged — the Warlords would never fully obey the government’s orders to unite against a common enemy.
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