In Dressrosa, Doflamingo had just received a call from Sabaody Archipelago.
Disco, the owner of the Human Auctioning House, was complaining tearfully about his misfortune to Doflamingo. But instead of sympathizing, Doflamingo burst into laughter.
“Fuffuffuffu….”
“This isn’t funny! Isn’t this your business?! Mr. Doflamingo, where are you?”
“The auction house’s reputation is ruined, and now we’re tangled up with the Rosward family. They’re definitely going to come after us! Hurry up and take care of this!”
“Fuffuffuffu, you idiot. The human auction trade is outdated! Trends have moved on. Some people don’t like this kind of business anymore, so I’ve lost interest in it.”
“Disco, this shop is yours now. Don’t call me again.”
“What?! You’re abandoning me during a crisis like this?!”
“Shut up! You annoying b*stard. While you’re busy blaming your misfortune on me, the new era has already arrived. Disco-chan, I—no, we—have already been forced to gather by Marine Headquarters.”
“Marine Headquarters + the Shichibukai vs. the Whitebeard Pirates—what do you think of this future, Disco? Fuffuffuffu…”
Doflamingo laughed as he hung up on Disco. Human trafficking had once been a major part of his business, but ever since he established connections with the Beasts Pirates, he had grown increasingly disinterested in it—especially since the upper ranks of the Beasts Pirates seemed to despise such business.
To gain favor with the Beasts Pirates, Doflamingo had sold off most of the slave traders to Olga. This was also why Olga was later able to accurately predict their movements and bait them.
This business wasn’t entirely abandoned, but only because it still held some minor value. Now that it had become a major liability, Doflamingo was more than happy to wash his hands of it completely.
On the beach of Dressrosa, Doflamingo lounged in vacation attire, sipping an iced fruit juice as he gazed leisurely out at the sea, as if imagining what the future of the seas would look like.
“Doffy, the Marines have been waiting for two days now.”
Trebol approached Doflamingo from behind, reporting on the nearby Marine activity.
“I know. There are still nine days until the war starts, right? Tell them I’ll set out in a couple of days. Oh, and send a report on the war situation to the Beasts Pirates. That monster wouldn’t pass up an opportunity like this.”
“The future era is becoming more and more interesting. Fuffuffuffu.”
“Understood, Doffy.”
…..
At nearly the same time, in the waters of Amazon Lily, a Marine warship had already anchored within the Calm Belt. A corpse of a Sea King floated on the surface, and Momonga was leading his soldiers to negotiate with the Kuja Pirates.
“Daring to stop in these waters… you must have quite the nerve.”
“Although the ship has new technology, staying here too long will still get us discovered. But there’s no other choice. According to the agreement between Kuja and the World Government, we’re not allowed to come within three kilometers of Amazon Lily’s shores.”
“Because of that, we can only wait in the middle of the Calm Belt.”
“But I can’t wait any longer. I am Vice Admiral Momonga from Marine Headquarters! Shichibukai, Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock! Come out immediately! The Marines have come to escort you!”
Momonga stood on the side cannon platform of the warship, delivering the order from the Marines.
But Hancock did not come out at all. Instead, he only heard the hushed whispers of the Kuja women.
【It’s been so long since we’ve seen a living man.】
【Yeah, usually, men on the outside just run away when they see us. But these Marines seem somewhat capable—they even killed such a massive Sea King.】
【Still, they’re nothing compared to the Snake Princess.】
“Even though you agreed to the summons, you’ve made no moves to comply.”
“This forced Shichibukai summons is a direct order from the World Government. If you refuse, then the previous agreement will be nullified, and your title as a Shichibukai will be revoked.”
“Think carefully about what that means. Without this title, you won’t be able to act freely under the World Government’s banner anymore. Do you hear me, Boa Hancock?!”
“Are you… threatening me? As compensation, I want all the goods on your ship. Can you do that?”
“What nonsense! Who would agree to such a ridiculous demand?! Do you think you’re a child?!”
Hearing Hancock’s words, Momonga’s anger from being ignored for several days was about to explode, but the actions of his soldiers immediately humiliated him.
“We can!”
“Hurry! Move all the goods out! Give everything to her!”
“You ba*tards! Stop this at once!”
The soldiers, with hearts in their eyes, could no longer control themselves. Even with Momonga’s attempts to restrain them, they couldn’t help but look towards Hancock. It was precisely at this moment that a pink wave of light enveloped the entire warship, turning everyone except Momonga into stone.
“I accept your summons. I will set out tomorrow.”
“Then what the hell is this?!”
“I didn’t like the way they looked at me. I’ll undo their petrification when we depart.”
Leaving Momonga stranded alone in the Calm Belt, Hancock returned to Kuja and made a call to Olga.
“Sister Olga, have you received news of the war? I’ve already agreed to the summons and will be appearing on the battlefield. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me~”
……
On New Fishman Island, Jinbe made a different choice. He did not refuse the summons but instead accepted the Marine’s order—because this was all according to Tiger’s wishes.
“Boss Tai.”
“Jinbe, this isn’t something you can stop. The Fish-Men finally have another safe territory. Refusing their summons wouldn’t benefit us in any way.”
“And even if you want to do something, you’ll only have a chance once you reach Marineford.”
Tiger put down the Rotom Phone in his hand, having just finished sending intelligence.
Unlike Jinbe, he respected Whitebeard, but that was the extent of it. He had no intention of betting everything on Whitebeard. Even Jinbe’s respect for Whitebeard had been partly divided by the Beasts Pirates.
On the surface, Fishman Island’s protection came from Whitebeard, but in reality, its benefits came from the Beasts Pirates. He was well aware of that.
“Alright, unexpected things might happen. Adapt to the situation as it unfolds. If nothing happens, there’s no need to risk your life for others.”
“I understand, Boss Tai. During this time, I’ll be counting on you to look after Fishman Island.”
“This is my duty, isn’t it? No matter what, I am a Fish-Man too.”
……
Doflamingo, Jinbe, and Hancock—news from these three Shichibukai almost simultaneously arrived at the meeting room in Wano Country. And within that room, Kaido’s face was filled with unconcealed excitement.
“Everyone, war… is coming!”
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