Translator: PapaSmurf0700
In the grand meeting hall of the World Government, an unexpected voice caught everyone's attention. As Laffitte introduced himself, Vice-Admiral Tsuru, who had a long history of pursuing Doflamingo across the West Blue, recognized him instantly. "Laffitte? Isn't he the brutal sheriff from West Blue who was expelled for his excessive use of force?" she questioned, her voice laced with disbelief.
Laffitte, a striking figure with his pale complexion, black top hat, and red wooden cane, remained composed. "Oh? Someone actually recognizes me? How terrifying," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm yet maintaining an air of elegance.
Sengoku, sensing the gravity of the situation, fixed his gaze on the uninvited guest. "What is your purpose here, Laffitte?" he demanded, his tone stern. The air in the room grew tense as everyone awaited Laffitte's response.
In the silence of the headquarters, where every move was calculated, Laffitte's presence was a clear sign he had a deliberate reason for his intrusion. "This meeting must be concerning the recent events in Alabasta," Laffitte began, confirming the suspicions of many in the room. "With the Desert King Crocodile now detained, I presume the discussion is about his replacement among the Shichibukai?"
With a graceful gesture, Laffitte removed his hat and continued, "Indeed, I have come here to propose a candidate for the new Warlord of the Sea."
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In the far reaches of the Grand Line, aboard the mighty Moby Dick, Edward Newgate—known widely as Whitebeard and revered as the world's strongest man—was engaged in a curious interaction. Holding a letter in his massive hands, he bellowed with a hearty laugh, "Gu la la la la, is this letter from that boy Shanks?"
Standing before him, a pirate named Rockstar, who has a red liberty-spikes-like hairstyle and a bounty of 94 million Bellys, confirmed, "That's right, it seems to be quite important, so our boss sent me personally to deliver it." Despite his relatively modest bounty, Rockstar showed no sign of intimidation before the legendary Whitebeard, his confidence bolstered by his own captain's status as one of the Four Emperors—the Red Hair Shanks.
Whitebeard, unfazed by the young pirate's bold demeanor, responded with a jovial, "Really? You've gone to a lot of trouble, goo la la la," and raised his wine barrel for a few hearty sips.
This action drew the ire of Tate, the vigilant nurse at his side. "Hey, Captain, the doctor says you can't drink anymore," she chided. But Whitebeard retorted dismissively, "Bastard talk!" and proudly hoisted the barrel, proclaiming, "Drinking what you want, how can it damage your body?" Despite being hooked up to medical equipment and an oxygen tube, his formidable aura was undiminished.
At that moment, Whitebeard's gaze fixed sharply on Rockstar. The sudden intensity of his presence made the rookie pirate momentarily breathless, realizing the gravitas of the figure before him.
Without any intent to truly intimidate, Whitebeard nonchalantly crumbled the unopened letter in his hand into dust, prompting an incredulous reaction from Rockstar. "What?!!" he exclaimed. "Did I not make it clear? My boss is Red Hair!"
Whitebeard's powerful aura surged as he retorted, "I'm Whitebeard!!" He stared down at Rockstar, his voice thundering as he declared, "Send your captain to deliver a letter to this old man, Shanks that brat... When did he become such an important big shot!"
His tone grew stern as he continued, "Go back and tell Shanks, if he has something to say to this old man, come and meet me with good wine!" He then dismissed Rockstar with a wave of his hand, "If you understand, just get off the old man's boat!!"
Rockstar stumbled off the ship, shaken by the encounter, as Whitebeard's booming laugh echoed across the sea.
After Rockstar completed his mission, he quickly dialed his captain on the Den Den Mushi, relaying everything that transpired with Whitebeard. Listening to the details, Shanks couldn't help but burst into laughter, clearly amused rather than offended by Whitebeard's dismissive response: "Hahahahaha, that old man really hasn't changed at all!" His voice was filled with nostalgia and a bit of admiration. "However, I had already anticipated this outcome. Thank you for your hard work, Rockstar. Return as soon as you can."
After the brief exchange, Shanks ended the call, turning his attention back to his crew. Lucky Roux, munching on a massive piece of ham, asked curiously, "What's the plan, boss?" His face was smeared with grease, but his eyes were keen on his captain's response.
Shanks stood up, determination clear in his expression, "Get ready, we're setting sail."
The crew, always quick to respond, chorused, "Yes, captain!" Their voices mixed with the sounds of the ship as they began preparations.
However, amidst the bustling activity, Ben Beckman, the tactician and vice-captain of the Red Hair Pirates, voiced a concern while puffing on a cigarette and holding a glass of wine in his hand, "Do you think the World Government will just sit back, Shanks?" His tone was serious, underlining the potential dangers of their next move.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Shanks replied with a confident smile, not allowing the weight of potential consequences to dampen his spirits. "At this point, I can't afford to worry about that," he said. His three scars seemed to deepen with his serious tone, "Of course, I know the World Government won't just stand by. But if they dare to stop me, I won't hold back."
This declaration solidified the resolve of everyone on board. Shanks's presence commanded respect not just as a captain but as one of the formidable Four Emperors.
"Crew, prepare to sail!" Shanks commanded, his voice carrying over the waves.
Beckman, recognizing the finality in his captain's decision, simply nodded, "In that case, let's set sail." He extinguished his cigarette, stepping forward to oversee the preparations.
Shanks then turned, his gaze fixed towards the horizon, his thoughts unknown, "After all, this is about that man."
-----
In the high-stakes meeting room of the World Government, tension was palpable as names were discussed for the coveted position of Shichibukai. When Laffitte suggested the name "Marshall D. Teach," he observed the reactions of those present. Sengoku, the seasoned fleet admiral, stroked his chin thoughtfully. The mention of a "D." in the middle of Teach's name briefly piqued his interest—a detail never to be overlooked in their world. Yet, as he sifted through his vast knowledge of pirates, no significant deeds or infamy attached to Teach came to mind.
Looking squarely at Laffitte, Sengoku responded with a tone of finality, "The little-known pirates are not qualified to become Shichibukai." His words echoed around the room, a clear reminder of the criteria for the role. Shichibukai weren't just strong; they needed a reputation that preceded them, a notoriety that could instill fear or respect—or ideally, both—among the pirate community and beyond.
This was exemplified by the likes of Clown Buggy, whose ascension to Shichibukai status had raised many eyebrows. While some might argue that Buggy's combat prowess didn't quite match the fearsome reputation of his peers, his fame and influence were undeniable, securing his place among the Shichibukai.
Laffitte, maintaining his composure and characteristic grace, didn't show any signs of disappointment. His confident demeanor suggested that he had expected this response.