The war between the Beasts Pirates, Germa 66, and the Navy in the North Sea grew increasingly intense. A sense of unease spread across the world, with countless eyes fixed on the North Sea, waiting for an outcome.
For ordinary people, if the Navy won this battle, it would mean the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line would remain relatively safe. Conversely, if the Navy failed to defeat or expel the Beasts Pirates from the North Sea, it would signify that the Navy no longer held an absolute advantage over pirates from the New World. Seeing the Beasts Pirates' success, other New World pirates would become even more brazen, with many pirate crews likely to turn back from the perilous New World to the safer Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line.
Many pirates, who had once entered the New World with grand ambitions, found reality to be quite different. In the New World, they either had to join major forces as subordinates or become wandering pirates with nowhere to go, unable even to plunder islands protected by the New World's great pirates. Life was tough, filled with constant danger and uncertainty. It was only now that many pirate crews realized the Navy had deliberately allowed them easy passage from Sabaody to Fishman Island into the New World. For the Navy, pushing these dangerous elements into the New World was clearly beneficial for maintaining stability in the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line.
If the Navy truly wanted to block the route to the New World from Sabaody, it could do so easily given its proximity to the Marine Headquarters. Entering the New World was easy, but returning to the Four Seas or the first half of the Grand Line was much harder. All pirate crews that entered the New World were under Marine surveillance, and any attempt to return would result in being captured and sent to Impel Down.
Many pirate crews, realizing this, would prefer to return to the relative safety of the Four Seas if given the chance. Meanwhile, the common folk of the Four Seas had no desire to see Kaido gain a foothold in the North Sea. This was their most genuine hope. However, they could do nothing but wait for the outcome, highlighting the helplessness of the weak.
At the port of the Sistad Kingdom, after a brief meeting with the Shichibukai, Sengoku, Akainu, and Kizaru went to meet the King of the Sistad Kingdom, a member of the World Government. The necessary formalities had to be observed. The Shichibukai were left in the care of Vice Admiral Maynard, who, along with nearly a hundred fully armed marines, stood at attention on the shore, slightly nervous in the presence of the powerful pirates.
Facing the imposing aura of the Shichibukai, the marines felt a suffocating pressure. They suppressed their inner turmoil, knowing they were in the presence of the Shichibukai.
Maynard glanced at his tense subordinates before striding over to the Shichibukai.
"Thank you for your hard work, Shichibukai."
"Fufufu, spare us the pleasantries. Just lead the way," Doflamingo said, hands in his pockets, looking at Maynard with a laid-back demeanor.
Among them, Mihawk, uninterested, remained silent, as did Bartholomew Kuma, who mostly kept to himself. Crocodile, puffing on a cigar, had not even glanced at Maynard since Sengoku's departure.
Doflamingo knew that if he didn't speak, Maynard would likely waste time with unnecessary formalities.
Maynard, unfazed by Doflamingo's comment, calmly replied, "Then please follow me to the reception room for a brief rest. Sengoku will explain the reason for this Shichibukai gathering shortly."
After delivering this message, Maynard turned and led the way. Although individually he might not be able to defeat these pirates, he was backed by the most powerful military force at sea, the Navy, and would not be as easily intimidated as the regular soldiers.
Minutes later, Maynard brought Doflamingo and the other Shichibukai to the reception room door.
After completing his task of leading the way, Maynard clearly had no interest in staying with these notorious criminals. He briefly instructed the marines in charge of the reception room and then left.
Doflamingo kicked open the door to the reception room and swaggered in first. Inside, a round table was set with various fine wines and dishes, indicating that even the Navy would not dare to neglect these powerful individuals. Additionally, there was a sofa and a coffee table near the balcony.
Doflamingo glanced at the round table without making any moves, then turned his attention to the sofa by the balcony. He casually sat on the single sofa, crossing his legs and placing them on the coffee table. Although it was a round table, seating order still mattered, and for Doflamingo, it was better to sit aside and watch rather than clash with the other "monsters."
Mihawk, on the other hand, simply pulled out a chair and sat down, seemingly unconcerned with seating arrangements. Seeing this, Crocodile smiled and also took a seat. Kuma sat down and immediately began reading his book. The large reception room fell into an eerie silence.
Meanwhile, on the flagship of the Beasts Pirates, a dimly lit room echoed with the sound of loud gulping, as if a bull-headed gorilla was drinking heavily. Empty jugs were scattered across the floor.
"Ha—"
Kaido set down his jug, his cheeks slightly flushed, exhaling a breath heavy with the scent of aged liquor. In front of him stood two tall figures, one of whom was the recently returned King.
"Ugh... hic," Kaido hiccuped, placing the jug aside and looking at his trusted lieutenants.
"King, what news have you brought?"
"Kaido-san, according to my intelligence, the Navy has not only sent Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Akainu Sakazuki, and Admiral Kizaru Borsalino, but they have also summoned the Shichibukai. Our enemies this time might be quite troublesome," King reported, knowing that while Kaido would not be intimidated by such a force, the Beasts Pirates' situation needed careful consideration.
"Oh, such a grand show?" Kaido's eyes gleamed with interest upon hearing King's report.
"I know Sengoku. If he's involved, the plan will be foolproof. But with so many strong individuals involved, their target isn't just us; there must be another objective."
"Muhahaha, Kaido-san, are you planning to stir up a big commotion?" Queen, the Plague, eagerly looked at their leader. Clearly, Germa 66's display of strength had satisfied Kaido, momentarily diverting his attention from Queen's artificial Devil Fruit plan.
"Ugh...," Kaido's eyes flashed with a violent gleam, and he coldly declared, "Such an eventful occasion, I wouldn't miss it for the world. Pass the order... the climax of the war is about to begin! Wororororo!"
Kaido's excited laughter echoed across the entire Beasts Pirates fleet. Upon hearing his laughter, the crew members couldn't help but look towards their leader's direction.