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As Sengoku looked over at the Seven Warlords, his eyes lit up.
Not all hope was lost.
"Seven Warlords, as Fleet Admiral, I am ordering you to assist in subduing the Sun and Moon Pirates!" Sengoku commanded, asserting his authority.
Their duty, after all, was to cooperate with the Navy in keeping other pirates in check.
"Ha?" The Warlords glanced at Sengoku with blank expressions.
Did he really think they'd just jump in?
"I'll kill him!" Edward Weevil shouted, crawling on the ground with both his legs severed. He was little more than a broken fighter.
"We serve the World Government, not the Navy," Bartholomew Kuma replied coldly, eyeing the other Warlords as if daring any of them to interfere. "You don't have the authority."
Sengoku's face darkened, and he softened his tone. "The Gorosei will support my decision. If you refuse now, do you really think the World Government will keep you as Warlords?"
Half-request, half-threat, his words still left the Warlords unmoved.
Sengoku turned to Dracule Mihawk. "Mihawk, you're the world's strongest swordsman. Haven't you always wanted to prove yourself? Here's your chance to defeat Kuke and secure your title."
Sengoku's words sparked something in Mihawk. He glanced over at Kuke, his eyes filled with a fierce determination.
Shanks had already lost an arm. If Mihawk could defeat Kuke here, it would solidify his title.
But Kuke was still holding a phone in hand.
"Is it ready?" he asked calmly.
"Yes, everything is set," came Nico Robin's response.
"The status of Marine Headquarters and Mary Geoise?"
A pause, then Violet's voice answered, "Mary Geoise has deployed a large force, led by Commander Kong. They'll depart soon…uh, as for Marine Headquarters, they just found Aokiji and Garp, so they'll need a few more minutes to start mobilizing."
Kuke raised an eyebrow, amused.
The Navy's most crucial backup was only now finding Aokiji and Garp?
Those extra minutes increased his chances of killing Sengoku.
Satisfied, he hung up, only to meet Mihawk's intense gaze.
Kuke narrowed his eyes, realizing the unexpected complication of the Warlords' presence. He had no interest in splitting his attention on them.
Staring back at Mihawk, Kuke's gaze crackled with Conqueror's Haki. "Mihawk, don't interfere. I have no interest in fighting you today. You want a duel, then we'll settle it later. If you disrupt me today, I'll bring the entire Sun and Moon Pirates to hunt you down tomorrow."
Mihawk paused, sizing up the other powerful figures with Kuke. He knew if they all came after him, he'd stand no chance. Dying in any way other than a fair duel held no meaning.
He responded coolly, "Fine. This isn't the right day for a fight. Today you're distracted—I'll find you another time."
Kuke nodded. Mihawk was wise enough to understand, and Kuke was willing to honor that.
Mihawk then turned and walked away.
Sengoku was dumbfounded.
Leaving? Just like that?
He had banked on Mihawk's strength—now that was gone.
Frustrated, Sengoku muttered through gritted teeth, "Don't you want to stay a Warlord?"
"I haven't signed anything," Mihawk replied over his shoulder.
Sengoku felt his blood boil, then glanced at the other Warlords.
He looked at Kuma next.
In Sengoku's mind, the Warlords had levels, with Mihawk as the strongest. Now he pinned his hopes on Kuma, whose powers might just ensure his escape.
"Kuma, I—"
"Kuke," Kuma interrupted, moving toward him. "Count me in on today's fight."
Sengoku froze.
A sense of betrayal washed over him, his face turning pale. Was Kuma really switching sides?
He shifted his gaze to Jinbe.
"Kuke, I serve Tiger's memory," Jinbe said firmly.
"Pfft…" Sengoku's mind started to unravel.
Who had the World Government chosen for the Warlords? These men seemed more loyal to Kuke than to him!
He couldn't even bear to look at Crocodile and Gecko Moria, who simply exchanged resigned glances.
If the others had supported the Navy, maybe they would have joined in. But now, with no one helping Sengoku and some even siding with Kuke, the choice was clear.
Even a child could see that.
Quietly, Crocodile and Moria stepped back, as though to distance themselves from the scene.
"Oh, and I haven't signed anything either," Crocodile added, much like Mihawk.
In case things shifted later, he still had a chance to become a Warlord.
Sengoku turned to Doflamingo, his last hope.
Doflamingo had been willing to assist the Navy, and as Sengoku looked at him, he started to step forward.
But after watching Mihawk refuse, and with Kuma and Jinbe outright siding with Kuke, Doflamingo reconsidered.
"I was just, uh, stretching my legs," he said with a nervous laugh, glancing at Kuke.
Really.
Don't get me wrong, he seemed to say. I don't mean anything by it. I'm harmless.
Kuke's gaze landed on Doflamingo. "Since you're out here, stick around. What happens next involves you too."
Doflamingo stared at him, confused.
Involves me? Don't scare me like that. I'm not brave!
Kuke turned back to Sengoku, a sly smile on his face. "Satisfied with the Warlords?"
Sengoku's face flushed, turning from red to green in frustration.
Satisfied? Hardly.
The Warlords were a bunch of scoundrels.
But he dared not criticize the World Government's decision outright.
"Whether you like it or not, the Warlords will remain," Sengoku snapped. "Your opinion doesn't matter. If these ones won't do, we'll get new ones."
"Oh, really?" Kuke's eyes glinted ominously, filling Sengoku with an even greater sense of dread.
"It seems you're still in good shape, Sengoku. Gion, Shakky, Stussy—show him the experience of a true ambush."
In an instant, Gion, Shakky, and Stussy lunged toward Sengoku.
Meanwhile, Kuke turned his attention to the visual Den Den Mushi in Belo Betty's hands.
The show was just beginning.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 144+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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