"Bru buru buru!"
In the solemn atmosphere of the conference room, the sudden ringing of a phone cut through the air.
Sengoku, Tsuru, and Hawkeye all turned to look at the source: Doflamingo's den den mushi.
"Hmm?"
Seeing everyone's eyes on him, a vein bulged on Doflamingo's forehead.
"It's got to be that fool Bellamy."
Doflamingo glanced at the phone and tried to hang up.
"Bru buru buru!"
But something unexpected happened — the phone kept ringing, no matter how many times he hung it up.
This caught the attention of Sengoku and Tsuru.
A phone call that can't be disconnected? That was unusual.
"You'd better answer it, Doflamingo."
Sengoku watched as Doflamingo's frustration grew, and he gave him a pointed look.
"...Fufufu."
Doflamingo chuckled darkly, taking Sengoku's suggestion as a chance to save face. Still, his eyes were cloudy beneath his sunglasses.
What had that fool Bellamy done? He couldn't hang up, and now he was being humiliated in front of so many people.
When this meeting was over, he'd make sure to head to Mock Town and slice that bastard to pieces.
With a click, Doflamingo finally answered the call, composing himself.
"Moshi moshi?"
But the voice that came through, and the strange expression of the den-den mushi, made Doflamingo's smile vanish. He looked at the device with an increasingly dark expression.
"Who are you?"
Doflamingo's tone made Sengoku and Tsuru turn their attention towards him.
"Portgas D. Ace."
A calm laugh echoed from the phone.
The mention of that name caused Sengoku and Tsuru's faces to tighten, and even Hawkeye turned to look.
Portgas D. Ace?!
The new pirate who had killed Crocodile?
Their meeting today was specifically to address this man.
"Fufufu, Portgas D. Ace? So you took this phone from Bellamy?"
"You know who I am, don't you?" Doflamingo sneered.
"Of course. Flamingo, Doflamingo," came the reply, making Doflamingo's vein bulge further.
Flamingo? Was this fool mocking his style?
"Seems like I called at just the right time. Are you in Mariejois? The Marine Headquarters Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma, Shichibukai Mihawk… Quite the gathering."
As Ace finished speaking, Sengoku, Tsuru, Mihawk, and even Kuma, who was usually expressionless, all had their expressions change.
Sengoku and Tsuru stared intently at the den-den mushi in Doflamingo's hand.
Portgas D. Ace could see the situation in the room through the den den mushi?
A phone should only reflect the image of the person speaking. How could he know everything happening on the other end?
This had never happened before.
"Seems you used a visual den-den mushi to broadcast the events of Alabasta to the entire country. Is that how you did it, Portgas D. Ace?"
Sengoku spoke in a deep voice.
"As expected of the 'Resourceful Buddha' Sengoku. By the way, how's my old man doing these days?"
Ace asked with a faint smile.
Sengoku and Tsuru's expressions darkened.
Was he greeting that Garp through them?
Who did this guy think he was talking to? Where did he think he was?
So arrogant!
Even Hawkeye and Doflamingo looked at Sengoku with questioning eyes.
Portgas D. Ace... Did he have a relative in the Marines?
And judging from Sengoku and Tsuru's reactions, this relative was no ordinary Marine.
"Portgas D. Ace, don't be so arrogant," Sengoku said sternly, glaring at the phone.
"Well, I'm not here just to chat with the Marines. Doflamingo, I have something to discuss with you."
Ace continued with a grin.
"Oh? You want me to pass along a message?"
The sinister smile on Doflamingo's face grew wider, but his murderous intent was palpable.
This brat was too cocky.
"That's right," Ace replied, his eyes flashing with a deep, purple-black hue.
"Deliver a message to Kaido of the Four Emperors for me: I, Portgas D. Ace, am coming for his head."
"Boom!!!"
In an instant, a terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki burst out, centered on the phone in Doflamingo's hand.
"!!!"
Everyone present—Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, Shichibukai Dracule Mihawk, Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma, Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo—all had their expressions change.
Doflamingo immediately flung the phone away.
"Boom!"
"Crack!"
Dark, purple lightning crackled wildly across Mariejois.
In the conference room, every empty chair collapsed instantly, and black-purple lightning coursed and roared through the air!
Apart from Sengoku and Tsuru, all the Marines—including several Vice Admirals guarding the door—collapsed in a heap, overwhelmed by the fierce black-purple lightning.
"Crack! Crack!"
The walls, the conference table, and the floor all began to crack in front of the roaring lightning.
Conqueror's Haki!
"Stop it!" Sengoku shouted angrily, preparing to unleash his own Conqueror's Haki, but Tsuru held him back.
"Wait, Sengoku! Are you planning on a Conqueror's clash in Mariejois?" Tsuru warned him sharply.
Then, Tsuru looked at the destruction in the conference room with alarm.
Conqueror's Haki, transmitted through a phone?
And this strength!
The Haki was so potent that it could physically damage the surroundings through sheer force of will.
Is this...?
Tsuru's pupils shrank. An incredible name came to mind.
Hearing her, Sengoku resisted the urge to release his Conquest Haki and stared at the den-den mushi Doflamingo had discarded, his expression grim.
Releasing Conqueror's Haki through a den-den mushi?
This arrogant brat!
And so powerful and fierce!
Was this really a newcomer to the Grand Line?
No wonder he had been able to kill Crocodile.
And this release technique…
Sengoku glanced at the room, where real damage had been done. His veins throbbed, and a look of disbelief shone in his eyes.
Could it be…?
"Phew!"
In the next moment, the violent purple-black lightning vanished, and calm returned to the room.
Doflamingo's sinister grin was nowhere to be seen, and he stared at his own hands in disbelief.
His hands were trembling.
Was it because of the Conqueror's Haki released by this brat?
Doflamingo clenched his fists tightly, his face twitching in frustration. Just the thought of being humiliated like this by a mere display of Conqueror Haki brought a name to his mind—the one who rules the second half of the Grand Line like an emperor, the Four Emperors of the New World, the strongest creature, Kaido of the Beasts!
That terrifying presence that could make him feel suffocated just by hearing its name.
Are you kidding me?!
How could this brat's Conqueror's Haki be so powerful?!
"Such a formidable Conqueror's Haki," Hawkeye muttered, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. His once-casual posture turned serious, gazing around at the destruction caused by the unleashed power. The room, damaged by just the impact of Conqueror Haki from who knows where, was a sight he couldn't ignore.
This is just like that red-haired guy.
It's astonishing that a newcomer who just entered the Grand Line could wield such Haki.
Someone like this deserves respect.
Kuma, usually expressionless, was visibly stirred. "Such a strong Conqueror Haki!" he thought. This level of Conqueror's Haki might even rival that of Dragon.
Everyone present—top figures from the sea—all stared at the den-den mushi, now reflecting Ace's visage. Their eyes were filled with a rare seriousness.
At this moment, nobody saw Ace's words as the arrogance of a greenhorn. This was a direct provocation against the Four Emperors, Kaido. And a man with such Haki had every right to issue such a challenge.
"Remember what I said, Doflamingo?" Ace's laughter came through the den-den mushi, echoing with confidence.
Doflamingo stared at the den-den mushi with a dark expression, silent.
"Well then, I'll take my leave. You all can continue with your meeting," Ace chuckled, hanging up before Doflamingo could respond.
"Click!"
The den-den mushi lowered its head, falling silent, but the room remained tense.
Portgas D. Ace had just demonstrated Conqueror's Haki in Mariejois and openly challenged Kaido.
Sengoku rubbed his temples, his face twisted in discomfort. "With such Conqueror Haki… The sea is going to be in turmoil."
"Damn it! Garp! This is all your grandson's fault!" Sengoku gritted his teeth.
"Damn him!" Doflamingo's face was contorted with rage as he stared at the disconnected den-den mushi. Portgas D. Ace hadn't taken him seriously at all. And what made it worse was that Doflamingo had felt fear facing Ace's Haki.
Should he report today's events to Kaido?
No! He couldn't do that—not with his own mouth. Admitting this would mean he acknowledged himself as merely a messenger for the newcomer. It would be as if he had already decided he was inferior to this man!
That would crush his spirit, weaken his Haki.
Damn you, Portgas D. Ace!
Sengoku glanced at Doflamingo and guessed he wouldn't be reporting Ace's challenge to Kaido. That was a relief—Doflamingo also had Conqueror's Haki. If he were to obediently inform Kaido, his own potential for growth would be stunted.
As for everyone else present, Sengoku glanced at Hawkeye and Kuma. Hawkeye wasn't the type to meddle in affairs, so there was no concern there. Kuma was currently acting under the World Government's orders, so that wasn't a problem either.
Sengoku felt a little more at ease. If Portgas D. Ace, with Conqueror Haki like that, did face Kaido, the sea could truly erupt into chaos.
But they needed more time. At least enough for the Marines to prepare.
The thought gave Sengoku another headache, and he massaged his forehead. The previous evaluation of Portgas D. Ace was that no Marine below Vice Admiral level should engage him. Even that evaluation was now proving insufficient.
Given his Conqueror's Haki, even the Vice Admirals capable of participating in a Buster Call would be powerless against him. Just from the impact of his Haki, most of them would lose their fighting capability, if not outright faint.
If Portgas D. Ace truly has such power…
Sengoku looked at the ruined conference room, his headache worsening.
Would they have to dispatch an Admiral? How could someone be this powerful so soon after entering the Grand Line?
Garp, you old bastard! What kind of monster have you raised?!
Sengoku suppressed his headache and looked at Hawkeye, Doflamingo, and Kuma.
"Let's conclude today's meeting. We'll reconvene tomorrow to discuss the new candidate for the Shichibukai."
Doflamingo, usually full of provocative words, remained silent and left the room with a furious expression.
Portgas D. Ace!
As he exited, Doflamingo gritted his teeth, silently cursing the name.
Kuma, returning to his expressionless state, also left the room without a word.
"This was worth coming for. I won't be attending the next meeting," Hawkeye said with a faint smile, standing up to leave.
Portgas D. Ace… perhaps I should pay a visit to Red Hair.
As he walked out, Sengoku's expression grew darker.
——
"Those reckless bastards!" Sengoku slammed his fist on the conference table after they left.
"Garp mentioned that Portgas D. Ace is his grandson?" Tsuru asked, offering Sengoku a glass of water.
"That's what the old fool said. Judging from Ace's call just now, it seems true."
"That Garp actually raised such a monster—and he's become a pirate!" Sengoku muttered angrily after taking a gulp.
"And if he really has that power..." Tsuru said, glancing at the wrecked room, "then the sea is in for a storm."
"Conqueror's Haki—Infusion," Sengoku murmured, naming the technique.
"If that's the case, this sea will truly be in turmoil," Tsuru said grimly. Conqueror's Haki—Infusion, fully mastered, could let someone rule the New World like an emperor. Such a figure must be taken seriously, even by the Navy.
To handle such a threat, Naval Headquarters would have to deploy its strongest—the three Admirals, or even Garp and Sengoku themselves.
Sengoku added, "Re-evaluate our stance on Portgas D. Ace. No Marine is to engage him without orders from headquarters."
"Understood," Tsuru nodded, her expression grave.
Sengoku left the room quickly, fists clenched tight. "Garp! You bastard!!" he muttered as he went to confront the old man.