To avoid any surprises in the impending war, Yakushi Kabuto wanted to strip Bartholomew Kuma of his position as a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, which was understandable.
Sengoku the Buddha and Vice Admiral Tsuru also agreed with his proposal.
However, Yakushi Kabuto's nominee was Deidara from the Art Pirates.
Deidara's bounty was actually not very high compared to the group of Seven Warlords of the Sea, because this guy didn't plunder much, he just often blew up things he didn't like.
To be honest...
Deidara was more like a mischievous child.
Moreover, the crew of the Art Pirates wasn't large; besides Deidara, there was only one vice-captain, the Puppet Artist Sasori of the Red Sand.
It is said that the rest of the crew were all puppets controlled by Sasori of the Red Sand!
In recent years, the Art Pirates and the Seven Warlords' Moonlight Moriah often clashed; Moriah had already issued private bounties for the Art Pirates many times!
Apparently, it was because the Puppet Artist Sasori had taken the corpses painstakingly collected by Moonlight Moriah to make puppets...
Thus...
Making Deidara, the captain of the Art Pirates, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea might cause dissatisfaction for Moonlight Moriah. If Moriah refused to be conscripted or even resigned from the Seven Warlords position because of this, it would be somewhat counterproductive.
Sengoku furrowed his brow in thought for a while and proposed a plan: "In any case, Bartholomew Kuma must be captured in advance; his Devil Fruit ability is too troublesome!
We should first abolish his position as a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea under the pretext of his refusal to be conscripted and immediately imprison him to prevent leaks!
And this can also serve as a warning to the Nine Snake Pirates' Empress Boa Hancock. Before the great war, at the very least, maintaining stability is key... then we'll ask the other Seven Warlords and see if they are satisfied with Deidara as a choice!
Although this is our decision, it's wartime now, we need to carefully consider whether introducing Deidara as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea would cause too much loss to their combat power..."
For the Navy...
If introducing a new Warlord resulted in the loss of another, it really wouldn't be worth it!
Especially when the services of the Seven Warlords of the Sea are needed!
If this group of Seven Warlords takes this opportunity to collectively quit, it would truly be counterproductive, which is also the drawback of establishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea system initially.
As the Navy became habituated to the convenience of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system, it gradually came under their control, any problems faced with the Seven Warlords need to be handled carefully, lest they suddenly become another enemy.
"Okay."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly nodded and adjusted his glasses, saying, "Then we will prepare to invite Deidara to take over the Warlord position!"
"Hmm?"
Sengoku the Buddha raised his eyebrows in surprise, then nodded again, "Shouldn't we follow the order? First, we send someone to capture Bartholomew Kuma, spread the news of abolishing his Warlord position!"
"This has already been done."
Yakushi Kabuto nonchalantly shook his head and leisurely spoke, "Before our meeting, I already applied for a warrant from the World Government; Admiral Kizaru has executed the order and secretly imprisoned Bartholomew Kuma…"
After saying this, Yakushi Kabuto continued, "Besides, I also received information that because of the Enies Lobby incident, it's estimated that the Warlords will arrive early, today at least four will arrive, that's half already, and it's enough to talk with them…"
These four Seven Warlords of the Sea…
One Kakuzu, one Hoshigaki Kisame, one Dracule Mihawk, one Donquixote Doflamingo, how could they disagree with having another ally in the Warlord camp?
"..."
Sengoku's expression faintly showed displeasure.
This Yakushi Kabuto, was he doing this on purpose? This guy even had the arrest warrant issued, secretly sent Kizaru to capture Kuma, and still wasted time in the office discussing why Bartholomew Kuma should be abolished?
As a Navy Admiral…
He didn't even know about the abolishment of a Seven Warlords of the Sea!
Even the previous deployment of the three great admirals to Enies Lobby was decided without him, is this Yakushi Kabuto trying to sideline him and make his position of Navy Admiral a puppet?
"I hope the Marshal doesn't mind too much…"
Yakushi Kabuto curled his lips into a smile, laughing as he spoke, "After all, anything involving the Revolutionary Army is no small matter, besides I am reporting to you, aren't I?"
"..."
Sengoku was silent for a moment, took a file from his desk to feed his little goat, then coldly spoke, "Fine, but in the future when you're issuing orders in the Navy, discuss with me and Vice Admiral Tsuru first…"
"Does it really matter..."
Yakushi Kabuto maintained his smile and continued, "Even if I discuss with you, ultimately it won't change the decision I've already made."
No matter the objections from Sengoku the Buddha, the World Government will ultimately issue the same orders to the Navy. Moreover, Steel Bone Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's three armies, has long been sidelined in a practical sense by Yakushi Kabuto.
Because the Five Elders trust Yakushi Kabuto more.
And indeed, Yakushi Kabuto has done quite well.
Yakushi Kabuto curled the corners of his mouth, observing the anger in Sengoku's eyes, and continued with a light laugh, "Originally, there were many things I could easily solve myself. Why waste time here with the Marshal?"
Yakushi Kabuto, as if oblivious to the gradually bulging vein on Sengoku's forehead, kept his smile unchanged: "If the former strategist, Marshal, has a better way, that's fine too. But the Marshal probably can't provide me with better advice, right?"
"...Don't be too presumptuous!"
Sengoku, the Navy Admiral, gritted his teeth and slowly opened his palm, wanting to slap Yakushi Kabuto's smiling face flat!
Now, seeing Yakushi Kabuto's smile just made Sengoku furious!
This bastard...
He's really infuriating!
Sengoku managed to quell some of his anger by cursing Uehara Naraku, but was once again ignited by this guy Yakushi Kabuto...
In fact, the anger in his heart was even greater!
"Really now..."
Yakushi Kabuto stood up slowly, completely indifferent to Sengoku's anger, his smile growing even brighter: "Whenever I see the Marshal, I can't help but think of something, a phrase you used when scolding Vice Admiral Naraku this afternoon!"
Yakushi Kabuto calmly stood in front of Sengoku's desk, directly facing the Navy Admiral, and said in a low voice, "I should share that phrase with you, Marshal Sengoku! A person without ability shouldn't occupy a position he shouldn't be in, or life will be very tiring..."
"...Bastard!"
The aura around Sengoku the Buddha surged, and the documents on the desk were slowly shaken off by his aura, unable to suppress his anger any longer!
Is this how Yakushi Kabuto views him, the Navy Admiral?
Sengoku the Buddha studied Yakushi Kabuto coldly, his voice carrying a trace of icy chill: "Chief Inspector Yakushi Kabuto, I can take this as you provoking your superior...
Today I won't lay a hand on you. I just hope you remember that provoking someone who can take your life at any moment is not wise. With your intellect, you should understand this!"
"Is that so?"
Yakushi Kabuto rubbed his brow, chuckling softly, "Interesting... then let's wait and see! I hope our Marshal can hold his position steadily, even though the entire Navy believes you are unqualified..."
"...You!"
Sengoku the Buddha suddenly clenched his fists!
Because everything Yakushi Kabuto said was true!
As a Navy Admiral, Sengoku the Buddha had long been faintly aware of this trend, although many still respected him as Marshal. However, many Vice Admirals and even Admirals have already shifted to Yakushi Kabuto's camp...
Yakushi Kabuto's intelligence could add weight to victory, reduce the Navy's losses in hunting pirates, and enable these Navies to uphold justice better!
Yakushi Kabuto could even protect their families, although it's uncertain whether this was protection or surveillance with threats...
Last year, an incident occurred at Marinford, mirroring a past tragedy; a Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral's family was secretly kidnapped by a pirate. Just when Marinford was at a loss, fearing a repetition of Grand Admiral Zephyr's family's tragic past, the CP Organization rescued them...
Were it not for decades of prestige, or Yakushi Kabuto's already high position in the World Government, or perhaps Yakushi Kabuto's insufficient strength, or Yakushi Kabuto's inability to become an Admiral, it would indeed be uncertain whether Sengoku could maintain his position as Navy Admiral...
"Sengoku."
Just as Sengoku the Buddha was about to erupt, Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped in to stop him and shook her head at him: "Now is not the time to argue with the young..."
After speaking, Vice Admiral Tsuru turned her gaze to Yakushi Kabuto, a hint of complexity flickering in the eyes of the elderly woman: "Kabuto, do you remember what I once warned you? No one can be right forever..."
"That is true!"
Yakushi Kabuto laughed lightly and nodded.
However, in his heart, there was a sentence unspoken... If life follows the destiny designed by the gods step by step, how could there ever be a mistake...
At this moment,
In the port of Marinford, broadcast announcements echoed.
"Dracule Mihawk of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo, Kakuzu, Hoshigaki Kisame, are about to arrive at the port in batches. Please clear the dock area quickly to make way..."
"..."
In the Navy Admiral's office.
Vice Admiral Tsuru couldn't help but sigh as four of the Seven Warlords of the Sea were about to arrive at Marinford, yet the Marshal's office only learned of this from a broadcast message...