"Raleigh, what exactly are you thinking? We cannot keep carrying that pirate with us forever."
Gion walked into the office, her face full of worry.
Ever since the fight with Bullet, Raleigh had chosen to bring the pirate along instead of letting him leave on his own.
Although Bullet had entered the training room the moment he boarded the ship and never left except for his three meals a day, having someone like him on board still made everyone quite uncomfortable.
Gion was also worried that Raleigh's political enemies could use this against him. Even though political infighting was rare in the Marines—because strong pirates usually forced the Navy to unite against external threats—this choice would inevitably cast a negative shadow.
If it were reported, it could become a hidden landmine for Raleigh's future campaign for Fleet Admiral.
Raleigh took Gion's small hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze to calm her down.
He pulled her closer, holding her in his arms, and whispered gently in her ear.
"It is alright, Gion. Ever since I brought Bullet aboard, I have been prepared for this."
"In fact, there is a plan you do not know about yet, one that is already being secretly put into action. I can tell you about it now."
"To balance the power on the seas, the World Government has discussed things with Fleet Admiral Kong and decided to launch a new initiative. This plan will select seven promising rookie pirates and give them the legal right to plunder. In return, they will provide the Marines with intelligence and military support. Bullet is one of the candidates I have been secretly scouting. If all goes smoothly, he will become one of the seven."
This was the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" plan.
The Marines' input was barely considered in this scheme; one might even say their opinion held no weight at all.
Did the World Government not know what pirates were truly like?
No, of course they did.
It was exactly because they knew that they created the Seven Warlords system.
When the Marines grew too powerful, the Government felt it was necessary to protect these promising new pirates to maintain a balance of power.
As for whether these pirates would harm innocent civilians or merchant ships—why would the Celestial Dragons care?
It would not affect the allied nations paying their Heavenly Tribute to them anyway.
In reality, few of the Seven Warlords would ever actually follow orders from the Marines or the World Government to hunt down other pirates.
Naturally, this proposal sparked a lot of anger among most high-ranking naval officers.
Their pride as members of the Navy made them hate the idea of working together with so-called pirates.
Raleigh knew no one could defy the World Government's commands.
The Marines were merely a tool created by the Government to suppress pirates.
If the Navy pushed back too hard, the Government could always find an excuse to replace the Fleet Admiral with someone more obedient.
So, upon learning about the plan, Raleigh chose to go with the flow.
He would proactively reach out to the candidates selected for the Seven Warlords, recruiting them under his own influence first.
What if they refused?
Heh, Bullet had thought about refusing too, but in the end, he gave in.
Now, Raleigh's next target was the "Desert King," Sir Crocodile.
In truth, Raleigh had always been curious: how could a young Crocodile fight Bullet to a standstill, yet in the future timeline, be defeated by a clueless rookie like Luffy?
So, his next step was to seek out the young Crocodile.
Suddenly, another image flashed in Raleigh's mind—a brat wearing pink feathers and sunglasses. He felt an urge to call him.
Brrr, brrr, brrr, kacha!
The Den Den Mushi's appearance rapidly shifted, mimicking a figure with sharp sunglasses and a wide, arrogant smirk.
"Ahem, Vice-Admiral Christian Raleigh himself is calling me? To what do I owe this honor?" A cocky voice rang out from the other end of the line.
Donquixote Doflamingo was currently seated in the tallest building of his family's stronghold.
He was sipping on a glass of premium red wine that had just been delivered, observing his crew members training diligently below.
"Its been a while, Doflamingo. How have you been lately?" Raleigh smiled faintly.
Hearing these words, Doflamingo felt a sharp flicker of irritation.
This bastard!
Even though Doflamingo was now the undisputed underground ruler of the North Blue, Raleigh still spoke to him in that condescending, patronizing tone—like he was talking to a child.
Doflamingo wanted nothing more than to kill him.
But he also knew that Raleigh was not someone he could afford to provoke.
Back in the North Blue, Raleigh had already been capable of beating him effortlessly.
Now, on the Grand Line, Raleigh had taken part in events that led to the defeat of two legendary pirates: Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard.
With such incredible battle records laid out before him, Doflamingo had no choice but to swallow his pride.
Raleigh had no interest in wasting words with the pirate, either. He cut straight to the point.
"Doflamingo, transfer your North Blue assets and intelligence network over to the Marines. In exchange, I will nominate you for the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan. With that status, whether you operate in the Four Blues or the New World, the Navy will not attack you without a valid cause."
"Something like that exists?" Doflamingo was deeply tempted, but he quickly controlled his tone.
Suppressing his excitement, he replied in a calm, measured voice.
Although Raleigh had not specified any concrete benefits, the simple promise that the Navy would not target him was already highly appealing.
In his year of controlling the North Blue mafia, Doflamingo knew all too well how brutal the underground trade could be.
His success was entirely due to Raleigh's silent approval.
If not for Raleigh's secret orders, the Navy in the North Blue would never have let Doflamingo off the hook.
So, he understood perfectly just how important this Warlord status was.
Still, he was deeply unhappy with Raleigh's outrageous demand.
He did not believe a simple nomination from Raleigh was worth the entire criminal empire he had painstakingly built.
Although he did not know who was behind the Warlord plan, Doflamingo felt that with his unique background as a former Celestial Dragon, he could negotiate directly with the World Government for the same benefits.
That might prove far more profitable than making a deal with a Marine Vice-Admiral.
"Thank you for telling me this, but I will need some time to consider it." Doflamingo weighed his words carefully. He ultimately decided to stall Raleigh while using his own connections to investigate the matter.
Raleigh cleared his throat, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"Doflamingo, your little tricks are useless in front of me. If you refuse my offer and try to become one of the Seven Warlords through someone else, I will make sure you learn what true regret means." Raleigh paused, his voice dropping coldly. "
After all, in my eyes... you are nothing but an ant."
Hearing this, Doflamingo's face twisted in pure fury.
He despised this feeling of powerlessness.
After Raleigh left the North Blue, everything had gone so smoothly for him, making him believe no one could threaten him anymore.
Now, that familiar voice, with its familiar threats, had returned.
And this time, Doflamingo was even less capable of resisting.