MTLNOVEL Chapter 179: 179: The Warlords.
Crocodile puffed lazily on his cigar, smirking at the tall swordsman beside him.
"I didn't expect the World Government to care this much. They established the Shichibukai system, but when it's time to use it, only the four of us show up to take orders."
After the World Government confirmed that the Yonko coalition was marching toward Mariejois, they issued a summoning order to all remaining Shichibukai.
But of the group, only Dracule Mihawk, Crocodile, Jinbei, and Boa Hancock actually answered the call.
Donquixote Doflamingo had already submitted to the enemy when the Yonko forces took Dressrosa. Now, he was part of their coalition.
Moria had been eliminated early by Zenkichi, and his position as Shichibukai had never been refilled.
The World Government had been far too overwhelmed by the chaos following Zenkichi's rise to focus on recruiting new members.
As for Bartholomew Kuma, though he initially responded to the summons, he received a covert message from the Revolutionary Army along the way.
Kuma, though publicly a Warlord, was secretly a high-ranking agent of the Revolutionary Army embedded deep within the World Government.
Once the revolutionaries learned of the coming war, they urged him to avoid it at all costs. Both the Yonko alliance and the World Government were threats in their eyes.
Letting those two forces clash and weaken each other was exactly what the revolutionaries wanted.
And so, without hesitation, Kuma withdrew. His Devil Fruit ability made evasion effortless — no one could stop him.
Now, only four Warlords remained.
Of course, none of them had full knowledge of the real situation. If they did, it was likely all four would have made the same choice as Kuma.
Boa Hancock looked particularly displeased. Her disdain was plain for all to see.
When she first received the World Government's letter, she tossed it straight into the trash.
After all, she had once been enslaved by the Celestial Dragons. Her hatred for them was absolute.
It was only when Elder Nyon found the letter and begged her to consider it that Hancock reluctantly agreed to go.
The World Government had been careful in its wording — the letter only mentioned a visit to the G5 branch, not a full-scale war.
But the message was clear: if she did not comply, her Shichibukai title would be revoked.
Hancock needed that title.
Her country, Amazon Lily, was still considered a pirate nation. The Kuja Pirates — an all-female crew — would be branded criminals without their legal status.
The Calm Belt no longer served as a true deterrent either, now that the World Government had developed advanced warships capable of traversing it.
If Hancock had known the full truth, she would've thrown that letter away all over again — no matter the consequences. After all, who even knew if the World Government would survive this?
The other three Shichibukai — Mihawk, Jinbei, and Crocodile — were in a similar position.
They had no idea they were being sent to the front lines of a catastrophic war.
And now that they were here, leaving wouldn't be so simple.
Zenkichi had already shaken the New World. It was impossible for men like Mihawk to not have heard the rumors.
But the World Government had blocked all information before it could reach them — a full news blackout enforced with brutal efficiency.
Imu had already voiced his fury and killing intent toward the Five Elders. Under the threat of death, they had no choice but to act with urgency.
They silenced the press using elite CP agents, ones powerful enough to rival admirals. Even the notorious Morgans had no way to resist.
He was silenced like any other voice.
"They tricked us into coming," Crocodile said, narrowing his eyes. "What if we decide to flip sides and join the Yonko coalition instead?"
"Our status is complicated," Jinbei muttered. "Caught between admirals and vice admirals, constantly watched, distrusted by all sides."
"They won't trust us unless we fight, and they'll demand proof of our loyalty. It's not an easy position."
Jinbei sighed heavily.
His homeland, Fish-Man Island, had always served as the gateway between the first and second halves of the Grand Line — and as a battlefield for pirates.
The World Government had done little to protect it. Instead, it had relied on Whitebeard's protection.
Jinbei never wanted to fight the Whitebeard Pirates. He respected them.
And he couldn't believe for a second that they had joined the other Yonko to destroy the World Government.
No — he didn't believe they would ever align themselves with Zenkichi either.
As this heavy atmosphere loomed over them, the Yonko coalition fleet finally appeared.
The skies above the G5 branch turned dark. Tension crackled in the air.
From the top of the command tower, the Five Elders watched the sea. Their faces were grim as they surveyed the battlefield.
Each Shichibukai stood divided by their own doubts.
Meanwhile, the entire Navy leadership had been mobilized, ready for the largest battle the seas had seen in decades.
And far across the waves, Shanks stood aboard his flagship.
Red-haired had always walked his own path. With his pride and ideals, he would never join the other Yonko in this campaign.
Hawkeye Mihawk, who had long known Shanks, shared the same doubts as Jinbei.
Something didn't add up.
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