One Piece: Hashirama Template

"No wonder you have to abandon your ship to pass through Mary Geoise to get between the first and second halves of the Grand Line."

Sitting in a cabin on the back of a snail, Link looked outside through the window, finally understanding how people from above Mary Geoise descend, and people from below ascend.

The mode of transportation was giant snails, just like in the Germa Kingdom.

All sorts of things could be installed on the backs of these snails.

There could be cabins like those on a Ferris wheel, or even houses and small ships.

The Germa Kingdom's territory is composed of a large number of giant snails. Together, they form a mobile kingdom; separated, they become a super fleet of ships carrying mercenaries and assassins.

Arriving at the port of Mary Geoise via a giant snail, Link had just disembarked when he saw a middle-aged man in a "Justice" cloak with the rank of Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral approaching.

"Your Excellency, the Impaler, please follow me."

The Rear Admiral spoke, "To avoid unnecessary trouble, the Seven Warlords are restricted to designated areas."

"Fine, lead the way," Link said nonchalantly.

Led by the Rear Admiral, Link entered a luxurious building. Walking down an extravagantly decorated corridor, he soon arrived before a huge door.

"Please, enter."

The Rear Admiral stopped before the door and gestured for Link to go in.

Sensing several powerful presences inside, Link's lips curled into a slight smile, and he pushed the door open directly.

Like stepping out of an air-conditioned room in the summer, Link entered a completely different atmosphere. The Rear Admiral outside didn't dare to linger for a moment. He glanced inside, swallowed nervously, and quickly departed.

Behind the door was a meeting hall, where a massive round table occupied half the space.

Seated at the round table were several figures, both men and women, each with different builds, auras, and even postures.

Every single one of these figures was a famous presence on the high seas.

"Zehahaha... Has the last newcomer arrived as well?"

The unique laughter reached his ears. Link looked at Teach, who was eating a cherry pie, and instantly understood the meaning of his words.

Clearly, Teach didn't want to acknowledge Link, hoping to pretend they didn't know each other.

So, Link sneered, "Only small fry arrive early. Do I have a habit of being early?"

These arrogant and provocative words immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

Mihawk, who was resting with his eyes closed, feet on the table, and hands behind his head, and Hancock, who wasn't sitting on a chair but on her pet Salome, both opened their eyes and shot sharp gazes at Link.

Mihawk sized Link up, his hawk-like eyes filled with the sharpness of a swordsman.

Seeing that Link was not a swordsman, he paid no mind to his provocation and closed his eyes again.

Hancock's gaze, however, was filled with ill intent.

If this weren't the place of her nightmares, the imperious Empress would have already erupted, turning every man present to stone and shattering them.

But afraid of drawing attention and accidentally revealing the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon on her back, Hancock could only endure Link's provocation and close her beautiful eyes again.

At the same time, she comforted herself inwardly.

I am only here to repay a debt. After the Summit War is over, I will never set foot in this place again!

As for Bartholomew Kuma, he completely ignored Link, as he was currently in standby mode.

Needless to say, the same went for Teach. No one knew Link's power and terror better than him.

The Sea Knight, Jinbe, was not present. He must have been imprisoned in Impel Down's Infinite Hell for opposing the war with the Whitebeard Pirates, just as in the original story.

So, only Doflamingo, who was perched on his chair, spoke up.

"Fuffuffuffu..."

Doflamingo looked at the spirited Link and let out his unique, wicked laugh. "The Impaler, Link. I've heard so much about you! There's a score to settle between us."

Link sat down next to Hancock, once again drawing the woman's hostile gaze.

Looking at Doflamingo across the table, Link asked doubtfully, "Do you owe me money?"

"..."

Doflamingo's smile froze, a vein popping on his forehead. He laughed lowly, "Fuffuffuffu... How forgetful the great can be. You killed my subordinate on Jaya Island and stole the tribute meant for me. Have you forgotten?"

"Sorry, I forgot!" Link shrugged. "After all, I've cleaned up too much trash. How could I remember every little character and their protector?"

"Fuffuffuffu... What an arrogant answer." Hearing the sideways insult, Doflamingo finally laughed in fury. "I couldn't care less about that little bit of money, but this brat's attitude is really pissing me off!"

"Wanna go a round?"

Link's gaze was profound as he stared at Doflamingo, and a blue aura flared up.

A wave of pressure immediately roared out from his body, instantly filling the entire meeting hall.

K-chak...

Wherever the invisible wave of pressure passed, all objects, as if struck, immediately developed cracks, large and small.

Mihawk and Hancock opened their eyes again to look at Link.

This time, even the fully modified Bartholomew Kuma opened his eyes and scanned Link.

Conqueror's Haki?

No, that's not Conqueror's!

It's not a demonic aura either!

This guy's presence, and that blue aura, what is it?

Teach paused mid-bite of his cherry pie, a hint of shock and wariness flashing in his spectating expression.

In that moment, his Observation Haki sensed a vast, ocean-like energy contained within Link's body.

Could it be the photosynthetic energy of the Logia-type Woods-Woods Fruit?

Under his sunglasses, Doflamingo's pupils constricted.

Before he could respond, Link, who was exuding a blue aura, raised his index and middle fingers and said, "You, who are innately evil, I..."

Bang—!

Just then, the door to the meeting hall was forcefully pushed open.

A voice full of authority followed, reaching the ears of Link and the others.

"That's enough, you scum of the sea."

Sengoku the Buddha, his long chin-beard braided and a seagull perched on his cap, walked in holding a document, interrupting the imminent battle.

He carefully sized up this Link fellow. Just as Vice Admiral Tsuru had said, Sengoku didn't sense any killing intent or demonic aura from him.

And yet, this brat's true nature was that of a madman, just like a Celestial Dragon, treating murder as a game.

If he hadn't stepped in, Link really would have attacked Doflamingo.

At this, the threat level of Link in Sengoku's mind rose once again.

Without wasting any words on Link and the others, Sengoku directly informed them of the battle deployment, stating that on the day of the public execution, they would be given the key to unlock Fire Fist Ace's Seastone handcuffs.

A small gesture of respect, on the surface!

The Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, after all, are an organization under the World Government on the same level as Marine Headquarters.

Just as the Marines cannot engage a Four Emperors crew without permission.

An Admiral also cannot move against a Warlord without permission, or without evidence that the Warlord has broken the rules.

Only the Fleet Admiral himself, showing up in person, could make these villains—who, if they united, would put immense pressure even on a Four Emperors crew—listen to commands and arrangements.

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