One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Whenever a meeting of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is convened, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines is always in attendance.

Additionally, five Vice Admirals are designated to participate.

This is the standard lineup for the Marines at such meetings.

Fujitora had not been in the Marines for long. Despite his formidable strength, his military achievements had yet to qualify him for the rank of Vice Admiral.

In other words, based purely on rank, Fujitora was not eligible to attend the Seven Warlords meeting.

However—

Fujitora had his own way of securing a seat at the table.

With Aokiji as an intermediary, all it took was a simple request to Sengoku, who approved it without hesitation.

With the green light given, Fujitora also took on the role of escort.

Which led to the current scene—the moment he arrived, his overwhelming presence alone silenced the entire room.

After stating his purpose, Fujitora immediately lifted the gravitational force pressing down on Maude and Doflamingo.

The pressure he had exerted earlier was enough to force a careless Rear Admiral to the ground in an instant.

But his targets were Maude and Doflamingo—both vastly stronger than a Rear Admiral. While the gravity wasn't enough to fully restrain them, it did momentarily hinder their attacks.

More importantly, the effect of the gravity sent a clear message: Stop.

Maude sheathed his blade and smiled at Fujitora.

With so many Marines present, he refrained from greeting him outright.

Doflamingo, veins bulging on his forehead, slowly withdrew his aura.

Fujitora's arrival was like a bucket of cold water, dousing his surging killing intent.

But even without Fujitora's intervention, Doflamingo was well aware that, given Maude's current strength, taking him down or even injuring him in a short time was an impossible feat.

"Fuffuffuffu…"

Recognizing that pressing forward was futile, Doflamingo knew better than to waste energy on a meaningless fight. He shoved his hands into his pockets, coldly eyeing Fujitora.

"The Marines sent a blind man to lead the way? You sure you can find your way to Mary Geoise?"

Though Doflamingo had ceased his attack, his sharp tongue remained as cutting as ever.

But no matter how sharp his words, breaking through Fujitora's calm was an exercise in futility.

Fujitora nodded slightly, his tone as placid as still water. "No need to trouble yourself over such matters."

Beyond the conference room doors—

The Seven Warlords, each with their own distinct expressions, stepped forward toward Fujitora.

Whether their escort was blind or not was of no concern; all that mattered was reaching the meeting without issue.

Doflamingo merely smirked, making no further remarks.

However—

From the corner of his eye, he kept his gaze fixed on Maude.

Their feud was growing deeper by the day, and sooner or later, a reckoning would come.

"Let's move."

Fujitora took the lead, using his cane sword like a guiding stick, tapping the path ahead.

The Seven Warlords followed behind him.

Around them, Marines drawn by the commotion watched with apprehension as the warlords gathered.

This was a force capable of obliterating an entire island with ease.

There was no doubt about their power.

And in the coming war, this force would be an asset to the Marines.

That said—

No one expected these powerful pirates to work together harmoniously. At the very least, they hoped there wouldn't be another outburst like today's.

This silent thought lingered in the minds of many Marines.

Gion (Momousagi) quickly approached Fujitora and the gathered Warlords.

She was one of the Vice Admirals assigned to attend the meeting.

In past meetings, the Marines would typically send a handful of Vice Admirals who weren't occupied with critical missions to oversee the proceedings.

Aside from the ever-present Vice Admiral Tsuru, most Vice Admirals never volunteered to attend, simply following orders when assigned.

However, this meeting was different.

Setting aside Fujitora as a special case, two Vice Admirals had volunteered to participate this time.

Those two were Gion and Tokikake (Chaton).

Why?

Perhaps it was because they were currently unoccupied.

Or perhaps… it was because of a certain Warlord.

Gion swiftly caught up to the group.

Meanwhile, Tokikake, who had been sent flying earlier, had intended to stay down and wait for the crowd to disperse before getting up.

But Fujitora clearly had no intention of letting him off so easily.

Sensing the group moving further away, Tokikake had no choice but to rise to his feet and, under the scrutinizing gazes of his fellow Marines, use Soru to flash-step his way to Gion's side.

"Vice Admiral Tokikake, wait!"

At that moment, a Marine from the medical corps rushed forward.

Fujitora, using his Observation Haki, gauged the emotions of the approaching Marine.

There was the expected nervousness of being near the Seven Warlords.

But also, genuine concern for Tokikake's injuries.

Fujitora withdrew his Observation Haki and slowed his pace.

At the rear of the group, Tokikake looked at the Marine and asked kindly, "What is it, young man?"

The Marine hesitated, glanced nervously at the Warlords ahead, swallowed hard, and then turned his attention to Tokikake's swollen face.

"Vice Admiral Tokikake, your face is severely swollen. You should treat the bruising immediately. I have medicine with me."

With that, the Marine produced a small medical kit, looking at Tokikake with earnest concern.

Tokikake's lips twitched. The stares of his fellow Marines suddenly felt a lot more intense.

Damn it… Thanks a lot.

Internally wincing, Tokikake forced a smile—one more painful than reassuring.

"Appreciate it, kid."

He snatched the medicine and hurried to catch up with the group, unwilling to linger a second longer.

Not far away, Smoker, Hina, and other elite Marines watched in silence as the group disappeared into the distance.

Just as Tokikake reached Gion's side, he felt a sharp gaze cutting through him.

Looking up, he saw Maude at the front of the group, his eyes piercing as daggers.

Tokikake frowned slightly.

I was the one who got beaten up and humiliated, not you. Why are you glaring at me?

Uninterested in an unspoken stare-down, Tokikake turned to Gion, hoping to start a conversation that would carry them to Mary Geoise.

But then—

He noticed Gion's icy expression, her gaze fixed straight ahead with a frost-cold intensity.

"…?"

Confused, Tokikake followed her line of sight.

It led directly to Maude, his eyes razor-sharp.

So that's what this is.

Tokikake suddenly understood.

Maude's hostility wasn't directed at him—it was aimed at Gion.

So, these two were having a staring contest?

Tokikake sighed, rubbing his still-throbbing face.

Glancing at Gion, he then slowly craned his neck, sneaking a peek down her collar.

She didn't react at all.

"…Not even a flinch?"

Seeing her unshaken focus, Tokikake gave up.

Just how much does she hate that guy?

If not for certain constraints, Gion would probably be like Doflamingo—ready to fight Maude to the death.

With Fujitora leading, they bypassed the traditional Bubble Lift and instead rode a floating rock straight up to the Red Line.

Far faster than the lift.

Before long, they arrived at Mary Geoise, where armed guards led them into a grand conference hall dedicated to the Seven Warlords meetings.

Inside the conference room, a massive round table dominated the space. As Fujitora and his group stepped inside, Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Great Staff Officer of Marine Headquarters, and Vice Admiral Momonga were already seated.

Tsuru rested her clasped hands against her chin, her serene gaze sweeping over the Warlords of the Sea as they entered in a steady procession.

Likewise, Vice Admiral Momonga, seated nearby, maintained a composed yet slightly solemn expression as he silently observed the arriving Warlords.

His eyes methodically scanned across the figures of Doflamingo and the others, only coming to a pause when they landed on Maude.

The crushing defeat at Lorre Island at Maude's hands was something he had yet to come to terms with.

-------

Want to read waaaay ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/EmperorGarus [remove the parenthesis ( )]

NOTE: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon!