Chapter 337

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

"What is the report from Cipher Pol?" the bald Elder with the long, white beard asked suddenly, his voice a low rumble.

The blond Elder answered, "They have prepared their defenses. We never concerned ourselves with the non-affiliated nations, and if we were to declare war now, we would have no clear path to victory. It would only mire us in a conflict we cannot afford."

The bald Elder continued the thought, "Furthermore, our adversary Bai Ye has established control over key shipping lanes with a strange, colorful mist. Without a special token he provides, passage is impossible. It seems they are adopting a defensive posture for now and will not move against the member nations in the short term."

"The member nations are secure," the stout Elder interjected, his voice firm. "With a few exceptions, the ruling nobles of our allied countries would never agree to the absurd proposal of parliamentary elections. As long as the nobility remains in power, the World Government's foundation is stable."

He was speaking the truth. "Establishing their own government gives them a perceived advantage, but it also shackles them," he explained with a thin smile. "If they continue to use force to 'liberate' our member nations, their new alliance will immediately fracture from within. A ruler who chooses the path of benevolence is simply courting his own destruction."

"Indeed," the bald Elder agreed, his hand resting on the hilt of his precious sword. "The World Government has ruled for eight hundred years, and it was not built on fairness. Only absolute force can conquer and maintain order."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Finally, the blond Elder spoke, his voice cutting through the tension.

"For now, we will abandon our plans for the New World."

"We will initiate a worldwide military draft to restore the Navy's strength as swiftly as possible. This time, our opponents are not simple-minded pirates who know only how to fight and kill."

"Send envoys to the remaining non-affiliated nations. Bring them into our fold. If they refuse... then we will take necessary measures. We cannot, under any circumstances, allow our enemies another opportunity to grow stronger."

The bald Elder nodded. "Regarding the Navy, Sengoku has submitted his resignation. However, he used his final act as Fleet Admiral to nominate Kuzan as his successor. Former Fleet Admiral Kong concurs."

"Logically, with the recommendation of two generations of Fleet Admirals, Kuzan should be promoted."

"But..."

Before he could finish, the Elder with the prominent mustache interrupted. "If we promote Aokiji, a man with the same lenient ideals as Sengoku, will the Navy still be an instrument of the World Government's will?"

The stout Elder voiced his agreement. "At this critical juncture, promoting Sakazuki is the only logical choice. He has immense support within the Navy's ranks, and his strength and iron-fisted reputation are precisely what we need."

"In that case, I fear that Kuzan will..."

"It is better if he leaves," another Elder stated coldly. "The Navy has no place for his kind of thinking right now. We have already suffered heavy losses; what is one more?"

"But that would leave two of the three Admiral positions vacant."

"Promote Tokikake to Admiral," the bald Elder declared suddenly. "If not for him, Impel Down would have been completely emptied. That man single-handedly suppressed the escapees from the first five levels. Though he has yet to awaken from his injuries, his strength and reputation have more than met the standard."

The other Elders murmured in agreement.

"As for the final position... we will see what the World Military Draft yields. If no suitable candidate emerges, we will promote from within."

In just a few sentences, the Five Elders had decided the fate of the Navy.

"And the Seven Warlords?" the blond Elder asked, looking at the others. "Several seats are now empty. Blackbeard, Kuma, and Jinbe have all betrayed us. Moria, after his defeat, is no longer qualified to hold the title."

The bald Elder rubbed his temples. "That leaves only Hancock, Hawkeye, and Doflamingo... just three?"

"Send word to Buggy the Clown and Sir Crocodile," the mustached Elder said, his mind working quickly. "Since Alabasta has withdrawn from the World Government, Crocodile's crimes there are no longer our concern. He also fought against Whitebeard at Marineford, which proves he can be reasoned with."

He glanced at the newspaper on the table, a faint, disdainful smirk on his lips. "As for the clown... thanks to Morgans's sensationalism, his reputation is about to skyrocket."

The others might have been fooled, but the Five Elders knew the truth of what happened at Impel Down. Buggy was a man of little skill and immense luck.

"Promise him a few benefits, and that fool will eagerly accept."

"A former member of the Pirate King's crew becoming a Warlord... The title alone will be useful."

No one objected. For the Five Elders, the past crimes or future ambitions of men like Crocodile and Buggy were irrelevant. As long as they could be used to benefit the World Government, all could be forgiven. Filling two empty seats at once was an efficient solution. They briefly discussed the final two vacancies but could not settle on any suitable candidates, deciding to leave the matter for now. The "Seven Warlords" did not strictly need to number seven.

While the world reeled from the aftershocks of the war, life on Grove 29 of the Sabaody Archipelago continued at a more relaxed pace, particularly inside a certain bar.

"That's amazing! Luffy can eat even while he's asleep?" Camie, the mermaid, sat at the bar, watching in awe as Luffy, with bubbles inflating from his nose, shoveled food into his mouth with both hands.

In truth, Luffy had been unconscious since they'd left Marineford. For him, sleeping was the fastest way to heal. After seeing off the Whitebeard Pirates and Sabo's Revolutionary Army contingent, Bai Ye had overseen his recovery. Though Ace and Sabo had desperately wanted to stay, they had their own duties. They exchanged Vivre Cards, promised to stay in contact via Den Den Mushi, and departed.

"He's just special, I suppose," Bai Ye said with a smile, recalling Luffy's last conscious words before he'd passed out.

He had grabbed Bai Ye's arm with surprising strength, his expression deadly serious. "Bai Ye, even if I'm asleep, you have to make Sanji cook for me. If I miss that many meals, I'll starve to death for sure!"

Bai Ye mused that if you swapped out a few words, Luffy's desperate plea could have been one of the most heart-wrenching scenes imaginable.

Just as he was lost in thought, Luffy, who had been eating nonstop for three straight days, finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open.