Chapter 307 

Marine Headquarters, Meeting Room. 

"The so-called 'Shicibukai' are notorious pirates granted 'plundering permits' by the World Government," 

Marine's "Meeting King" Brannew was once again presiding over a briefing. Though he had climbed from Lieutenant Commander to Commodore through countless meetings since Luffy's first bounty, Brannew wasn't just talk. He had proven himself during the Summit War, wielding a blade in one hand and a transponder snail in the other, cutting down enemies while coordinating with Impel Down. 

"Their power and reputation serve as a deterrent to other pirates, reducing the burden on us Marines." 

Everyone in the room was at least of officer rank, so Brannew didn't need to hold back. While Vergo was an exception, most Marine officers lived up to the "justice" they stood for. 

Pointing at a series of bounty posters, Brannew began his introductions: 

"First, there's the lone swordsman among the Warlords, the world's greatest swordsman, [Hawk-Eye] Dracule Mihawk!" 

A man with piercing yellow eyes like an eagle's, a short beard, and a black hat adorned with white fur. A man renowned as the best in the world. 

"Next, posing as the king of Dressrosa while secretly being a major figure in the underworld, [Heavenly Yaksha] Donquixote Doflamingo!" 

With his short blonde hair, red sunglasses, and a cocky, sinister smile, he seemed like a gang leader. But in truth, Doflamingo was a master of both the legal and illegal worlds, with ruthless tactics to match. 

"Finally, there's the so-called 'Whitebeard Jr.,' who isn't acknowledged by the Whitebeard Pirates—[Monster] Edward Weevil!"

A man with a thin, long white mustache curved upward like Whitebeard's crescent-shaped one, but finer. His face and neck had stitch marks, giving him a fierce yet dull appearance. 

"The commander of the Pirate Dispatch Company, a legendary man: "Thousand-Lion Dōka Buggy!""

He had a skull pattern drawn on his forehead, blue streaks across his eyes, a big red nose, and red lipstick. His wild grin was both silly and crazed—the look of a clown. 

"Known as "The Worst Generation" and "Surgeon of Death," Trafalgar Law!" 

Wearing a fluffy winter hat with leopard spots, he had distinctive dark eye bags, a beard on his chin, and a perpetual smirk that radiated disdain. 

"These five are the targets we need to keep an eye on!"

As the "Great Pirate" era progressed, the Marines' strength grew alongside it! Especially after Roman created the "United Fleet" money-making machine, the Marines' power expanded rapidly. 

Unlike the chaotic and divided pirates, the skilled members of the Marines, despite their differences, all shared a common goal: bringing peace to the seas. 

So, the Seven Warlords might soon become a relic of history! 

As for the remaining two, Brannew continued the briefing: 

"Once the king of the Sorbet Kingdom, now turned into a Marine weapon, "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma!" 

A tall, expressionless man with a hat featuring bear ears. Due to modifications by Vegapunk, he was now nothing more than a machine that followed orders. 

"The queen of Amazon Lily, the former pirate "Empress" Boa Hancock!"

A stunning woman with long black hair styled in a hime cut, deep blue eyes, golden snake-shaped earrings, and an unparalleled beauty. She placed a finger on her lips in a gesture that was both arrogant and alluring, exuding elegance and pride. 

"Of course, Bartholomew Kuma is already one of our key Marine weapons, and Boa Hancock now protects our "United Transport Fleet." She has long since left the world of piracy." 

"In fact, at the upcoming World Conference, Amazon Lily will officially join the World Government as a member nation. This will greatly enhance collaboration and... uh, partnerships with the Marines." 

What does Amazon Lily have the most of? Women—or more precisely, female warriors! And what do the Marines have the most of? Men, strong and capable men! 

With the formation of the United Fleet, Amazon's female warriors and the Marines' soldiers fought side by side, forming bonds of camaraderie. Soon enough, those bonds turned into something deeper, with many openly pairing up. Amazon Lily was now practically the Marines' "in-law family." 

This was a far cry from their old ways of "sailing out to snatch men." Of course, Amazon Lily's main island still banned men from entering. But that didn't stop the enthusiastic Marine soldiers from cobbling together an artificial floating island using abandoned ships near Amazon Lily. If it weren't for the Calm Belt's difficult navigation, it might have attracted countless rogue warriors... uh, suitors, seeking to prove themselves in combat. 

All of this was secretly orchestrated by Roman. After all, wasn't it better than some matchmaking show where only money mattered? 

"However, this morning, Doflamingo suddenly resigned from the Seven Warlords! And the instigator of all this, Trafalgar Law, will surely be stripped of his title too. The balance of power on the seas is shattered, but the Marines are not ready yet—" 

"You all understand the situation, right?" 

A fiery voice interrupted Brannew. Fleet Admiral Akainu, now rarely seen without a cigar, spoke up. In just two years, he looked like he'd aged twenty. 

"We can't let Law and Straw Hat run wild for now. Observe for a few days. I've already sent Fujitora to handle it!" 

What Akainu didn't know, however, was that Fujitora was someone who also did things "his own way." 

—————— 

"Yohohoho, everyone, look!" 

On the Sunny, an excited Brook rushed out of the cabin, grabbing his shirt and ripping it open on both sides! 

No, it wasn't anything perverted... Well, maybe it was. After all, Brook's antics were always a bit outrageous. But now, in his ribcage... 

"Ahhh! Isn't that the poisonous jelly?! Get rid of it, quick!!" 

"It's Little Slime! I knew Roman would have a way!" 

"Don't touch it, Luffy—" 

"Let me play with it, let me play!!" 

Law helplessly watched as Luffy, Brook, Chopper, and a tearful Usopp, who got dragged in, turned into a chaotic pile. 

I'm so tired. Let's just end the world already. 

"This is a small slime I brought back to life using Brook's bone fragments… No, I mean bone scraps that fell off Brook's body." 

The slime originally belonged to Caesar as a pet. It had eaten the "Salamander Fruit - Hexagonal Dinosaur Form," becoming a gel-like toxic gas bomb of H2S. Before Caesar killed it with an artificial Devil Fruit, Roman managed to save part of it. 

"Since it was 'revived' using Brook's bones, it instinctively follows Brook's orders," Roman explained to everyone, introducing the "pet." 

"Additionally, it still retains its original ability to absorb toxic gases. If we encounter poisonous enemies in the future, it'll come in handy. Of course, we'll need to develop this ability further." 

And the task of developing this slime fell on Chopper, as the line between medicine and poison was thin for someone like him. 

If Chopper wanted to, he could become a fearsome master of poison in no time! 

"Hahaha, let me play with it first~~" 

As Luffy yanked hard, the semi-transparent slime popped out of Brook's chest and shot outward, landing on Luffy's head with a smack. 

"Luffy looks like…" 

"Hahaha, doesn't he look like a Celestial Dragon now?" 

Ignoring Luffy flailing with the slime stuck on his head, Usopp and Chopper burst into laughter, pounding the floor. Law's worldview shattered again and again, until there was nothing left to break. 

This?! How are you planning to become Pirate King and take down all the Emperors with this crew?! 

"You guys, go play somewhere else." 

Holding a glass of juice, Nami waved them off with an annoyed look. Meanwhile, Robin gazed at the bizarre slime with interest. Franky smiled and shook his head, like an adult watching children play. Which, honestly, wasn't far from the truth. 

"Too bad it's not edible~~" 

At Sanji's lament, Zoro, lounging by the ship's rail, lazily opened one eye before closing it again to resume his nap. 

"You'll get used to it," 

Roman patted Law on the shoulder. Once upon a time… Law couldn't even find the words to reply and just rolled his eyes. As Brook extended his hand, the slime on Luffy's head immediately flowed back into Brook's body through his finger bones. 

"Aha~~ Aha~~ I'm saved!" 

"Little Slime, come out! Come play with me. I'll even share my meat with you~~" 

Watching Luffy try to "tempt" the slime hiding in Brook's clothes, Law felt utterly numb. 

"Alright, enough about the pet for now." 

Roman clapped his hands. In the distance, a "black dot" appeared on the horizon—their destination: Dressrosa, the "land of love, passion, and toys." It was also Donquixote Doflamingo's stronghold for the past ten years. 

"Better safe than sorry. I don't want to see you all lose in some ridiculous way after I've shared all this intel." 

Roman had already briefed everyone on the abilities and strengths of the Donquixote Family's officers. However, he purposely avoided mentioning Sugar's specific ability, vaguely warning them that her power was exceptionally dangerous. 

After all, Sugar's ability was ridiculously overpowered and heavily guarded by Doflamingo's crew. Even Roman couldn't explain how he knew about it without raising questions. 

"In short, they have three top officers with Vice Admiral-level strength, and the rest of their officers are around Marine captain-level…"

Senor Pink, Gladius, Machvise, Dellinger, and Lao G all definitely have Marine Rear Admiral or even Vice Admiral-level strength. 

Dellinger, in particular, is the youngest (16 years old) but has the highest kill count in the original story! He single-handedly took down a bunch of bounty hunters worth over 100 million berries. And Lao G, when using his "Battle Preservation Fist," is no pushover either—he was evenly matched with a 500-million-bounty Chinjao. Judging from their performances, both are close to elite Vice Admiral level. 

As for Buffalo, Baby-5, and Jora, they're just useless. Once you know their abilities, no one in the current Straw Hat crew would be afraid of them. 

And as for Sugar... well, that's Usopp's job. 

"We can look down on the enemy strategically, but tactically—" 

"We've arrived! Dressrosa, here we come—big adventure!!" 

"Great," 

Roman suddenly shifted the tone. 

"Luffy and the others will act as the 'decoy team,' while we secretly eliminate their officers and finally take down Doflamingo!" 

"Roman, our real goal is to destroy the 'SMILE Factory' and set the Beasts Pirates against the Donquixote Family, isn't it?" 

"Don't worry," 

Roman nodded confidently. 

"Any plan that involves Luffy always ends in total chaos! I have complete faith in that." 

"Hehe, I'm not that amazing~~" 

"No one is praising you!!" x3 

"Ahem," 

Law coughed, trying to regain focus. 

"In that case, let's... just... move freely for now." 

It seemed like Roman was the only reliable one here. 

[End of Chapter] 

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