Chapter 298: My Captain

The Shichibukai (Warlord of the Sea) meetings, historically led by the Fleet Admiral, had always been more of a formality than a serious assembly—few ever truly paid them any mind.

As such, attendance was usually sparse, with only two or three members showing up at most, making a full quorum virtually unheard of.

Yet this time, due to the incident where Maude had eliminated Gecko Moria, five out of the six remaining Shichibukai were present.

Even Dracule Mihawk, the one least likely to attend such a meeting, had traveled a great distance to be here.

Not only were several Shichibukai, including Donquixote Doflamingo, visibly surprised, but even Fleet Admiral Sengoku found himself momentarily stunned as he watched Mihawk stride toward the massive round table.

Meeting the subtle yet probing gazes of those present, Mihawk, whose very presence was as sharp as his blade, remained expressionless and simply stated, "I am merely here to listen. Nothing more."

His meaning was clear—he was attending the meeting as an observer and had no intention of interfering in its proceedings.

"Fufufu... Is that really all?" Doflamingo chuckled, scrutinizing Mihawk.

He didn't believe Mihawk's words for a second. Yet, despite his careful contemplation, he couldn't find any intelligence linking Mihawk and Maude.

Furthermore, there had never been any significant interactions between Mihawk and Gecko Moria.

So then, what was Mihawk's motivation for attending this meeting?

Though curious, Doflamingo maintained his ever-present unsettling smile.

Mihawk merely cast a cold glance at him, choosing not to respond. Without another word, he took his seat.

Doflamingo wasn't the only one intrigued—everyone else in the room was equally curious and surprised.

Yet Mihawk ignored their inquisitive stares, crossing his arms and waiting for Sengoku to commence the meeting.

Crunch. Crunch.

The only sound breaking the silence was that of Garp noisily munching on senbei.

Like Mihawk, Garp's presence at a Shichibukai meeting was a rare occurrence.

And today, the two of them happened to be in the same room.

Doflamingo, ever the instigator, stirred up another topic before the meeting could officially begin.

"Fufufu, just one more and we'd have a full house. Too bad that woman is unlikely to show. Otherwise, I might've thought this summons was for an emergency that couldn't be ignored."

As he spoke, Doflamingo withdrew his gaze from Mihawk and turned his attention to Jinbe, seated a few seats away.

"Though I'm surprised that even Mihawk is here, I'm even more astonished that you showed up, Knight of the Sea... Jinbe."

"I have ties to Bacardi Maude," Jinbe stated plainly.

Unlike Mihawk, who couldn't be bothered to explain himself, Jinbe directly addressed Doflamingo's probing question without hesitation.

"Ties? Fufufu..."

At the mention of Maude's name, Doflamingo instinctively placed a hand on his shoulder. A chilling glint flashed behind his sunglasses before he let out a low, signature chuckle.

"Yes. Do you have an issue with that?" Jinbe asked, his steady gaze reflecting Doflamingo's faintly turbulent emotions.

Doflamingo suddenly recalled something and let out a cold laugh. "Not an issue, no... But it just occurred to me—some of the people Maude killed belonged to a certain... Evil Something Fish-Man crew, didn't they?"

"..."

Jinbe's brow twitched slightly, but he remained silent.

Leaning back in his chair, Doflamingo crossed his legs atop the table and said with mock indifference, "So that crew was your so-called 'tie' to Maude, huh? That means we might just have something in common after all."

Jinbe's expression remained composed as he coolly responded, "You and I have nothing in common."

"Oh, don't be so quick to say that. After all... I have a bit of 'history' with that guy myself."

For the first time, Doflamingo's voice carried a distinct, chilling edge of killing intent.

Jinbe's eyes flickered with surprise, but he chose not to engage further.

"This is no place for idle chatter, Doflamingo," Sengoku interjected, his gaze sharp as he sought to rein in the ever-restless Warlord.

Doflamingo shrugged, flashing his unsettling grin once more. "Then hurry up and end this boring meeting."

The moment his words fell, a playful voice echoed from the window.

"Hoho, seems I've arrived just in time."

"Hm!?"

Every person in the room instinctively turned toward the voice, only to see a man in a black suit and a top hat perched casually on the windowsill—Lafitte.

Despite the presence of so many powerhouses, including Garp and Mihawk, none had detected Lafitte's approach until he spoke.

"When did he...?"

Several Vice Admirals, who had attended the meeting per protocol, looked on in shock.

Garp put down his half-eaten senbei and regarded Lafitte with an impressed smirk. "Not bad—your ability to conceal your presence."

"You flatter me. It's nothing but a petty trick."

Unfazed by the weight of the gazes upon him, Lafitte leaped gracefully from the windowsill. As he landed, he twirled his cane with effortless elegance, tapping the marble floor rhythmically with his heel.

Without delay, he got straight to the point. "I apologize for the intrusion. If permitted, I'd like to attend this meeting."

"Who do you think you are?!"

Several Vice Admirals shot to their feet, glaring coldly at Lafitte.

But Lafitte ignored them, directing his attention solely to the one with true authority in the room—Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

"Lafitte, the Demon Sheriff," Sengoku said calmly.

If not for Maude, he likely would have needed someone to remind him of Lafitte's identity.

Lafitte's lips curled into a polite yet enigmatic smile. "My captain isn't too fond of the title 'Demon Sheriff,' so he gave me a new one—Ferryman of the Underworld. I hope you'll remember it."

Sengoku's gaze sharpened instantly, his presence surging as he replied in a deep voice, "Don't get too arrogant, boy."

"Hoho, my apologies. But this isn't about me."

Even in the face of such an imposing aura, Lafitte remained composed and unshaken.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, who had been observing him closely, narrowed her eyes and calmly stated, "Lafitte, you've taken a great risk coming here at this time. Your intent is clear—you wish to recommend Maude for the vacant Warlord position, correct?"

"Precisely."

Straightening his posture, Lafitte looked Tsuru in the eye and continued, "I have come here today—"

Before he could finish, Doflamingo abruptly attacked, flicking a bullet-like thread infused with Armament Haki toward him.

Lafitte's eyes flickered with a brief change of expression. In an instant, he half-drew his cane sword and positioned it defensively in front of his chest.

The Haki-imbued thread, as swift and forceful as a bullet, slammed against Lafitte's cane sword, producing a sharp, piercing sound upon impact.

Aside from the noise, Lafitte remained firmly in place—unshaken.

Doflamingo regarded him coldly, his voice laced with menace. "You've improved."

A faint smile tugged at Lafitte's lips as he calmly sheathed his sword.

Around the round table, the assembled figures reacted differently, each observing Lafitte's composed demeanor in the face of sudden attack.

Particularly those Marine Vice Admirals who had previously harbored hostility toward Lafitte—now, they were quietly alarmed.

By now, they had recognized his identity.

Bacardi Maude's subordinate.

"A man like him… willing to serve under someone else?"

After all, everyone seated here possessed power capable of shaking the world. If they were to set foot in the New World together, a single act could send tremors across the seas.

Yet, despite facing such an imposing assembly, Lafitte remained utterly unshaken.

Not only had he infiltrated this place undetected, but he had also been able to defend himself against Doflamingo's attack.

More than just strength—his composure alone spoke volumes.

And yet, such a man willingly followed Bacardi Maude's lead.

What did that say about Maude himself?

The Vice Admirals furrowed their brows, their expressions growing increasingly solemn.

To them, the more remarkable Lafitte appeared, the more extraordinary the unseen Bacardi Maude must be.

Crocodile, the former Warlord who commanded an entire underground empire and a cadre of elite subordinates, narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Lafitte—the man who, from the moment he arrived, exuded an undeniable presence.

Strangely enough, Crocodile felt a tinge of envy toward this unseen Bacardi Maude, the man who had earned the loyalty of such an exceptional subordinate.

Despite the weight of so many scrutinizing gazes upon him, Lafitte remained unaffected by Doflamingo's sudden aggression. With unwavering composure, he continued from where he had left off.

"As she just stated, I am here today to propose the most suitable candidate to succeed Gecko Moria as a Warlord of the Sea. That candidate is none other than… my captain, Bacardi Maude."

"Fufufu…"

Before anyone could react, Doflamingo was the first to rise.

A chilling, murderous aura radiated from his entire being.

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