Chapter 280: Times Have Changed!

In the Sabaody Archipelago, inside Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Silvers Rayleigh was sprawled lazily on a sofa, looking every bit like a retired old pirate. He held a half-empty jug of liquor in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

"Oh? Now this is interesting," Rayleigh mused, his eyes scanning the headlines. "Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria has been stripped of his title and is now a former Warlord?"

Behind the bar, Shakky was polishing a glass. She chuckled softly and remarked, "If I remember correctly, this is the first time a Warlord has ever been officially removed, isn't it?"

"The World Government claims that he went missing in the Florian's Triangle… but something about this feels off," Rayleigh muttered, taking a sip from his jug.

Indeed, the World Government had not released any details regarding Moria's actual fate. The official statement was vague, simply stating that Gecko Moria had been lost at sea within the Florian's Triangle for over three years. With no way to contact him, they had declared him missing and revoked his status.

This story, naturally, played on the fears of the common folk. After all, if even a powerful pirate like Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had been swallowed by the Florian's Triangle, what chance did ordinary adventurers have? Many reckless explorers were now thinking twice before setting sail for that infamous region.

"The Government still needs the Warlords to maintain order on the seas," Shakky mused. "They'll be filling that vacancy soon enough. Who do you think they'll pick?"

Hearing this, a knowing smile crept onto Rayleigh's face. His gaze drifted to a bounty poster hanging on the nearby wall.

It displayed a 150-million-berry bounty not the highest out there, but still impressive considering the person had only recently set out to sea.

A new term had been making waves lately in the pirate world—Supernova.

Among the rookies of the Grand Line, those with bounties exceeding 100 million berries had begun to be called Supernovas. If this young man made it to Sabaody Archipelago, he would fully earn that title.

Rayleigh had one reason for keeping that bounty poster displayed, it belonged to the son of his former captain, Gol D. Roger.

Of course, that fact remained a secret only Rayleigh himself knew the truth.

"Fire Fist—Portgas D. Ace… a Logia user with the Flame-Flame Fruit," Rayleigh mused aloud. "Could it be him?"

Shakky tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Ace, huh? Well, considering he's tied to CP-X and Claudius is his godfather, I wouldn't be surprised if he was given a seat among the Warlords."

Neither Rayleigh nor Shakky knew the full extent of what was happening behind the scenes. But if there was some sort of conspiracy at play, they suspected Claudius was involved perhaps negotiating for Ace's benefit.

After all, Claudius seemed to treat Ace like his own son. He had even gifted him one of the most powerful Logia fruits, the Flame-Flame Fruit. If Ace truly wished to become a pirate, Claudius might be paving the way for him… supporting his rise to power as a Warlord.

---

Meanwhile, on Kuraigana Island, Dracule Mihawk sat alone inside the castle, a newspaper in his hand. His sharp eyes scanned the headlines about Moria's removal from the Warlords.

His brow furrowed slightly.

"Under normal circumstances… even if someone disappeared for three years, they wouldn't lose their title over it," Mihawk muttered.

After all, the World Government only cared about the power of the Warlords. As long as they served their purpose, it didn't really matter if they actively participated in Government affairs.

So why now?

For the Government to suddenly strip a Warlord of their status like this… something felt off.

"Perhaps they're making preparations for something big…" Mihawk murmured.

And for some reason, even though Claudius was not mentioned anywhere in the newspaper, Mihawk's thoughts instinctively drifted to him.

The World Government removing a Warlord meant they were planning to replace them. From that perspective, it looked like they were adjusting their strategic forces.

And if they were restructuring their forces, that meant something major was on the horizon.

It reminded Mihawk of the times when the Government orchestrated operations against Big Mom and Kaido each time, the Warlords had been mobilized as a key part of the plan.

"Maybe I'm just imagining things," Mihawk mused, shaking his head.

After all, he had no concrete evidence only vague suspicions. Perhaps the World Government really did believe that Moria had disappeared and was simply replacing him with someone more useful.

Regardless, Mihawk didn't particularly care. As the World's Strongest Swordsman, he was confident in his own strength. Whatever was coming, he welcomed the opportunity to test his blade against the strongest warriors the sea had to offer.

---

Unlike the lone wolf Mihawk, another Warlord was receiving direct intelligence from Claudius himself.

In Alabasta, inside the Rain Dinners Casino, Crocodile sat at his usual seat, cigar in mouth. His Den Den Mushi was connected to Claudius.

"How's the situation in Alabasta?" Claudius asked casually.

Crocodile exhaled a plume of smoke. "Everything is proceeding smoothly. The rebels are locked in a stalemate with the Royal Army. This war is draining Alabasta's coffers by the day… or, more specifically, the Nefertari family's wealth."

He smirked. "When the time is right, I'll intervene, wipe out both sides in one fell swoop."

"Good. Do as you see fit," Claudius replied. Then, with a chuckle, he asked, "By the way, Crocodile, did you read today's news?"

Crocodile glanced at the newspaper on his desk. Moria's face stared back at him.

A wicked grin spread across his face. "Of course. There's some deeper scheme behind this, isn't there?"

"Ahahahaha, sharp as ever," Claudius laughed. "You'd better be ready. We might need to mobilize the Warlords soon."

Crocodile's eyes gleamed. "So the Warlords are being fully assembled? You're planning something big, aren't you?"

"The plan is to target the Whitebeard Pirates," Claudius admitted. "The timing is still being decided, and Marine Headquarters needs time to prepare. But I need all of you ready at a moment's notice."

Crocodile took a slow drag of his cigar. "You're moving against the strongest man in the world already? Will the Marines take point?"

In past operations against Big Mom and Kaido, the Marines had always led the charge after all, dealing with pirates was their job.

But this time, Claudius smirked and said, "No. This operation will be led by CP-X."

Crocodile raised an eyebrow. Then, after a moment, he let out a quiet chuckle. "I see… so you've finally set the stage."

He exhaled another cloud of smoke and muttered, "The times are changing."

Claudius's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, carrying an amused tone.

"The times are always changing, Crocodile. They never stop."