The Proposal of Shichibukai System

Ever since the balance of power in the New World had begun to stabilize, Sakazuki had been quietly laying the groundwork for his grand plans across all four seas.

The world entered a strange period of calm.

Time edged forward, and the calendar turned to the year 1497.

During these three years, neither the pirates nor the Marines made any major moves. The giants of the New World focused on consolidating and solidifying their territories. Expansion came to a halt.

Two years ago, the Roger Pirates made a sudden appearance at Twin Cape, and ever since then, they had been charging straight towards New World without slowing down.

Their unusual behavior drew the attention of the Marine high command, who struggled to decipher Roger's true intentions. But the picture on their side was just as troubling. The stalemate in the New World had only deepened, locking the balance of power in place.

Garp continued his pursuit of Roger.

Sakazuki held the front half of the Grand Line with an iron grip.

Sengoku was stationed at G-1 Branch in the New World to keep things under control.

At the same time, a new generation of Marine monsters was starting to rise, gaining fame across the Four Blues. But despite this, the shortage of high-level combat power meant the Marines could no longer exert their will in the New World as freely as they once had.

In response, after a discussion between the Mariejois' top leaders and Fleet Admiral Kong, a new plan was brought to the table.

It was called the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" system.

The goal was to select seven powerful up-and-coming pirates. The government would grant them the legal right to plunder, along with other special privileges.

In exchange, they would compete against the New World's major powers, limiting their growth. However, the intention of legalizing piracy sparked fierce resistance. Many officers were appalled by the idea, and as a result, the plan remained on hold.

Moreover, on Carlo's side, as he wandered the seas with Enel without drawing much attention, countless soldiers trained from childhood were quietly placed into many branch offices.

At some point, every year, a few base commanders across the Four Blues began to mysteriously die at the hands of pirates…

This eerie calm lasted until Roger returned to the New World.

Then everything changed.

* * *

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Sakazuki had just returned from G-1 Branch. The second he stepped off his warship, the emergency alarm blared throughout the base.

Without pause, he dashed toward the Fleet Admiral's office.

Inside, some high-ranking officers had already gathered. Kong gave Sakazuki a brief nod, motioning for him to take a seat.

The vice admiral found a place at the side and sat down. Soon after, a Marine clerk burst into the room with an urgent report.

"Fleet Admiral Kong! Roger and Golden Lion have made contact in the Edd War waters of the New World!"

Kong nodded gravely. "Regarding the matter with Roger and the Golden Lion—"

Before he could finish, Garp stood up and started walking out.

"Haha! Looks like this is my cue."

A vein popped on Kong's forehead. "Hold it, Garp. I haven't finished talking."

But the vice admiral just waved him off with a grin. "But I've already heard enough!"

He opened the office door and walked out.

Kong slammed his desk. "Don't you da—"

Bang!

The sound of the door shutting cut him off mid-sentence.

Kong was left speechless. He could only sigh. Garp's behavior never changed, and he was powerless to stop it. Still, with Sengoku already deployed and the vice admiral involved too, things should be fine.

With Roger and Golden Lion temporarily addressed, Kong turned his attention back to the meeting.

"Now then, regarding the Seven Warlords of the Sea proposal. Any further thoughts?"

Immediately, the room exploded like a lit powder keg.

"No way. We're giving pirates legal rights to plunder? That's madness!"

"They're pirates. If plundering becomes legal, what does that make the Marines? A joke?"

"This proposal must be scrapped!"

"Since when did the Marines need pirates to help control the seas?"

"Absolutely not!"

Kong massaged his temples, irritation building as voices rose and collided.

He slapped a fist on the desk.

"Enough!"

He looked over at Sakazuki, who had remained silent the whole time.

"Sakazuki. What do you think?"

Everyone turned toward him.

Ranked as the Marines' fourth-strongest force, he commanded a reputation few could ignore.

Sakazuki thought for a moment, then spoke.

"The Warlord proposal has merit. Just being able to tie down the pirate emperors of the New World would greatly reduce the number of Marine casualties.

"But the authority granted to the Warlords of the Sea is too great. It needs to be restricted. For example, this so-called right to 'legitimate plunder'—it's far too vague.

"Suppose if they start seizing Marine ships, are we just going to stand by and let it happen? If there's no clear boundary set, then it'll become uncontrollable later on.

"There must be a detailed treaty they are required to follow. And we must infiltrate, monitor, and even support their development.

"We raise them into dogs, not equals to the Marines. They just need to bite when ordered, and if they disobey, we put them down. There's never a shortage of people willing to be dogs when death is the alternative.

"They mustn't be given too much freedom. It would be best to keep the Warlords concentrated in the first half of the Grand Line. With the protection of Marine Headquarters, they can rival the New World powers for influence. Keep the pirate emperors locked in there. Limiting their reach."

The room fell silent as the officers absorbed his words. Slowly, heads began to nod.

Kong's eyes also lit up.

"Well said. That's a workable plan. I'll bring this to Mariejois myself. Meeting adjourned."

He turned to a nearby officer.

"Leopold, check recent deployment records. Find out who's closest to Jaya Island. Have them move in fast and apprehend the outlawed Ohara group."

"Understood!"

Sakazuki, sitting to the side, remained motionless...

* * *

On the other side, not far from the Fleet Admiral's office, Garp was strolling out when a laid-back young man suddenly appeared behind him.

Kuzan, hands in his pockets, gave a dramatic, exaggerated bow of admiration.

"Garp-san, you turned down another promotion, didn't you? You're seriously too cool!"

Garp grinned. "If you want to be free, you don't need a fancy title."

He turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him. "Hey Tsuru, give me a lift when we head out, will ya?"

Tsuru gave him a sideways glance. "The deployment order hasn't even come through yet. And if you get on my ship, it won't make it to sea. I'd rather not have you onboard."

Garp laughed heartily. "Come on, don't say that. Roger's my business. I'll be the one to bring him in."

While talking, the group walked toward the bustling harbor filled with Marine ships.

On one of the warships, Sengoku was briefing Borsalino and the others on their mission when he caught sight of Garp walking up.

A sinking feeling crept into his gut as he shouted down furiously, "Garp! We've already assigned the Shiki case! Get back now!"

Garp just laughed, climbing aboard another ship.

"Don't sweat it, Sengoku! You can have all the credit! Bwahahaha!"

Veins popped on Sengoku's forehead.

"That's not what I meant, you bastard!"

* * *

Purururu~ Purururu~

A Den Den Mushi rang aboard a Marine vessel sailing the Grand Line.

Years of experience had given Dragon a calm, composed presence. He picked up the receiver as a voice came through.

"Is this Rear Admiral Monkey D. Dragon?"

"This is Dragon. Go ahead."

"It's like this. A group previously wanted for researching forbidden government topics has been spotted near Jaya Island. You're the closest unit. Fleet Admiral Kong has ordered immediate pursuit and capture. We're sending you their data now."

Dragon's reply was brisk. "Understood."

He turned and gave orders to the helmsman.

A moment later, all data transmitted through the Den Den Mushi had been printed to paper.

Dragon studied the pages with a frown.

"Archeologists…"

* * *

Back at Marineford.

In a secluded part of the base, Sakazuki stood still, his Observation Haki sensing everything happening in the communications room.

He gave a faint chuckle. "Dragon… fate, is it? The time has come..."

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