Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 297 On the Eve of the Attack on Mary Geoise.

At this stage, Bane has already learned a lot of essential knowledge from the great figures of the Warring States period.

For example, a leadership style that ensures everyone fulfills their responsibilities and resources are used to their fullest potential.

The larger an organization is, the more inevitable it will be that people with different ideas and ideologies will exist.

Just like Kuzan and Sakazuki, they are two very representative people who don't get along.

But this doesn't mean they can't coexist within an organization. As long as the organization's leader can balance the two of them, there won't be any major problems.

Just like the era of the three great generals before, the Warring States Marshal did a very good job.

When a cold-blooded attitude is needed, Sakazuki is assigned to the task; when some leeway is needed, Kuzan is assigned to the task; and when ambiguity is needed to maintain a mediocre situation, Borsalino is assigned to the task.

This is the only way to ensure comprehensive coverage and that the organization can effectively implement policies in all aspects.

Bane, who has gradually grown into a "leader," has slowly grasped this essence.

In his view, Sakazuki was perfect for dealing with the remnants of Wano Country. With Sakazuki's mindset of eradicating evil completely, if he went to Wano Country, Momonosuke and his group would be in for a rough time.

I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but I always feel that my young master seems to have some prejudice against Wano Country.

However, she was too lazy to dwell on it, since it wasn't anything important, and quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "I understand."

Just as Ain and Bane finished discussing this topic, the ramp was completely set up, and Bane quickly headed to the warship where Professor Zephyr was located.

Long before he arrived, Zoro and the others had already arrived. It can be said that he, along with Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Issho, were the last major figures to arrive at this "battlefield".

Basically, all the battleships built by the Melvure Navy had the attribute of being 'flagship'.

Therefore, warships are often equipped with a large, spacious conference room, which is even large enough to accommodate giant generals to hold meetings together.

When Bane, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and the others arrived at the conference room, the large room was already filled with people.

"Have you arrived?" Zephyr sat in the head seat, looking at Bane and the others, and gestured with his hand, saying, "Come in and have a seat, we've been waiting for you."

Bane walked into the meeting room, smiled and nodded to everyone, then sat down to the left of Grand Marshal Zephyr. Borsalino and Sakazuki then each found an empty seat and sat down.

As soon as Sakazuki sat down, he focused his attention on Kuzan, who was sitting next to Garp across from him.

After their eyes met for a moment, Sakazuki said in an icy tone, "I never thought I'd be sitting in a meeting with you one day."

Kuzan scratched the back of his head and said in a calm tone, "As long as you're not the one giving the orders, I don't care."

"Have you forgotten that I was the one who carried you out of the battlefield back in Punk Hazard?" Sakazuki sneered, somewhat annoyed.

From other perspectives, such as ideology, Kuzan would never tolerate Sakazuki and would criticize him without hesitation. However, on this particular issue, he was completely untenable. When Sakazuki confronted him directly, he was rendered speechless and even looked slightly embarrassed.

Seeing that Kuzan couldn't refute him, Sakazuki, like a defeated rooster, raised his chin slightly, his expression noticeably more cheerful, with a smile on his lips.

He now felt that showing mercy to Kuzan and carrying him out of Punk Hazard was the best decision he had ever made in his life.

Because of this incident, Kuzan will probably never have the face to yell at him again. If anyone dares to provoke him, he can bring it up again.

"Hahaha, seeing you two still so loving and affectionate, I feel much more at ease," Garp laughed heartily from the side.

Kuzan rolled his eyes at his master and couldn't help but say, "If you're going to go blind, you should get it fixed as soon as possible, Mr. Garp."

Meanwhile, Bane was also chatting with his own people.

"How have you been feeling lately?" Bane asked Zoro, who was standing next to him.

Zoro maintained his aloof and taciturn expression, but after hearing Bane's question, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Not bad, what's up?"

"I thought you'd get a little cocky after defeating Katakuri," Bane teased.

Hearing this, Zoro shook his head and said, "With a monster like you ahead of me, how could I possibly be complacent just because I've achieved some insignificant results?"

After a slight pause, Zoro continued, "After this war is over, I plan to challenge Mihawk. If I can defeat him and become the world's greatest swordsman, then perhaps I'll be a little arrogant."

"The world's greatest swordsman?" Bane remarked wistfully, then added, "Shall we return to the East Blue together then? It's been a long time since I've tasted Master Koushirou's tea; I've been missing it."

Mentioning this, Zoro's face softened with a smile, and he said expectantly, "Okay."

Once he becomes the world's greatest swordsman, he can go back and brag to that Kuina guy!

Besides Zoro, the meeting room also contained Fubuki, Smoker, Dol, and a number of other vice admirals directly under their respective bosses.

Meanwhile, besides the Navy faction, the Revolutionary Army's Dragon, Sabo, and Ivankov were also in this conference room. In addition, the world's most beautiful woman from Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock, was also sitting in this conference room with Fubuki and Dol.

Another noteworthy point is CP-0's Stussy and the Golden Emperor Gild Tesoro of the Golden City.

Originally, the siege of Mary Geoise had nothing to do with Tezzolo, and Bane never considered him a combatant.

But after meeting Nico Robin, Tesoro was very proactive in trying to integrate into their circle. Nico Robin also had a good impression of Tesoro, and Bane also felt that he was a very capable person worth cultivating, so he gave him this opportunity.

After Nicole Robin set off for Elbaf, Tesoro immediately came to join them.

The Golden Emperor, who was so imposing in the Golden City and the Dark World, appeared somewhat cautious in this conference room, not deliberately trying to make his presence known.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"Speaking of which, this is our first time meeting, isn't it, Tesoro?" Bane greeted Tesoro from a distance of a few seats.

Tezzolo originally wanted to exchange a few words with Bane, because he knew very well who the real boss was in this conference room. However, due to the circumstances just now, he was too embarrassed to stand out too much and only thought that he would visit Bane privately after the meeting ended.

To his surprise, Bane took the initiative to greet him, which delighted Tesoro. He immediately adopted a very respectful attitude, saying, "I'm truly sorry, ever since Ms. Nico Robin mentioned you to me back in Carnival City, I've wanted to visit you, but with all the chaos that has gripped the New World, you haven't had the time."

"Haha, Ain and Robin both told me that you wanted to visit me several times, so I'm the one who should apologize. As you said, I was indeed too busy during that period." Bane waved his hand with a smile, and then teased, "I'm really envious and jealous. Among all of us here, you are the first to kill a Celestial Dragon."

When this matter was brought up, Tesoro humbly said, "I have an irreconcilable hatred for the Celestial Dragons, but I was truly powerless in the past. Although I thought about enduring humiliation and bearing the burden, I would sometimes feel despair and think that perhaps I would never be able to take revenge in this lifetime. It is thanks to you that I have been given hope and opportunity, otherwise I would probably still be living in a daze now."

As Bane and Tesoro were talking, Hancock, who had always been aloof, surprisingly joined the conversation, looking at Bane and saying, "You are indeed a man of your word. I thought the day you promised me would be a long time coming, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon."

Hancock has always been reluctant to talk about her experiences on Mary Geoise and has kept them a secret.

I didn't expect that she seemed to have discussed this matter with Tesoro?

Suddenly, Bane realized that Tesoro was the first person to personally kill a Celestial Dragon at this stage. Given Hancock's romantic nature, could it be that she had fallen for Tesoro?

This made Bane inexplicably unhappy, but after observing carefully, he found that although Hancock treated Tesoro differently from other men and did have a "different look" for him, she did not show any signs of being love-struck. This made Bane relax a little.

How to put it? Although nothing happened between him and Hancock, he inexplicably had a possessive desire for her.

Is this what makes the world's most beautiful woman so terrifying?

"The two of you?" Bane raised an eyebrow, asking with a hint of curiosity.

"I was just curious about him, the one who slew the Celestial Dragons. After getting to know him, I found out that he was one of them too," Hancock said calmly.

Tesoro was a very perceptive person, and he seemed to immediately notice that Bane seemed to care about Hancock. He didn't see anything wrong with this at all; she was the most beautiful woman in the world, what man wouldn't have feelings for her? It was perfectly reasonable.

Upon realizing this, Tesoro quickly made himself less noticeable and gradually steered the conversation toward Bane and Hancock.

Hancock looked at Bane and said, "I have come here with no other requests than this one: to accompany you to Mary Geoise."

"And then?" Bane asked Hancock with a smile.

She seems even more charming now that I haven't seen her for several days?

However, considering that Nami, Fubuki, and others were all in the conference room, Bane did not show any unusual behavior.

"Then go on a killing spree." A murderous glint flashed in Hancock's eyes, and her expression turned somewhat fierce.

Even with a fierce expression, her extraordinary charm was still undeniable.

Before Bane could reply, Professor Zeff, who seemed to have finished chatting with Issho, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and others, raised his hand and tapped the table, saying, "Everyone's here, so let's discuss the attack on Mary Geoise."

As soon as those words were spoken, the whispering in the meeting room quickly ceased, and everyone's attention became focused.

(End of this chapter)