Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

It's fair to say that as soon as Corazon uttered those words, everyone in the conference hall became serious.

After all, the Kingdom of Dressrosa has become nearly a hundred times more prosperous and wealthy in the past seven years, thanks to the driving forces of "foreign trade" and "tourism".

Not only did the people benefit from this, but the Tontatta clan also shared in the benefits.

If the economy collapses and the Kingdom of Dressrosa were to return to the state it was in seven years ago, where people relied entirely on slash-and-burn agriculture to maintain a basic living, almost no one from the Kingdom of Dressrosa's side would want to see that.

Immediately, without Corazon needing to continue guiding them, the Don Quixote family officials, King Riku, Patriarch Giogan, and other internal affairs personnel in the meeting hall began a heated discussion, proposing various plans to study their feasibility.

However, the discussion below was intense. Corazon, who seemed to be sitting calmly on the throne without saying a word, was actually lost in thought and did not hear the content of their discussion at all.

Because... the theft of the "artificial Devil Fruit" and its entry into the black market, which attracted the covetousness of the Beast Pirates, was secretly arranged by Corazon at the behest of Yann. Otherwise, given the secrecy and security of the "artificial Devil Fruit," there would have been absolutely no possibility of it being stolen.

[Chapter 470. Wano Country]

After all, not every officer was aware of the connection between Corazon and the Revolutionary Army, and the internal affairs officials such as the Riku family and the Tontatta family were even more secretive.

Therefore, Corazon, at Yann's behest, staged this self-directed "theft of artificial Devil Fruits" to legitimately create conflict between the Beasts Pirates and the Dressrosa Kingdom.

"Well... Father, shouldn't you contact me soon?"

Corazon glanced at the Den Den Mushi placed to the side, seemingly unintentionally, and thought to himself.

Just then.

“Bru bru…”

The sound of a Den Den Mushi (a type of electric telephone snail) rang out in the conference room, abruptly ending the discussion between Don Quixote's subordinates, King Riku, and the Tontatta clan.

Immediately, Corazon made a direct call to the Den Den Mushi and spoke.

"Hey."

"I am Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Fleet Admiral Sengoku's authoritative yet slightly stiff voice rang out.

Corazon chuckled strangely, speaking in a somewhat sarcastic tone, "What is it? It's Father? What's the matter?"

Immediately, there was a few breaths of silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, causing Corazon's eyes to flicker with a few ripples.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku, still in his office, took a deep breath and spoke. "Corazon, it's said that the Kingdom of Dressrosa was attacked by the 'Beasts Pirates'?"

"There's no need for Fleet Admiral Sengoku to worry about this. It's just 'Beasts' Kaido; he doesn't have the guts to attack the Dressrosa Kingdom," Corazon said, feigning pride and assertiveness.

Upon hearing this, the Warring States Marshal continued.

"However, according to the Navy's investigation, the economy of the Kingdom of Dressrosa has been severely impacted, to the point that it could be said to have plummeted. So, the 'Heavenly Gold' that is due to be handed over soon this year might also be affected, right?"

After a pause, the Warring States Marshal reminded him.

"You should also know very well that, according to the rules of the World Government, if the 'Celestial Gold' is insufficient, the country may be stripped of its 'World Government Member Country' status."

Corazon's expression immediately turned rather ugly, and even the Den Den Mushi in front of Fleet Admiral Sengoku seemed to mimic a hint of anger.

However, the next moment, the Den Den Mushi in front of the Sengoku Marshal, mimicking Corazon's expression, suddenly grinned and let out a laugh.

"Hahaha……"

"It's quite rare for a Warring States Marshal who's solely focused on justice to remind me of these things. Could it be that he's actually concerned about me?"

"Speak, Marshal Sengoku," Corazon said sarcastically. "What is your purpose?"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku took a deep breath and reminded him, "Corazon, don't forget that you are one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. On this point, our positions are very similar."

“Go on,” Corazon continued.

Immediately, Fleet Admiral Sengoku said, enunciating each word clearly, "'The Red-Haired Pirates' have declared war on the 'Beasts Pirates' head-on. This is a good opportunity."

Corazon paused for a moment, lost in thought, then chuckled and said, "I understand. As expected of you, Father. So, you want to take this opportunity to swallow the 'Beasts Pirates' whole?"

"This is for the sake of justice for the sea," replied the Warring States Marshal.

“Good proposal, I accept it,” Corazon said.

"In addition, there's 'Great Hero' Tiger and Gecko Moria's side," Fleet Admiral Sengoku reminded him.

Corazon pondered for a moment, then said, "Sure, but if we can really destroy the 'Beasts Pirates,' I'll take 'Wano Country.'"

Upon hearing this, even the Warring States Marshal, with his composed nature, couldn't help but frown.

The core territory of the entire "Beasts Pirates" is in Wano Country, a vast land comparable to the Alabasta Kingdom.

In the past, Wano Country had an incredibly glorious history, and as the birthplace of samurai and ninjas, it produced countless powerful figures.

However, with Wano Country's policy of isolationism, its reputation has gradually faded from the awareness of the sea.

However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was well aware of Wano Country's status on the sea. For one thing, Wano Country was the origin of Seastone, which is the nemesis of Devil Fruit users.

It is precisely because the Beasts Pirates control the production and processing of Seastone that the Beasts Pirates, which rarely engage in diplomatic alliances, have such a huge influence in the New World.

Now, Corazon's desire to obtain "Wano Country" reveals his terrifying ambition.

'That bastard…'

Marshal Zhan Guo clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, and a nameless rage surged forth, making him realize that he had truly been blind in the past.

Corazon, like his brother Donquixote Doflamingo, will be a source of chaos. I was wrong to think that he was different from Doflamingo in the past, and even put him back into the Donquixote family as a spy.

Fortunately, there was also the filial and capable Yan, otherwise the Sengoku Marshal might have been so angry that he vomited blood on the spot.

Thinking of this, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, feeling somewhat comforted, gradually calmed down and spoke bluntly, "Hmph, Corazon, whether you can take Wano Country depends on your own abilities."

Immediately, without waiting for Corazon to speak, Sengoku no Fleet Admiral hung up the Den Den Mushi in his hand.

"Tsuru, we need to increase our attention to Corazon from now on. This guy's ambition for the sea is definitely not simple, and he may even be more terrifying than Doflamingo, who wanted to overthrow the sea." Fleet Admiral Sengoku said angrily.

"Ah."

Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded to indicate that he understood, and then said, "However, since Corazon has agreed, the biggest problem among the Seven Warlords of the Sea can be considered solved."

The Warring States Marshal breathed a sigh of relief, regained his spirits, and replied.

“That’s right. With that, Corazon, Tiger, and Moria, who all have Hueco Mundo’s background, are no longer a problem. As for Bartholomew Kuma, we’ll leave it to the World Government to handle. So, next up is Hancock.”

After thinking for a moment, the Sengoku Marshal picked up the Den Den Mushi again and contacted Hancock.

"What's up?" Hancock's tone wasn't distant, but it was far from intimate either.

Immediately, the Warring States Marshal didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose.

“If Lord Yann agrees, then I am willing to contribute my strength,” Hancock replied without hesitation.

Upon hearing this answer, the expressions of the Warring States Marshal and the Vice Admiral Tsuru twitched slightly, but they were not surprised at all.

"Okay, then I'll have that brat Yann contact you."

[Chapter 471. The So-Called Fishing]

"It's almost exactly as expected."

Vice Admiral Tsuru watched Fleet Admiral Sengoku awkwardly hang up the Den Den Mushi and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Compared to the other ambitious Shichibukai, Hancock's capriciousness in this respect is rather endearing."

Upon hearing this, the Warring States Marshal couldn't help but smile.

After all, regardless of the circumstances, since Hancock's stance is aligned with Yann's, it means she is aligned with the Navy, which undoubtedly makes her a completely trustworthy source of combat power.

"Then there's 'Thor' Enel and 'Hawkeye' Mihawk..."

Then, Fleet Admiral Sengoku turned his gaze to the last two Shichibukai, picked up the file on "Hawkeye" Mihawk and put it aside, saying...

"Until the relationship between Mihawk and 'Red-Haired' Shanks is clear, it's hard to guarantee his stance, so we'll exclude him for now."

"In terms of insurance, that is indeed the case," Lieutenant General Tsuru agreed.

"Then the remaining 'Thor' Enel..."

The Warring States Marshal was immediately caught in a dilemma and muttered to himself.

"The upper limit of this guy's combat power is likely very close to that of Admiral Kizaru, and may even surpass him in destructive power. However, there is too little information about him, far too little..."

“Indeed, ‘Thor’ Enel is too mysterious. He uses Sky Island as his base, and any creature that dares to approach Sky Island will be punished by him with lightning.”

After a pause, Vice Admiral Tsuru continued, "Even under Enel's reputation, the entire first half of the Grand Line now regards Skypiea as an untouchable and inaccessible forbidden zone, and information about him is extremely scarce."

Fleet Admiral Sengoku rubbed his temples and said wearily, "Let's put it aside for now and consider it again tomorrow. If all goes well, having the assistance of five Shichibukai would be quite ideal."

“Okay…” Lieutenant General Tsuru.

……

Meanwhile, on the white sea beneath the Sky Island, drifts a strange ship that appears to be entirely made of gold—the "Ark Proverb".

Meanwhile, on the deck of the "Ark Proverb," ​​Enel was munching on an apple while idly watching the Den Den Mushi in front of him.

Why haven't you contacted us yet?

Enel muttered to himself, “The High Priest clearly said that the Navy might contact me tonight and have me answer questions according to the script.”

"Could it be... that I remembered the time wrong?"

Enel took another big bite of the apple, then threw the remaining core aside, lay down, stared wide-eyed at the stars above, and waited quietly.

"Let's wait and see, the navy might be too slow..."

However, as the stars faded and dawn broke, Enel, who had been staring wide-eyed and waiting for contact, suddenly stood up. His eyes were bloodshot, and a series of crackling sounds came from his body.

"Damn it, how dare you toy with this god!"

"The Navy must be punished. How dare they keep delaying and not contacting me?"

As for whether the High Priest might have made a mistake?

Impossible. How could the High Priest, who is a god himself, be wrong?

Even if there is a mistake, it is because those foolish humans are too inefficient and are fooling the gods!

……

Last night, Arn slept quite soundly. After sending Sora and Ying to the naval academy, he probably went out to sea to fish.

Then, news of the Navy's secret contact with the "Seven Warlords of the Sea," and even the specific content of their conversations, reached Arn.

Incidentally, Yann reassured Enel, who planned to unleash a "Ten Thousand Lightning" attack above Marineford, explaining that it wasn't that the Navy looked down on him, but rather that truly important figures required utmost caution, and that contact and recruitment were only undertaken as a last resort.

"How is the situation, Chief of the General Staff?"

Soon, Dragon took the initiative to contact Yann to inquire about the situation.

While Yann's influence could subtly affect the inclinations and actions of the six Shichibukai, it did not mean that all six Shichibukai were members of the Revolutionary Army.