https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-816-Calling-in-Reinforcements-One-by-One/13539315/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-818-Eliminate-Them-All-Saves-Us-the-Trouble/13539317/
Chapter 817: Even the Seven Warlords of the Sea
Chapter 817: Even the Seven Warlords of the Sea
Red Port.
Storbery received the call and rose from his resting room, slid the door open, and walked out toward the plaza.
In the plaza, several familiar faces emerged as well.
"Storbery, did Kuro summon you too?" Aokiji, chewing his cigar, tilted his head to look at Storbery.
The other nodded. "Looks like the command was the same for all of us."
Besides the two of them, seven or eight Vice Admirals had gathered here—clearly all called by Kuro.
Borsalino, his eyes gentle as always, approached. "Who managed to set him off like this? There sure are a lot of us this time."
"Dalma said the Headquarters side got orders too", Dalmatian added.
"Perfect!" Doflamingo rumbled. "This World Meeting nonsense has been tying our hands. Every pirate thinks they can start plundering towns while we're away."
"The Navy obeys orders first. Sakazuki, the Fleet Admiral, granted Kuro authority, so we just follow his lead", Storbery said.
"Then let's summon our subordinates. Only Commanders and above", Aokiji suggested. "With so many pirates concentrated at this pirate celebration, we can wipe them out in one sweep!"
"Right. Let's start gathering forces."
The Vice Admirals nodded in unison and began summoning their elite subordinates.
Nearby, in a restaurant, Kaku watched the scene and shrugged. "This is serious. Are we reliving the Summit War?"
Earlier, two Vice Admirals had taken Kuro's call right in front of them, their conversation crystal clear.
"Puhahaha, scary stuff!" Garp laughed. "This lineup could empty the Navy!"
"Whatever. We've got nothing better to do", Zoro said. "When Kuro left, he looked furious enough to spit nails."
"Puhahaha, hey, what's-his-face, Moer? How come you're taking them?" Garp turned to a lazy-looking older man beside him.
"Aww, this is a pain. I knew he was keeping me here for no good reason." Moer scratched his head. "But, uh, I do have the ability for this."
"Oh? A Devil Fruit user? Convenient", Garp chuckled.
Beyond Red Port, Headquarters mirrored the same frenzy. Several Vice Admirals summoned their subordinates, sending the New Marine Headquarters into full motion.
"Oh~ this is terrifying indeed."
Outside the Fleet Admiral's office, Lucius Kro observed the commotion below, lips pursed. "This time seems worse than the last. Gathering so many—won't that worry the higher-ups?"
"Sakazuki, the old man gave him authority, so he expected this", Sengoku said, joining him and staring downward. "If the upper echelons demand explanations, the old man will handle them himself."
They wouldn't even need explanations—the news reached Mariejois far faster.
"Bad news! Bad news!"
A Navy officer burst into the room where the five old men sat, kneeling on one knee. "A large group of Vice Admirals has left Red Port! They're answering Golden Lion Vice Admiral Kuro's summons!"
"We understand. You may leave", the curly-haired elder said.
After the officer departed, he fell silent, then asked, "What do you think?"
"Kuro's throwing a tantrum", said the bearded elder, hands in pockets. "Technically, the Navy should guard the royal family until the World Meeting ends, but interfering now would be messy."
The sword-wielding elder nodded. "Lucius Kro has been loyal to us. We shouldn't embarrass him now."
The map-reading elder agreed. "Exactly. His fortress was destroyed by Bartholomew. We should teach these escaped pirates a lesson. Otherwise, every World Meeting draws pirates causing trouble, forcing kings to complain afterward. This is our mistake—let Kuro handle it."
The red-skinned elder added, "Right. During this World Meeting period, CP can reinforce security. Let Lucius Kro take care of things. That monkey's idle at Headquarters anyway."
"Also, Sengoku", the curly-haired elder said. "Though retired, he should help. We can't leave Mariejois underprotected."
World Meeting security wasn't just about guarding royalty—it was to prevent reckless pirates from causing chaos. Ever since Fisher Tiger's bare-handed ascent of the Red Line, they'd been on alert.
But now, Kuro's mass deployment left their defenses thin. They'd have to compensate elsewhere.
Three Admirals, two Admiral candidates, plus Sengoku and Garp—this lineup should hold until Lucius Kro finished his operation.
This way, they could punish those pirates and show the kings their Navy was taking action.
A two-birds-with-one-stone solution they gladly accepted.
After all, just catching Bartholomew? With this force, impossible to fail.
...
Grieg.
"Two more left, Old Man wants conscripted. No, three."
In the Meeting Hall, Kuro remembered a few stragglers and turned to Klah. "Buggy's Transponder Snail—do we have it?"
"Let me check, Mr. Kuro." Klah dialed Headquarters, though he stood right there. Providing support was more efficient this way.
Then, he dialed another number himself.
"Hello?"
The call connected. On Kuro's wristwatch Transponder Snail, a pair of hawk-like eyes appeared.
"You're actually providing support? Finally ready to challenge me, the World's Greatest Swordsman?"
"Can you have some ambition? Why are you fixated on me, Dracule Mihawk?"
Kuro rolled his eyes. "By Headquarters' command, I'm summoning you to Grieg. Hawk-Eye—I need your strength."
A pause. Then a chuckle. "Conscripting the Seven Warlords? Interesting. I heard Big Mom and Kaido are meeting. Are you aiming to take them all?"
"The Old Man hasn't lost his mind. Just blowing off steam. Coming or not?"
"If it's a conscription order, of course I'll come. Wait for my news."
Kuro hung up and dialed again.
"Hello, this is Kusnake Island."
An elderly voice answered—probably a grandmother.
"Connect me to Boa Hancock", Kuro demanded. "This is Old Man Kuro."
"Golden Lion? One moment."
There was a flurry of movement, then footsteps.
"Boa Hancock! Boa Hancock! The Navy's on the line!"
"What Navy? I'm busy! Luffy's officer!"
"Stop playing with your dolls. It's Golden Lion!"
"Golden Lion? Kuro, that bastard?!"
The Transponder Snail clattered. The snail's form shifted—now a proud, uplifted face, as if straining to break free of its shell.
"Boa Hancock, come to Grieg." Kuro ordered.
"Why should I listen to you?!"
"Because the Old Man issued a conscription! Fleet Admiral-approved, under my command. Don't test me—I'm in a bad mood. Your only choice is obedience!"
Kuro snapped, "Unless you want Kusnake Island to 'accidentally' burn down, get moving!"
(End of Chapter)
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