136 Pursuit, the Seven Warlords Plan

Across the endless expanse of the azure sea, a vessel cut through the water at high speed.

For three full days, Xuan Ye had combed the area surrounding Long Chain Island, yet there was no sign of Weevil or his mother. During the search, he had kept his Observation Haki fully engaged, leaving his mind teetering on the edge of exhaustion.

Coming to a halt in the middle of the ocean, Xuan Ye sat cross-legged, his expression gloomy. As the waves rose and fell, he stared at the horizon where the sea met the sky, a thought beginning to take root.

"I have the attack power, the speed, and the defense, but I lack tracking capabilities. Is now the time to develop that?"

He pinched his chin, reflecting on the recent battle. If he encountered fleeing enemies in the future, relying on the World Government’s intelligence network every time would be troublesome. Why not develop his own ability to mark enemies? The more he thought about it, the clearer and more viable the idea became, and a stream of concepts began to flood his mind.

"Perfect. While waiting for news, I can use this time to train and develop new abilities."

Action followed thought. He stood up, intending to find the nearest island to put his ideas into practice.

At the same time, in an unknown stretch of sea, a primitive island welcomed two disheveled figures.

"Mama... why are we running?" Weevil asked, his simple face etched with indignation as if he were a common criminal.

"You idiot, you were defeated! If we don't run, do you want me dead?" Miss Bakkin leaned on her cane, looking at him with a mix of fury and exasperation.

"Mama, I wasn't defeated. If you had just given me a little more time, I would have recovered from my injuries," Weevil argued, unwilling to accept the truth.

"Fool! In that situation, if I hadn't saved you, you'd be dead already! What time would you have had to recover?" Miss Bakkin grumbled, her aged face twisted into a sour grimace.

"Thank you, Mama!" Weevil grinned foolishly and scratched his head.

"Forget it." Miss Bakkin turned away, shielding her expression from him, thinking to herself, *If it weren't for the treasure, I wouldn't bother with you, you idiot.*

"Mama, what do we do now?"

"We'll find a place for you to heal your wounds." Miss Bakkin stepped onto the island and began to walk inland.

"But Mama, my wounds are already mostly healed." Weevil patted his chest. The severe injuries inflicted by Xuan Ye were nearly gone. This monstrous regenerative ability was truly terrifying, especially considering only three days had passed. Most importantly, Weevil possessed a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, not a Zoan; it was hard to fathom that such recovery was possible.

"You idiot, can you beat that guy? He’s definitely scouring the world for us right now; it's better to hide," Miss Bakkin thought, feeling a headache coming on from his lack of intelligence.

This time, Weevil remained silent, clearly wary of Xuan Ye.

"Mama, who is that guy? Why does he want to kill us?" Weevil asked suddenly, as if a switch had flipped in his brain.

"What? You don't even know who he is? We killed his master, you fool!" Miss Bakkin was stunned. She had assumed that since he had fought the man so fiercely, he understood the reason. Once again, she was reminded of his stupidity. Still, it was for the best; the dumber he was, the easier he was to control.

"His master? Who is that?" It was clear Weevil had already forgotten.

"The Marine who caught us the first time," Miss Bakkin said, her tone malicious.

"Oh! I remember now, that old man. It's a good thing I listened to you back then and begged him; he was so stupid, he actually let us go." Weevil paused, a flash of realization crossing his face. "But Mama, why was it so easy to find that old man the second time? And his strength was so weak, nothing like the first time—he didn't even have the power to resist me."

"Stupid boy, it's because there were people within the Marines who didn't want him alive. And as it happens, we wanted to wash away our shame, so joining forces was a good idea," Miss Bakkin said with calculated cunning, her face full of disdain.

"Oh! I get it." Weevil patted his head, enlightened. "So, that fiery bastard from before came to take revenge because he's that old man's disciple."

"Mama, what should we do now?" Weevil asked in his booming voice.

"Wait. Perhaps that person will contact us." Miss Bakkin walked along on her short legs, waving her hand.

As if on cue, a Den Den Mushi in her pocket began to ring. Her eyes lit up. With a smile, she pulled it out and waited. After connecting, there was silence for three full minutes before a dull, disgusted voice finally spoke.

"Marine Vice Admiral, 'Heavenly Bird' Xuan Ye Tang, is coming for you. If possible, kill him."

"Your news is too slow. We’ve already clashed, and the opponent's ability is quite strong. Didn't you once suffer at his hands as well?" Miss Bakkin tapped her cane, her voice calm.

"Do you want to die?" The voice was filled with murderous intent, as if suppressing endless rage.

"No... no... we wouldn't want to go against the Marines, especially someone like you," Miss Bakkin replied, feeling a touch of wariness, for the person on the other end was no simple character.

"Five hundred million berries. I want his head."

"Deal!" Miss Bakkin's eyes sparkled, and she agreed immediately.

"Hmph, don't be so eager to agree. Be careful not to lose your own life in the process. Recently, the Marines will be implementing the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan; seize the opportunity. This is the condition we agreed upon previously." With a click, the line went dead, leaving Miss Bakkin filled with excitement.

"Mama, who is that guy?" Weevil asked curiously.

"Don't worry about that. You just need to know how to cut off that fiery bastard's head."

"Don't worry, Mama, I will definitely cut off his head."

"Five hundred million berries... the Seven Warlords of the Sea..."

In the blink of an eye, the two disappeared into the jungle.

-----------------------

Meanwhile, at Marineford, the atmosphere in Sengoku’s office was oppressive.

"Speak. What do you think of this matter?" At the head of the table, Sengoku rubbed his temples, his expression grim.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea... the conditions offered from above are truly generous." Tsuru tapped her fingers on the desk, her face equally troubled. She knew that if this plan were implemented, the Marines would suffer a massive blow to their authority.

*Clack... clack...* Below them, Garp ate his donuts, completely indifferent to his status as a Vice Admiral.

"Yo! That’s truly terrifying, isn't it? Are we really going to recognize a group of lawless pirates?" Borsalino set down his documents, his thoughts unreadable.

"Are the Five Elders even aware of the implications of this proposal?" Kuzan asked, sounding genuinely annoyed.

Just then, the door pushed open. Sakazuki entered with a stony expression, sat in his chair, and stated, "The decision of the Five Elders is an order. We, the Marines, must execute it."

Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing: *It seems the Five Elders intend to rein in the Marines.*

Helpless, even as Fleet Admiral, Sengoku could not oppose an order that had to be carried out.

"Since that is the case, discuss the candidates for the Seven Warlords. We will deliberate tomorrow." Sengoku waved his hand, signaling them to leave; he needed time to think.

Once everyone had left, Sengoku roared in a low voice, "Who on earth proposed this?"

Outside, the others reacted in their own ways—some sighed, some were indifferent, others were filled with grief and indignation. They all knew the world was becoming increasingly chaotic. Using pirates to suppress pirates—what was the point of the Marines then? How would the world view them? Most ironic of all was that the Marines were being forced to validate the illegal acts of these Warlords. It was a mockery of justice.