Chapter 113: The Red Hair Sets Sail (Please Subscribe, Recommend, and Vote)

"Reiju, I have received word of your affairs in Alabasta. I must say, I am truly surprised by Buffon’s strength and audacity. How is he adjusting?"

Facing Judge’s interrogation, Reiju pondered for a moment before answering reservedly, "Father, I have been acting strictly according to your orders. As for the results, I am afraid you will have to verify them yourself!"

Judge was silent for a moment before continuing, "Where are you currently located? I will have someone send his battle suit to you. With the suit, he should be able to adapt much faster, and then..."

Listening to the laughter that followed from Judge, a cryptic smile tugged at the corner of Reiju’s mouth.

"Father, we are on our way to Reverse Mountain, but we are being pursued by a Marine Admiral, so we likely won't be staying for long."

Hearing her response, Judge thought for a moment before replying, "I will send people to Reverse Mountain. If they don't catch up in time, keep in touch."

"Understood, Father."

Just as Reiju was about to hang up the Den Den Mushi, she heard Judge’s voice once more: "You have met that brat, haven't you?"

"Yes, he has his own crew now," Reiju replied truthfully, unsure of what answer Judge wanted to hear.

This time, Judge said nothing more and abruptly cut the connection. Reiju put away the Den Den Mushi and relayed the news to Buffon.

Buffon was quite curious about the Germa 66 battle suit; he was eager to see what kind of boost it would provide. The prospect of being able to fly anytime, anywhere, was also something he looked forward to. He had already begun to imagine how he would integrate the suit into his current fighting style.

After a moment of thought, he said, "With Laboon here, we don't need to worry too much about the Admiral's pursuit. Waiting at Reverse Mountain will be fine."

"That Revolutionary... do we really need to bring her along?" Reiju asked, a rare hint of questioning in her tone regarding Buffon’s decision.

Buffon shrugged dismissively. "Her Devil Fruit ability becomes more effective the more people there are! If she had been on the side of the rebels in Alabasta, the outcome might have been very different!"

Reiju nodded, saying nothing more, though she fell into deep thought.

...

Inside the office of the Five Elders at Mary Geoise, the group discussed the aftermath of the Alabasta incident.

The bald Elder’s face was etched with malice as he growled, "To think that a rookie pirate would dare to provoke us like this. Should I go there myself?"

"No need to rush. With Kizaru and Konohanasakuya in pursuit, send Aokiji as well. Currently, only the Marines are aware of this; keep a close watch on Smoker's side, and ensure the world at large doesn't find out. The most important thing now is to select a new Warlord of the Sea to replace Crocodile. If the balance of the three great powers collapses, it will deal a significant blow to the World Government. We must maintain the equilibrium of power!" said the Elder with the golden beard.

"Leave that matter to the Marines to decide. Furthermore, I feel that relying solely on the Marines to capture Buffon might be insufficient," the bearded Elder added.

The Elder with the map nodded and said earnestly, "Indeed. There are always those in the Navy who like to act on their own. Finding a Warlord to join the hunt might produce different results."

"Who would be suitable?" the bald Elder asked seriously.

"We need someone unscrupulous, and we must be able to offer a price that tempts them," the bearded Elder continued.

"Mihawk is indifferent to everything; Kuma has his own mandatory modifications; that snake-woman Hancock holds a grudge against the Celestial Dragons; Jinbe is likely not his match; Moria is out of the question..."

After listening to the map-holding Elder's analysis, the other four said in unison: "Doflamingo!"

"Promise him that the Donquixote family will be reinstated among the Celestial Dragons. He cannot refuse that offer!" the golden-bearded Elder said.

"Should we consult Lord Imu?" the bearded Elder asked uncertainly.

"No, we can decide this ourselves. Tell him he must capture Buffon alive, otherwise..."

Upon hearing this, a sinister, almost imperceptible smirk appeared on all their faces.

...

At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku convened a meeting with the Warlords.

Doflamingo, sitting on the balcony railing, was boredly using his String-String Fruit powers to force several attending Marines to attack each other for amusement.

"Stop it, you bastard! This is no time for games," one of the Marines, throttled by invisible strings, roared.

Seeing this, Vice Admiral Tsuru said helplessly, "You’re the one behind this, Doflamingo! Let them go; they are good boys!"

Doflamingo replied with feigned indifference, "Vice Admiral Tsuru, I really can't stand you calling them 'good boys.' Since that's the case, hurry up and get to the point so we can end this boring meeting! Fufufufufu!"

At that moment, Fleet Admiral Sengoku pushed open the door and said with an air of authority, "What is the meaning of this! Are you here to fight or to hold a meeting?"

"Fufufufufu! I didn't really want to come either, if not for the fact that my island is doing so well, I wouldn't have bothered coming out of boredom!"

As he spoke, Doflamingo sat right on the conference table without a care, while the tyrant Kuma stood silently behind him.

"I see. That is a troublesome matter indeed. The better pirates fare, the more it proves that our Navy is declining," Sengoku remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

Just then, the conference room door opened again. "I’ve been listening for a while and it’s all so tedious. I thought I might have walked into the wrong place!"

Mihawk’s voice accompanied his footsteps.

"If the Marine Headquarters and the Warlords are still at odds, what is the point of this round table?" Mihawk said, clearly aiming his words at Doflamingo.

"Oh my, the most unexpected man has arrived," Doflamingo said with an evil grin.

"Hmph, I am only here to observe. However, I do have a passing interest in the pirate involved in this meeting, nothing more," Mihawk replied calmly.

At that moment, an abrupt voice came from the balcony: "Then, might I join the ranks of the observers? Perhaps not just as an observer, at that."

The sudden voice drew everyone's attention. Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at the man and asked coldly, "You are Lafitte, aren't you?"

Lafitte touched the brim of his hat and said with feigned surprise, "To think someone knows my name. I am truly flattered."

Sengoku, baffled, looked at Tsuru and asked, "Vice Admiral Tsuru, who is he?"

"A notorious sheriff from the West Blue, a man expelled from his country for abusing his power," Tsuru said, her eyes dark.

"Haha, that is ancient history. My past is irrelevant. I am here to recommend someone to become a new Warlord of the Sea," Lafitte said, twirling his cane sword. He continued earnestly, "With Crocodile’s title revoked, surely you are all in a hurry to find a successor?"

"Unknown pirates lack the prestige to keep other pirates in line," Sengoku said solemnly.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku is correct. Regarding that, we have drafted a foolproof plan. Please give us a moment."

Hearing this, Sengoku asked with interest, "And who are you recommending?"

"Our captain, Marshall D. Teach! Our crew is the Blackbeard Pirates. Please remember the name!"

"Let me hear this 'foolproof' plan of yours," Tsuru said calmly.

Lafitte twirled his cane sword again and said, "We will capture a famous pirate and hand them over to the Marines as a calling card for the Warlord position, just as we used Wapol to secure our companion's release!"

"And who is your target?" Sengoku asked sternly.

Lafitte smirked, "The Straw Hat Luffy crew!"

No one else spoke to the proposal, except for Doflamingo, who finally laughed and said, "Fufufufufu! That is quite a good target!"

...

After Lafitte left, they moved on to the next topic: the hunt for Buffon.

Tsuru asked Mihawk, "You have crossed blades with him. What level would you say his strength is at now?"

Mihawk thought for a moment and said playfully, "Hard to say. Had he not killed a Celestial Dragon, he would have had no problem being an independent Warlord."

"Fufufufufu! I don't know what kind of luck Moria had to have such a monster in his ranks, but it seems it ends here," Doflamingo said dismissively.

"Indeed," Kuma added, a rare moment of agreement.

Deep down, he admired Buffon. As a member of the Revolutionary Army, he secretly cheered for the fact that Buffon had killed a Celestial Dragon. If he could help Buffon without affecting the Revolutionary Army's plans, he wouldn't mind doing so.

"The Five Elders have ordered that the Warlords join the pursuit of Buffon. What are your thoughts?" Sengoku asked.

"I have no interest," Kuma and Mihawk said in unison.

"And what about you, Doflamingo?" Tsuru asked.

"Fufufufufu! That depends on what price they are offering! My territory is in the New World; I have no obligation to serve the World Government for pirates in Paradise! Besides, isn't he one of Moria's subordinates? Why not just have Moria hand him over?"

Though he said this, he was already calculating. The World Government would likely never admit that a Celestial Dragon had been killed to save face, but the secret hunt would never cease! As for having Moria hand him over, that was just talk; he knew that was never going to happen.

"Doflamingo, stay behind. Let's discuss this privately," Sengoku said seriously.

...

On a winter island in the Grand Line, Shanks and his crew were roasting meat around a bonfire when suddenly, the Den Den Mushi in his cloak rang!

"Captain, the intelligence is confirmed! Buffon really did kill a Celestial Dragon and is currently near Reverse Mountain!"

"Understood!"

After hanging up, Shanks shared the news with his crew.

Lucky Roux, gnawing on a leg of meat, asked, "Boss, what now?"

"The World Government won't just let this slide," Ben Beckman said leisurely while drinking.

Shanks shook his head and said earnestly, "Let’s go. Set sail!"

"To find Buffon?" Beckman asked, surprised.

"Yes. The World Government won't stand by. If that kid gets captured, getting my severed arm back won't be so easy," Shanks rose, shaking his black cloak, his eyes filled with hope. "However, if they try to stop me, I won't just stand by and take it!"

As he walked into the snow, Beckman’s voice echoed behind him: "Yo-ho, brothers, we’re going to war! Keep your spirits up!"