Chapter 129: Planning the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"BOSS, this pirate group is very mysterious, as if they suddenly appeared in the East China Sea. In addition, according to uncertain gossip, Captain Cid easily defeated the colonel of the Navy Headquarters guarding the town of Rogue in the East China Sea, the 'White Hunter' Smoker who possessed the ability of the natural smoke fruit. Admiral Aokiji from the Navy Headquarters came out to say hello and raised the initial bounty to 100 million berries." Nico Robin's ability to gather intelligence is still quite good.

"Isn't there any information about the woman who uses lightning?" Crocodile asked with a frown.

"I've asked, but apart from his name being Zeta and that he's always maintained a half-beast animal form, there's no other information. Based on my guess, he's most likely a user of the rare mythical beast ability recorded in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia." Nico Robin said after thinking for a moment.

"Are there any mythical beasts of the animal type? Do you know where they are?" Crocodile continued to ask.

"I heard from the survivors that they were heading towards Gaya Island, apparently intending to plunder Mogu Town. But whether that's true or not is unknown." Nicole Robin replied calmly.

"Magic Valley Town" Crocodile secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, because he was really a little afraid that the other party would come to Alabasta.

Crocodile was not willing to provoke this unfathomable pirate group when the Utopia operation plan entered a critical period.

"BOSS, then let's..." Nico Robin was interrupted by Crocodile just when she said this.

"Just spread the news we got to outsiders, and then keep a close eye on this pirate group. As for Whiskey Peak, you just need to mobilize some manpower and a small amount of supplies. The work company doesn't keep idle people. If you can't survive, you might as well die." Crocodile said immediately.

Crocodile didn't care about the heavy casualties among his men. In fact, if it wasn't for the need to protect the territory of Whiskey Peak and not cut off the source of funds, he wouldn't want to bother with these rubbish at all and would just let them fend for themselves.

However, one of the bases of Baroque Works was severely damaged for no reason, and Crocodile did not intend to remain silent. Although he would not come forward in person to seek revenge, he would not do nothing either.

"I understand!" Nicole Robin said and turned away.

Two days later, two new bounties were sent to the world by messenger gulls along with news about Whiskey Peak.

'Masked Rider' Cid, bounty of 1 million Baileys, life or death.

Zeta ‘Mad Thunder’, bounty of 8000 million berries, life or death.

Such a small episode, apart from attracting the attention of a very small number of people around the world, basically did not cause any waves.

On the other hand, on the Grand Line, many people were paying attention to the Masked Pirates. After all, the first bounty offered for Captain Cid was over 100 million, and it was the admiral of the navy who came out to make a special announcement. When the news spread, many people were surprised.

After the massacre of more than half of the people at Whiskey Peak was exposed, which led to the suspicion that there was a person with the ability of an animal-type mythical beast, which was said to be rarer than the natural-type, in the Masked Pirates, many people's attention to the Masked Pirates continued to increase.

Of course, these had no effect at all on Li De and his crew who were sailing.

Reed and his group also saw the new bounty, and the only one who reacted was probably Delta.

"Kalina, how long will it take us to reach Gaya Island?" Delta couldn't help but ask after seeing Zeta's bounty order.

“Sister Delta, this cross-route voyage will probably take at least half a month, and this is just a preliminary estimate. After all, as you can see from the map, the straight-line distance between Gaya Island and Whiskey Mountain is indeed very far.” Kalina explained patiently.

"Delta, don't bother Kalina. Anyway, you will be the main force in hunting when we arrive." Li De calmed Delta down.

"Boss, that's a deal." Delta replied immediately.

"When the time comes, I will ask others to help you guard the area around Mogu Town." Li De said slowly.

"I like BOSS the most." After hearing this, Delta's tail immediately swung up.

Time passed quickly during the relatively boring voyage for half a month, and the islands finally appeared on the unchanging vast sea.

"We're finally here!" Standing at the bow, Li De couldn't help but say excitedly.

"Yes, we finally see land." Claire said happily.

You know, it was the first time for Li De and his crew to take a 17-day sea voyage, and they had been eager to see land.

"BOOS, can we start hunting as soon as we dock?" Delta asked impatiently. After all, she was almost going crazy after these seventeen days.

"Okay, except for the store staff in this town, no one else will be left alive." Li De gave the order directly.

Anyway, this lawless area of ​​Mogu Town is not a place where normal people would come, so there is no need to worry about accidental injury or death.

However, as the Pure White Knight got closer to Gaya Island, Reed showed a look of surprise.

"Sid, what's wrong?" Claire noticed the subtle change in Reed's expression at the first moment.

"There are actually several relatively powerful auras on this island." Li De said.

"BOSS, I don't sense any powerful prey, they are all very ordinary!" Delta said after a moment of surprise.

"Stupid dog, the master is talking about relatively strong. The aura that makes you feel strong must be at least that of a senior vice admiral or even a navy admiral." Zeta said sarcastically.

"Stinky cat, what did you say? Do you want to fight?" Delta suddenly got angry and shouted.

"I don't want to. Go find the weaklings on the island and vent your dissatisfaction! Master, I'll go to the back of Demon Valley Town to guard it." After saying that, Zeta turned into a ray of lightning and disappeared on the boat in an instant.

"Master, is there anything wrong with these relatively powerful auras?" Beta on the side asked.

"I hope I'm overthinking it!" Li De shook his head, because he really couldn't be sure if there was anything fishy going on.

You know, according to the original plot, before the arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates, the 5500 million "Hyena" Bellamy was already a big shot in Magic Valley Town.

If the several powerful auras on the island at this moment were measured by bounty, 5500 million would not be enough to defeat them.

"Master, do these people need special treatment?" Ipsilon asked immediately.

"Let's do this. Except for those who claim to be the World Government or the Navy, everyone else will be treated equally." Li De said after thinking about it.

"Captain, your previous layout is not related to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, right?" Kalina on the side suddenly asked.

After looking at Kalina, Li De was still a little surprised.

After all, he hasn't told anyone about this matter.

"Really?" Seeing Li De's expression change, Kalina's eyes lit up.

"Why do you think so?" Reed asked Kalina.

"The main reason is that throughout the journey, the captain has given me the impression that he is not the kind of person who does things without a purpose. So I have been wondering whether you invited Hawkeye to drink and easily let the white hunter from Rogue Town go because you were afraid or had a purpose." Kalina no longer hid her thoughts.

After all, Li De's every move has a huge impact on her. If Li De makes too much trouble, it is still unclear whether Karina dares to leave the Masked Pirates after the six-month agreement expires.

Therefore, Kalina has been trying to figure out Li De's various actions and the intentions behind them.

Then with a little comparison, it is not difficult to find that Reed is obviously more friendly to the people of the World Government, but very casual to other people.

After all, if everyone had the same attitude, there would be no casualties at Whiskey Peak.

Kalina knew that Li De and his team had the strength to take down Whiskey Mountain without any injuries. Apart from other things, the Conqueror's Haki alone was enough to sweep the entire island. Although Kalina had not yet awakened her Haki, she had a sweet mouth and had learned a lot about Haki from Delta, Ipsilon and others.

Because she knew the types of Haki and the effects of each Haki, and had experienced it herself, Kalina knew how powerful her captain and other temporary companions were.

After hearing Kalina's answer, Li De immediately laughed and said, "I do have such a plan."

Because Kalina was right, both Mihawk and Smoker were actually his plans.

Although Li De volunteered to treat Mihawk to a drink, he didn't necessarily have to treat him to a defective product of the divine wine. In fact, high-end red wine would be enough.

Li De did this for only one reason, which was that he hoped that when Sengoku came forward to preside over the selection of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Mihawk would be able to speak a word for him.

Although Reed did not say it explicitly when he and Mihawk were drinking, according to the original plot, after Crocodile was defeated, Mihawk participated in the Shichibukai selection meeting.

At that time, even if it's just to recommend myself, that glass of wine will be worth it.

As for Smoker, showing a friendly attitude towards the navy will help to influence the direction of the Warring States.

Although the attitudes of the Sengoku people towards who should be the Shichibukai are similar, when picking the tallest one among the short ones, why would they choose the one who is extremely vicious instead of someone who has a better attitude towards the navy?

Given the relationship between Smoker and Kuzan, as long as he didn't hide it, the top naval officials would definitely be able to see Reed's attitude.

Of course, these arrangements may not be useful, but they did not cause Li De to lose anything.

Just do it casually, if it works, wouldn't it be better?

As for why Li De wanted to get a place among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, it was because participating in the war with this identity was much better than participating in the war as a pirate or some mysterious figure.

Don't forget that the Battle of Marineford was a joint effort between the Navy and the Seven Warlords of the Sea to fight against the Whitebeard Pirates.

With the identity of a friendly army, when Reed is trying to kill Teach, maybe he can get the navy to help.

Even if the navy watched the battle from the sidelines, it would be better than interfering and hindering Li De from completing his mission.

Therefore, for Li De, the identity of one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is very necessary.

"But Captain, there are currently no vacancies among the Seven Warlords of the Sea!" Kalina asked Li De with some curiosity.

"No, actually there is!" Li De shook his head and said.

"Did the Pirate Queen really die?" Karina couldn't help but say with her eyes wide open.

As for why she said this, it was because about a year ago, after Morgans reported the news about the two Shichibukai, he was given a beating by the Five Elder Stars.

Then Morgause released a supplementary report, one to clarify that the news of the suspected death of the Pirate Empress was a rumor, and the other was that Gekko Moriah died at the hands of the Navy Admiral candidate 'Momotosagi' Gion because he violated the taboo of the World Government.

After Gekko Moriah's death, Edward Weeble, who had served as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in the original work, was invited by the World Government to become a new member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, replacing Gekko Moriah.

There is no need to think about it, there will be huge opposition to this appointment from the navy, because Zefa has such a great influence in the navy.

But when it comes to the existence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system, the Five Elders will definitely not back down.

In addition, the Seven Warlords of the Sea belong to the World Government and have no direct relationship with the Navy. Therefore, even if Sengoku opposes it, as long as Sora does not express his position, he will not be able to shake the decision of the Five Elders.

Don’t think that Edward Weeble cut off Zefa’s hand and killed a ship full of candidate cadres in the elite training camp.

But in fact, he is definitely not the only one among the Seven Warlords of the Sea who killed navy personnel. Don’t forget that Hawkeye Mihawk’s title is ‘Navy Hunter’!
Why wasn't Mihawk condemned like this, but Edward Weeble was? Isn't it because he cut off one of Zephyr's hands?

So even though they are all in the same navy, there are still differences in closeness.

In fact, the Five Elders chose Edward Wembley out of helplessness.

Although there are many powerful pirates in the world of pirates, there are not many who are willing to serve as the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Look at the people who have held the position before, they all had their reasons.

For the sake of Ginny's daughter Bonnie, Bartholomew Bear had no choice but to unconditionally agree to any conditions of Jaygolucia Satan.

Boa Hancock is trying to protect the Nine Snake Kingdom from becoming a hunting target for the Celestial Dragons.

Jurak Mihawk wanted to avoid being hunted by the navy. After all, if he couldn't settle down, he wouldn't have a stable environment to concentrate on studying kendo.

Jinbe was invited because the Five Elders wanted to strengthen the harmony among races, and he also wanted to rescue Arlong and others who were imprisoned in Impel Down.

Crocodile wants to cause trouble in Alabasta. After all, without the support of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, he will never be able to gain a foothold in Alabasta.

Gekko Moriah is out for revenge, so he is willing to cooperate with any force that can deal with Kaido. It just so happens that the Five Elders have long coveted Wano Country, so the two sides hit it off.

There is no need to say much about the remaining Donquixote Doflamingo, he has a special identity. If he does not get the status of Shichibukai, he will not be able to escape the pursuit of the navy.

In other words, the first group of people who served as the Seven Warlords of the Sea all had requests from the World Government.

There is no need for this reason, there are pirates who are willing to lick the World Government, but within this limited scope, there are very few truly strong ones.

Rather than saying that the Five Elders took a fancy to Edward Weeble, 'Whitebeard II', it would be more accurate to say that the Five Elders took a fancy to Miss Barkin, a remnant of the Rocks Pirates.

This little old lady meets the standards of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in terms of both strength and prestige among pirates.

If it weren't for her, Edward Wemble, who was obviously mentally retarded, would never have been chosen.

As for whether Zephyr defected after Edward Weible became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Reed is still unaware.

At least there was no relevant report in the World Economic News in Morgans.

Of course, this is not important to him.

"Boa Hancock is most likely dead, and the follow-up news about Morgause is just enough to fool ordinary people." Reed replied slowly.

"In that case, Captain, you do have a good chance." Kalina said with shining eyes.

"There are always opportunities. After all, the number of the Seven Warlords of the Sea can be reduced. But for now, the most important thing is to establish a reputation first." Li De said, looking in the direction of Gaya Island.

"BOSS, I'm going to make a name for you right now!" After saying that, Delta leaped up, then quickly stepped on the air and rushed towards Gaya Island using the Moon Step.

Beta and Ipsilon caught up immediately. After all, Zeta was only responsible for the rear of Magic Valley Town, and one person was needed on the left and right sides to catch any fish that slipped through the net.

"Master, I'm going too!" After seeing Beta and Ipsilon set off, Victoria also set off.

(End of this chapter)