Having resolved their course, Kuro finally made his decision regarding these Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"The flight path is decided, so..."
Kuro said in a deep voice, "Hawkeye, Jorakor Mihawk."
Mihawk's eyes flickered as he looked at Kuro.
"Empress, Boa Hancock."
Hancock stroked her hair, looking haughty.
"Shah Crocodile, the King of the Desert".
Crocodile chewed on a cigar, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
“A thousand taels of silver, Pakistan.”
Buggy cowered there, trembling as he calculated how many pirates he would have to deal with.
Kuro stood up and said to them, "Congratulations on becoming a Shichibukai. I hope we can cooperate well."
Two people were not invited: one was Xiong, and the other was 'Whitebeard Jr.'
Apart from Bucky, everyone else seemed lost in thought.
"Um... I wanted to ask something."
Bucky then raised his hand and asked, "Why are 'Tyrant' and 'Whitebeard Jr.' missing?"
Why would you ask such a question?
Mihawk remained expressionless, Hancock showed disdain, and Crocodile gave Bucky a dismissive look.
Kuro stubbed out the last bit of his cigar in the ashtray, exhaled a straight plume of smoke, and said, "As for the bear thing, those who know, know; those who don't, don't ask. You won't understand even if I explain, so it's better to say nothing—it's too complicated. As for that 'Whitebeard Jr.,' it's mainly because I'm not too happy about him, it's that simple."
“Perfect timing, since you’re all here, is there anyone you know who can nominate the remaining three seats?” Kuro said.
The group exchanged glances but remained silent.
Buggy, however, had an idea: to recommend one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?
It's time to show off my influence!
If someone is nominated to be a Shichibukai, then his influence will be there, and the newly appointed Shichibukai will...
"Cough cough!"
Bucky coughed, trying to get the attention of those present.
"Unlikely."
Crocodile shook his head and said, "Those who are qualified probably won't join. As for the newcomers, I hate newcomers."
Mihawk and Hancock nodded slightly. As veteran Shichibukai, they naturally looked down on newcomers.
Leaving aside Hancock's arrogance, while Mihawk admires those who are resilient and is even willing to train them personally, he is still primarily a swordsman. Towards others, he remains arrogant, even to the point of looking down on the weak.
Newcomer?
What is that anyway?
Nowadays, those they deem worthy of joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea are unlikely to do so.
Crocodile actually had his eye on Marco. They were old acquaintances, having encountered each other when they challenged Whitebeard and even joined forces during the Marineford War.
Since that Whitebeard Jr. killed many of Whitebeard's captains, and Marco was defeated by Blackbeard in the final battle, he has basically been hiding at sea.
However, Marco's fighting strength is absolutely sufficient.
But... that's unlikely.
That was under Whitebeard's command. The Marines killed Whitebeard and Ace themselves during the Marineford War. Those under Whitebeard's command would not cooperate with the Marines.
Mihawk is interested in Shanks' friends, pirates who know Shanks and whom he also knows, but Shanks...
He was slashed by Kuro during the Marineford War. The last time he went to drink with Shanks, the scar on his chest would ache on rainy days. Pirates who are on good terms with Shanks are usually ambitious, so they probably wouldn't agree to the Navy's request.
As for Hancock... I didn't find her appealing, except for that straw hat.
"No?" Kuro glanced at the three of them and asked.
"Cough, cough!" Bucky coughed again.
All three shook their heads at the same time.
"Never mind then. The Seven Warlords of the Sea are hard to find anyway, and the World Government has been searching for a long time. Let's take it slow," Kuro said, shaking his head.
"Cough cough cough cough!!" Bucky's throat was practically burning from coughing.
"Bucky, is your throat sore? Should we go see a doctor?" Kuro glanced at him, then casually took out the cigar box with gold carvings and took out a cigar.
"What I mean is..."
"Phew... To be honest, this cigar is pretty good. Mihawk, are you sure you don't remember the name of that pirate crew? Where were they shot down? Are there any survivors?"
Kuro exhaled a plume of steam-like smoke and spoke to Mihawk.
"Listen to me!"
Bucky was about to roar, but then his eyes involuntarily glanced at the gold-carved cigar box.
There's no way around it; he's obsessed with treasures and wealth, and the moment this cigar box was revealed, it captivated him.
"Huh?"
With just one glance, Bucky noticed something amiss: the skull and crossbones flag marking at the bottom.
That is...
"Hmm? You know him?" Kuro asked, holding the cigar box and looking at Buggy.
Bucky nodded. "It seems like I have some memories..."
His separated hand flew back, and he stroked his chin, looking up thoughtfully, "The Grand Line? The first half? The New World? Where did I see that again... Ah!"
He tapped his right palm with his left fist and confirmed, "East China Sea! I've seen this symbol in the East China Sea."
"East China Sea?"
Kuro sized him up. "You've been in the East Blue for about twenty years. Can you pinpoint which year?"
"Don't underestimate my memory!"
Bucky exclaimed, "It must have been four years ago, I think I saw this sign when I was soaking in a public bathhouse. Come to think of it, that bathhouse was pretty good, they even had a sauna..."
"Kro?"
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