"Hey, what are you doing with your tools?" Usopp curiously asked Bartolomeo, who was holding a toolbox.
"Oh? Are you asking this?" Bartolomeo raised his hand and shook it from side to side. The tools collided in the box and made a slight sound: "The statue on the bow is too ugly. I plan to replace it with a new one. Ah Bai.”
"Stop!" Usopp rushed to Bartolomeo as if his wife had been snatched away by others: "This is the Meri! I will never allow you to destroy it!"
"I won't destroy the ship, I just make it more beautiful!" Bartolomeo argued rationally: "This goat-headed statue is not domineering at all, it is even ridiculous!"
"You're talking nonsense!" Usopp immediately started arguing with Bartolomeo.
"That's my special seat!" Luffy joined the battle group, and he also disagreed with Bartolomeo's idea.
"Dang" the two of them hit a transparent hard wall, and their whole bodies were stamped against it.
"It hurts..." Usopp stretched out his hand to rub the painful long nose. The collision just now almost broke the bridge of his nose.
"What is this?" Luffy groped around on the barrier with his hands, but was unable to pass through this invisible, transparent wall of air.
Usopp, like Luffy, carefully studied the barrier that blocked him.
The noisy three caught Nami's attention, and she came over: "What are you playing at?"
"Big sister!" Bartolomeo has become Nami's little brother.
"Hey!" Luffy couldn't touch Bartolomeo and immediately waved: "I can't touch this guy!"
"Huh?" Zoro and Sanji also walked over and watched Usopp and Luffy performing with the air wall.
"Are you also an esper?" Zoro recognized at a glance that this should be the ability of some kind of fruit.
"That's right." Bartolomeo took out his palm from his trouser pocket and intertwined his index and middle fingers: "You can open the protective shield just by twisting your fingers. Even the kid knows this."
Several other people waved their hands and said, "No, I haven't heard of it at all."
"Eh!?" Bartolomeo was deeply shocked.
"Barrier..." Sauron slowly asked: "Is your barrier strong?"
Bartolomeo said confidently: "Of course, no one can break my barrier!"
"Eh?" Nami half-squinted her eyes and smiled evilly: "Can't Eric the 'Kui Dragon' break through your barrier?"
Bartolomeo shrank his head and replied in a low voice with an uncertain tone: "This... I don't know..."
"Hey~" Zoro grinned one corner of his mouth, and while walking towards Bartolomeo, he slowly drew out the word "Hedao".
Usopp advised: "Hey, Zoro, even if what Bartolomeo did just now was excessive, you don't need to use the knife, right?"
"What are you talking about..." Zoro curled his lips and said, "I want to use his barrier to practice my sword skills."
"As long as I can cut off your barrier..." Sauron's eyes burst out with fighting spirit: "The day when I become the number one swordsman will be closer and closer."
"You guy, you actually want to use me as a whetstone!?"
"..." Luffy and Usopp looked at each other, and then cheered Zoro on.
"Come on, kill this cockscomb head!"
"Wait a moment, Green Algae Head, count me in." Sanji slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and raised his eyes covered by bangs, the flames of revenge burning in his eyes.
Bartolomeo immediately shouted stop: "Wait a minute, you are definitely seeking personal revenge!"
"Go to hell!" Sanji rushed forward and kicked his leg: "How dare you steal my job!"
"Stinky cook, stay out of the way!" Zoro refused to lag behind and attacked Bartolomeo fiercely with his three-sword style.
The blade cut sparks on the barrier, and the flaming soles of his feet heated the barrier. Luffy watched for a while, and then joined the battle circle. The sky was full of fists printed on the barrier, and the whole ship became extremely lively...
…
"It didn't stop for a few years, but there was another vacancy for a Shichibukai..."
"The culprit is still the Dawn Pirates. Is this the fourth Shichibukai to die at the hands of the Dawn Pirates?"
"Moonlight Moria, 'Iron Armor' Duke, 'Tian Yaksha' Don Quixote Doflamingo, Shah Crocodile..."
Several vice-admirals sat around the table and discussed in low voices. Crocodile's behind-the-scenes actions were revealed to the public. The Shichibukai appointed by the World Government actually dared to pursue the idea of a joining country, and it was a big country like Alabasta!
This incident caused an uproar. Fortunately, the World Government was thick-skinned enough to let Tina, the base director in charge of Alabasta, take the credit for solving Crocodile.
As a result, Tina was promoted to one rank and was promoted to Vice Admiral at a young age. While returning to the Navy headquarters to accept the award ceremony, she stopped by to attend today's Shichibukai meeting.
"Alas..." Tina pricked up her ears to listen to her colleagues' chat and sighed secretly.
The two Shichibukai, Ulquiorra and Bartholomew Bear, arrived at the Navy Headquarters on a warship.
Under the leadership of the naval commissioner, Ulquiorra entered the fortress of the navy headquarters and came to the room where the Shichibukai meeting was held. There were many people sitting at the large round table, and Sengoku was already seated at the head table: "I didn't expect you guys to really coming."
"..." Ulquiorra pulled out a chair and sat down expressionlessly, and Bartholomew Bear, who was holding a thick book in his hand, also immediately found a seat.
"In my opinion, no one will come if we wait any longer. Two of the six Shichibukai came, and the attendance rate has exceeded my expectations."
"If you have anything to say, please finish it quickly. I don't have time to listen to your nonsense." Ulquiorra said bluntly.
"..." Several vice-admirals next to him secretly glanced at Marshal Warring States' expression.
"Hmph..." Sengoku closed his eyes and ignored Ulquiorra's rudeness.
"Click" a crisp sound of footsteps came from the window.
"Huh?" Everyone present turned their necks and looked at the source of the sound. A man wearing a black top hat and a white patterned shirt was sitting on the windowsill.
"I wonder if I can have the honor of attending?"
"Huh?" Sengoku frowned. Being able to sneak into the navy headquarters quietly showed that this man was not just an ordinary person.
"No, it may be a little different from what you are observing."
Several vice-admirals suddenly stood up, looked at Lafayette coldly, and asked: "Who are you and where did you come in from!?"
"I didn't expect to have the honor to meet so many important people today. If you don't mind, I have a request." Facing the eyes of many people, Lafayette jumped off the window sill with a normal expression. He turned his crutches several times in his palms and used his feet at the same time. rhythmically kicking his heels into an impromptu tap dance.
"Please be sure to let me participate in this meeting."
"This time we are going to decide who will succeed Crocodile in response to the fact that Crocodile was deprived of his title a while ago, right?"
"Are you...Lafayette!?" Mozambia seemed to recognize who this uninvited guest was.
Sengoku repeated in confusion: "Lafayette?"
"Oh?" The cane behind Lafayette's back was spinning like a dog's tail. He grinned and said with a smile: "You know my name, I'm really honored."
Mozambique introduced to everyone present: "Lafayette is a well-known security officer in the West Sea. He was expelled from the country due to excessive violence in law enforcement."
"Hahaha... That is already a thing of the past." Lafayette laughed: "And my matter is not worth mentioning, it is not important at all. I came here to recommend a man to become a Shichibukai."
Hezhong held his chin in his hands and looked at Lafayette without saying a word.
"The person I want to recommend is none other than the captain of our pirate group, 'Blackbeard' Teach."
Warring States asked: "Tiqi?"
"That's right."
"I've never heard of it." There was a hint of contempt in Sengoku's eyes: "I'll tell you the truth, this little-known guy can't intimidate other pirates at all."
"Yes, your Excellency is right." Lafayette affirmed Sengoku's statement, and then changed the subject: "In response to this, our group has made a foolproof plan."
"Please give us a little more time."
"The name of this pirate group is the Blackbeard Pirates. I hope all the important people can remember it firmly."
"What do you remember or not..." Mo Zambia drew out his sword: "As long as I arrest you here..."
"Hahaha..." Lafayette chuckled and said: "I see, I am not a subordinate of the Shichibukai now, and I am not included in the amnesty..."
"Take the move!" Mo Zambia quickly closed the distance using Six Style Shave. The long sword was already unsheathed, and a sword light hit Lafayette's chest.
Lafayette's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly pulled out half of his sword and held it across his chest.
The sword swung by Mo Zambia drew an arc and struck Lafayette's staff and sword hard, causing a crisp sound. Lafayette's seemingly thin body was as stable as a rock.
Everyone in front of the round table looked at Lafayette, who was calm in the face of danger, with different expressions.
"Clang, clang, clang..." Mozambia swung the long knife one after another, and Lafayette took them all without taking a step back.
Lafayette knew very well that once he took a step back, it would mean losing the right to speak.
Lafayette also knew very well how much his captain "Blackbeard" Marshall D. Teach needed the name of the Shichibukai. This was the most important link in the battle for hegemony!
Although there is only one rank difference between lieutenant general and general, there are only three generals in the Navy, while there are dozens of lieutenant generals. Among these lieutenant generals, those who are as strong as monsters include Garp and others, while the weak ones include Mo Zambia and others who are manipulated by Doflamingo.
The difference in strength is hard to describe...
Mozambia and Lafayette fought for several rounds, but could not easily win the opponent.
Lieutenant General He looked at Mozambique speechlessly. His reckless behavior was even helping to promote Lafayette.
'How strong is Lafayette's captain? 'The other lieutenant generals frowned and looked extremely serious.
"Okay, stop it!" Warring States called an end to this farce.
Mozambique reluctantly took a few steps back and distanced himself, while Lafayette slowly sheathed his staff and sword.
Lafayette reached out and raised his hat: "Are you satisfied with my strength?"
"Let your captain be famous first, and then talk about other things!" Warring States did not reject it on the spot, nor did he agree.
"Of course, everything is within our plan." Lafayette opened his arms, transformed into two snow-white wings, and left the naval fortress through the open window.
"It turns out he is an animal-type flying user... No wonder the capable person sneaked into the naval fortress without anyone noticing."
"Having said that, the current navy is really not what it looks like." Lieutenant General He was dissatisfied with the current attitude of the navy.
Warring States drummed his fingers on the table, and after attracting everyone's attention, he said, "Let's have a meeting first."
The person who disrupted the situation left and finally started this meeting.
The Navy has always had only two requirements for candidates for the new Shichibukai, one is strength, and the other is prestige.
Most of the great pirates who are capable of taking over the Shichibukai are now within the Yonko Regiment.
"Red-haired Shanks is one candidate." Sengoku said slowly.
"Tsk..." When he heard this name, Garp slapped his mouth. It was because of his red hair that his precious grandson became a pirate!
"Although he has lost his position as the Fourth Emperor, the red-haired man's prestige is still there, so he is indeed very suitable." Lieutenant General He nodded in agreement.
"There are no other candidates?" Garp asked unhappily.
"Blackbeard just now can be considered a figure... but he currently has no reputation and no actual achievements. He will definitely not be able to serve as the Shichibukai." Warring States shook his head: "Currently there is no more suitable candidate than the red-haired man."
The Warring States Period compiled the conclusions of the meeting into written documents and asked Haibing to send the documents to the "supreme authority" Wulaoxing.
Their authority is to select a candidate who is suitable in all aspects, and then the five old stars who hold the decision-making power will make the final decision.
…
In a huge and luxurious room, five old people were sitting on the sofa.
The five-old star "Churchill" said: "Damn Crocodile, he actually caused us such a big trouble. And Kaido's daughter, she can actually mix with the enemy who killed her father."
The five old star "Hideki Tojo" said: "Now that things have happened, we can only quickly choose Crocodile's successor."
"Although the red-haired man is half one of us, he will never become a Shichibukai..."
"Ask him first." Five old star "Lincoln" said: "Before, because the seats in the Shichibukai were full, it was difficult to deal with red hair."
"Then send a letter first to test the red hair's tone."
…
"Boss, I have a letter from you!" La Kiru walked over while waving a letter.
"This is..." Ben Beckman squinted his eyes and saw the source of the letter at a glance: "Is it from the World Government?"
"Yes." The red-haired man tore open the envelope, took out the letter paper inside, looked down at it, and said with a smile, "The World Government wants to invite me to become a Shichibukai."
"Eh?!" The other members were surprised.
Ben Beckman bit his cigarette butt and said, "Shanks, you will definitely refuse, right?"
"Of course." Shanks tore up the letter casually, and the broken pieces of paper scattered in the wind.
…
The statue on the bow of the Meili that landed from the sky island has changed. A hand-made painting is pasted on the sheep's head. It can be vaguely seen that it is a person, but nothing else can be seen.
Some people died, but not completely...
