Chapter 127

"Well, Shakuyaku, it seems you've finally stopped hiding behind Rayleigh and joined the fray once more," Hector sneered, tracing a large scar that ran dangerously close to his eye. The hatred in his voice was palpable, each word dripping with venom. His deep-seated grudge against Shakuyaku was etched into his very being.

However, Shakuyaku didn't deign to respond. Her face remained impassive, unreadable, since the meeting began.

"Hehe, too afraid to speak, are you, Shakky?" Hector taunted, his voice booming with malevolence. "If you're too scared to face me, maybe I should pay a visit to Amazon Lily and sample what the famous island has to offer. I've heard it's filled with beauties. My crew has been itching for some entertainment lately. Maybe we'll even spare a few to use as bedslaves."

His laughter echoed through the hall, but it only served to make Anne, seated next to him, edge her chair away from the moron.

As Hector's vile words hung in the air, Shakky, who had been silent up to this point, released a powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki. The force of her willpower targeted Hector directly, pinning him against the wall with overwhelming pressure. The former Kuja Empress had made her stance clear.

"Shakuyaku, what do you think you are doing? Do you realize where you are?" Tsuru's eyes narrowed as she spoke, her tone laced with authority.

Shakky, unperturbed, rose from her seat and advanced towards Hector. He had collected himself by now, drawing a massive battleaxe from his back. The earlier attack had caught him off guard, but now he was seething with rage, feeling utterly insulted. Despite his towering form, Shakky steadily moved closer, each step charged with purpose.

Both pirates clad themselves in Armament Haki, their auras clashing. Shakky's Haoshoku Haki soared with each step she took, purple lightning dancing across her body and sending ripples of shockwaves around her. The tension in the air was electric, the room crackling with impending violence.

"Crimson Serpent!!!"

Just as the two were about to clash, two massive blood serpents surged from the entrance, aimed at both Shakky and Hector. The serpents twisted and writhed, their scales glistening ominously as they barreled toward the combatants.

Shakky's eyes flickered toward the serpents for a fraction of a second, her body still poised for battle. Hector, too, momentarily shifted his gaze, his muscles tensing as he prepared to counter the unexpected attack.

Shakky immediately reacted, dodging the incoming serpent with a fluid grace that belied the intensity of the situation. Hector, however, chose to confront the attack head-on. With a mighty swing of his massive war axe, he aimed for the head of the crimson serpent.

"Boom!!!" The resounding clash echoed through the hall as the crimson serpent collided with the war axe. For a few tense moments, the two forces were locked in a stalemate. But then, with a surge of momentum, the serpent overpowered Hector, lifting his massive form off the ground. He was sent hurtling through the air, crashing into the wall, and leaving a gaping hole in his wake.

"Clack... Clack... Clack..."

Footsteps echoed across the meeting room as Admiral Agana, clad in her signature crimson attire, entered. Her presence commanded attention, and her eyes swept across the room, assessing the situation. She took in the sight of the warlords, who remained seated despite the commotion, before her gaze finally settled on Shakuyaku. Shakky was still emitting her Haoshoku Haki, a palpable aura of power.

"If you pirate scum cannot keep yourselves in check, then I don't think we need such people to work for the World Government," Agana declared, her voice dripping with disdain. "This is not your home where you can run rampant. If you cannot follow the rules set for you, you can leave. I will find someone else to fill your positions. But I wonder if you can walk out of here alive."

Agana chuckled sinisterly, her eyes glinting with malice as she turned her gaze to Tsuru. Tsuru, meanwhile, was rubbing her temples, trying to mitigate the headache that was building from the escalating chaos.

The tension in the room was palpable, with every eye on Agana as she took her place. Shakky's Haoshoku Haki began to recede, but the intensity in her eyes did not waver. Hector, pulling himself from the rubble, his mouth stained with a trace of blood, glared daggers at both Agana and Shakky, his pride bruised but his resolve undiminished.

"Ah, a mythical Zoan type," Agana mused, her eyes glinting with sinister curiosity. She played with crimson droplets of blood that she had effortlessly pulled from Hector moments earlier. "I wonder how long you will last if I start draining your blood now?"

Hector had transformed into his hybrid form to mitigate the Admiral's earlier assault. His beastly features and massive frame now gave him an even more imposing presence. Yet, despite his fearsome appearance, he found himself growling in frustration, the pain and indignity of his current predicament gnawing at him.

"Smart choice, beast," Agana said, her voice laced with mocking approval. She let the blood droplets fall, splattering onto the ground as if to punctuate her point. "It's wise to know when you're outmatched."

"Admiral Agana," Tsuru began, her voice steady despite her weariness. "We must remember the purpose of this meeting. Internal conflicts will only serve to weaken our collective strength."

Agana's lips curled into a cold smile. "A reminder to all," she said, her tone hardening. "Your positions are privileges, not rights. Any more disruptions, and I will personally ensure you regret it."

Hector, still seething but now composed, returned to his seat. His hybrid form receded, and he took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. The promise of vengeance was clear in his eyes, but for now, he would bide his time.

The meeting resumed, with the earlier commotion leaving a palpable undercurrent of tension in its wake. Agana's presence loomed large, a constant reminder of the fragile balance of power within the room. The Warlords, despite their bravado and power, knew that any misstep could lead to a swift and merciless response from the Marines.

Soon enough, Fleet Admiral Kong and the other two admirals made their entrance into the meeting, their presence immediately commanding respect and attention. The room fell silent, all eyes turning towards the high-ranking officials as they took their places at the head of the table.

Fleet Admiral Kong began to speak, his voice authoritative and clear. "As members of the Shichibukai, you will be granted certain privileges. One of these privileges is the ability to cash in on the bounties of the pirates you capture or kill. Simply submit the proof at any Marine base, and the bounty will be yours."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. The offer was tempting, a lucrative incentive designed to motivate the warlords to hunt down other pirates.

"However," Kong continued, his tone growing stern, "there are strict rules you must adhere to. You are not to target any countries affiliated with the World Government. Doing so without prior orders will result in your immediate removal from the position of Shichibukai. Furthermore, you will be hunted down by both the Marines and the World Government."

The gravity of his statement hung in the air, a stark reminder of the precarious nature of their alliance. The room was thick with tension, with each warlord processing the implications of Kong's words.

Admiral Sengoku leaned back in his chair, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness. "Consider this a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get to operate with certain freedoms and reap rewards, but step out of line, and you will face the full might of the Marines."

Admiral Zephyr nodded in agreement, his eyes sharp and calculating. Although he was against the Shichibukai program, this meeting was a show of force for the Marines. "This is a delicate balance of power. We expect you to uphold your end of the bargain."

Admiral Agana added with a hint of menace, "Disobedience will not be tolerated. The orders of the world government are absolute."

The warlords exchanged glances, the weight of their new responsibilities clear. The promise of riches and power was enticing, but the threat of retribution loomed large. They were powerful individuals, each with their own agendas, but even they recognized the danger of crossing the Marines and the World Government.

Fleet Admiral Kong, satisfied that his message had been received, addressed the group once more. "You are all formidable warriors, chosen for your unique strengths. Use them wisely. Our goal is to maintain balance and order on the seas. Do this, and you will find your position as Shichibukai both rewarding and advantageous."

Shakky listened intently, her mind already formulating strategies. The offer was indeed enticing, but she knew better than to trust fully in the promises of the World Government. Even now she was formulating ways to try and get herself out of this mess.

Hector, still nursing his bruised pride, felt a spark of ambition reignite within him. The opportunity to hunt and claim bounties was a chance to regain his honor and prove his strength. Yet, the reminder of the consequences of stepping out of line was a sobering thought.

"Well, before I forget," Admiral Agana interjected, her voice cutting through the lingering tension in the room, "as an added privilege, you can also avail yourselves of the best medical care, on par with what is provided to Marine Admirals."

Her statement hung in the air, leaving the Marines in the meeting hall visibly dumbfounded. Even Fleet Admiral Kong seemed taken aback, clearly unaware of such a clause. The room buzzed with a mix of surprise and curiosity, with the unexpected offer piquing the interest of everyone present.

The World Government, however, had a hidden agenda. They needed samples from these warlords for extensive research, and using healthcare as bait was a calculated move. In this world, advanced healthcare was a luxury controlled by the World Government and the Marines. Offering it to the warlords, who were often riddled with countless internal injuries from their battles, was a tempting proposition.

Shakky's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing as she considered the implications. Medical care of that caliber was rare and highly sought after. For pirates who lived lives of constant combat, the promise of top-tier medical treatment was almost irresistible.

Hector, nursing his wounds from the earlier confrontation, perked up at the mention of advanced medical care. His pride might have taken a hit, but the prospect of healing old injuries and becoming even stronger was a powerful incentive.

Among the Warlords, only one truly grasped the deeper significance of this offer: Dracule Mihawk. Ross had already explained to him about the Seraphim project and the World Government's keen interest in acquiring samples from powerful individuals. Mihawk's sharp eyes flickered with understanding, but he maintained his usual stoic demeanor.

The other warlords, though intrigued, were unaware of the full extent of the world government's intentions. They saw only the immediate benefit of superior healthcare, not the ulterior motives behind it.

Agana's smirk grew as she watched the warlords react. "Consider it a token of goodwill from the World Government," she continued, her tone almost patronizing. "We value our allies and wish to see you at your best."

Kong, regaining his composure, decided to support Agana's unexpected announcement. "Indeed. This level of medical care is a privilege, a testament to the trust and cooperation we expect from you."

Vice Admiral Kizaru added with a lazy smile, even he was quite surprised that the world government could offer such a privilege to mere pirates. "Quite the perk, isn't it? Ensuring you're in peak condition benefits us all."

Vice Admiral Aokiji, more contemplative, simply nodded, while Vice Admiral Akainu's stern expression sharpened ever so slightly, recognizing the strategic advantage this offer presented, but he still felt such an opportunity was wasted on pirates; even the Admiral candidates as the future pillars were not privy to such a level of service.

The warlords exchanged glances, each contemplating the new information. The allure of advanced medical care was undeniable, and for many, it tipped the scales in favor of deeper cooperation with the World Government.

Anne Bonney weighed the benefits against the potential risks. She knew there was more to this offer than met the eye, but the promise of healing was too valuable to dismiss outright.

"Here, these are your assignments!" Admiral Agana declared, tossing a folder in front of each of the seven warlords. Many of them raised their brows in confusion, but Ochoku, who had been silent since the beginning, picked up his folder and began to peruse its contents.

Agana didn't bother to address their confusion, instead proceeding with her explanation. "These countries have been showing signs of rebellion against the World Government. The seas have become chaotic, and they need to be taught a lesson about what happens to those who defy us. Give them a lesson they will never forget."

As she leaned back in her chair, Tsuru and the other Marines looked visibly distressed. Agana's proposal would undoubtedly tarnish the Marines' reputation, but they were helpless; even Fleet Admiral Kong had no sway over her.

"Admiral, is this wise? Countries affiliated with the World Government are under the protection of the Marines. Using pirates to deal with them..." Tsuru began, but Agana was unfazed by the Marines' dissatisfaction.

"This was not what we signed up for..." Anne commented as she checked the folder in front of her, mirroring the other warlords. "Was it not guaranteed that this Shichibukai program was more about cooperation?" Her eyes narrowed, though she kept her tone measured, acutely aware that she was a pirate deep behind enemy lines.

"Did you really think the World Government would grant you all these privileges so you could sit on your arse and enjoy them?" Agana responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "No, until the balance is restored to the seas, you will work for it. After that, you can do as you will. This mission is more like a test to see if you are truly worthy of your reputation. If you cannot handle such a matter, there are plenty of strong pirates out there who we can recruit."

Agana's hollow smile gave many of those with weaker wills the creeps. Despite her beauty, she was a monster down to her very core.

Anne, despite her measured tone, felt a surge of defiance. She was not accustomed to taking orders, especially ones that involved such blatant manipulation. However, she knew the precariousness of her situation and the importance of playing along, at least until she could find a way out.

Ochoku, having finished reading his folder, looked up with a grim expression. "So, we're to be the World Government's enforcers now?" He remarked, his voice tinged with disdain.

Agana's smile widened. "Consider it an opportunity to prove your worth. The World Government rewards those who show loyalty and effectiveness. Fail, and you will find yourselves hunted."

After another hour, the meeting concluded with a sense of foreboding. The warlords dispersed, each with their own thoughts and strategies. The seas would soon feel the impact of their actions, and the delicate balance of power would be tested once again.

As they left, Tsuru's gaze lingered on Agana, her mind troubled by the direction things were heading. The use of pirates to enforce the World Government's will was a dangerous precedent, one that could have far-reaching consequences.

But for now, the die was cast. The Warlords had their orders, and the world would soon witness the might and ruthlessness of those chosen to uphold the fragile order imposed by the World Government.

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