One Piece: From Ninja To Pirates

At the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the center of supreme authority, the Five Elders were discussing the events at Enies Lobby.

"These Marines are truly useless," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro sneered. "They couldn't even take down a small pirate crew despite launching a Buster Call."

"I think we've been giving them too much of a military budget."

The bald old man, gripping his Demon Blade, wore a face full of displeasure, clearly dissatisfied with the Marines' incompetence.

"This is indeed the Marines' fault," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter remarked. "Aokiji was even deployed, yet the Straw Hat Pirates still managed to escape."

"Did that man really fight with his full strength?"

The golden-haired elder expressed doubts about Aokiji. He knew exactly how powerful someone of the Marine Admiral's caliber should be.

Even if that ninja had the ability to manipulate seawater, it shouldn't have mattered—Aokiji could freeze the entire ocean!

Yet, they still let them get away?

"Perhaps he simply didn't make it in time," Saint Topman Warcury mused. "Otherwise, given Aokiji's abilities, capturing them shouldn't have been difficult."

The old man with ox-horn-like whiskers analyzed the situation rationally.

"But the Marines' incompetence is undeniable!"

"True enough," Warcury nodded. "However, dwelling on the Marines' failures now is pointless. Besides, the Buster Call wasn't actually initiated by Aokiji."

"Spandam..." Saint Jaygarcia Saturn narrowed his eyes. "What's his current status?"

Clearly, the short and stout elder intended to hold Spandam accountable.

"Dead."

"Dead? Then forget it."

"More than that, I'm more interested in this ninja," Saint Marcus Mars interjected. "Do you all remember the Lunarian Tribe?"

The tall, lean elder's eyes gleamed with intrigue.

"Are you suggesting this person's abilities are also bloodline-based?"

"Possessing all sorts of bizarre powers... It's not impossible."

"Indeed. According to the Marines' report, this individual is not a Devil Fruit Ability User," Mars stated. "The ability to manipulate the sea... is terrifying in naval warfare."

"It's practically the bane of all Ability Users!"

All five present were Devil Fruit Ability Users themselves, so they understood perfectly how threatening such a power could be.

"Hmph, this sea never ceases to amaze. No matter how many bizarre races we exterminate, more keep appearing," Nusjuro scoffed.

"Isn't that better?" Saturn said coolly. "If we capture this individual, his abilities might just become ours to wield."

Bloodline?

That wasn't something they couldn't study.

Cloning technology was already largely perfected—it just hadn't been officially implemented yet.

Besides, his abilities might not even require a special bloodline. What if anyone could learn them?

"No, capturing him isn't necessarily the only option."

"What do you mean?"

"What do you think pirates on this sea pursue the most?" Mars asked.

"Money, women, power?"

"More or less," Mars nodded. "The scum of this sea seek nothing beyond those things."

"Pirates like Roger are the rare exception."

"And the Straw Hat Pirates... Frankly, I don't believe they're like that."

Those so-called adventurers pursuing freedom are far too few on these seas. Most pirates are nothing but scoundrels who commit all manner of atrocities—burning, killing, and pillaging without restraint.

Against such villains, they had plenty of methods to deal with them.

"Yet you mustn't forget, during the events in Alabasta, the Straw Hat Pirates defeated Crocodile and saved that nation," Saint Saturn remarked.

"You truly believe pirates would save a country?" Saint Mars scoffed. "It was most likely just a coincidence."

"Don't forget, the title of Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea is the best stepping stone for pirates."

Every year on the seas, countless arrogant pirates would emerge to challenge the Warlords, only to meet their demise in the end.

This time, it just so happened that the Straw Hat Pirates defeated Crocodile.

"Then how do you explain the incident at Enies Lobby?"

"It merely shows they care deeply for their comrades," Saint Mars said. "But that doesn't mean they're like Roger."

"Pirates are pirates, after all!"

"Besides... this ninja seems to have only just joined the Straw Hat Pirates. How much loyalty do you expect him to have toward them?"

"Lure him with benefits, then..."

Saint Saturn understood Saint Mars's meaning, but such methods weren't guaranteed to work.

For those of rare bloodlines, staying far from the World Government was what they preferred most.

"So, what do you intend to do?"

"How about the title of Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea?" Saint Mars said coolly.

"The Warlords?!"

"Yes, the Warlords."

"Have you forgotten the message Sengoku sent us not long ago?" Saint Nusjuro frowned. "Though Crocodile's defeat left a vacancy among the Warlords... Blackbeard, who delivered us a gift, is clearly more qualified to inherit that position."

None present were fools. They all understood what Blackbeard's capture of Ace signified.

If handled properly, they might even lure Whitebeard to his death at Marine Headquarters!

"Of course I'm aware of that," Saint Mars replied. "Granting him the Warlord title won't change. Otherwise, he wouldn't have handed over Fire Fist Ace to us."

"Though we care little for the Yonko of the New World, we must still give the Marines opportunities to prove themselves."

No matter how vast a pirate's forces, they posed no real threat to the World Government—they would never unite, remaining scattered like loose sand.

With the right incentives, they might even turn on each other. Thus, these ruffians were never a true concern.

"Then what did you mean by offering the Warlord title?"

"Exactly what I said," Saint Mars answered.

The others exchanged glances, momentarily puzzled by his words.

"The Straw Hat Pirates' course may lead them to Gekko Moria in the Florian Triangle," Saint Mars explained. "I doubt that fool stands a chance against them."

If even a Marine Admiral couldn't subdue the Straw Hat Pirates, how could a worthless corpse-handler like Moria hope to?

Having lost his spirit, the man likely couldn't even use Haki anymore.

"You mean... after the Straw Hat Pirates defeat Gekko Moria, we'll tempt them with the title of Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

"Correct," said Saint Mars. "Just like Tyrant Kuma, once they accept the Warlord title, we'll have much more room to maneuver."

"What if they never encounter Moria?"

"Then we'll have CP0 track them down and tempt them with other benefits," Saint Mars said indifferently. "As I said, pirates only pursue certain things. We'll give them what they want."

"As long as they're willing to submit, none of this is a problem. If he wants to establish a grand harem to pass on his bloodline, so be it."

"Of course, in return, he'll have to offer his special abilities."

Either through bloodline inheritance or Ninjutsu instruction—one way or another, we must obtain it.

The others exchanged glances, seeing merit in this plan.

There was no helping it—the ability to manipulate seawater was simply too alluring.

"But what if he refuses?"

"Then we'll have no choice but to resort to force," Saint Mars said coldly. "We might as well take Nico Robin back while we're at it."

If they won't take the candy, then we'll have to use the stick.

"Have Tyrant Kuma scout Gekko Moria's territory soon," said Saint Saturn. "If they agree, all the better. If not..."

"We can just have Tyrant Kuma seize them directly!"

"Agreed!"