Lancelot, however, pressed on: "I currently serve as the commander of G-5 Branch and oversee all naval forces in the New World. If you join my command, any islands or kingdoms you reclaim from pirates will be under your management. You can shine your justice upon these islands and kingdoms. At the same time, I will apply to headquarters to make you my aide. You will also serve as the commander of G-5 Branch. I will only hold the position of Commander-in-Chief of the New World Naval Forces."
"Ah, this..."
It had to be said, the terms Lancelot offered were absolutely outrageous.
At the very least, he had never heard of anyone in the Navy—aside from those giants—being directly promoted to Vice Admiral, let alone one with real authority over an important naval branch.
Especially what Lancelot said: any islands or kingdoms he reclaimed could be governed according to his own sense of justice.
To be honest, he was tempted.
And he could also feel how much Lancelot valued him.
So, he couldn't help but ponder deeply.
Seeing this, Dragon's pupils sharply contracted.
However, he chose not to intervene. He gave Lancelot a deep look, then stood up and left.
Because he planned to secretly approach Issho another time.
If successful, he wouldn't even need to find a way to join the Navy himself.
Seeing this, Lancelot couldn't help but smile faintly.
He thought to himself, 'It seems you still don't understand Issho! With his personality, once he agrees to join my command and I fulfill my promises to him...'
'Dragon think he can persuade him is nothing but a pipe dream. Because that would be an act of betrayal. Issho would never do such a thing.'
Naturally, Issho noticed Dragon's departure.
But he didn't pay it much mind, instead asking quietly: "Can you tell me what you meant earlier by a 'more turbulent situation'?"
Lancelot glanced around and saw that people nearby were all looking in their direction.
Clearly, in this place, someone wearing a Justice cloak stood out like a sore thumb.
He chuckled. "This isn't the place to talk."
With that, he stood up and walked outside.
Issho understood.
He nodded and also stood up. Then, as if he could see Lancelot perfectly, he naturally followed him.
They arrived at a secluded spot.
Only then did Lancelot speak: "I've captured the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division and am preparing to send him to Navy Headquarters."
"That Fire Fist Ace?" Issho couldn't help but exclaim.
Having lived in the New World, how could he not know of Fire Fist Ace? He was a rising star among pirates, advancing triumphantly all the way into the New World after entering the Grand Line.
Without exception, all fell before the Fire Fist until they encountered Whitebeard.
His imposing aura made the entire world take notice.
No one expected such a person to be defeated by Ace.
Now he understood why Lancelot had spoken of turmoil.
Given Whitebeard's consistent behavior, he would never stand idly by once he learned of Ace's capture.
When Ace was delivered to Marine Headquarters, it was equivalent to declaring war on the Whitebeard Pirates.
And neither Whitebeard nor his entire crew would ever back down.
The war between the Whitebeard Pirates and Marine Headquarters had become inevitable.
Regardless of whether Whitebeard or the Marines lost, this conflict would reshape the world's pattern.
After all, if Whitebeard were defeated, the New World would descend into another territory war.
If the Marines lost, their deterrence over the world would hit rock bottom. What would follow would inevitably be another wave of piracy.
In all honesty, he didn't want the Marines to lose. Because if Whitebeard lost, at most the New World would fall into chaos.
At worst, he and Lancelot could intervene to suppress it, minimizing harm to civilians.
But if the Marines lost, the entire world would plunge into disorder.
Watching Issho's expression shift repeatedly, Lancelot's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"Afterwards, I casually killed the shogun of Wano Country, returning the nation to the Kozuki Clan. I gained the allegiance of four powerful samurai. Then, leading them, I stormed the Beasts Pirates' Onigashima. Killed King, Kaido's right-hand man, along with Who's-Who and Black Maria. Finally, I recruited Yamato, Sasaki, Ulti, and Page One from under Kaido."
Issho: "..."
Good grief.
Lancelot had completely stunned him.
It took quite a while for Issho to regain his composure, his face twitching uncontrollably.
After a long silence, he finally said: "So you essentially crippled the Beasts Pirates? Leaving only Kaido and Queen remaining?"
Lancelot waved his hand: "Not exactly... aren't there still the gifters?"
Issho: "..."
Those guys are barely different from ordinary pirate crews.
In front of truly powerful fighters, how much difference is there between them and common foot soldiers?
At this moment, Lancelot softly added: "By the way, Yamato is Kaido's daughter."
Issho: "So not only did you wreck his pirate crew, but you also kidnapped his daughter? No wonder Kaido would come after you with everything he's got. That means next, Marine Headquarters won't just be facing the Whitebeard Pirates, but Kaido too?"
Although the Beasts Pirates had been crippled, Kaido himself remained a force to be reckoned with!
The combination of Whitebeard and Kaido would still shake the entire world.
Lancelot quietly added another point: "We might need to include the Big Mom Pirates too, because from what I know, she shares an unusual relationship with Kaido. The Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon—a Mythical Zoan fruit that Kaido ate—was given to him by her."
"So you're saying Marine Headquarters might face the simultaneous arrival of three Emperors?" Issho fell completely silent.
Good grief.
It seemed he had greatly underestimated the scale of turmoil Lancelot had described.
This wasn't just turmoil—this was catastrophe!
This is shaping up to be a grand decisive battle!
"Huff..."
Issho's expression turned resolute.
A war like this would directly affect the future situation of the entire world. If he could lend a hand, he would be more than willing.
At the very least, he couldn't let this world develop in a worse direction.
Lancelot continued, "Ace will be sent to Marine Headquarters, while I plan to stay at G-5. This way, the pressure on Marine Headquarters will be greatly reduced, and the chances of victory are extremely high... Even if I were to fail against Kaido and Charlotte Linlin at G-5, it wouldn't affect the overall situation."
Issho, who had been keeping his eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide.
With his pure white eyes fixed on Lancelot, he exclaimed in surprise, "You intend to hold off the two great pirate Emperors, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, all by yourself at G-5?"
Lancelot: "Correct!"
Then he laughed again, "I was a bit worried before, but now with your assistance, I'm completely confident."