One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

"Oh right!" Usopp suddenly slapped his palm. "We're the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"

Because so much had happened in a short period of time—the Going Merry's refit, Laboon's project, the adaptation of Devil Fruits, the research on Pluton's design blueprints—everyone was busy with their own things.

The status of being a Shichibukai didn't bring any substantial benefits to the Straw Hat Pirates, so they almost forgot that this status even existed.

So it turns out they're on the same side as the World Government!

V watched as his companions' expressions changed from serious to enlightened, and then to somewhat amused, and his smile grew even wider.

“That’s right,” he affirmed, while projecting a new encrypted communication record into the air. “In fact, at the same time the Navy granted us permission to enter Impel Down, we also received a formal summons from Navy Headquarters via a special channel.”

“The Navy has issued a summons to all the Seven Warlords of the Sea,” V said, pointing to the document, his tone becoming light and firm, “requiring all the Seven Warlords to go to Marineford to help the World Government defend it.”

He glanced around at everyone, his eyes behind his glasses gleaming with the shrewdness of a master strategist.

"In other words... we have every legitimate reason to be in Marineford."

"Not as invaders, not as pirates storming the execution ground—"

"Instead, we went in openly and legitimately as a 'legitimate ally' who was 'invited to assist in defense'."

There was a moment of silence in the cabin.

Zoro smirked: "Tsk, how ironic... The World Government is practically inviting the 'those who stormed the execution ground' into its own home."

"In other words, we can not only legitimately enter Marineford, but also familiarize ourselves with the terrain, observe the defenses, and even... launch an attack from within at a crucial moment?"

Sanji took a sharp drag on his cigarette, then slowly exhaled:

"It really is... incredibly outrageous..."

Chapter 202 Boa Hancock

“That’s right.” V nodded, swiping his finger across the holographic projection to bring up a 3D map of Marineford. “As Shichibukai who are ‘invited to assist,’ we have the right to operate within the designated area, understand the basic deployment arrangements, and may even participate in some tactical meetings.”

"This provides us with an excellent opportunity for intelligence gathering and strategic planning."

Nami's eyes lit up: "Then can we do something beforehand near the execution ground? Like, set up some... 'little surprises'?"

Although Usopp's face was still a little pale, he still offered a suggestion: "In that case, we can set up various traps in Marineford in advance and then detonate them to create more chaos."

Chopper suggested, "Then I can also cultivate various bacteria in Marineford in advance to prepare for battle."

Franky was somewhat taken aback, yet also somewhat expectant: "A confrontation with the Marine Headquarters!? I didn't expect such a large-scale operation so soon after joining your group."

"That's really Super—it's so exciting!"

Robin clasped his hands together and smiled, "Then, the rescue plan will need to be readjusted."

“V, you continue with the previous plan, while we will make advance arrangements for support in Marineford.”

"It would be best to contact Sabo and the other revolutionaries, inform him of our overall plan, and reassure him to wait."

"Then it's settled!"

Luffy finally made the decision, and his initial agitation upon learning of Sabo's arrest gradually subsided.

V smiled confidently: "Everyone, after this battle, our Straw Hat Pirates will be truly famous throughout the world!"

"Not the lackeys of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but a great pirate who can be formally seated on the table, comparable to or even surpassing the Four Emperors!"

"Get ready to be in the world's spotlight!"

"oh--!!!"

Inside the cabin, everyone raised their fists or arms in unison, responding to the captain's declaration.

Sunlight streamed through the portholes, elongating their shadows and casting them onto the swaying nautical chart and shimmering projections.

……

……

Meanwhile, Marineford.

Sengoku stood by the window of the marshal's office, his brow furrowed as he watched the naval fleet gathering in the port and the ships arriving one after another.

He sighed softly:

"Should we send naval soldiers and revolutionary soldiers to fight?"

"As expected of the World Government, which has ruled the world for eight hundred years, it wiped out all the righteous people in the world in one fell swoop..."

"That was truly a brilliant move."

Unlike the Marineford War in the original storyline, which pitted the Yonko Whitebeard against him...

Even though Whitebeard wasn't exactly a wicked pirate who committed numerous atrocities, his identity was destined to make him a champion of pirates and bring unease to the people.

Fighting Whitebeard is the Navy's duty.

Eliminating the Four Emperors would make other pirates even more wary of the Navy, thus bringing greater peace to the world.

But the revolutionary army is different.

No matter how much the World Government propagates that the Revolutionary Army is evil and a disruptor of order...

But everyone knows who is on the right side.

Having the navy, representing justice, fight against the revolutionary army, representing freedom, would not only bring no benefit to the navy, but would also greatly damage its image in the eyes of the public.

This has even led many righteous people to no longer believe in the Navy's justice.

Perhaps... this is exactly the scene the world government wants to see.

"Is it because I've been doing too much lately...?"

The Warring States period raised its head and sighed silently.

Outside the window, seagulls swept by, bringing the last calm before the storm.

……

……

The Merry broke through the last wave, and the majestic Gate of Justice glided slowly past the side of the ship, like a giant wall dividing two worlds.

Behind the gate, the iconic crescent-shaped harbor and dense military facilities of Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy, came into view.

The harbor was already filled with a somber, war-torn atmosphere. Dozens of naval warships were arrayed like a steel forest, their cannons menacingly pointed out to the open sea.

On the port square, rows of elite soldiers conducted their final drills under the orders of their officers. The sound of footsteps and slogans echoed over the island, mixed with the smell of steel and gunpowder, creating a tense and suffocating atmosphere.

“That’s… the Marine Headquarters.” Nami put down her binoculars, her voice very soft.

Even though it wasn't the first time they had witnessed such a grand spectacle, the sight of this supreme symbol of the World Government's military power, and the impending world-shaking battle, still weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.

"You all wait on the Going Merry." V's voice came clearly to everyone's ears through the brain-computer interface. "Luffy and I will go down and check the situation."

"Okay!" everyone responded in unison.

The Going Merry slowly sailed into the Shichibukai berth designated by Marineford, docking alongside several other ships of different styles, but all exuding a powerful aura.

V and Luffy stepped off the gangway and onto the land of Marine Headquarters.

The naval soldiers in the port watched them with complicated expressions.

Awe, vigilance, and even a hint of barely perceptible resistance were mixed in with the standard military salute.

Just then, a deep naval horn sounded from the other end of the harbor.

A large warship flying a naval flag slowly came into view, with two eye-catching figures standing at its bow.

"Yohohoho..." Brook looked behind him, and two pink hearts suddenly appeared in his previously empty eyes. "Mr. Sanji, come and see!"

As Brook called out, the Straw Hat crew instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.

On the bow deck of that warship, a tall and proud figure stood leaning against the railing.

A sea breeze swept by, ruffling her long, jet-black hair and the hem of her magnificent cheongsam. She was none other than the "Pirate Empress," Boa Hancock.

She slightly raised her beautifully shaped chin, her stunning face bearing her usual aloofness, as if the thousands of troops gathered at the port and the solemn atmosphere were merely insignificant embellishments on the hem of her magnificent robes.

For a moment, the entire port seemed to be put on pause.

"That, that's... the Pirate Empress!!!"

Sanji's eyes instantly turned into giant hearts, and he felt as if an invisible hand was choking him, letting out a groan that was almost suffocating. His body twisted involuntarily, and blood gushed out of his nose in an exaggerated parabolic arc.

"So beautiful~"

Even Nami couldn't help but let out a heartfelt exclamation, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes.

Even as a woman herself, she could not deny Hancock's breathtaking beauty, a beauty that could eclipse the heavens and earth.

"Oh? This is Boa Hancock?"

V also looked up at the proud figure on the deck of the warship, his tone calm but with a hint of scrutiny.

His gaze was completely different from Sanji and Brook's absent-minded and infatuated state; it was calm to the point of indifference.

Luffy glanced at it briefly before looking away, continuing to observe other developments at the port.

Zoro, holding his sword, didn't even lift his eyelids, clearly showing no interest in the so-called "world's most beautiful woman."

The three men's indifferent reactions, so different from the rest of the crew, created a stark contrast.

At the same time, a series of warnings suddenly burst out from inside V's brain-computer interface.

According to brain-computer interface (BCI) testing, a strange mental fluctuation is interfering with the normal operation of the brain-computer interface.

"I see……"

Chapter 203 The Seven Warlords Meeting

"I see……"

V understood immediately, and a barely perceptible blue light flashed in the prosthetic eye behind the lens.

Having studied so many Devil Fruits, he immediately realized...

It seems he was just affected by a mental interference similar to Conqueror's Haki. (Based on the data from the brain-computer interface and the current situation.)

"The power of the sweet fruit...is the embodiment and spiritual projection of 'beauty'."