One Piece: Hashirama Template

"Blackbeard? Isn't that Teach?"

Carina and the other girls had also seen the news of Ace's capture.

But their focus was different from the rest of the world. Their eyes fell on the other half of the headline. Looking at the photo on the front page, Carina couldn't help but turn to Link, who was sitting on the sofa, and instantly guessed the truth. "Link, you didn't go to Cocoyasi Village with me... it wasn't to help Teach capture Fire Fist Ace, was it?"

"That was part of the reason."

Link wrapped his arm around Nami's waist, opening his mouth to enjoy a treat fed to him by Vivi, who was sitting on the armrest. He smiled and said, "But I didn't make a move myself. I let Teach and Fire Fist Ace wear each other out. Then, after Teach won, while he was at his weakest, I had him help me seize the Rumble-Rumble Fruit."

"Otherwise, that guy might have coveted the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and turned on me directly."

Looking at Link's incredibly handsome smiling face, Nami's expression filled with love. "Link, thank you."

After speaking, Nami couldn't resist wrapping her arms around Link's neck to show Carina and the other girls just how long a French kiss could last.

"Hey, hey... that's enough! Don't push your luck."

"Treinta Fleur: Clutch!"

Seeing the two kissing, Carina and the other girls had different reactions.

Carina's composure broke, Perona covered her blushing face with her hands but secretly peeked through her fingers.

Nojiko's mouth fell slightly agape, shocked by her younger sister's boldness.

Robin was the most direct. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and used her fruit's ability to sprout a large number of arms on Nami's body, gripping Nami's jaw and forcefully twisting her head away.

In an instant, Nami's body turned into blue-white electric currents.

When the currents re-formed into Nami's body, she said angrily, "Robin, were you trying to kill me?"

"Ah... a pity I didn't succeed." Robin nodded and said with a dark smile, "When we leave the Alabasta Kingdom, I'll have to take a pair of Seastone handcuffs with us. That way, I should succeed next time."

"I agree!" Carina immediately raised her hand.

"Hee hee... I was wrong."

Seeing that she had truly angered everyone, Nami quickly stuck out her tongue and obediently admitted defeat.

"You all chat. I'm going to make a phone call."

Link didn't get involved. He returned to his room to get down to business.

Link took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed what was, on the surface, the most prestigious phone number in the world.

"Purupurupuru... Purupurupuru..."

The blank-faced Den Den Mushi continuously made its unique ringing sound.

With a kacha, the Den Den Mushi's expression suddenly changed from blank to haughty and indifferent. "Who is this? Where did you get this number?"

Link smiled. "Esteemed members of the Five Elders, hello."

"An unfamiliar voice. Since you know who you are speaking with, state your purpose."

The Den Den Mushi's appearance changed again, still just as haughty. "I hope you are not wasting my time."

"As expected of the world's highest leaders. What a terrifying aura."

Link teased with a smile, then introduced himself. "My name is Link. The world knows me as The Impaler."

"Ah, the Logia-type Forest-Forest Fruit user."

"The one who disrupted the situation with the affiliated nations in the East Blue last year, helped Cobra defeat Crocodile, and turned the desertified Erumalu back into the City of Oases."

"As a mercenary and bounty hunter, did you get this Den Den Mushi number from Cobra?"

Hearing Link's name and title, the Den Den Mushi's expressions switched rapidly, relaying the conversation among the Five Elders.

"Yes, I got this number from King Cobra. It was the reward I requested."

"Then what is your purpose?"

A slight smile touched Link's lips. "I want the position of a Warlord of the Sea."

"Not surprising. Unfortunately, you've called too late."

"If it were a few months ago, we would have unanimously agreed to let you fill the vacant seat, but the Seven Warlords are now at full capacity."

Link smiled meaningfully. "No, it's not too late."

"Oh?"

The Five Elders instantly understood Link's meaning, and their tone changed. "Which of the Warlords have you made a move on?"

"Gecko Moria."

Link said, "For the past few months, I've been hunting down Crocodile. I only recently completed King Cobra's commission."

"During the pursuit, I passed through the Florian Triangle and paid a visit to Gecko Moria. He was happy to give up his seat to me."

This was the third thing Link hadn't revealed before: the letter he left for Gecko Moria, specifically warning him that he would take his Warlord seat.

During this time, Perona had also called Gecko Moria a few times. Having lost a decade's worth of accumulation overnight, Gecko Moria had also accepted reality.

"Very well. We approve of you replacing Gecko Moria."

"You will see the news you want tomorrow."

The Five Elders didn't send anyone to verify it; they agreed to Link's request without hesitation.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

All they needed was a reason.

Even if Link hadn't defeated Gecko Moria, they would have stripped someone of their title to make Link a new Warlord of the Sea.

Compared to a top-tier Logia user, Gecko Moria, a defeated dog who had been hiding in the Florian Triangle for ten years, was simply not worth mentioning.

The probability of the Summit War breaking out was now approaching one hundred percent.

With a top-tier Logia user like Link on their side, the pressure on the Marines would certainly be lessened.

After all, top-tier Logia users were synonymous with natural disasters.

Their large-scale attacks could easily wipe out vast numbers of fodder.

"As expected of the world's highest leaders. Truly magnanimous," Link complimented.

"You must have seen today's news as well."

"Since you are to become a Warlord, you must accept the mandatory summons."

Hearing this, Link grinned. "Of course, no problem. I chose to join the Warlords at this time precisely because I don't want to miss a great war that will change the landscape of the world."

"Hmph... What an audacious brat."

"Come to Mary Geoise as soon as possible."

After that, the Five Elders hung up.

The next day, another piece of news captured the world's attention.

The headline read: "Bounty Hunter Becomes a Legal Pirate! New Member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Man Who Slew Crocodile and Replaced the Master of Shadows—The Impaler, Link!"

In January of the year 1520 of the Sea Calendar, The Impaler, Link, had made a name for himself and attracted considerable attention by using his top-tier Logia abilities to annihilate four pirate crews in just over ten minutes.

After disappearing for several months, his fame had gradually been overshadowed by the new Supernovas, but now he had finally reappeared before the world.

The achievements he brought with his powerful return also shook the seas.

Because this Impaler had stepped over one former Warlord and replaced another to forcefully become a member of one of the Three Great Powers that maintain order on the seas.

For a time, Link had stolen a great deal of the spotlight.

(End of Chapter)

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