Chapter 101: Pirate Undercover

Marineford, the Admiral's office.

After Akainu and the others departed, Sengoku specifically instructed Rosward.

"Barzab Seven is different from ordinary pirates; there are almost no reports of him engaging in widespread arson, slaughter, or plunder. Since setting sail, he has never targeted civilians."

Rosward asked in return.

"Father, could he be a good man?"

"Heh." Sengoku shook his head.

"Little one, you must understand that this world is not simply black and white. Once you join the Morning Star Pirates, whatever Barzab Seven does, you only need to watch."

"Do not contact me rashly unless absolutely necessary; ensuring your own safety is the most important thing."

Over these years, Sengoku had raised Rosward as his own son; at the age of seventeen, he had already become a Navy Captain.

If he had not known Barzab Seven's character, Sengoku would never have sent his son over to act as a spy and become a pirate.

Pirates are a group of utterly vicious scoundrels who eat one meal and go without the next, starving nine times out of three days.

Precisely because he knew Barzab Seven's character, Sengoku sent his son over to gild his record.

Regardless of whether the Morning Star Pirates succeed or fail in the future, as long as Sengoku remains in the Navy for one day, Rosward is guaranteed to win without losing.

Moreover, he eats from both ends, winning twice.

"Child, I have devised several plans for you; see which one is more suitable."

Rosward took the plan document.

"Father, I wish to return to the North Blue first."

Rosward's full name is Donquixote Rosward; because his father gave up his World Noble status, the whole family came to live in the Grand Line.

Unfortunately, upon learning they were World Nobles, the commoners launched a retaliation against them; Rosward was protected by Sengoku amidst the danger and joined the Navy.

After his parents passed away, only his older brother Donquixote Doflamingo remained, establishing the Donquixote Family and becoming active in the North Blue.

As an adoptive father, Sengoku naturally knew all this.

"It is good to go and meet him."

Originally, Sengoku planned for his precious son to go spy near his brother, but due to Barzab Seven's powerful rise and greater safety, he happily changed the plan.

In the world of pirates, being a spy is the norm.

If Sengoku could think of sending a spy to infiltrate the interior of the Morning Star Pirates to gather intelligence, other factions could naturally think of it too.

Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle.

Inside the spacious and bright palace, the Five Elders arranged their poses in order; Saint Wapol and Saint Saturn sat on the sofa, while the other three stood in different positions.

Saint Saturn placed several intelligence reports on the table.

"Barzab Seven is worth our wooing, but we must grasp the general movements within the Morning Star Pirates. If we had known beforehand about Shiki joining, the Buster Call incident might not have failed."

In Saint Saturn's view, having the coating craftsmen tamper with the Donghai Dihuang was absolutely the greatest masterstroke since he became one of the Five Elders.

However, because he did not know beforehand that Shiki had joined the Morning Star Pirates, it led to failure at the very end.

How regrettable.

"For better cooperation in the future."

Saint Saturn squinted his eyes slightly and proposed.

"We must dispatch a capable agent to infiltrate the interior of the Morning Star Pirates and gather intelligence."

Saint Wapol nodded in agreement.

"What Saint Saturn says is very reasonable; if Barzab Seven sincerely cooperates with us, what does it matter if we grant him World Noble status?"

"And—"

"We cannot focus all our energy on pirates; the Revolutionary Army has been very active recently, shouting in non-member countries about overthrowing the landlords and dividing the land."

"We cannot let the Revolutionary Army continue to run wild."

The other three Five Elders nodded in turn.

"Agreed." x3

Seeing this, Saint Saturn took over the main control.

"CP9 spy Foxy F, age sixteen, swordsman, extreme racist, utterly loyal to the World Government, very suitable for infiltration."

"However." Saint Saturn paused his speech.

"Foxy F's current strength is limited; I fear he will be hard to catch Barzab Seven's eye. I suggest selecting a Devil Fruit of moderate intensity for him."

"It must not make Barzab Seven suspicious, yet allow for a strength increase within a short time."

"Compared to mastering the movements of the Morning Star Pirates, a single Devil Fruit is worth our investment."

"Agreed." x4

Saint Saturn nodded in satisfaction. Since Imu-sama does not appear, the Five Elders are the supreme rulers of the World Government, and among the Five Elders, he is the leader.

The feeling of controlling the World Government is truly intoxicating.

"This matter will be treated as top secret, managed jointly by the five of us."

After the small meeting, Saint Saturn personally went to the treasury of Holy Land Mary Geoise to select a Devil Fruit of moderate intensity for Foxy F.

Because Logia types are relatively rare and Paramecia types are too difficult to develop to form immediate combat power.

Among many Zoan-type Devil Fruits, Saint Saturn specifically chose one—Zoan Type: Ancient Species: Saber-toothed Tiger Form.

And he personally summoned Foxy F at Pangaea Castle.

CP9 Headquarters.

Spandam bent his body as he hung up the Den Den Mushi, the smile on his face entirely replaced by madness.

Merely to have Foxy F execute a secret mission, Saint Saturn ordered: all CP9 members who knew of Foxy F's existence were to be slaughtered.

"Hehehe, leave not a single one."

"This kid Foxy is about to strike it rich!"

His remaining sanity prevented Spandam from getting too close; instead, he used a Den Den Mushi to notify Foxy to go to a certain place immediately, where someone was waiting.

Not long after, Foxy was brought before Saint Saturn by several mysterious figures.

"I have a mission for you."

Learning that the lord before him was none other than one of the Five Elders, the highest rulers of the World Government, Foxy's face flushed with an unusual red from excitement.

"Eat this Devil Fruit and head to the New World to find a way to infiltrate the Morning Star Pirates."

"Do a good job; the day the Morning Star Pirates are destroyed, Spandam's position will be yours."

Hearing this, Foxy's throat moved: Join the Morning Star Pirates? Maya, my lord, the Five Elders, you surely overestimate me.

"My lord, I heard... Barzab Seven has extremely high standards; previously, the Donghai Dihuang traveled the entire East Blue, yet didn't recruit even a single trainee crew member."

Foxy had a clear understanding of himself; the pie the Five Elders painted was big and round, but the premise was being able to eat it.

"I... I fear I am not qualified enough."

Hearing this, Saint Saturn narrowed his eyes slightly.

"What you say has some merit."

Counting the crew members Barzab Seven had recruited—

Great Swordsman Mihawk, Great Swordsman Master Tenghu, Great Swordsman King of the Lion, and the Barcaneia hybrid with the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, Bartholomew Kuma.

Back then, Roger could recruit quite a few crew members in the East Blue, yet Barzab Seven actually found none worthy; his standards are indeed extremely high.

Ancient-type ability users are indeed lacking a bit.

After a moment of thought, Saint Saturn had a countermeasure.

"Eat this Devil Fruit and bring news of a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit; this token of loyalty will be enough to make you a trainee crew member."

As the saying goes, you cannot catch a wolf without sacrificing a child.

As long as Foxy can be sent to Barzab Seven's side, what does it matter if we also give away a Mythical Zoan-type? Compared to the return, this investment—

One word: Worth it.

"I will send people to coordinate with your actions."

Foxy hurriedly nodded and agreed.

"Yes, my lord, the Five Elders."

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Regarding the age issue of Corazon.

It is known that two years after the Summit War, Law is 26 and ate the Ope Ope no Mi at 13.

Thus, 13 years before the Summit War, Law ate the Ope Ope no Mi, and at the same time Corazon died at the age of 26.

Seven is currently 22 years after the Summit War; therefore, Corazon is currently 17, and Doflamingo is currently 19.

Who would have thought? Doflamingo is actually 2 years older than Shanks.