With the compromise and departure of the Navy, Gourmet Island once again made a name for itself in the world, becoming another powerful force on the sea.
Naturally, Marine Headquarters became a laughingstock.
The Marine fleet that besieged Gourmet Island, with the exception of Kuzan and the other two, all perished, including Vice Admiral Kaenomatsu.
Kaenomatsu was already severely wounded and on the verge of death. Caught in a storm, his warship was capsized and sank into the sea. He too, sank into the ocean, with no chance of survival.
To redeem Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, three potential Vice Admirals with boundless potential, along with CP0, they paid an additional 4.5 billion Berries.
Although it was from the World Government, some funds from Marine Headquarters were also deducted.
With such heavy losses, news of the Seven Warlords plan quickly spread.
First and foremost, the island master of Gourmet Island, Great Tengu Seifu, became one of the Seven Warlords.
This was after Great Tengu Seifu reported to Benedict, and Benedict, after deliberation, finally agreed.
In this way, he could also be considered to have an undercover identity.
The role of this undercover identity was not very significant.
Its main purpose was to allow the World Government and Marine Headquarters to pay less attention and cause less harassment.
After all, Gourmet Island's primary objective was to make enough Berries through food and gather intelligence.
Apart from Great Tengu Seifu, the remaining six Seven Warlords members were being contacted, and it was said that each of them possessed great power and influence.
It was also rumored that the purpose of the Seven Warlords was to check the influence of the Xuanwu Navy, the Beast Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Sky Pirates that might appear elsewhere.
On the way to Jaya Island.
Benedict looked at the newspaper report about the Seven Warlords, stroked his chin, and said, "Is this the so-called butterfly effect? The Seven Warlords plan has been put into motion so quickly."
Currently, there was no news about the Seven Warlords circulating on the seas, meaning this plan had been implemented recently.
"So, who will become a Seven Warlord?"
"Crocodile? Old Crocodile at this time is only 24 years old. He is ambitious and seems to be locked in a fierce battle with Douglas, known as the 'Descendant of the Devil,' gaining great fame before being invited by the World Government to become a Seven Warlord."
Muttering this, Benedict found Crocodile's bounty on a blackboard nearby.
81 million Berries?
Benedict frowned slightly. How many pirates with bounties over 100 million had died at the hands of the Navy? This 80 million Berries was not worth mentioning.
"Donquixote Doflamingo, he should be 18 years old now, just came of age."
"However, the Donquixote Pirates he founded are already well-known in the North Blue. This guy seemed to be present when Roger was executed."
"Given his status, and the combat power and influence he possesses now, the position of Seven Warlords should be secured."
...
"Gecko Moria has some skills, but that's all. If history hasn't changed much, the current Gecko Moria would still become one of the Seven Warlords."
"However, this guy seemed to go look for trouble with Kaido around that time and got scared away."
...
"Hawk-Eyes Mihawk is around 21 years old now. Although his influence is not very great, his combat power is very strong. It is said that he has never lost a battle to this day."
"He's not a pirate, more like a lone adventurer, but he is worth recruiting."
...
"If we consider Crocodile, the Seven Warlords can be gathered at five."
"The remaining two, Law and Blackbeard Teach, or Jinbe, are not possible at the moment."
"I wonder who the World Government will recruit."
Knock, knock!
A knock on the door sounded. Benedict said, "Come in."
Nico Robin walked in, her bright eyes looking at Benedict with a smile, "Marshal Brother, we have arrived at Jaya Island."
"Marshal Brother, does Skypiea really exist?"
"Is there really a path to Skypiea from Jaya Island?"
After returning the four Poneglyphs from Ohara to the Xuanwu Marine base, Benedict and his fleet continued their voyage.
This time, Benedict's destination was Skypiea.
The Poneglyphs, the gold, and Enel on Skypiea were also his targets for this trip.
"Of course."
"However, Skypiea is in the sky, so if we want to go up, we must first ensure that our warships are strong enough."
Benedict brought Nico Robin to the deck, looked up at the sky, then at the surging sea, and smiled, "The currents are surging, very strong. We are very lucky, arriving at the right time."
Nico Robin, adjusting her windblown hair, looked into the distance and said, "Marshal Brother, are we going up to the sky now?"
"Yes, we are going up to the sky." Benedict then looked at Sakata Gintoki, Buggy, and Olvia who had come out, and said, "Prepare yourselves. Grab onto anything you can to ensure you don't fall from the sky."
"Especially Devil Fruit users, get into the cabin last to ensure you don't fall out."
Boom!
Thunder suddenly boomed, and in an instant, lightning flashed, the heavens and earth changed, wind and rain descended, and the sea became even more turbulent.
Water continuously splashed onto the warships, and the immense force caused the warships to sway precariously.
Everyone instinctively remembered Benedict's reminder and immediately grabbed onto anything nearby that could prevent them from falling.
Olvia immediately hugged Nico Robin and quickly entered the cabin, closing the door.
Buggy did not dare to be careless and also entered the cabin.
For a moment, only Benedict and Sakata Gintoki remained outside.
Looking at the massive whirlpool, Benedict kept his gaze fixed on the sea, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
"Do not exit the range of the whirlpool."
To ascend to the sky using the Upward Sea Current, the timing and position were crucial.
Otherwise, the impact of the upward sea current could completely destroy the warships. In that case, let alone reaching the sky, they would likely drown before they even got there.
The warships retreated but remained within the whirlpool's range.
During this time, the undersea currents beneath the whirlpool became even more violent.
"We only have one minute."
"All warships, line up, do not get too close, and accelerate forward!"
"Charge in."
Benedict let out a low roar, and the three warships accelerated one after another. At the same time, from the seabed, a rising sea current erupted and shot towards the sky.
The immense propulsive force caused the warships to almost rush towards the sky, following the sea current.
Benedict's Xuanwu warship charged at the forefront. Because the upward sea current in the sky would bring down sea kings and other creatures from pirate ships caught in the currents, they would all fall from the sky.
To safely fly to Skypiea, it was essential to ensure that the warships were not impacted by these objects.