Chapter 167: Five Elders Seconded! 

"Sengoku, following your previous report," the bald, curly-bearded Elder said, "the man named Blackbeard Teach captured Roger's son and claimed the Shichibukai's position on his terms. There is only one Shichibukai position that is vacant right now. If Rifan just becomes Shichibukai, what about Blackbeard Teach? Are you trying to get him to put Fire Fist Ace back?"

"Of course not! We're going to get Ace. Perhaps he can be executed publicly and behead the Whitebeard Pirates in one fell swoop. In this way, we can challenge the arrogance of the pirates in the sea. That way, even if the Enies Lobby incident had a big impact, we can correct it."

Sengoku shook his head and said.

"So, what about Rifan, didn't you propose to make him Shichibukai?"

asked the bald, sword-wielding Elder. 

"Regarding Rifan, we can propose corresponding conditions to him!"

"If he will help our Marine capture Shiki and that evil scientist William."

"We gave him the chance to become a Shichibukai."

"I thought about it carefully when I came here."

"When Rifan helps Marine defeat Shiki, I tell him to defeat the other Shichibukai."

"If he can defeat the other Shichibukai, he can replace him as the new Shichibukai."

"As for the defeated Shichibukai...Since he has been defeated, his deterrent power will definitely be greatly reduced, so naturally he cannot continue to serve as Shichibukai."

Sengoku said solemnly.

"That's what you came up with, Sengoku."

"Since both Blackbeard and Rifan are needed."

"Then just kick a Shichibukai away to make room for both?"

"It's a good way, what do you guys think?"

The blond Elder said, looking at the four elders.

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

The four Elders nodded in agreement.

Those who can sit in their positions are naturally extremely intelligent people.

Naturally, it can be seen that Shiki reappearance poses a threat to the World Government.

Since Vegapunk can't give an answer in a short time, they may also create a second batch of strong pacifists through Rifan blood factor.

Then they will naturally not object to Rifan becoming Shichibukai.

"Since everyone agrees, I will leave this matter to you, Sengoku."

"However, Rifan must promise not to explore the historical text stele."

"Once it was discovered that Robin of the Black Pearl Pirates had the behaviour of exploring the historical text stele."

"We can revoke the title of Rifan Shichibukai at any time."

"Besides, that scientist named William, we hope to be able to get him back."

The blond Elder looked at Sengoku and said.

This is also a warning he left for Rifan.

If you want the position of Shichibukai, you can, provided that you don't touch the historical text.

Otherwise, what they give can be taken back at any time.

As for William, the Five Elders are already fascinated by his skills.

A virus that is dangerous enough is not a weapon for the World Government.

"Isn't that man William's research a bit too dangerous?"

Sengoku frowned.

"You don't need to worry about this, you just need to do what we say."

"Also, you can leave now."

The blond Elder waved his hand and said.

"I understand, I will properly arrange this matter."

Sengoku nodded, turned and left the Five Elders' conference room, planning to think of a way to talk to Rifan.

... 

Enies Lobby, near the sea.

"Sure enough, you are here, Rifan."

"You were the one who fought Shiki earlier."

Gion landed on the deck of the Black Pearl.

She first looked at Franky who was at the helm, and then looked at Rifan who was lying on the recliner and reading a picture book with a smile on his face.

"Hey, isn't this Miss Gion?"

"What a coincidence."

"What wind brought you here today?"

Rifan close the picture book, and stood up happily as if he had just noticed Gion.

Walking in front of Gion wanting a hug.

Gion raised the corner of her mouth, and instead of pushing Rifan away, she opened her hands to give Rifan a hug.

Not far away, Franky stared at Rifan and Gion with wide eyes.

He couldn't figure out why Rifan and a Marine seemed so close.

"Some people say that whoever comes is a guest."

"Gion, you dare to board my ship alone without any troops."

"Then I can't treat you as an enemy."

"Come, sit here, the two of us have a good catch up."

Rifan took Gion's hand and walked to a reclining chair beside him to sit down, and even enthusiastically offered her double juice.

"Thanks, Rifan, but you haven't returned to my previous question yet."

"Haha, you mean the fight earlier. That's right, I did fight Shiki."

"It's really powerful. The flying slash earlier is not something that can be use casually. I always feel that there is something different in it."

"Hahaha, no, it's just a random slash."

"Looks like Rifan, you don't want to talk about this, so let's change the subject, can you tell me why you came to Enies Lobby?"

"It's not that I want to come to Enies Lobby either."

Rifan shrugged and continued:

"I just met a cp9 agent when I was in the capital of seven waters."

"Heard the news of Shiki from them and ran over to join in the fun."

"And then saw them doing evil things like spreading biochemical viruses."

"As a passionate young man, how can I bear it!?"

"That's when I rushed up and had a fight with that guy."

"Afterwards, I sensed the familiar aura of you, Ms. Gion, and there is another aura as powerful as yours near you."

"I'm afraid I'll be caught by you."

"That's why the fight with Shiki was discontinued."

Hearing Rifan's words, Gion nodded knowingly.

"It turns out that it is like this. It seems that we came at a very bad time."

"Then do you know where Shiki is now?"

Hearing this, the corner of Rifan's mouth twitched, he first looked at the detection den-den mushi he had put aside, and then pointed to the sky:

"If my guess is correct, that guy might be watching the movement of the Black Pearl from the sky."

Gion noticed that Rifan was looking at the detection den-den mushi, and was about to ask a question.

When another den-den mushi that Rifan put on the table suddenly rang at this moment.

Gion took a closer look and saw that the den-den mushi that rang was exactly the den-den mushi she had left for Rifan at that time.

"Hehe, what a coincidence, it seems that Sengoku called."

"Miss Gion, since you are from Marine, why don't you answer the call?"

Rifan sat across from Gion and said with a smile on his face.

Gion nodded slightly, did not refuse, and directly connected the call.

"Hi, this is Gion, I'm talking to Rifan on board the Black Pearl right now."

"He fought Shiki earlier at the Enies Lobby..."

After Gion answered the call, she directly explained the reasons why she appeared on the Black Pearl and Rifan appeared on the Enies Lobby.

Opposite the den-den mushi, Sengoku was taken aback when he heard Gion's voice.

But soon felt a little joy in his heart.

For him, if Rifan and Gion are together now, they can just implement the next plan.

According to his idea, even Rifan and Marine can directly cooperate now.

So, he immediately relayed what he heard from Five Elders to Rifan's ears.

"So that's it. You Marine and I are going to deal with Shiki together."

"And, not just against Shiki, but for me to take away the title of Shichibukai after I defeat a Shichibukai."

"That is to say, you have already decided on someone to replace Crocodile."

"Can you tell me first, who are you going to replace crocodile, Sengoku?"

While playing shogi with Gion, Rifan asked Sengoku on the call.

"It's okay to tell you, it's a newcomer named Blackbeard Teach."

Hearing Sengoku's answer, Rifan couldn't help raising his eyebrows.

'It seems that Teach really caught Ace.'

'In this way, the Summit War will start soon.'

'Sure enough, Shichibukai position must be acquired in order to snatch the Dark Fruit from Blackbeard.'

'Speaking of which, if Teach sees that I also become a Shichibukai, he should be quite surprised~'

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Rifan's face.

"Although your request is very slick, I can still agree to your request for Shichibukai position."

"Having said that, but Sengoku, you broke your agreement with me twice in a row."

"I really don't know if I should trust you this time, Sengoku."

"If I have fulfilled the agreement with you, but you just wiped it out and dumped me."

"Aren't I very disadvantaged?"

Rifan was talking to Sengoku on the one hand, and on the other hand, he pushed Gion to a dead end in shogi.

"General, it looks like Ms. Gion is not a grandmaster in chess."

"Or are you deliberately letting me win?"

Rifan said with a smile on his face.

"How could it be, Rifan, your shogi skills are too superb."

Gion smiled and said.

"Rifan, I know that I failed to fulfil the agreement twice,"

"But please believe me, this time we Marine and World Government mean business."

At this moment, Sengoku's tone was extremely solemn.

"Do you think your word mean something? Sengoku, if someone lied to you twice, would you believe him?"

"Then how can you trust us, Rifan?"

"Well, how about this, let Miss Gion stay on my ship for now after the battle with Shiki is over. I'm letting her go when I officially become a Shichibukai."

"Impossible, Gion is Admiral's candidate, how can she stay with you."

Sengoku said firmly.

Sengoku believes in Gion's strength.

What Rifan said about staying is definitely not simply letting her stay on the Black Pearl.

If that were the case, Sengoku felt, Gion could not leave at any time.

She might even become Rifan real hostage.

What Rifan said about keeping Gion behind must be to use certain means to imprison her.

"Heh, you don't want this, and you don't want that."

"Is it true that your Marine will take advantage of any advantage? Sengoku, position yourself. "

"You Marines don't just need me to deal with Shiki now."

"You also need the antidote I developed to de-zombify and prevent zombification."

"If you Marines really want me to be a Shichibukai, what's the point of letting Gion stay with me?"

"Since you don't agree, I can only think that you guys want to dump me."

"If you are still so proud, I don't think there is any need for us to talk in the future."

"I'll get rid of this den-den mushi, so you don't have to call in the future."

As Rifan said, he stretched out his hand to hang up the den-den mushi.

But before that, Gion reached out and grabbed Rifan's arm.

"Rifan, if I stay, what are you going to do with me?"

Gion asked.

…