The Island of Gourmet.
In a scenic mountain villa.
The Great Tengu Kiyokaze and Lu Bu sat at a stone table beneath a rock garden, playing chess in silence.
"Eat!"
"Check!"
Lu Bu advanced his horse, capturing a minister, and said in a deep voice.
Seeing this, the Great Tengu Kiyokaze said helplessly, "Lu Bu, your killing intent is still too sharp."
Although Lu Bu had taught him chess, the Great Tengu Kiyokaze had always been calm and composed, his wisdom hidden beneath the surface.
Therefore, in their chess matches, the Great Tengu Kiyokaze usually won more often.
However, in order to temper Lu Bu's temperament, the Great Tengu Kiyokaze did not immediately checkmate him, but rather wore him down slowly.
Yet, at times, he had to admit that Lu Bu's unconventional and aggressive moves could still catch him off guard.
Lu Bu heard this and said faintly, "What I want is a good fight. Only then can I become stronger."
Ever since the Great Tengu Kiyokaze became one of the Seven Warlords, and with the rules established on the Island of Gourmet, many who thought themselves powerful enough paid a heavy price. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble on the island.
Lu Bu had not had a chance to fight for a long time because of this.
"Marshal, when will you summon us back?"
"The battles in the North Sea, West Sea, and South Sea are making me itch with eagerness."
"I feel uncomfortable without a fight here."
Lu Bu complained with dissatisfaction.
Lu Bu believed in himself and also longed for the feeling of charging into battle and killing.
Therefore, he now actually missed the battles he had with Kuzan and the other two.
That feeling was simply too exhilarating.
The Great Tengu Kiyokaze smiled and said, "It won't be long before you have a chance to fight."
"I don't want to wait!" Lu Bu stood up. His imposing figure, bathed in sunlight, appeared to the Great Tengu Kiyokaze from below as a born warrior.
"Buru buru buru."
The den den mushi beside the stone table rang. It was Bartolomeo.
"Bartolomeo, is there something?" the Great Tengu Kiyokaze asked with a smile.
"Boss, two people from the World Government are here. They want to see you." On a warship at the seaport of the Island of Gourmet, two members of the World Government's CP0 organization stood. Both wore masks, their faces obscured.
Bartolomeo was in charge of patrolling this area today. When the warship appeared, Bartolomeo immediately received the news and came to intercept them.
After a brief exchange, Bartolomeo found these two individuals to be too arrogant.
Throughout the conversation, they said nothing other than their desire to see the Great Tengu Kiyokaze.
Unfortunately, he could not initiate a fight, so Bartolomeo could only report the matter.
The Great Tengu Kiyokaze heard this and said thoughtfully, "Have them come over."
Receiving the order, Bartolomeo then said to the two CP0 members, "Just the two of you, follow me."
In the mountain villa.
Lu Bu, having overheard the conversation, chuckled with excitement, "They're probably here to demand an explanation, aren't they?"
"Why don't I handle these two?"
"The strength of CP0 members is barely enough to fight against."
The World Government was competing with the Xuanwu Navy for territories in the West Sea, North Sea, and South Sea. For this purpose, they had specially summoned the Great Tengu Kiyokaze, a Seven Warlord, to participate in the battle.
However, the Great Tengu Kiyokaze had refused.
It was a joke; fighting one's own people would only lead to Benedict's wrath.
Now, the World Government had suffered heavy blows.
It was not impossible for them to come to demand an explanation.
However, only two CP0 agents had come, which was far from enough.
So, it was highly likely for some other reason.
Benedict was also extremely curious about this.
Without waiting long, Bartolomeo brought the people to the mountain villa.
"Boss, I've brought them," Bartolomeo said, looking at the Great Tengu Kiyokaze with adoration.
Bartolomeo deeply admired the Great Tengu Kiyokaze's power.
Furthermore, he was living very comfortably now.
Due to his Devil Fruit ability, despite his young age, his strength was growing, making him a high-ranking cadre on the Island of Gourmet.
Even, due to the influence of food, Bartolomeo had now mastered Observation Haki.
The two CP0 members who entered with Bartolomeo were immediately targeted by Lu Bu.
Their powerful killing intent caused the two to look at Lu Bu simultaneously, with caution, ready to act.
Bartolomeo also felt the killing intent and, trembling, dared not stay any longer, quickly leaving.
Bartolomeo had a lingering fear of Lu Bu.
Lu Bu had sought him out for sparring several times. Although Bartolomeo had used his Barrier-Barrier Fruit ability to avoid injury multiple times, the feeling of being unable to be killed with a single punch was truly shocking.
In fact, several times, if Lu Bu had not held back, the barrier would have broken, and he would have died.
One CP0 member took out a den den mushi and, in front of the Great Tengu Kiyokaze and under Lu Bu's killing intent, dialed a number.
"This is the Five Elders."
"Lord Kiyokaze, it's been a long time."
A voice from the Five Elders sounded, surprising both the Great Tengu Kiyokaze and Lu Bu.
They had not expected the Five Elders to speak to him personally.
"Five Elders?"
"The rulers of the Celestial Dragons. For you to speak to me personally, there must be something major going on."
The Great Tengu Kiyokaze gazed at the den den mushi, his curiosity growing about what the Five Elders were planning.
"Lord Kiyokaze, you must arrive at Marine Headquarters Marineford within three days to participate in the 'Execution Plan'."
The voice of the Five Elders made the Great Tengu Kiyokaze frown.
Lu Bu was also extremely curious. A 'Execution Plan' that the Five Elders personally invited him to must be extraordinary.
"Execution Plan?"
"A plan targeting the Xuanwu Navy?"
The Great Tengu Kiyokaze ventured.
"That is classified for now."
"You have already refused a summons once. If you refuse again this time, you will bear the consequences."
The Five Elders' threatening voice sounded, immediately causing Lu Bu to lose his composure.
His powerful killing intent instantly enveloped the CP0 agents.
Facing the terrifying, encroaching killing intent, the bodies of the two CP0 members were forced to bend, their heads lowering by a foot.
The Five Elders saw the change in perspective and reacted, coldly sneering, "This is not a threat."
"It is an order!"
"Great Tengu Kiyokaze."
Lu Bu's lips curled. He moved as if teleporting behind the two trembling CP0 agents and said in a deep voice, "An order?"
"Even you, the high and mighty Five Elders, are not qualified to order us."
As he spoke, his hands had already clasped around the necks of the two CP0 agents.
However, these two, whether they were stunned by fear or simply had no intention of resisting, did not fight back.
"Lu Bu!" the Great Tengu Kiyokaze said calmly, looking up.
Lu Bu paused for a moment upon hearing this and then released his grip.
The CP0 agents sighed in relief but still trembled.
"Very well."
"I will arrive within three days."