Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The Gorosei, representing the supreme power of the World Government, were throwing a fit of rage in the Hall of Power.
"Rocks! It's the Rocks Pirates again!"
"How many times has this been?"
"Not long ago, the celestial tribute transported from Dressrosa was snatched by Golden Lion and his men."
"Now it's the Prodence Kingdom's turn?"
"These annoying bugs... they truly are becoming more and more lawless!"
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense in charge of the Science Unit, was nearly smashing his cane to pieces.
Beside him, Nasujuroh Saint, holding a katana in his arms, also had an icy expression.
"G1 has already been notified; I hope they can make it in time! Ideally, they can take out one of their squads and deal a heavy blow to their prestige!"
"The distance is a bit far, so the hope of making it in time isn't great, unless Elizabeth can show some backbone and hold out a bit longer." Saint V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Justice with a birthmark on his forehead, didn't lose his temper; his expression remained as calm and steady as ever.
He looked around and said in a deep voice:
"Everyone, the threat the Rocks Pirates pose to us is increasing daily. Under Rocks' frantic expansion, a massive number of pirates have joined, making Hachinosu the center that is gradually unifying all the pirates of the New World. If this threat isn't eradicated soon... it may lead to an even greater disaster."
Standing behind the sofa, Saint Piterr, dressed in a suit, nodded in agreement. "Saint V. Nusjuro is right. The scale of the Rocks Pirates is indeed growing, and we must be on guard. However, eradicating this tumor won't be easy."
As soon as Saint Piterr spoke...
...the vast Hall of Power fell into a long silence.
Indeed.
The few of them were very clear about the threat the increasingly powerful Rocks Pirates posed to the World Government.
Rocks had never hidden his ambition.
That lawless man's goal had always been to overturn their rule and replace them as the King of the World.
Since the attack on the Holy Land 12 years ago, the solitary Rocks had begun his path of frantic expansion across the seas of the New World.
Until today, 12 years later.
Under his command, he had gathered powerful subordinates like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, Wang Zhi, and Gan Sui.
At the same time, he held dozens of islands, large and small, including Hachinosu and Rocky Port.
The number of pirate crews under him exceeded thirty.
The total pirate military force was nearly 200,000!
Among them, Whitebeard and Golden Lion were Rocks' right and left hands, possessing top-tier combat power no less than an Admiral's and destructive abilities capable of easily reversing the tide of battle.
To eradicate Rocks and his pirate crew, even if the entire Marine force were dispatched now, it would likely be difficult to achieve.
Thinking of this, Satan Saint couldn't help but suggest:
"The overall strength of the Marines is still too weak. I think perhaps we should promote Garp and Sengoku to the vacant Admiral positions as soon as possible."
"The Marines..."
Hearing Saturn mention the Marines, Saint V. Nusjuro suddenly thought of the undercover agent the Marines had recently planted in the Rocks Pirates.
Perhaps they could use that mole to send back secret intelligence on the Rocks Pirates and then make some plans based on it?
But soon, Saint V. Nusjuro thought that even if the mole went to Hachinosu, he probably wouldn't be able to enter the true core of the Rocks Pirates yet and wouldn't get any useful information.
"Forget it, let him continue to stay undercover. Son of Soros White, I hope you won't disappoint us..."
While the five members of the Gorosei were pondering how to deal with this major threat, Rocks...
...suddenly, a masked CP0 agent ran in with frantic steps.
Before the frowning Saturn could speak a word of reprimand...
...the CP0 agent spoke urgently: "This is bad! My lords! Just now, news came from the Prodence Kingdom's royal family that their king, Elizabeth I's Vivre Card... has burned out!"
"What?!" Saturn and the others were all shocked upon hearing this.
On the other side.
Somewhere on the seas of the New World.
A dog-headed warship was moving forward at full power, riding the wind and waves.
At the bow of the ship, a man with a square face and black hair standing up like steel needles stood with his thick arms crossed, his gaze like a torch looking at the sea ahead.
The cloak on his back, with the two large characters for 'Justice' written on it, fluttered in the sea breeze.
"Will we be able to catch that bastard Rocks this time?"
"Rocks? Not likely."
"As far as I know, he rarely moves out personally for small gains like snatching celestial tributes."
"Only when it's a major operation, like directly looting a kingdom, will he lead the entire Rocks Pirates out in full force."
"So in all probability, the ones attacking the Prodence Kingdom's celestial tribute transport team this time are still his subordinates. It's more likely a Division Captain leading them, perhaps Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, or someone like that."
Behind him, a well-built man with an afro also had his arms crossed, leaning against the ship's railing and looking out at the sea.
Garp couldn't help but look back at Sengoku and asked in confusion, "Why wouldn't it be that bastard Shiki?"
"Because that guy just moved out once ten days ago. Even if he wanted to act again, the others in the Rocks Pirates wouldn't agree. He can't take the lion's share every time, can he?"
"Hmm... you have a point." Garp still trusted Sengoku's judgment very much.
He turned his head back, an eager and excited light showing in his eyes as he clenched his massive fist. "If that bastard Shiki isn't coming, then the one who shows up better be Newgate, otherwise it'll be too boring."
As he spoke, he suddenly paused as if he had thought of something, and turned again to his old partner Sengoku, saying on a whim:
"Sengoku, do you think the person in charge of this looting operation could be that kid Carlo? Didn't Kong send him to Rocks' side as an undercover agent?"
Sengoku looked at him speechlessly, as if looking at an idiot.
"Garp, what are you thinking?"
"How could it be Carlo? How long has he even been there? Is it possible he's already reached the level of a Division Captain?"
"Let alone a Division Captain, right now, there's even a gap for him if he wants to become a Senior Combatant in the Rocks Pirates, right?"
"After all, those guys like Gan Sui, Maron, and Stussy still have some strength. I estimate he's at most a Junior Combatant or even an intern right now."
"Why not? That kid has the talent! He's the one who learned my Fist Bone techniques! Old man Kong said he could be an Admiral in the future! Could someone who can be an Admiral not be qualified to be a Division Captain under Rocks?" Garp argued stubbornly.
Sengoku shook his head. "Talent is talent, strength is strength. Right now, Carlo is still too young."