John's face was gloomy as he stood behind the sofa where Carlo sat. Without expression he said, "Don't ask me—I'm no longer a free man."
Rocks froze, shifting his gaze from John's face to Carlo.
Carlo said calmly, "He's mine now."
Rocks burst into laughter. "Wahahaha, well played, Carlo! You've already recruited such a powerhouse. So, boss, what's your call?"
"Take him along. His ability is perfect for grabbing gold and silver."
"Deal!"
With Carlo's nod, Rocks was elated. He jumped up and swept a hand through the air.
"Then we move out! Let's hit it hard!"
"Oooh! Plunder! Plunder! I'm first on the island!"
The first to echo Rocks was Kaido, springing off the sofa.
If anyone present was the poorest, it was probably Silver Axe—he owed Carlo one billion berries.
Second poorest?
Had to be Kaido.
Ever since arriving at Hachinosu,
Kaido hadn't earned a single berry.
Instead he'd racked up debt.
Yes—
all owed to Carlo.
He kept challenging Carlo.
Each bout cost ten million Berries.
As of today, he'd lost seventeen straight.
Total debt: one hundred seventy million Berries.
Kaido figured if he didn't scrape some cash together soon, Carlo might refuse further matches.
Then the gap between them would only widen.
The thought was unbearable.
He had to make money—
mountains of it.
Then pay Carlo to fight him, over and over, as his personal sparring partner.
"Heh-heh, soon I'll have Carlo beat me ten times a day."
Whatever pleasant scene he imagined made Kaido chuckle to himself.
Beside him, Linlin shook her head.
This boy Kaido's brain might truly be broken…
While the Rocks Pirates sallied forth toward Puttelocrone,
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Gustav sprang from his seat in excitement.
"Rocks has taken the bait!"
"We can move!"
"Kong! How's the troop deployment at Puttelocrone?"
Kong, still on the sofa, snapped to attention and reported stiffly,
"Sir, the fleet is set: fifty warships, fifty thousand troops, all coated and hidden on the seabed near Puttelocrone. Once the Rocks Pirates enter the trap, we'll spring the net and wipe them out."
"Excellent!" Gustav beamed. "What of Haines? Is he back?"
"Haines has returned. He's at Impel Down and will head to Puttelocrone with Columbus."
"Perfect! Though retired, we need his strength. After this I'll petition the World Government to grant him honorary Admiral for life."
News of the former Admiral's return eased Gustav's mind.
Haines had served alongside Admiral White-Dragon Soros White and Kong; his codename was Gray Serpent, a formidable Logia user.
Like Gustav, age had forced early retirement, but his power to hunt Great Pirates remained.
With him back, odds against the Rocks Pirates improved.
Add Columbus's support,
plus Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr—wait.
Gustav blinked at Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru on the office sofa.
"Where's Garp??"
Kong coughed. "He's in the Grand Line. I've contacted him; he'll reach Puttelocrone as soon as possible."
"Why is he in the Grand Line? And 'as soon as possible'?"
The Fleet Admiral was stunned.
"I briefed everyone on this massive operation half a month ago! Does that brat grasp its importance?"
He glared at Kong and the sheepish Sengoku and Zephyr, roaring:
"What the hell is Garp playing at?!"
Sweat beaded Kong's brow. "He… he went chasing the Roger Pirates."
"The Roger Pirates? Why's he obsessed with them?"
"Their threat isn't one percent of the Rocks Pirates right now!"
"What's so alluring about Roger? Is Roger dung that attracts this fly to buzz after it day and night?!!"
"Drag him back at once or I'll reassign him to East Blue as governor!!!"
Gustav's eyes bulged; his roar echoed beyond the office, drawing stares from drilling Marines outside.
"Y-yes, sir, calling now." Drenched, Kong whipped out a den den mushi.
On the sofa, Sengoku and Zephyr's shoulders shook, faces red from suppressed laughter.
Zephyr: "Roger… is dung…"
Sengoku: "Garp… is a fly…"
They caught each other's eye, mouths curving harder than a Marine's flintlock.
Tsuru, seated nearby, watched frost-king Gustav creep up behind them and pitied the two.
Thud! Thud!
The stifled laughers yelped, clutching their heads.
"What's so funny?! Get to your ships! We sail for Puttelocrone now!"
"S-sorry, sir! Right away!"
Holding their lumps, Sengoku and Zephyr scurried out under the old man's murderous glare.
Watching them flee, the veteran sighed:
"Why is every last one unreliable? I fear for the Navy's future."
He turned to the ever-composed Tsuru and felt a sliver of relief.
"Tsuru, steady as always. Go, keep an eye on them—no more screw-ups. This mission is vital."
Tsuru rose and saluted. "Sir!"
She vowed solemnly, "Rest assured, I'll whip them into—uh—shape."
Gustav: "…"
Watching her leave, the old man looked bleak.
"The Navy's future is doomed."