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Chapter 30: Zephyr Strikes! Steel Bone Kong's Unease
At the same time.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong's expression turned somewhat grim.
"Rocks has actually started attacking affiliated nations."
"Does he really think Marine Headquarters can't do anything to him?!"
His tone carried a hint of gritted teeth.
After this operation by Rocks targeting affiliated nations, those nations would undoubtedly use the opportunity to pressure the World Government.
After all, if the Marines couldn't protect them,
Why should they keep paying such massive Heavenly Tributes every year?
Steel Bone Kong clenched his teeth tightly.
He understood this was Rocks' retaliation, but for the moment, he had no good countermeasures.
Moreover, even if he mobilized forces now,
At best, they could only take down one division of the Rocks Pirates.
To Rocks, that wouldn't even be a scratch—unless they killed Tree Demon Lotte, it would be a net loss no matter how you calculated it.
But even if he sent people, could they really eliminate that kid?
Only one of the three Admirals was currently stationed at Marine Headquarters.
While Steel Bone Kong hesitated,
Buru buru buru—!
The emergency communication Den Den Mushi on his desk suddenly rang, making him slightly surprised.
This was a direct line from the World Government—when had those people become so proactive about affiliated nations?
Steel Bone Kong reached out and picked up the Den Den Mushi.
When he heard the content clearly, his face darkened instantly.
"What did you say? Celestial Dragon Kamael Saint actually went to Lulusia Kingdom?! Doesn't he know the recent movements of the Rocks Pirates?!"
"How could you let him go to an affiliated nation... this is outrageous!"
"Enough! We'll handle it here!"
Steel Bone Kong slammed the receiver down without hesitation.
Then he pounded the desk hard.
Bang!
He never expected that, at such a critical moment, the Celestial Dragons would still cause him trouble.
Steel Bone Kong had no good feelings toward the so-called Celestial Dragons—not only did the Marines always have to clean up their messes, but they also tied up massive military resources.
But he could only keep his dissatisfaction buried.
Right now, the priority was figuring out how to rescue Kamael Saint.
Otherwise, the World Government would undoubtedly hold the Marines accountable!
Steel Bone Kong took a deep breath.
He reached out and dialed another Den Den Mushi, speaking gravely.
"Night Leopard, bring Zephyr to my office."
"This time, I'm afraid it's going to take both of you."
After hanging up,
It wasn't long before
A middle-aged man wearing an Admiral's coat walked in through the door.
He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, exuding an astonishing aura. Behind him followed the equally stern Elite Vice Admiral Zephyr.
Zephyr, who rose alongside Garp and the others in the Marine iron triangle,
Was renowned across the seas as "Black Arm" Zephyr—one of the Elite Vice Admirals.
Night Leopard narrowed his eyes at Steel Bone Kong.
"What happened that requires both of us?"
As the only Admiral currently stationed at Marine Headquarters,
If he left,
The only top-tier powerhouse left in all of Marineford would be Steel Bone Kong.
If an invasion occurred at such a time, the crisis would be extremely severe.
Steel Bone Kong sighed.
"Celestial Dragon Kamael Saint is currently in Lulusia Kingdom, which is under attack led by Whitebeard and Tree Demon Lotte."
"With just the accompanying CP0 members, they definitely can't match a cadre-level fighter like Whitebeard."
"I'm afraid they've already fallen into the hands of the Rocks Pirates."
Hearing this,
Even Admiral Night Leopard couldn't help but frown.
"Celestial Dragon Kamael Saint... of all times."
"What do you need us to do?"
He was well aware of the threat posed by Whitebeard and Tree Demon Lotte—both ranked among the highest bounties in the Rocks Pirates.
Snatching someone from their hands was obviously no simple task.
Steel Bone Kong took a deep breath.
"You two heading directly to Lulusia Kingdom now would be too late. You must intercept Whitebeard and Lotte's ships on their return route."
"If Kamael Saint is still alive, negotiate to retrieve him."
"But if he's dead..."
Steel Bone Kong's tone suddenly sharpened.
"Then no matter what, Tree Demon Lotte must be killed without mercy!"
According to the latest notification from the World Government, if Whitebeard and Lotte dared to kill a Celestial Dragon, they had to leave Lotte behind at all costs.
After all, he was a genius highly valued by Rocks.
Killing Tree Demon Lotte
Would be a devastating blow to Rocks!
Otherwise... this news of a Celestial Dragon's death would be an outright slap to the World Government's face!
If even Celestial Dragons couldn't be protected,
The affiliated nations would never again believe that Marine Headquarters
Had the power to safeguard them!
As the words fell,
Night Leopard's expression tightened.
He understood how crucial this mission was and felt even more resolute.
"Leave it to us. This is a good chance to let Zephyr witness a real top-tier battle on these seas."
"If those bastards really dare to kill a Celestial Dragon,"
"We absolutely won't let them return alive!"
Behind him,
Black Arm Zephyr couldn't help but clench his fist and swing it through the air, his face full of barely contained excitement.
After training under his master Admiral Night Leopard at Marine Headquarters for so long,
He could finally fight pirates!
Steel Bone Kong nodded slightly.
"This mission is just the two of you. Sending warships would definitely alert Rocks."
"CP0 will provide full support this time."
The reason he sent Night Leopard and Zephyr was to avoid tipping off the enemy.
If he—the Fleet Admiral—mobilized again,
That old fox Rocks would immediately realize it was targeted.
"Understood."
"Since time is critical, we'll depart now."
Night Leopard spoke concisely, turned, and left with Zephyr.
Bang!
Steel Bone Kong watched the tightly closed door and took a deep breath.
In his mind,
Night Leopard should hold the advantage against Whitebeard.
And Black Arm Zephyr facing Tree Demon Lotte shouldn't pose much problem.
Killing a cadre like Whitebeard Newgate might be unrealistic,
But eliminating a kid who had only joined the pirates for a few months should be straightforward.
Yet... why did he feel such deep unease?
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