"Moshi moshi? Moshi moshi? This is Seagull, this is Seagull. Please respond if you hear me, please respond if you hear me." Deco covered the mouthpiece, keeping his voice extremely low, his eyes scanning the door from time to time.
"Hello, this is Bird's Nest. What is the matter, Seagull?" The transponder snail simulated a processed, slightly distorted, and steady male voice.
Deco took a deep breath and began to report with a solemn expression:
"Seagull reporting: The target 'Dragon Swordsman' Charlotte Linlin has been confirmed to have returned to Hachinosu Island. Notably, she is accompanied by the former Captain of the Kuja Pirates, Gloriosa, known as 'Flame Flower'."
"Furthermore, just today, Gloriosa successfully defeated Galmo and has officially joined the core ranks of the Rocks Pirates."
"During this time, Charlotte Linlin also publicly killed Galmo's lieutenant, Long Bread!"
At this point, he paused. It was as if the sky-blotting thunderclouds and the heart-palpitating pressure had reappeared before his eyes, and his voice involuntarily carried a trace of unavoidable fear:
"More importantly, for unknown reasons, the 'Dragon Swordsman' later triggered an extremely terrifying natural phenomenon—thunderclouds swallowed the entire Hachinosu Island and its surrounding waters in an instant."
"Its scale and power far exceed any natural phenomenon or disturbance caused by powerful individuals we have recorded in the past!"
"Based on my preliminary judgment, her strength has likely increased immensely, and her personal threat level must be revised upward significantly and immediately!"
The other end of the line fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly digesting this startling intelligence. Then, the steady voice spoke again, its tone becoming even more serious:
"Bird's Nest has received it. This information is very important. Seagull, is there any other supplementary news?"
Deco glanced nervously at the locked door again and continued to supplement:
"Yes. Charlotte Linlin appeared to be in a weakened state upon her return and was carried back to her base by Galmo. They have likely reached some sort of alliance or subordinate relationship!"
"Currently, since all members of the 'Heaven's Punishment' Pirates are female and their origins are unknown, I cannot effectively plant an insider. Therefore, I cannot confirm the specific reason for the Dragon Swordsman's weakness or the expected recovery time."
"But I strongly suspect that the Dragon Swordsman's weakness is directly related to that earth-shattering thundercloud phenomenon. Report finished."
The other end of the transponder snail fell into an even longer silence, with only faint breathing sounds audible.
After a long while, the steady voice spoke again, but with an unprecedentedly solemn tone:
"Message confirmed, 'Seagull'. The intelligence you provided is of extremely high value, especially regarding the potential danger of Charlotte Linlin. Headquarters will record your merit."
"Additionally, according to the latest news we intercepted," the transponder snail's voice paused, sounding slightly irritable, "Rocks himself is on his way back to Hachinosu Island, and he is accompanied by 'Treasure Madman' John! He has also joined the Rocks Pirates!"
"Damn it, the top-tier combat power of the Rocks Pirates has grown even stronger!"
After venting, the transponder snail's tone became authoritative again:
"'Seagull', Bird's Nest needs you to find a way to plant 'our people' under John's command. At the same time, actively try to stir up conflict among the great executives of the Rocks Pirates."
"Charlotte Linlin's killing of Long Bread is an excellent entry point. Pirates are pirates after all; internal strife is their nature! Does 'Seagull' understand?"
Deco took a deep breath and replied deeply, "'Seagull' understands. I will act as the opportunity arises."
"May justice be with you. End of transmission."
Click.
The transponder snail closed its eyes, returning to its previous dull state.
Deco quickly and cautiously put the silver transponder snail back into the hidden compartment, carefully covering all traces. The wound on his forehead was still throbbing, but his inner tension had not diminished at all.
He sat back on the edge of the bed, his face once again wearing a slightly cowardly and exhausted expression, as if he were just a low-level lackey who had just finished treating his wounds and was mentally exhausted... Marineford, the top-floor strategic meeting room.
Smoke swirled, and the atmosphere was heavy.
Fleet Admiral Kong sat at the head of the table, his hands clasped under his chin, his sharp gaze scanning the high-ranking Marine officers present.
"The above is a briefing on several major incidents caused by pirate activities recently." Kong's voice was low and powerful.
"Everyone, what are your thoughts?"
"Then, let me first outline the basic sequence of events."
Sengoku stood up, adjusted his glasses, and the gaze behind the lenses was calm and wise.
"Synthesizing the intelligence sent back by our undercover agents and the combat reports from Vice Admirals Garp and Zephyr, we can preliminarily conclude:"
"The initial targets of the Barnett Pirate Alliance and the Roger Pirates both pointed to the Kuja Pirates. However, because the Kuja Pirates withdrew early to the Calm Belt due to Charlotte Linlin's intervention,"
He walked to the giant sea chart and pointed to the relevant sea area:
"This directly led to the Barnett Alliance and the Roger Pirates unexpectedly encountering each other while searching for the Kuja. Due to their overlapping goals, a fierce conflict broke out, resulting in the rapid collapse of the emerging Barnett Alliance."
"Afterward, the Roger Pirates failed in their attempt to forcibly cross the Calm Belt and encountered the fleet led by Vice Admiral Zephyr during their retreat."
"However, at the critical moment when Vice Admiral Garp was supporting Zephyr and they were jointly pursuing Roger, a sudden storm at sea hindered the operation, leading to the ultimate failure of the pursuit."
Sengoku concluded, "That is the general situation as I see it. Does anyone here have anything to add or correct?"
While Sengoku was conducting his analysis, Zephyr lightly nudged Garp with his elbow, as Garp's head was almost buried under the table, and lowered his voice with a bit of helplessness and teasing:
"Hey, Garp, you were right on the mark earlier. Charlotte Linlin really did go looking for women."
"Huh? What women? You want one?"
Garp looked up, blinking blankly at Zephyr, with a bit of senbei crumbs still sticking to the corner of his mouth. Then, he very naturally pulled a piece of senbei from under the table and handed it to Zephyr, his movements very practiced.
"Nothing, keep it for yourself."
Zephyr's lip twitched slightly as he waved his hand helplessly. He was truly impressed by Garp; he could even pull such stunts at a meeting of this level.
Meanwhile, Garp quickly spat out a transparent packaging bag from his mouth, quietly stuffed it into his trouser pocket, and then secretly gave Zephyr a thumbs-up:
"That trick of yours for eating without tearing the package is great! Not only can I grab senbei faster, but it's also quieter! It's just not quite as satisfying. I used to have to use Future Sight just to quietly tear the package; now I don't have to at all!"
Zephyr looked at Garp's smug expression of having "learned the essence," and several black lines couldn't help but hang from his forehead.
Kong, in the main seat, watched Garp and Zephyr clearly whispering to each other, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
He hoped Zephyr, this promising candidate for Admiral, wouldn't be led astray by this unreliable fellow Garp! Thinking of this, Kong immediately called his name in a deep voice:
"Garp! Tell us your thoughts!"
"Huh? Me?" Garp stood up reluctantly, scratching his head.
"Garp! Did you fall asleep during the meeting again!?"
Fleet Admiral Kong's face darkened, his majestic gaze pressing down on Garp like something substantial.
"No! Definitely not this time!" Garp retorted with full confidence.
He indeed hadn't slept; he was just conducting a "Snack Infiltration Operation."
"Then do you have no different insights into the situation Sengoku just analyzed?" Kong stared at him suspiciously, obviously not so easily fooled.
Garp rubbed his chin, trying to recall Sengoku's words just now... Different views?
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, as if he had grasped some ignored key point.
"Why couldn't it be that Charlotte Linlin took care of those three Barnett guys, and that lucky fellow Roger... just happened to be passing by?"
Garp's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing the gazes of all the generals present to instantly focus on him.
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