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Chapter 22: Marine Confusion! The Approaching Fish-Man Island
"Report, Fleet Admiral!"
"The surveillance ship has currently tracked Tree Demon Lotte and Whitebeard Edward."
"The other Rocks cadres' positions have also been confirmed."
"Based on their course, it can be determined that the Rocks Pirates' next destination is likely Fish-Man Island—one of the current affiliated nations."
In the office of Marine Headquarters,
Steel Bone Kong, clad in his Fleet Admiral coat, listened to the soldier before him.
After the report, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
Fish-Man Island?
Wasn't that the boundary between the New World and the first half of the Grand Line?
What exactly was Rocks planning to do by heading to Fish-Man Island at this time?
Steel Bone Kong waved his hand toward the soldier while pondering.
"I understand. You may withdraw."
"Report again if the surveillance ship detects any new movements from Rocks."
The soldier saluted and left.
"Yes, sir!"
Once the soldier departed,
Steel Bone Kong opened a map of the New World and frowned deeply in thought.
Ever since the previous operation against Rocks had failed,
Though he—as Fleet Admiral—hadn't been forced to resign,
He had still received warnings from the World Government.
He was not to take independent action against Rocks again.
So even now, knowing the Rocks Pirates' movements,
Steel Bone Kong could only watch helplessly as the opportunity to strike slipped away.
For now,
He could only monitor the Rocks Pirates through surveillance ships.
But even so, Steel Bone Kong had already prepared himself to act at any moment.
Because whenever he recalled Rocks' terrifying strength
And the rapidly growing Tree Demon Lotte,
A profound sense of threat welled up deep in Steel Bone Kong's heart!
For Marine Headquarters,
Both Rocks and Tree Demon Lotte were existences that must be eliminated!
Knock knock knock—
A sudden rapping sounded at the tightly closed door.
Before Steel Bone Kong could even rise to open it,
Garp burst in with fiery urgency, shoving the door open.
"Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong!"
"I heard there's news about Rocks?!"
Garp spoke excitedly, subconsciously clenching his fists.
Ever since the last failure, he had trained relentlessly during this period, further improving his Armament Haki.
Though he hadn't reached the absolute peak,
He had already achieved considerable mastery in advanced Armament Haki.
Following closely behind Garp were Sengoku and Tsuru, both wearing helpless expressions. Upon seeing Steel Bone Kong, they saluted properly.
Sengoku glanced at Garp with exasperation.
"What are you so excited about? We can't act recklessly right now."
"If this operation against Rocks fails again,
The舆论 storm against the Marines across the New World will sweep back even stronger."
"It was only recently that the World Government managed to calm things down."
Sengoku was absolutely right.
Though the Marines still appeared formidable on the surface,
From every angle, they absolutely could not afford further rash moves.
Otherwise, another failure
Would undoubtedly lead to renewed pressure from affiliated nations on the World Government.
Steel Bone Kong waved his hand at Garp.
"There's no chance for you to join this time. According to the latest intelligence, the Rocks Pirates' destination is Fish-Man Island."
"We still don't know exactly why they're heading there."
"If it's for plunder... there are clearly more suitable targets in the New World."
Hearing this,
Garp's face showed disappointment.
After all, no chance to strike was bad news for him.
Meanwhile, Sengoku and Tsuru fell into deep thought, pondering why Rocks would go to Fish-Man Island.
After all,
Though Fish-Man Island was indeed one of the affiliated nations,
Compared to other New World affiliated nations, it lagged far behind in both population and wealth.
The only unique aspect
Was that Fish-Man Island served as one of the routes connecting to the first half of the Grand Line.
But why would the Rocks Pirates head to the first half of the Grand Line?
Both Tsuru and Sengoku wore furrowed expressions of contemplation.
Seeing that even these two sharp minds couldn't figure out the purpose,
Steel Bone Kong simply spoke up.
"Enough—if you can't figure it out, stop thinking about it."
"This time the Rocks cadres are split across different ships. Our goal is simply to find an opportunity to ambush and kill Tree Demon Lotte."
"Notify the Marine branches in the first half to go on high alert."
Steel Bone Kong said calmly.
Sengoku and the others saluted in understanding, then dragged the reluctant Garp away.
Steel Bone Kong looked at the door Garp had just shoved open,
His face darkened.
He'd have to double Garp's training workload later.
...
"Achoo!"
Standing at the bow of the coated pirate ship, Lotte rubbed his nose with a puzzled look.
Could some beauties from his previous life be talking about him?
Why the sudden sneeze in broad daylight?
Whitebeard glanced curiously at Lotte and patted his shoulder with a large hand.
"Kid, you didn't catch a cold, did you?"
"Need me to find a doctor once we reach Fish-Man Island?"
Though someone with Lotte's physique shouldn't catch colds,
Anything was possible.
Lotte shot Whitebeard an annoyed glance.
"Come on, it's probably just someone talking about me. Let's hurry to Fish-Man Island."
After all, they were about to enter the waters of Fish-Man Island.
He could perform a sign-in soon.
Whitebeard shrugged.
"Why the rush, Lotte? There's still plenty of time before the captain's deadline."
"Speaking of which, I heard there's a Supreme Grade Sword in Captain Rocks' treasury."
"If we get our hands on Heavenly Tribute, you could try trading for that sword."
"It would boost your strength."
As the words fell,
Shock flashed in Lotte's eyes.
A Supreme Grade Sword?!
In the One Piece world, the highest-quality weapons—only 12 in existence worldwide.
This alone proved the immense value of a Supreme Grade Sword!
He never expected Rocks, as the sea hegemon,
To have such a weapon in his treasury!
If he could obtain it...
Combined with his swordsmanship, his combat power would rise another level!
Whitebeard laughed heartily seeing Lotte's expression.
"That's intel I specially dug up."
"Opportunities for the captain to open his treasury are rare—make good use of it!"
Just as he finished speaking,
Shouts came from the lookout.
"Boss! Fish-Man Island is in sight!"
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