章 38: Chapter 38: The Standoff
"It's too late! Kong has already set out! We just learned about it. If we order a retreat now, where does that leave the World Government's reputation?" said the sword-wielding elder, glaring at Saturn.
"Immediately contact Kong and tell him not to engage the Rocks Pirates. Now is not the time for an all-out war with the pirates!" Saturn insisted.
The other three elders also looked at the sword-wielding elder, their expressions in agreement with Saturn's.
The sword-wielding elder remained silent under their scrutiny, then reluctantly took out a Den Den Mushi.
"Blu-Blu! Blu-Blu!"
The Den Den Mushi rang for a while before being answered.
"Is this Kong?" the sword-wielding elder asked.
"Yes, Elder!" Steel Bone Kong responded from aboard his warship, sensing a bad omen as he held the receiver.
The words of the elder confirmed his worst fears. "Do not engage the Rocks Pirates or initiate conflict. Have Zephyr return immediately!" the elder commanded calmly.
"What? Why?" Kong asked incredulously.
"There is no 'why.' This is an order!" the elder stated.
"But what about the Navy's honor?" Kong tried to argue.
"Remember, the Navy is merely the World Government's violent arm. You have no honor!" the elder snapped, then ended the call.
Kong stared at the silent receiver, veins bulging on his forehead, smoke almost visibly rising from his head in anger. He wanted to smash the receiver but restrained himself.
Behind him, Sengoku and Garp were less composed.
"Admiral, we can't obey the World Government on this. This is our chance to eliminate the Rocks Pirates!" they protested in unison.
"Shut up and follow orders!" Kong roared, turning to face the sea ahead silently. They were nearing the battle zone.
"Admiral, the Rocks Pirates fleet spotted!" a lookout reported.
"What? Already?" Kong quickly grabbed his binoculars and looked in the indicated direction.
He was stunned by what he saw: sixteen massive pirate ships, each carrying infamous pirates worth over a billion berries.
"Whitebeard Edward Newgate!"
"Golden Lion Shiki!"
"Charlotte Linlin!"
"Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Captain John!"
All six key officers were present, shocking the Navy.
The pirate ships formed a neat line, clearing a path for the flagship.
"Rocks D. Xebec!" the Navy gasped at the sight of the notorious pirate worth 2.36 billion berries.
"Whahahaha! Steel Bone Kong, long time no see!" Rocks laughed as their fleets faced off, a hundred meters apart, neither side attacking first.
"Rocks! What are you doing here?" Kong demanded loudly.
Rocks glanced toward a small island where the sounds of battle still raged. "I'm here to retrieve my precious crew member, Kong. Are you going to stop me? Whahahaha!"
"Rocks! Rocks!" The pirates roared, captivated by Rocks' charisma.
Kong scowled, then turned sharply. "Head for the island and retrieve Vice Admiral Zephyr!" He couldn't let Zephyr, a future admiral in his eyes, fall here.
"Yes, Admiral!" The Navy ships moved towards the island.
Rocks laughed. "Retrieve our officer!"
"Retrieve Captain Sharlo! Retrieve Captain Sharlo!" The pirates echoed, steering their ships closer to the island. Rocks, too, preferred not to start a war prematurely. He had other plans once he obtained the weapon he sought.
Both fleets approached the island, now almost in ruins, ready to disintegrate at any moment.
"Hahahaha! That kid Sharlo can really fight, forcing Zephyr into such a state!" Golden Lion Shiki laughed, having fought Sengoku and Garp many times and knowing Zephyr's reputation.
"Didn't expect Sharlo to hold back this much!" Whitebeard Edward Newgate admired Sharlo's rapid combat techniques.
"Thought he was just a swordsman, but his martial skills are exceptional. Seems we've all been fooled," Captain John noted, causing everyone to frown, sensing he was sowing discord.
Rocks watched Sharlo with interest, saying nothing.
The Navy also observed Sharlo battling Zephyr fiercely.
"We've underestimated the strength of the Rocks Pirates' eighth division commander, Sharlo," Sengoku remarked after a moment of silence.
"Damn it! Why do pirates keep producing geniuses?" Kong fumed, slamming his fist on the railing.
Zephyr and Sharlo had been fighting for three days and nights without pause, their relentless battle pushing their ships to the shore.
"Big news! Big news!" Morgans, hidden in the clouds, excitedly captured the arrival of the Navy and Rocks Pirates' fleets.
After a while, he noticed something unusual. "Why aren't they fighting? They don't seem eager to start!"
He frowned, frustrated at the lack of a newsworthy confrontation. "Damn it! I'll expose your hypocrisy!"
Determined to criticize the Navy in his next paper, Morgans continued snapping photos.
Boom!
Zephyr and Sharlo's fists clashed again. Both were nearing their limits, their Life Return techniques almost exhausted.
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Should I make ko- fi page for advance chapters for this novel
Give me your suggestions 😄
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