At the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the World Government and the Navy's leaders gathered for another meeting.
They had held three meetings over the past few months, and every one of them had focused on the Rocks Pirates.
No one had expected the Rocks Pirates to act so quickly. A month ago, they had openly challenged the World Government.
Now they had attacked one of the World Government Member States.
"What use is the Navy? The Rocks Pirates have been gone for over a month. Has no one managed to track them down?" one of the World Government's leaders roared at the Navy's senior officers.
"They occupied a country in the New World and cut off all communications. That's why the Navy couldn't find them out at sea."
The Navy's senior officer crossed his arms and replied with a grave, helpless expression.
The Rocks Pirates had vanished from the seas for over a month. During that time, no one had received any information about them.
Rocks wasn't stupid. If they stayed on an island for too long without taking precautions, the Navy was bound to find them.
So he had cut off communications in that country early on. Anyone who tried to leave without permission would be killed.
After vanishing for a month and a half, they had reappeared by destroying a World Government Member State.
By the time the Navy got word and tried to send reinforcements, it was already too late.
"Damn Rocks. Now the World Government Member States in the New World are all in a panic, constantly asking us for more Navy protection."
"There are plenty of troublesome pirates out at sea right now, like the newly emerged Byrnndi World. We don't have enough forces to protect the Member States."
Byrnndi World, who would later become known as the World Breaker, was an immensely powerful user of the More-More Fruit.
He could multiply an object's speed, strength, toughness, and weight, with the maximum multiplier being a hundredfold.
He was an extremely dangerous man!
"We've already sent the Navy to hunt down Byrnndi World, but the Rocks Pirates remain the greatest threat to us."
"A new recruit has recently joined the Rocks Pirates. His initial bounty is already one hundred million Berries. He's a dangerous one."
They stared at Patri Vic's wanted poster on the table and fell silent for a moment.
According to the information they had received, Patri Vic had taken out a general of the Amondos Allied Nation.
That was why his initial bounty was already one hundred million Berries.
(The officers were busy fighting among themselves, and Patri Vic had run into one of the kingdom's generals.)
"He still looks quite young. He could very well grow into an officer-level fighter."
"Honestly, it seems this era will never know peace."
"Every officer in the Rocks Pirates has enormous potential to become a dangerous figure. We have to act quickly." The Fleet Admiral propped his chin on his hands and spoke in a low, grave voice.
The Navy's enemies weren't just one pirate crew—they were all the pirates in the New World.
The Rocks Pirates might not have been the strongest crew in the New World, but they went too far.
They had thoroughly provoked the World Government and the Navy's leadership.
"Move some of our forces in the New World. Make the Rocks Pirates our priority. We can't let them keep running amok there," a World Government leader ordered gravely.
No one objected to his decision.
Indeed, the entire Rocks Pirates needed to be destroyed as soon as possible.
The Navy began shifting large numbers of its forces in the New World and searching for the Rocks Pirates. Any pirates they encountered were to be killed on sight!
Night fell beneath a bright moon.
Somewhere in the New World.
The Rocks Pirates' ship sailed across the sea.
It was already night. Patri Vic had finished his training for the day and was lying in bed, preparing to sleep.
"Knock, knock!"
A quiet knock came from outside, catching Patri Vic's attention.
"Knock, knock!"
Two more knocks sounded.
"What is it?"
"Lord Patri Vic, Captain Rocks is calling for you."
"Rocks?"
Hearing the pirate outside, Patri Vic furrowed his brow. He had no idea why Rocks wanted to see him.
But facing someone as powerful as Rocks, there was no way he wasn't nervous.
After all, Rocks could kill him with ease in his current state.
He was silent for a moment, then got up to go meet Rocks.
He was aboard the Rocks Pirates Ship now. Even if he wanted to run, there was no way he could.
"Creak..."
Patri Vic opened the door. The pirate pointed in a direction, where Captain Rocks was waiting.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
On the nearly empty deck, Patri Vic walked toward Rocks, one step at a time.
A tall figure stood not far away. He wasn't as huge as Whitebeard,
but even Patri Vic felt a little intimidated by the presence Rocks radiated.
"Why did you call for me, Captain?"
Patri Vic took a deep breath and asked.
"The injuries on Ochoku—those were your doing, weren't they?" Rocks asked coolly, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the boundless sea.
Patri Vic's pupils contracted sharply, and a bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Still, he answered calmly, "I did it."
Patri Vic knew Rocks was terrifyingly powerful, but he hadn't expected him to know about the fight between him and Ochoku.
It was best to answer honestly in a situation like this. There was no point in lying.
If Rocks wanted to kill him, it would be effortless.
"Hahaha... I like talking to honest people," Rocks said, turning around with a laugh.
"So... Captain, did you call me here in the middle of the night just to...?" Patri Vic furrowed his brow as he watched Rocks, already prepared to fight.
Even though he knew his chances were slim, he wouldn't give up hope of surviving.
"No. On this ship, strength has always been what matters. I don't interfere in your fights, but don't go after him again. I don't want to see any of the officers on this ship die," Rocks replied gravely.
"Was that all you wanted to tell me, Captain?" Patri Vic asked.
He didn't consider Ochoku a threat. Ochoku could no longer pose any danger to Patri Vic.
What was there to fear from a cripple?
"You're quite strong. Why are you hiding in my crew? What are your intentions? Are you a Navy spy?" Rocks asked sternly.
"If I were a Navy spy, I would've joined the Rocks Pirates long ago. Why would I have waited until I was forced to join after the Navy attacked Hachinosu Island?" Patri Vic replied with a helpless shrug.
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