Conspiracy! Plundering the Heavenly Tribute!

Whitebeard nodded upon hearing this:

"That's right. Looking at this posture, Captain Rocks is likely planning to strike at an important target of the Navy, or perhaps even the World Government!

And he is determined to succeed."

Whitebeard and Shiki had already experienced such large-scale operations targeting the core strength of the Navy more than once.

"It seems everyone is here." Rocks walked into the conference hall and sat in the main seat:

"The latest intelligence shows that the Navy has been making frequent moves recently, and has begun to gradually shift its strategic focus to the New World!

They have not only sent more fleets and elite troops to the New World, but have even transferred most of the headquarters vice admirals to garrison the G-1 to G-5 branches!"

As soon as these words were spoken, many of the officers present showed disdainful sneers on their faces.

Clearly, they did not take the so-called "strategic shift" of the Navy Headquarters seriously at all.

They had clashed so many times in the past, and even when the Fleet Admiral Kong personally led the encirclement and suppression, he had failed to harm them in the slightest.

However, Rocks' next words caused the disdain on everyone's faces to subside slightly, and a different kind of light began to flicker in their eyes.

"According to the top-secret information I have obtained, this move by the Navy is partly to contain our increasingly expanding influence in the New World.

But on the other hand, the more direct reason is that many member nations in the New World that have pledged allegiance to the World Government have reached the time to pay the Heavenly Tribute to those high and mighty Celestial Dragons.

The Navy's large-scale mobilization and reinforcement of the New World this time is to ensure that this staggering amount of Heavenly Tribute can be safely delivered to the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

Therefore..."

The three words "Heavenly Tribute" instantly captured the attention of all the officers.

John even swallowed a large gulp of saliva, his eyes widening like copper bells.

Luo Tian felt a stir in his heart as well.

The Heavenly Tribute was a massive amount of wealth that member nations of the World Government paid to the Celestial Dragons every year, enough to severely damage a country's finances!

In addition to vast amounts of gold, silver, treasures, and Berries, there were also many Devil Fruits and famous blades.

"That's right!" Rocks stood up abruptly:

"The target of our operation this time is to intercept the Navy fleet escorting the Heavenly Tribute and seize all those treasures!"

"Roar--!" An excited roar erupted among the officers.

John was trembling slightly with excitement.

"John, you guy still have this pathetic habit of losing your mind the moment you hear about treasure!

Wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth; you look like a pervert. Don't embarrass our crew here!"

Ochoku glanced at the discomposed John with a face full of contempt.

Luo Tian looked at John's undisguised greed, and a thought suddenly crossed his mind:

It seemed that after the Rocks Pirates disbanded, it was precisely because of his excessive greed that John tried to keep the massive treasure for himself, only to be betrayed and killed by his most trusted subordinates.

Rocks scanned the crowd, and seeing John's state, he frowned slightly and reminded them in a cold voice:

"The Heavenly Tribute must be seized, but everyone remember this: do not let the treasure cloud your judgment and become careless!

According to reliable intelligence, the Navy fleet responsible for escorting the main batch of the Heavenly Tribute includes Sengoku and Zephyr!

And the other batch is guarded by Garp and Tsuru!"

As soon as this was said, a sense of gravity deepened between everyone's brows.

Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr had long been rated by the Navy as admiral candidates.

Clearly, the strength of these three had already reached the admiral level, and they were just waiting for the current three admirals to retire to immediately take over those positions.

Moreover, the current three admirals were only a few years away from retirement age.

In other words, the Navy side, including Fleet Admiral Kong, had a total of seven admiral-level combatants.

"Below are the specific combat arrangements." Rocks returned to his seat, his fingers tracing across the table covered with a sea chart:

"Intelligence shows that the Navy has divided the Heavenly Tribute into two batches this time, taking different secret routes in an attempt to disperse the risk, which just happens to give us an opportunity.

I will lead the team personally, and with Luo Tian, Shiki, and Newgate, the four of us will be responsible for intercepting and crushing the main fleet escorted by Sengoku and Zephyr!

Their treasure should be the largest and most precious batch!

Linlin, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and John will be responsible for the other route to plunder the other batch of Heavenly Tribute!

My requirement is simple: both batches of Heavenly Tribute must be seized! Not a single chest can be missing! Do you understand?!"

"Yes!"

Rocks had clearly given careful thought to placing Luo Tian in his own team.

Although Luo Tian was already an officer and his strength had been verified, he had not yet formed his own direct fleet and lacked experience in commanding large-scale naval battles.

Furthermore, he had a good relationship with Shiki and Newgate in private, so they might coordinate with each other more tacitly.

"The battle plan is thus decided," Rocks continued.

"The remaining officers will stay behind to guard the base; there is no need to participate in the frontline plundering, but once the deed is done, you shall still receive your fair share of the treasure!

Once you return, immediately begin preparing ships, personnel, and supplies.

The success of this operation relies on speed and surprise.

Furthermore, during this period, news of the operation must not be leaked to anyone! Not even your most trusted subordinates!

If I discover that anyone has dared to let even a whisper of this slip... hmph!"

As he spoke, a terrifying and shocking aura suddenly erupted from Rocks!

The air seemed to solidify, and the weaker officers even felt their breathing hitch, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

Facing the unmasked, terrifying killing intent and pressure from Rocks, everyone felt a chill in their hearts and responded in deep, solemn voices: "Yes, Captain Rocks!"

The meeting ended in a grave and murderous atmosphere.

The officers, each harboring their own thoughts, left the central castle one after another.

Late at night.

A stealthy figure, using the cover of darkness and the jagged rocks, arrived at a remote, deserted stretch of coastline.

He hid behind a massive ancient tree and, after confirming once more that he was not being followed, took out a Den Den Mushi.

At the same time, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford, in the office of Fleet Admiral Kong.

Kong was hunched over his desk, reviewing a final report regarding troop movements in the New World.

In the center of the desk, a Den Den Mushi suddenly began to ring.

"Click~"

Kong quickly picked up the receiver, his voice low: "Speak."

"The Rocks Pirates are launching a large-scale operation! The target is the Heavenly Tribute!

Rocks just gathered all the officers for a meeting and personally ordered the hijacking of the two shipments of Heavenly Tribute currently being escorted by the Navy to Mary Geoise!"

Kong's expression turned instantly grim.

"Tell me their specific deployment in detail! Time, route, troop distribution—not a single detail must be omitted!"

The undercover agent did not dare to delay and immediately recounted the plan in detail.

After hearing the report, especially when he heard the name Luo Tian mentioned alongside Rocks, Whitebeard, and the Golden Lion, Kong's expression grew even uglier, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

This information was critical; it not only confirmed the arrogant plan of Rocks but also exposed a potential weakness in his troop deployment.