After hanging up, Kong pondered for a moment. Then the furrow in his brow slowly eased.
This might... be more than just a crisis. It could be a golden opportunity to deal a crippling blow to the Rocks Pirates, his greatest thorn in their side—or even destroy them outright!
He didn't hesitate. He immediately started making calls and gathering people!
Before long, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru hurried into Kong's office.
"I just received a confidential report..." Kong repeated the intelligence provided by the undercover agent in full.
"Rocks himself will lead Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and that newly emerged monster rookie, Luo Tian, in an attack on the main shipment of Heavenly Tribute escorted by Sengoku and Zephyr.
The rest of his officers, including Silver Axe, Ochoku, and Charlotte Linlin, will attack the other shipment escorted by Tsuru and Garp.
That's the Rocks Pirates' entire plan.
Now, tell me what you think.
We must stop them and protect the Heavenly Tribute... but perhaps we can do more than that."
When Kong finished, he swept his sharp gaze over the four of them.
"This might... be an unexpected opportunity for us?" Tsuru looked up at Kong and Sengoku.
"Exactly!" Sengoku picked up the thread.
"I noticed that too. As captain, Rocks usually doesn't take the field himself.
This time, he's going personally, but he's only bringing two core officers and a rookie. It looks like he's taking this seriously, but they don't have an overwhelming advantage in top-tier fighters.
That rookie, Luo Tian, may be the most unstable part of their entire plan—and he could also be our opening!
If we can take out the rookie first, we can then concentrate our forces and split them up, perhaps even... defeat them one by one! We can't let this opportunity pass us by!
I suggest we revise and upgrade our original escort plan.
On the surface, Zephyr and I will still escort the main Heavenly Tribute fleet, while Garp and Tsuru will escort the other shipment.
But in reality, Garp and Tsuru, the two of you will secretly hide among our main fleet, ready to strike depending on how the battle unfolds!
Meanwhile, a 'Shadow Fleet' will escort the other shipment of Heavenly Tribute as bait, drawing the rest of the Rocks Pirates' officers into an attack.
If we handle the intelligence carefully, they should take the bait.
In other words, we'll use the other shipment of Heavenly Tribute as bait to lure away most of Rocks's officers, including Silver Axe, Ochoku, and Linlin, so they can't reinforce the main battlefield in time.
Our true strategic goal is to gather every elite force the Marines can mobilize in the New World.
Zephyr, Tsuru, Garp, and I, along with four more elite Vice Admirals.
With overwhelming numbers, we'll encircle and crush Rocks, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and that rookie, Luo Tian!"
Sengoku's plan was excellent.
If it worked, crippling or even killing Rocks and his right-hand men would deal a devastating blow to the Rocks Pirates.
After hearing Sengoku's plan, Kong clasped his hands and rested them in front of his chin, weighing the pros and cons.
A moment later, Kong sprang to his feet. "We'll follow Sengoku's plan. Begin the secret preparations at once!
Tsuru, you're in charge of refining the plan and misleading them with false intelligence.
Sengoku, Zephyr, Garp, start secretly gathering our most elite forces immediately. Be ready to strike at any moment!
Remember, this operation is codenamed 'Broken Horn' and is to be treated as the Marine Headquarters' highest-level secret!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!" Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru rose solemnly and saluted.
Even Garp, who was usually so carefree, stopped chewing his snacks. His expression turned serious, and he gave a firm nod.
Three days later, at the port of Beehive Island.
The Rocks Pirates' flags snapped in the wind. More than a dozen massive pirate ships were ready to set sail, poised for action.
The decks were packed with pirates. Their din was tinged with bloodthirsty excitement.
Rocks stood at the bow of the flagship, with Shiki, Newgate, and Luo Tian behind him on either side.
Rocks swept his gaze over their surroundings like a hawk, then gave the order in a low voice. "Set sail!"
In the New World, in a stretch of sea with treacherous weather and complicated currents.
More than a dozen Rocks Pirates warships sailed forward in a line, riding the wind and waves!
At the bow of the flagship, Rocks stood facing the wind. His Observation Haki seemed to have sensed something, and he spoke in a low voice.
"Shiki, Newgate, you'll spearhead the charge and tear through the Marine lines."
Shiki grinned. "No problem!"
Whitebeard nodded steadily. "Leave it to us."
Rocks turned his head slightly and looked at Luo Tian. "Luo Tian, stay aboard the flagship with me. We'll coordinate the operation and keep watch on the battle."
Luo Tian felt a flicker of surprise and confusion.
Based on the usual pattern of their raids, and his own strength, he should have been charging at the very front alongside Newgate and Shiki.
Did the captain think his Devil Fruit powers were better suited to controlling the battlefield?
Or did he think his combat experience was still lacking compared to the two veterans, and that he needed to be observed more?
Or... had the captain anticipated some other complication?
Rocks seemed to notice the brief shift in Luo Tian's mood.
He didn't turn around, but began to explain.
"There's a woman named Tsuru in the Marine Staff Headquarters.
She may not rank among the strongest in direct combat, but she's meticulous and full of tricks. She excels at planning and intelligence analysis.
Our past raids on the Heavenly Tribute have all encountered one surprise or another in the later stages. She may well have been behind them.
The intelligence for this raid is reliable, and the operation is discreet, but that doesn't mean nothing can go wrong.
Stay aboard the ship and help me hold the line.
Your abilities, whether for controlling a large area or responding precisely to sudden developments, are better suited to this position.
We need someone to manage our escape route and keep the battle on pace."
Just then, on the distant horizon.
A string of tiny black specks appeared, growing rapidly as they drew closer.
It was a Marine escort fleet consisting of ten warships of various sizes!
In the center of the fleet, the deck of one especially massive warship was stacked with enormous crates, neatly piled beneath waterproof tarpaulins.
Inside them was the priceless Heavenly Tribute sent by the World Government's various Affiliated Nations!
"They're here." Rocks raised his arm and pointed sharply at the Marine fleet ahead. His voice rose abruptly.
"Bring us alongside them! Crush them!!"
"Roooar!!!"
The pirate fleet erupted in a deafening roar. Every ship suddenly accelerated, plowing through the waves.
On the observation platform of the Marines' flagship, a marine was using binoculars to scout the surrounding waters.
When he saw more than a dozen massive pirate ships bearing down on them, he was horrified. He hurriedly screamed down at the deck below.
"R... Rocks! It's the Rocks Pirates! The whole crew is attacking—!!!"
Before you continue