Marine High Command Shocked!

Kong, the Commander-in-Chief, furrowed his brows, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk in an unconscious habit.

The threat of the Rocks Pirates was like a perpetually expanding storm cloud looming over the New World, pressing down on Marine Headquarters until it could barely breathe.

Finding a breakthrough, obtaining critical intelligence, and formulating effective strategies for containment or even total suppression had become an urgent, life-or-death priority.

Brrr... Brrr...

Just then, a Den Den Mushi on the corner of his desk began to ring urgently, shattering Kong's heavy train of thought.

He glanced at the snail, then looked toward Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, who were present in the room.

He had no need to hide anything from these colleagues, who were not only his absolute confidants but also held the most vital positions in the organization.

Without hesitation, he picked up the receiver.

"Click."

The call connected.

"This is Beehive Island..."

The voice coming from the Den Den Mushi was kept extremely low, but the mere mention of "Beehive Island" caused the expressions of Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr to turn instantly grave.

Beehive Island—that nightmare of the Marines, the impregnable stronghold of the Rocks Pirates!

"Fleet Admiral Kong! The Rocks Pirates... just today, another monster-class rookie has appeared!"

"You must be referring to 'Kaido,' the one whose intelligence report came in a while back—the one suspected of having Ogre blood and who could fight three branch Vice Admirals alone without falling. The G-3 branch has already submitted a detailed report on this matter, and I am already aware of it." Kong nodded.

He had assumed his undercover agent was making an emergency call to report on Kaido's latest movements or a large-scale mobilization of the Rocks Pirates.

"No... it's not Kaido!"

"It's someone else... someone who appeared just today. A rookie whose strength is even more terrifying than Kaido's, and whose Devil Fruit ability is even more bizarre!"

"What?!" Kong's heart sank.

He had personally selected and planted this mole into the upper echelons of the Rocks Pirates; the man was iron-willed and experienced, and he would never speak recklessly or exaggerate when it came to intelligence.

"A rookie stronger than Kaido? What exactly is going on? Report in detail! Don't leave out a single word!"

"Yes! Just this afternoon, a young man forcibly boarded Beehive Island and marched single-handedly straight into the core territory! He possesses a bizarre Devil Fruit ability I have never seen before, suspected to be related to 'space.' He defeated three Division Commanders in an instant!"

Upon hearing this, Kong's eyes narrowed.

Every captain in the Rocks Pirates was a ruthless character who had clawed their way through the blood and carnage of the New World. Their strength was at least comparable to an elite Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters, and the best among them were not even inferior to some Vice Admirals. To defeat three of them in an instant? What kind of concept was that?

"Immediately after, in full view of everyone, he displayed exceptional swordsmanship. Using a Supreme Grade Sword, he faced the executive Ochoku head-on and drove him back. Ochoku's weapon was left with cracks, and he himself sustained significant injuries; the entire encounter was completely one-sided!"

"In the end... Rocks himself had to step in. Not only did he not punish the youth for killing commanders and defeating an executive, but he promoted him to the rank of executive on the spot!"

As the words fell, the air in the office seemed to freeze.

Every executive of the Rocks Pirates was a powerhouse capable of stirring up massive storms across the sea, a peerless combatant who could roam the New World with few rivals. They knew full well the strength of individuals like Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, and Charlotte Linlin. While Ochoku might not have been universally recognized as the strongest among the executives, he was a genuine, high-level executive—undoubtedly one of the top-tier experts standing at the pinnacle of the New World. If this young man could suppress Ochoku head-on, did that not mean...

"This rookie... what is his name?!"

Kong asked urgently, knowing this would be yet another name that needed to be marked in bold, heavy ink on the Marines' highest-danger list.

"His name is Luo Tian! Someone seems to be coming this way, I can't talk any—"

"Beep, beep—"

After the undercover agent hastily blurted out the name, the communication was abruptly cut off.

Kong slowly set down the receiver, and the four men in the room remained silent.

After a long while—

"Tch!" Garp carelessly picked his nose, breaking the silence with a look of annoyance and bewilderment: "Why do all these freakish, talented rookie monsters run off to that bastard's pirate crew? Can't they come to our Marine Headquarters and serve justice instead? Are the young people these days really that blind?"

"Ahem!" Sengoku glared fiercely at Garp; this was hardly the time for such talk. However, deep down, he felt the same sense of confusion and frustration.

Zephyr, who was always serious and held the justice of the Marines as his lifelong creed, could only shake his head helplessly at this moment.

Garp, that guy, sometimes really leaves one speechless.

But his words truly hit the nail on the head regarding the Marine Headquarters' weakness in attracting talent and the awkward situation they currently face.

Kong slowly sat back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp.

Sengoku began to analyze: "Recently, the Rocks Pirates have seen a surge of newcomers, especially that Kaido with his unfathomable physical strength, and now this Luo Tian, who is even more bizarre according to the intelligence reports.

I believe the Marine Headquarters can no longer sit idly by; we must adjust our strategy and take more proactive containment measures!

If these two monster newcomers fully mature under the command of Rocks, their destructive power and the threat they pose to the world order will be immeasurable!"

"Agreed," Zephyr chimed in with a deep voice:

"Rocks already possesses the ambition and strength to overturn the world, and now he has continuously gained such terrifying new blood...

If these newcomers are allowed to fully integrate into his system, the overall strength of the Rocks Pirates will swell in a short period to a level we may find difficult to handle!

By then, the price we would have to pay to contain or even eradicate them would be unimaginable!"

The gazes of Sengoku and Zephyr finally turned toward the Fleet Admiral in the main seat, awaiting his final decision.

Kong said with resonant force: "Immediately classify the intelligence on Luo Tian as top secret!

Add his name to the Marine Headquarters' 'Highest Potential Danger' list, with a ranking... tentatively equal to that of Kaido.

Notify all branches in the New World to increase vigilance, and at the same time, have the intelligence department utilize all resources to collect as much information as possible about Luo Tian, including his origins, ability details, and personality weaknesses!

Once a suitable opportunity is discovered, or if he is confirmed to be alone, we must spare no cost and mobilize all possible forces to nip this rising star of the Rocks Pirates in the bud!

He must never be allowed to grow into the next Golden Lion or Whitebeard!

At the same time, the focus of the Marine Headquarters' work in the near future must shift toward the New World!

Closely monitor all movements of the Rocks Pirates, especially the activity trajectories of personnel at the executive level and above!"

With this series of orders, Kong acknowledged the judgment of Sengoku and Zephyr and realized the severity of the problem.

The Rocks Pirates, this malignant tumor entrenched in the New World.

It now appears that not only is there no sign of decline, but they have become even more troublesome and dangerous due to the constant recruitment of monster newcomers.

Why do those gifted, arrogant monsters always end up gathering under the command of Rocks?