Saint Saturn: The Credit Is All Mine!

Admiral Kong first glanced at Saint Saturn.

Saint Saturn gave him a look, and then watched Kong rise to answer the Den Den Mushi. "Tsuru? What is it?"

On the other end was Tsuru, a vice admiral from Marine Headquarters. Her tone was somewhat grave as she said, "Admiral, sorry to disturb you, but there is an extremely urgent matter that must be reported to you immediately."

"Go ahead." Admiral Kong frowned slightly.

"News has been spreading across the seas lately that the Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise intend to hold a study trip and tournament at God Valley. Normally, this would not be urgent, as similar events have been held in previous years. However, information has leaked from somewhere that Shakky, the former captain of the Kuja Pirates who vanished a year ago, is being offered as the grand prize for this tournament. The news has been wildly circulated in newspapers everywhere. Upon hearing it, the great pirates obsessed with her beauty have all begun to stir. Current intelligence confirms that the Rocks Pirates, who had long occupied Hachinosu in the New World, have set out for God Valley at tremendous speed under their captain, Rocks D. Xebec. At the same time, sighting reports confirm that the Roger Pirates, who had been roaming West Blue, are also heading for God Valley. I fear this situation is far from ordinary... I suggest that you advise Saint Saturn to postpone or cancel this event."

After hearing the report, Admiral Kong's expression grew solemn as well. He took a deep breath and said, "Understood. Issue the order: Marine Headquarters will immediately gather forces, form a joint fleet, and set out at once for God Valley to rendezvous with us."

Whether Saint Saturn would suspend the event or not, Steel Bone had to make his position clear immediately. This order was his stance.

After saying that, he added, "Wait for my reply," before directly hanging up the Den Den Mushi.

As Admiral Kong turned around, a flash of anticipation passed through Vikengam's eyes.

It was here, it was here—the first waves of the great event were already rolling in!

"Saint Saturn, Marine Headquarters has reported..." Admiral Kong said softly.

The three people in the command room had heard the conversation clearly, so there was naturally no need for him to waste time repeating it.

Saint Saturn narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a stern expression, "If the pirates make the slightest move and we become frightened enough to postpone or even cancel this operation, where would the dignity of our World Government and the descendants of the gods be? Is this what you Marines do when you hear such rumors—avoid the enemy's edge? Then what use are you!?"

His words made perfect sense, and Vikengam could not help nodding repeatedly.

Just as Saint Saturn said, the news had already leaked. Everyone on the seas knew that the Celestial Dragons were going to God Valley for a group outing, with a whole bunch of Marines dragged along as guards.

Under such circumstances, if great pirates like Rocks and Roger merely made a move and said they were going to God Valley to join in the fun, frightening the World Government into postponing or canceling the event, what kind of impression would that give the world?

Without question, everyone would think that the World Government feared those great pirates!

That the Celestial Dragons feared those lawless bastards!

By then, the Celestial Dragons' absolute authority and the World Government's eight-hundred-year prestige of suppressing all defiance would suffer a tremendous blow.

Even the Marines would be utterly disgraced.

So it was obvious that there could be no backing down under these circumstances. Even if they had to grit their teeth, they had to go through with it!

How could Admiral Kong not understand that? Thus, he offered no persuasion at all and immediately stated, "Yes. I shall obey your orders."

However, after a brief pause, he spoke again with some difficulty. "Saint Saturn, Saint Vikengam, the situation is urgent. I need to make new arrangements quickly..."

"Mm. Go handle it," Saint Saturn said with a casual wave.

Admiral Kong dearly wanted to say, This is my command room!!!

But in the end, he could not defy them. He could only pick up the Den Den Mushi, bow respectfully, and walk toward the door.

The reason he wanted to avoid Saint Saturn and Vikengam was that he intended to seek outside assistance—to call Monkey D. Garp, who was currently on leave, and tell him to hurry to God Valley to help hold the fort.

As everyone knew, although Garp was a Marine vice admiral under the World Government, he had always been foul-mouthed and unruly—a complete Marine rogue.

What if he contacted him right in front of Saint Saturn, and that bastard opened his mouth with something like, "Those Celestial Dragon dog bastards"?

Saying such things in private was one thing. Steel Bone and the others would not spread it around, and even if the Celestial Dragons heard some rumors, they would usually pretend not to know.

But if Saint Saturn and Saint Vikengam heard it directly, there would be no room left for maneuver. Garp would definitely suffer terribly then, and that was absolutely not a sight Admiral Kong wished to see.

Just as Admiral Kong opened the door, Saint Saturn suddenly spoke again. "Vikengam, I am somewhat tired. I will rest here for a while. Do not keep cooping yourself up here either. Go out and get some air."

Resting was merely an excuse, of course, but Vikengam was not so tactless. He immediately stood up and said, "I happen to be quite interested in Marine affairs as well. I'll go along with the admiral and see what's happening."

Those words made Admiral Kong's cheek twitch slightly, but he had no way to voice a refusal.

He could only grit his teeth and, after Vikengam stepped outside, close the door for him.

At the same time, Saint Saturn took a deep breath and slowly let it out. After slightly adjusting his state of mind, he closed his eyes and used his thoughts to connect with the contract mark on his body, calling out respectfully, "Imu..."

Many people knew that eighteen years ago, during the Reverie, Rocks had rampaged through Mary Geoise. He had even casually killed a "civilian admiral" of the Marines, fought the giant king Harald, and then swaggered away from the Holy Land.

But only a very small number of people knew that Rocks had not merely caused havoc in the Holy Land. Back then, he had also broken into Imu's bedchamber, faced Imu directly in the Flower Room, and left behind the harsh words, "I'll be back."

That had nearly angered Imu into suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. Yet Rocks was simply too powerful. Even though Imu had strictly ordered the Five Elders to eliminate Rocks as soon as possible, the matter had dragged on until today.

Saint Saturn knew very well that over these past eighteen years, Imu had hated Rocks to the marrow. Now that Rocks was coming to God Valley to cause trouble, though danger lurked everywhere, was this not also an opportunity?

If they could eliminate Rocks this time, then as the only one among the Five Elders personally stationed at God Valley, would Saint Saturn not receive tremendous credit?

This was an excellent opportunity to further surpass the other four Five Elders in Imu's estimation!

Even the Five Elders wanted to advance, all right?

In truth, Saint Saturn had already had certain considerations in mind when he personally chose to oversee God Valley this time. Figarland Garling had previously informed him that the Davy Clan lived in seclusion on God Valley.

The Davy Clan were the blood descendants of the legendary pirate Davy D. Jones, who had been cursed to dwell in the depths of the sea.

Back in the Flower Room, Rocks had once mentioned Davy D. Jones to Imu, which had displeased Imu. Saint Saturn had originally intended to wipe out the Davy Clan at God Valley in order to raise his standing in Imu's eyes.

He had not expected there to be such an unexpected "surprise" as well.

Very soon, he received a mysterious response.

"Saturn? Why hast thou called upon me?"