Admiral Kong first glanced at Saint Saturn.
Saint Saturn gave him a look, and Kong rose to answer the Den Den Mushi. "Tsuru? What is it?"
On the other end was Vice Admiral Tsuru of Marine Headquarters. Her voice was somewhat grave as she said, "Admiral, sorry for the interruption, but there is an extremely urgent matter that must be reported to you immediately."
"Go ahead." Admiral Kong frowned slightly.
"News that the Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise intend to hold a school trip and competition at God Valley has been spreading throughout the seas recently. Normally, this would not be an urgent matter, since similar events have been held in previous years. However, information somehow leaked out that Shakky, the former captain of the Kuja Pirates who disappeared a year ago, is being offered as the grand prize of this competition. The news has been wildly circulated in newspapers across various regions. Upon learning this, the great pirates obsessed with her beauty have all erupted into action. Current intelligence confirms that the Rocks Pirates, who had long been entrenched on Hachinosu in the New World, are advancing toward God Valley at tremendous speed under their captain, Rocks D. Xebec. At the same time, sightings have confirmed that the Roger Pirates, who had been roaming the 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: Headquarters is to immediately assemble its 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. That order was his stance.
After saying that, he added, "Wait for my reply," before hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
As Admiral Kong turned around, anticipation flashed through Vikengam's eyes.
It was coming, it was coming. The first waves of the great event were already rolling in!
"Saint Saturn, Headquarters has reported..." Admiral Kong said quietly.
The three people in the command room had all heard the conversation clearly, so there was naturally no need for him to waste time repeating it.
Saint Saturn narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression stern. "If the pirates make the slightest move and we are frightened into postponing or even canceling this operation, where would the dignity of the World Government and the descendants of the gods be? Is it all you Marines know how to do when you hear such rumors—avoid the edge of danger? Then what use are you!?"
His words made perfect sense, and Vikengam could not help nodding repeatedly.
Just as Saint Saturn had said, the news had already leaked. Everyone on the seas knew that the Celestial Dragons were heading to God Valley for a group outing, with a large force of Marines dragged along as guards.
Under such circumstances, if great pirates like Rocks and Roger merely made a move and declared they were also going to God Valley to join the fun, and the World Government became so frightened that it postponed or canceled the operation, what kind of impression would that give the world?
Without question, everyone would think the World Government feared those great pirates!
That the Celestial Dragons feared those lawless bastards!
When that happened, the absolute authority of the Celestial Dragons and the prestige the World Government had built over eight hundred years by crushing all defiance would suffer a tremendous blow.
Even the Marines would be utterly disgraced.
So clearly, there could be no backing down under these circumstances. Even if they had to grit their teeth, they had to see it through!
How could Admiral Kong not understand that? Thus, he offered no persuasion and immediately stated, "Yes. I will obey your command."
However, after a brief pause, he spoke again with some difficulty. "Saint Saturn, Saint Vikengam, the situation is urgent. I need to quickly make new arrangements..."
"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 him. He could only pick up the Den Den Mushi, respectfully bow, and head for the door.
The reason he wanted to avoid Saint Saturn and Vikengam was that he needed to seek outside assistance. He planned to call Garp, who was currently on leave, and tell him to hurry to God Valley to help hold the fort.
After all, everyone knew that although Garp was a Marine vice admiral under the World Government, he had always been foul-mouthed and lawless—a complete Marine hardcase.
What if he contacted him 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 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 mediation. Garp would definitely suffer terribly then, and that was absolutely not something Admiral Kong wanted to see.
Just as Admiral Kong opened the door, Saint Saturn suddenly spoke again. "Viking, I am somewhat tired. I will rest here for a while. Do not keep cooping yourself up in here either. Go out and get some air."
Resting for a while was merely an excuse, but Vikengam was not so tactless. He immediately stood up and said, "As it happens, I am quite interested in Marine affairs as well. I will go with the Admiral and see what is happening."
Those words made Admiral Kong's cheek twitch slightly, but he could not say anything to refuse.
He could only grit his teeth and, once Vikengam had stepped outside, close the door for him.
At the same time, Saint Saturn took a deep breath and slowly let it out. After slightly steadying himself, he closed his eyes and used his mind to connect with the contract mark on his body, calling out respectfully, "Lord Imu..."
Many people knew that eighteen years ago, during the Reverie, Rocks had caused havoc in Mary Geoise. He had even casually killed the Marines' "civilian admiral," fought the giant king Harald, then patted his backside and swaggered out of the Holy Land.
But only a very few knew that Rocks had done more than wreak havoc in the Holy Land. Back then, he had broken into Lord Imu's chambers, faced Imu directly in the Flower Room, and left behind the harsh words, "I will be back."
That had nearly angered Imu into a cerebral hemorrhage. However, Rocks was simply too powerful. Even though Imu had sternly ordered the Five Elders to eliminate Rocks as soon as possible, the matter had dragged on until today.
Saint Saturn knew very well that for the past eighteen years, Lord Imu had hated Rocks to the bone. Now that Rocks was coming to disrupt God Valley, though danger lurked everywhere, was this not also an opportunity?
If Rocks could be killed this time, then as the only Five Elder personally stationed at God Valley, would Saint Saturn not receive tremendous credit?
This was a fine opportunity to further surpass the other four Five Elders in Lord Imu's esteem!
Even the Five Elders wanted to advance, all right?
In truth, Saint Saturn had originally had certain considerations in personally traveling to God Valley this time. Figarland Garling had previously informed him that the Davy Clan lived in seclusion on God Valley.
The Davy Clan were descendants of the legendary pirate Davy D. Jones, who had been cursed to dwell in the depths of the sea.
And in the Flower Room, Rocks had once mentioned Davy D. Jones to Lord Imu, which had displeased Imu. Saint Saturn had originally intended to come to God Valley and wipe out the Davy Clan, thereby increasing his standing in Lord Imu's heart.
Who would have thought there would now be an unexpected "surprise" as well?
Very soon, he received a mysterious response.
"Saturn? Why have you called upon me?"
Before you continue