God Valley Incident I

A year after the kidnapping incident, Sea Circle Calendar 1484 · Marineford

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, the air seemed gripped tight by an invisible hand.

The sea breeze still blew outside the window, but it could no longer enter this office.

The silence lasted several seconds before Kong finally spoke first. "Rock."

"About the matter you mentioned..."

Kong slowly raised his eyes and met Rock's gaze.

"I can't let you go."

The words fell, leaving no room for negotiation.

Rock's expression did not change. He merely looked quietly at Kong, his gaze calm yet sharp.

"Fleet Admiral Kong."

Rock spoke in an even tone, yet there was an oppressive force in it that could not be avoided.

"From my first day in the Navy—"

"You should have noticed, shouldn't you?"

His gaze darkened slightly. "As long as I want to."

"Those movements, those hidden lines, those deployments that shouldn't be seen..."

"None of it can be hidden from me."

Those words were like a blade, cutting directly into the place Kong least wished to touch.

Kong's shoulders visibly trembled.

The next instant, he slammed his palm onto the desk and roared, "Rock!!"

"You are defying military orders!!!"

His fury exploded through the office, his voice carrying immense authority, but Rock did not so much as twitch a brow.

"Stop pretending."

"No one else can hear what we're discussing."

"And I can feel it—" Rock raised his eyes, as though looking directly into Kong's heart.

"Your anger was never directed at me."

At that moment, Kong froze completely. He sensed something unusual.

An exceedingly subtle magnetic field, utterly unnatural, was slowly spreading through the air.

Like an invisible net, it completely sealed off the entire office.

—Rock had already blocked all perception in advance.

Kong let out a long breath.