But what they had not expected was that after advancing for a day, the Rocks Pirates suddenly changed direction.
They shook off the Marine and World Government scouts, vanishing into the Great Sea. No one could find where the massive Rocks Pirates fleet had sailed.
The Vixga Kingdom was considered a relatively powerful nation in the New World. A Marine Admiral-level powerhouse had once emerged from this country, giving it a deep foundation.
In the past, even when pirates ran rampant throughout the New World, few dared to cause trouble in the Vixga Kingdom.
Ever since the Rocks Pirates became the overlords of the New World, the Vixga Kingdom had joined forces with the surrounding kingdoms.
They formed an alliance, and with the protection of the Marines and the World Government, they believed they had no need to fear even the Rocks Pirates.
After all, no matter how powerful the Rocks Pirates were, could they really dare attack a World Government Affiliated Nation?
Once the Rocks Pirates attacked a World Government Affiliated Nation, it would mean they had become the World Government's foremost target for extermination.
When that time came, it would not just be the Marines striking at the Rocks Pirates, but the World Government that had stood for eight hundred years as well!
The World Government was the confidence of the Affiliated nations.
In the past, pirates had merely been bandits. Even the Giant Pirate Crew from a century ago, despite their rampant lawlessness, had still not dared plunder Affiliated nations.
That was why those Affiliated nations had never imagined that Rocks would be so insane as to dare stroke the World Government's tiger whiskers.
And Rocks was precisely the turning point that changed the world's perception of pirates. Ever since Rocks rose to power,
the number of pirates had continued to grow, their strength had continued to rise, and in many eyes, their status had grown higher as well.
The true rise of pirates began at the moment Roger died.
Rocks wanted to dominate the world and become the World King.
The first step was to completely dominate the New World. He not only had to subdue every pirate in the New World and drive the Marines out, but also conquer every kingdom in the New World.
So Rocks had long ago sent out word that those kingdoms were to submit.
In truth, Rocks did not need those kingdoms to do much. They only needed to offer the Rocks Pirates tribute similar to the Celestial Gold they paid the World Government.
Then they merely had to raise the flag of the Rocks Pirates. He would not interfere with their rule.
But these kingdoms refused a toast only to drink a forfeit. They gave no response whatsoever to Rocks's demand for submission, and even formed a so-called alliance in an attempt to make Rocks wary.
Enraged, Rocks directly summoned all his officers and launched this plundering war to kill a chicken and scare the monkeys.
Rocks wanted every kingdom in the New World to see clearly that the Rocks Pirates were the true overlords of the New World, and that not even the World Government and Marines could meddle with them.
Three days later, the massive fleet of the Rocks Pirates suddenly appeared in the Vixga Kingdom Sea Area.
"Your Majesty, this is bad! Terrible news! The Rocks Pirates fleet has appeared in our waters!"
Inside the main hall of the Vixga Royal Palace, a soldier rushed in to report.
"What?"
"Quickly send word to the Marines and the World Government! Tell them to dispatch reinforcements at once!"
"Also, notify every general in the kingdom! Have them lead all their soldiers to the Royal Capital and protect the king!"
Upon hearing the soldier's report, the King of Vixga was so terrified that he nearly fell from his throne.
"Yes!!!"
The soldier hurried out to deliver the messages.
News of the Rocks Pirates attacking the Vixga Kingdom swiftly spread throughout the entire kingdom.
The World Government scouts stationed in the Vixga Kingdom also passed the news to the World Government and the Marines.
Holy Land Mary Geoise
"Damn Rocks Pirates! They actually dared attack a World Government Affiliated Nation. Have the Marines head to the Vixga Kingdom immediately to provide support!"
Science Defense God Saint Saturn said furiously as he looked at the intelligence in his hand. He had not expected Rocks to be so mad as to declare war on the World Government.
To others, this was a war in which Rocks proved himself the overlord of the New World. But to the Five Elders, it was an outright declaration of war against the World Government.
"Rocks is of the D Clan. Wasn't it something we had predicted long ago, that he would declare war on us?"
"In the past, we believed the Marines could suppress the Rocks Pirates. And since Rocks has grown old, we allowed him to reign supreme in the New World. He did not have many years left anyway."
"Now it seems our decision back then was wrong. Our indulgence allowed his ambitions to swell, making him think he could provoke the World Government."
Agriculture God Saint Peter analyzed calmly.
"The Rocks Pirates must pay the price for this. Otherwise, the other World Government Affiliated Nations will become dissatisfied with us, and the Celestial Gold will be affected as well."
Finance God Saint Nusjuro said.
"First, have the Marines test them and see just how far the Rocks Pirates' current strength has developed. Then we can formulate an appropriate plan to encircle and eliminate them."
Environment God Saint Mars said.
"Agreed!!"
"Agreed!!"
"Agreed!!"
"."
In the Vixga Kingdom Sea Area, the massive Rocks Pirates fleet had already surrounded the entire Vixga Kingdom.
"Wahahahaha! Boys, get moving! The plundering begins!!"
Looking at the Vixga Kingdom ahead, Rocks laughed loudly.
"Kill!!!"
"Charge!!!"
"I want Treasure!"
"."
As Rocks's words fell, the countless pirates of the Rocks Pirates charged toward the Vixga Kingdom like starving wolves pouncing on prey.
The soldiers of the Vixga Kingdom were struck by the officers' Conqueror's Haki and almost all collapsed.
Even the remaining powerful generals could not withstand the onslaught of the many Rocks Pirates crew members.
It could be said that before the Rocks Pirates, the Vixga Kingdom had no ability to fight back at all. They were completely crushed and swept aside.
"Whitebeard, it looks like you're staying behind to guard the ship."
Li Yuan said as he looked at Whitebeard beside him, who had no intention of leaving the ship.
"I'm not interested in killing or plundering."
Whitebeard shook his head. The longer he stayed with the Rocks Pirates and the more slaughter he witnessed, the more sickened he became by this environment.
"Then guard the ship properly. I'm going down to plunder too. Otherwise, I won't have any money to buy you a drink next time."
Li Yuan said nothing more. He did not feel repulsed by slaughter and plunder.
Or rather, like Rocks and Shiki, he possessed the ambition to dominate the world. Thus, he knew that slaughter and plunder were unavoidable.
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