Dual Approach

In the Power Hall of Mary Geoise, World Government,

the Five Elders, the old men holding the highest authority in the World Government, were posing here as usual. Looking at the report Navy Headquarters had just submitted, they began discussing it.

"Frozen Giant?"

"That guy is searching for the Great Hammer Warband!"

When they saw that Rocks was pursuing the Frozen Giant, they instantly understood his goal.

"As expected, he has enormous ambitions. We can't keep letting this continue. We must take action!"

Saint Saturn, the Warrior God of Science, spoke first. More than anyone, they understood what the Frozen Giant's Great Hammer Warband represented.

Seeking that warband meant seeking the Ancient Weapon. The ambition it represented had to be the world itself, something they could never permit. Thus, he proposed taking action against Rocks.

"But that group is too troublesome. Even if we deploy the entire Navy, we may not be able to take them down. Even with the Holy Land's forces added in, we would definitely suffer enormous losses!"

Topman Warcury Saint, the Warrior God of Justice, pointed out the difficulty of taking action against Rocks.

Rocks's strength was beyond doubt. He had been able to kill an Admiral, one of the World Government's highest combat powers, head-on. He was absolutely stronger than anyone present, including everyone in the Navy. Unless that person acted, no one could be certain of defeating him.

But that was not the most troublesome part. The most troublesome part was that Rocks was no longer alone as he had been when he first appeared in the Holy Land over a decade ago. He now possessed an enormous force.

The Rocks Pirates had gathered some of the most vicious criminals on the seas. It was a terrifying force. To eliminate them, the government would absolutely have to pay a massive price, and that was a price they had no desire to bear.

"Then borrow external strength!"

Marcus Mars Saint, the Warrior God of Environment, said.

"Harald has been trying to make Elbaf one of our allied nations these past few years. That would undoubtedly be a powerful fighting force, perhaps a sharp blade we can use against the Rocks Pirates. And Harald definitely possesses the strength to contend against Rocks.

"Besides, that person has always wanted Elbaf under our control. This may well be an opportunity!"

At the mention of that person, the expressions of the Five Elders present all stiffened, and respect appeared on their faces.

"Can we guarantee that Harald fellow's loyalty?

"Intelligence reports say he has ties with Rocks. Rocks has invited him to join several times!"

Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, the Warrior God of Agriculture, raised an objection. He did not doubt Harald's strength, but whether Harald could truly be used by them—and whether he might stab them in the back when the time came.

"We can test his attitude first. Haven't many giants from Elbaf recently wanted to join the Navy?

"Then have the Navy recruit all of them and set up some tests to see whether they are sincerely joining!"

Saint Ethanbaron V. Saint Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, spoke up and proposed a solution to Shepherd Ju Peter Saint's concern.

"That is a good idea!"

The others nodded in agreement.

"Besides, we do not need to rely entirely on Harald. We can also divide those people on Hachinosu from within.

"They are not some tightly united group. They are merely criminals gathered together by various goals and interests. Isn't there one called Ochoku who has always been in contact with our people?

"Then start with him. Have our people intensify their contact with him. We can even offer him greater benefits and try to sabotage them from within!"

Saint Saturn proposed a two-pronged approach. On Hachinosu, the government had planted many informants to gather intelligence on that group. Among them was a rather greedy man named Ochoku, who had even sold some internal information about the Rocks Pirates to government agents for profit.

This allowed Saint Saturn to see an opportunity to break the Rocks Pirates from within.

The other Five Elders accepted the suggestion as well. Thus, a conspiracy against Rocks began unfolding on multiple fronts in secret.

Oak had never imagined that the first long-distance flight using his Vampire abilities would involve him acting as some kind of coachman...

No, that was not right. He lowered his head and looked beneath him. He was using both hands to carry the flying boat, while Rocks, Newgate, and Kaido sat inside. He corrected himself.

He was not the coachman—he was the damn beast pulling the carriage!!

But there was nothing he could do. He had chosen this road himself. Since the three below were accompanying him to retrieve something, he could only grit his teeth and accept being a beast of burden.

Their destination this time was an island in the first half of the Grand Line. Flying over Mary Geoise would have been the shortest route, but Oak was currently flying above the Calm Belt.

Kaido did not understand this at all.

"Why do we have to make such a huge detour? Wouldn't it be better to fly straight over the Holy Land?"

He asked Rocks his question, since Rocks had made the decision to take this route.

Rocks, who was lying at the bow and admiring the scenery below, instantly turned serious upon hearing the question.

"I've told Shiki and the others about this before. I'll remind you again now. Oak especially, listen carefully."

As he explained, Rocks raised his head and emphasized the point to Oak above him.

"Before we formally conquer the Holy Land, you people with the ability to fly must absolutely, absolutely not casually fly over Mary Geoise. As for the reason..."

When it came to the reason, Rocks shook his head. He clearly did not intend to say more, because some things were better left unknown. But Oak understood why.

Rocks was saying this because he feared Imu. Imu's strength was clearly extraordinary, enough to make even someone as arrogant and unruly as Rocks avoid the skies above the Holy Land. That only made Oak more curious. In all the scenes from the original story, Rocks was the one and only person who had encountered Imu and still escaped unharmed. He surely knew something about Imu's strength, so Oak asked curiously,

"Just how strong is that person, for you to fear him this much?"

When Oak asked that, Rocks wore a calm expression and looked up with an expression that said he had expected this.

"So you know that person exists too!"

After everything that had happened before, he was no longer surprised by however many secrets Oak knew. It seemed only natural.

"Very strong. Extremely strong!"

"Just from his aura alone, without even fighting, I knew I would not be his match!"

Those words shocked Newgate and Kaido greatly, especially Kaido.

There was actually an opponent in this world who could make Rocks retreat voluntarily based on aura alone?

Just how strong was that person? And the World Government had actually hidden such a monster!

For the first time, Kaido gained a direct understanding of the World Government's mystery and power.