Mary Geoise, World Government Power Hall.
The Five Elders, the old geezers holding the highest authority in the World Government, routinely struck poses here. Looking at the report Navy Headquarters had just submitted, they began their discussion.
"The Frozen Giant?"
"That man is searching for the Great Hammer Warband!"
The moment they saw that Rocks was pursuing the Frozen Giant, they instantly understood his objective.
"As expected, his ambitions are immense. We cannot continue letting this go unchecked. We must act!"
Jaygarcia Saturn Saint, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, was the first to speak. 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 was surely the world itself, and that was something they could never permit. Thus, he proposed taking action against Rocks.
"But that group is far 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 certainly suffer tremendous losses!"
Topman Warcury Saint, the Warrior God of Justice, raised 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 intervened, 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 more than a decade ago. He now possessed a massive 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 have to pay an enormous price, and that was a price they were utterly unwilling to bear.
"Then we borrow outside strength!"
Marcus Mars Saint, the Warrior God of Environment, said.
"Harald has been seeking to make Elbaf one of our World Government-affiliated Countries for years. That would undoubtedly be a powerful fighting force, perhaps a sharp blade we can use against the Rocks Pirates. And Harald certainly has the strength to contend with Rocks.
"Moreover, that person has always wanted Elbaf under our control. This may well be an opportunity!"
At the mention of that person, all the Five Elders paused, reverence appearing on their faces.
"Can we guarantee that Harald fellow's loyalty?
"Intelligence shows that he has ties with Rocks. Rocks has invited him to join several times!"
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, the Warrior God of Agriculture, voiced his doubts. He was not questioning Harald's strength, but whether Harald could truly be used by them—or 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 let the Navy recruit them all and set up some trials to see whether they are joining sincerely!"
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, spoke up and proposed a solution to Shepherd Ju Peter Saint's concerns.
"That is indeed a good idea!"
The others nodded in agreement.
"Furthermore, we do not need to rely entirely on Harald. We can also divide those people on Hachinosu from within.
"They are hardly a united group. They are merely criminals gathered together for various motives and interests. Isn't there someone named Ochoku who has long been in contact with our people below?
"Then start with him. Have our people increase their contact with him, even offer him greater benefits, and try to sabotage them from within!"
Saint Saturn proposed a two-pronged approach. The government had placed many spies on Hachinosu to gather intelligence on that group. Among them was a man named Ochoku, who was quite greedy and 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 this proposal as well. Thus, a conspiracy targeting Rocks began unfolding on multiple fronts in the shadows.
Oak had never imagined that the first long-distance flight using his Vampire abilities would have him acting as something like a carriage driver...
No, that was not right. He lowered his head and looked at the small boat he was carrying through the air with both hands, with Rocks, Newgate, and Kaido seated inside, then corrected himself.
He was not the carriage driver—he was the damned 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 their pack animal.
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 over the Calm Belt instead.
Kaido did not understand this at all.
"Why do we have to take such a huge detour? Wouldn't it be better to fly straight over the Holy Land?"
He asked Rocks his question, since this route had been Rocks's decision.
Rocks, who was lying at the bow and admiring the scenery below, instantly became serious upon hearing the question.
"I told Shiki and the others about this before. I'll remind you again now—especially you, Oak. Listen carefully."
As he explained, Rocks raised his head and emphasized the point to Oak overhead.
"Before we officially conquer the Holy Land, none of you with flying abilities must ever, ever casually fly over Mary Geoise. As for the reason..."
When it came to the reason, Rocks shook his head. Clearly, he did not intend to say much, because some things were better left unknown. But Oak understood why.
Rocks was clearly wary of Imu. It seemed Imu's strength was truly extraordinary, enough that even someone as arrogant and unruly as Rocks had no choice but to avoid the skies over the Holy Land. Oak grew even more curious. In every scene from the original story, Rocks was the one and only person who had encountered Imu and still escaped unscathed. He certainly knew something about Imu's strength, so Oak asked curiously,
"Just how strong is that person, for you to be this wary?"
At his question, Rocks remained calm 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.
"Strong. Very strong!"
"Strong enough that just from that person's presence, without even fighting, I knew I would not be a match!"
That statement greatly shocked Newgate and Kaido, especially Kaido.
There was actually an opponent in this world who could make Rocks retreat on his own merely through his presence?
Just how strong must that person be? 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.