"Report!"
A Marine hurried over, saluted Garp, and held out a Den Den Mushi with its eyes closed.
"Vice Admiral, there's an urgent message from headquarters."
Garp took the Den Den Mushi, nodded, and pressed the answer button. Its eyes snapped open, and the call connected.
"Hey! Tsuru! What do you need? I've already caught up with the Roger Pirates."
Garp recognized the person on the other end at a glance and spoke with a grin.
A Den Den Mushi's ability to mimic its caller was one of its special traits.
"Put the Roger Pirates aside for now. The Beasts Pirates are invading the Mozartel Kingdom, and a battle has broken out in the Royal Capital. If the king dies, the blame will undoubtedly fall on us."
Tsuru's voice was grave. She was in no mood to joke with Garp.
The Mozartel Kingdom was a powerful nation in the New World. As a World Government Member State—and one of the few remaining in the New World—it wielded considerable influence.
If the Beasts Pirates seized the Mozartel Kingdom, the consequences were easy to imagine. Military funding might not fall, but the Marines' standing among member states certainly would.
The World Pirates had sustained themselves through war, plundering and recruiting Pirates without pause. Their prolonged campaign had thrown the entire West Blue into chaos.
Underground Forces, prominent powers, and member states alike had suffered heavy losses.
Some factions had even secretly colluded with the World Pirates, using their strength to destroy rivals and rise in their place.
In just six months, the entire West Blue had been turned upside down.
The Marines' original plan to eliminate the World Pirates within two or three months had fallen apart.
Amid all the open clashes and covert struggles, the World Pirates had gained even more