Aokiji leaned against the window, gazing at the gloomy sea outside.
"Moreover, Hachinosu's defense system, after years of development, is as solid as a rock."
A direct assault would result in very heavy losses.
Vice Admiral Tsuru adjusted his glasses.
"The bounty must be significantly increased. This is not only a reassessment of their strength,
It also demonstrates the attitude of the Navy and the government to the world, while... continuing the 'praise to kill' tactic.
To portray the Roy Pirates as the most dazzling, yet most dangerous, target of this era.
Attracting the attention of all ambitious individuals can also, to some extent, sow discord between them and other forces.
Sengoku closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and forced himself to calm down.
He knew that Tsuru was right. The navy was facing pressure from multiple sides ( the New World order had been established, and the Revolutionary Army was active), so it was indeed not advisable to launch a full-scale expedition immediately.
"Issue a new bounty!"
Sengoku suddenly opened his eyes, his voice resolute and filled with boundless rage.
" Roy, bounty 2.5 billion Beli! Death or life!"
"Douglas Bullet, bounty 1.8 billion Beli!"
" Jora Mihawk, bounty 1.6 billion Beli!"
"Gilder Tesoro, bounty 1.5 billion Beli!"
"Fischer Fisher Tiger, bounty 800 million Beli! Most wanted!"
"The bounties for all other core cadres have been significantly increased!"
A series of astonishingly high bounties were rapidly announced from Marine Headquarters.
The total bounty on the Roy Pirates and their affiliated forces reached an unprecedented astronomical figure, shaking the entire Grand Line!
Hachinosu, main island palace.
Roy placed a stack of new bounty posters on the table, his expression calm.
Bullet grinned broadly, holding his $1.8 billion bounty poster.
Hawk Eyes glanced at the figure of 1.6 billion and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Tesoro, meanwhile, was painfully calculating how many Beli he would lose if he were arrested after the bounty increased.
"2.5 billion... you really think highly of me."
Roy chuckled and casually pushed the bounty poster aside.
Before him lay the list of spoils from the operation:
There are a total of 8 Devil Fruit, including 2 suspected Mythical Zoan, 4 Paramecia, and 2 Ancient Zoan.
As for the Logia, there isn't a single one.
These were the ones Roy had left over; it must be said, the Celestial Dragons ' collection is truly extraordinary.
Roy had already struggled for a long time when choosing Devil Fruit for Golden Lion and Kaido.
If it weren't for their significant contribution to this operation, Roy would have wanted to keep all the Devil Fruit.
The remaining four are Famous Sword swords, including [ Kikoku ], [ Masamune ], and two other Fifty Skillful Grade Swords.
Various types of gold, jewelry, rare metals, cash, etc., totaling over 10 billion Beli!
The harvest was far more abundant than expected.
"How's Fisher Tiger's situation going?" Roy asked Bear, who was in charge of the matter.
"A temporary base has been designated and basic supplies have been provided."
"Mr. Fisher Tiger is reining in the team and is in stable condition, but he is still deeply saddened by the loss of his compatriots and the road ahead," Xiong replied gently.
Roy nodded. "I'll do my best to help."
The Sun Pirates will be our important allies.
Roy looked at Crocodile,
"The intelligence network must operate at full capacity, focusing on the next moves of the Navy and the World Government, especially CP0 and... the Holy Knights."
Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring and sneered.
"Don't worry, I can already smell the storm."
The World Government has suffered such a huge embarrassment; it won't be as simple as just raising the bounty.
As if to prove his words, a few days later,
A highly encrypted intelligence report was transmitted back to Hachinosu via Crocodile's newly established covert route.
Intelligence indicates that CP0 has been unusually active since the Mary Geoise attack, with a large number of agents being recalled, suggesting they are preparing something.
Furthermore, vague information suggests that the Five Elders are furious and their target is Hachinosu and the Roy Pirates!
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, deep among the Flower Room.
The Five Elders listened with grim faces to the CP0 chief's kneeling report.
"... In conclusion, all the invaders have escaped. The Holy Land suffered heavy losses, with approximately 3,700 slaves lost and property losses estimated at over 15 billion Beli. The Celestial Dragons were severely frightened..." The CP0 Chief's voice was low and humiliating.
"Enough!"
The Warrior God of Justice Topman Saint Warcury casually interrupted, slamming his cane heavily onto the ground.
"Disgrace! Utter disgrace! For centuries, the Holy Land has never been so trampled upon!"
Warrior God of Finance, Zambalon V. Saint Nusjuro, said coldly:
"They must be punished with the most severe penalties!"
The Roy Pirates, Fisher Tiger, and those old guys who dared to get involved...
They must be completely wiped out of this world!
The Warrior God of Science and Defense, Lucy Saint Saturn, pondered:
"Conventional naval forces, with the geographical advantage of Hachinosu and numerous powerful individuals..."
A swift victory would be difficult, and it could easily trigger a full-scale war in the New World, giving the Revolutionary Army and other pirates an opportunity to exploit the situation.
Warrior God of the Environment Marcas Saint Mars looked at Saint Saturn: "Are we just going to let it go like this?!"
"Of course not! The operation against them has already begun! World Government and Navy spies have been deployed!"
"We must obtain information about the Roy Pirates' unusual strength!"
Before that, it is not advisable to use all force to destroy them, to avoid the loss of data!
Shepard X. Peter Saint, the Warrior God of Agriculture, snorted coldly:
" Roy is growing too fast, posing an excessive threat. His subordinates are also exceptionally strong. If this drags on any longer, I'm afraid..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Five Elders fell silent, and the room was filled with a somber and ancient atmosphere.
After a long silence, it was Saint Saturn broke the silence and looked at the other four.
"Perhaps we should consult Imu!"
This proposal was immediately opposed by the Five Elders.
"' Heavenly Dao ' Roy is not the inheritor of the Will of D.. There's no need to disturb Imu's slumber over such a trivial matter!"
"Moreover, the Holy Land suffered heavy losses this time because the World Government has been at peace for too long. I didn't expect Roy and the others to be so bold."
"Next, all that's needed is to strengthen the defenses."
"As for the Roy Pirates, they're not the only ones in the New World."
Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin won't let them have peace.
Just let the navy keep a close eye on it!
"Agreed!" x3
After a moment's thought, Saint Saturn nodded in agreement.
"Then, order the Science Unit, order CP0, and mobilize all their elite troops."
Infiltrate the New World and gather all intelligence on Hachinosu, especially its defensive weaknesses and personnel movements.
The order was given to the Navy to concentrate heavy forces at the entrance to the New World and at Navy G-1 Branch, to exert pressure and divert their attention.
Saint Saturn paused, his voice icy and chilling.
"At the same time... I secretly contacted 'that person'."
Tell him that Lord Imu's promise can now be fulfilled.
Objective: Roy's head, and the destruction of Hachinosu.
CP0 Chief bowed deeply. "Yes, sir!"
A top-secret assassination plot targeting Hachinosu and the Roy Pirates, far exceeding the scope of conventional warfare.
It unfolded quietly at the highest levels of World Government.
The gears of time, amidst the roar of blood and fire, are turning wildly toward an even more unknown and intense future.
On Hachinosu, Roy stood atop the newly reinforced and upgraded fortifications.
Gazing at the vast ocean, I seemed to feel the cold malice emanating from the ends of the earth.
He gripped the Black Blade Shusui tightly, his eyes showing no fear, only an ever-burning flame.
"Come on, let me see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."
A storm is coming.
And he was ready to become the storm itself.