"Thunder, Vertical Pupils, it's Loki. He actually grew up this fast?"
Cook's gaze narrowed slightly. Based on Loki's iconic features, he recognized Loki as the primary culprit who had once destroyed the G14 Branch.
He felt a sense of disbelief.
He had determined back then that Loki would become a fatal factor threatening stability in the seas.
But this was too fast.
That child looked at most like a Giant Race member around twenty years old; only 15 years had passed.
At the age of thirty-five, he would only be a little over ten years old if he were human.
To possess such a terrifying physique, far exceeding the normal Giant Race size, made Harald look rather small in comparison.
"This must be the root of the changes in Elbaf," Kong's expression turned grim.
Rocks had just seized Hachinosu Island.
Immediately after, Loki attacked the G14 Branch.
His judgment was correct; the two must have reached some unknown agreement.
Without waiting for the two to make a decision,
several more intelligence personnel rushed in.
"Fleet AdmiralCook, Admiral Kong, the G12 Branch has been attacked by the Rocks Pirates! Requesting support from Headquarters!"
"The G10 Branch has been attacked by the Giant Warrior Pirates! The enemies are the Blue Ogre and Red Ogre who disappeared decades ago! Requesting support from Headquarters!"
"The G5 Branch also has enemies from the Rocks Pirates—it's the Pirate Godfather Wang Zhi! Vice AdmiralSengoku is currently engaging him..."
"Egghead..."
"Punk Hazard..."
The islands under the World Government in the New World, as well as Marine bases, were attacked almost simultaneously!
Bad news followed one after another.
Kong's fists clenched tightly, his teeth grinding in frustration.
"A bunch of damned bastards!!!"
The desk Kong had been using for only a few days was smashed into dust by his punch, spilling tea everywhere.
He was furious about the alliance between Elbaf and the Rocks Pirates.
Furious at the audacity of both sides daring to launch a full-scale war against the Marines.
Even more furious at the World Government's perpetual bystander attitude, which allowed the situation to escalate to this point!
"Kong, calm down!"
Cook pointed to the den den mushi that hadn't been disconnected nearby, reminding him, "Although the situation is critical now, the Marines have the World Government behind us, and justice will prevail!!"
"You are right..."
Kong forcibly calmed himself and began deploying strategy: "Fleet AdmiralCook, please dispatch Fazt, along with the power granted by the Five Lords, to stop the Rocks Pirates. Admiral Sti and I will move out together."
Although he hadn't dealt with the forces under the World Government, he assumed their disposition wouldn't differ much from Fazt's nature.
Letting Fazt, that sycophant who bullies those beneath him, handle them.
Although Admiral Sti lacked Devil Fruit power, his physical body and Haki were tempered to perfection, and his personality was gentle. Cooperating with him meant he didn't have to worry about too many unexpected factors.
"Good!" Cook nodded.
"As for Headquarters, I leave it to you..." Kong's expression shifted; ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to ask Cook to accompany him.
The most important duty of a MarineAdmiral was not upholding justice and protecting peace, but safeguarding the Holy Land and the Celestial Dragons.
Even though he wanted Cook to follow him to the New World, it was impossible.
An Admiral had to be stationed at Marine Headquarters.
"Don't worry, I will guard this place for you."
"Tsuru, contact Sengoku and tell him to resolve Wang Zhi quickly and head to the G14 Branch to support Garp. Also, transmit messages to G14 and Garp with all haste, instructing Garp to prioritize his own safety, fight defensively, retreat, and wait to rendezvous with us before counterattacking!"
Making his final arrangements, Kong vanished from his spot, leaving only the sound of sonic booms echoing in the air.
Harald was on par with Rocks himself.
Loki, who could seize Harald's authority through sheer force,
could not be stopped by Garp and Sengoku alone; it would take him and Sti together to eliminate him!
Half an hour later.
G1 Branch in the New World.
Marines heading to the New World did not need to coat their ships and traverse underwater like pirates.
They could land directly at Mary Geoise, descend to the G1 Branch located in the New World, change ships, and set sail.
Twenty large warships sailed out of the harbor, heading full speed toward the interior of the New World.
This was the largest force the G1 Branch could deploy currently.
On the deck, Fazt, Sti, and Kong, three veterans, each commanded 10 ship fleets.
Kong and Sti stood side by side.
Behind them stood Tsuru and a young man with purple hair and a resolute face.
"Admiral Sti, I'm counting on you this time!"
"It is my duty, I will do my best. Kong, relax a bit, don't be so tense," Sti took a puff of his cigar and waved his hand dismissively.
Kong remained silent.
He had done everything within his capacity.
Yet, he felt as if he had overlooked something.
On the other flagship,
Fazt, who was incredibly arrogant in front of the Marines, was currently wearing a fawning smile, asking a group of figures wearing hoods: "Esteemed Lords, please rest assured during this journey. Just watch how I freeze that Rocks! I certainly won't disturb your pleasant excursion."
"It had better be so," Saint Gringū nodded expressionlessly.
On the other side,
Above the sea lane connecting Sabaody Archipelago, Marine Headquarters, and Impel Down,
an exaggeratedly large ship and several smaller boats floated in the clouds.
Shiki and Charlotte Linlin's respective teams faced each other across the distance.
"Lord Shiki, the Marines have all deployed..."
An intelligence officer stepped forward to report.
"Jijijijiji~ Very good."
Shiki looked down at the sea below, a sinister grin curling on his lips.
He didn't have to participate in the main battle; he only needed to take the opportunity to plunder. He liked this task.
"Enough nonsense, let's start moving. Don't delay Loki's plan, or dying ten times won't be enough!" Charlotte Linlin urged.
"Tsk, such a volatile woman..."
Shiki clicked his tongue in annoyance, shifted his gaze back, and landed on Wald, attempting recruitment: "Young man, want to follow me? Your ability combined with mine would make us a perfect match."
He had to admit that Loki was not only powerful but also a genius in devil fruit development.
He easily found a Devil Fruit User who could perfectly cooperate with him.
He floated his ship, and Wald accelerated.
In just two days, they traveled from the rear of the New World to this Paradise.
If the other party could follow him consistently, he couldn't imagine who else could keep up with his shadow.
Perhaps they could establish an aerial kingdom in the future based on this.
"You are too weak, merely a defeated opponent of Boss Loki! You are not qualified to recruit me!"
Wald flatly refused.
What fun was there in piloting such a small boat? Crashing the conqueror was where the real excitement was!
"You!"
Shiki's expression changed. He glared at Wald and unleashed a blast of Conqueror's Haki.
"Mwahahahaha~"
Charlotte Linlin, who had been slightly angry, burst into laughter, stepping in front of Shiki and releasing her own Conqueror's Haki: "Did you hear that, Shiki? Stop making a fool of yourself, or I'll beat you until your ability fails!!"
"Get lost! You lunatic."
Shiki annoyedly canceled the buoyancy attached to the conqueror.
He was eager to collect treasure and had no time to fight this troublesome madwoman.
"Boom!!!"
The heavy ship descended like a falling meteor, drawing a brilliant trajectory across the sky.
Simultaneously, Shiki drifted toward the Calm Belt.