Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In an office, Marine Admiral Kong (Steel Bone) stood with an ashen face, standing obediently like a scolded child in front of a video Den Den Mushi.
Other high-ranking Marine officers also bowed their heads, daring not to speak.
"Bastard!!!"
"Kong, find the culprits immediately! No matter who it is, anyone daring to provoke the great Celestial Dragons must be eliminated!!"
"Exactly! These lowly commoners... it seems we've let them live too peacefully!!"
"Kong, I give you three days! Regardless of who the mastermind is, I want him and everyone related to him to vanish from this world!!"
"Do you hear me??!!"
Kong, who had been scolded by the Five Elders for a full hour, nodded.
"Remember my words. Three days!!"
"Truly a bunch of useless things!!!"
Puru Puru—
With that, the video Den Den Mushi hung up automatically.
"Bastard!!!"
Bang!
Unable to suppress his emotions any longer, Kong smashed his fist onto the desk in front of him.
The desk shattered instantly.
"Zephyr, what exactly is going on here?!!"
Time rewound slightly.
Not long ago, while Steel Bone Kong was deeply troubled by the Rocks Pirates, he suddenly received a distress call.
It was from the CP0 agents beside Saint Roswald.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Kong immediately dispatched Zephyr, who was closest to the location.
The result... The result was that Saint Roswald died a miserable death, with not even a corpse remaining.
"Zephyr, what exactly happened? Who had such audacity?"
Upon hearing the news, Garp and the others were equally astonished.
Throughout nearly 800 years of history, there had been no shortage of bold and daring pirates who showed no fear even when facing Celestial Dragons.
But until now, no one had dared to actually kill a Celestial Dragon.
This time, someone had truly poked a hole in the heavens.
Under everyone's gaze, Zephyr, whose expression was just as ugly, spoke in a low voice:
"By the time I arrived, they were already dead. All the soldiers and the CP0 agents—not a bone was left. Only the wreckage of the ships remained."
"As for the mastermind, I didn't see anyone."
"Since it happened so suddenly, and the killing of a Celestial Dragon is no small matter, I didn't pursue the investigation further. I returned immediately to report."
Zephyr shook his head. He was completely baffled by the situation as well.
"Admiral Kong, when CP0 contacted you, didn't they say who did it??"
Zephyr's sudden question made Steel Bone Kong realize something.
He slapped his forehead hard. He had been so blinded by rage earlier that he forgot.
"Kast Kingdom. Raynor!!" He gritted his teeth as two names popped out of his mouth.
"Where is that??"
Sengoku, Garp, and the others looked at each other, then shook their heads.
They had never heard of this country, let alone the name Raynor.
"I know this country."
Just as everyone was at a loss, Tsuru spoke calmly.
"If I remember correctly, this country neighbors the World Government-affiliated Romanov Kingdom, right??"
"However, due to its location in a remote sea area, it is rarely known."
"As for Raynor, since CP0 mentioned this name, he must undoubtedly be a person from that country."
Based on the available information, Tsuru offered her judgment.
"Hmph. So, a non-affiliated country not only destroyed the entire army of a World Government-affiliated kingdom but also murdered a Celestial Dragon. Is that it??"
Admiral Kong, agreeing with Tsuru's deduction, snorted coldly.
"But do they have that kind of capability??"
"The CP0 agents protecting Saint Roswald were no weaklings."
"To deal with all of them simultaneously... what kind of strength does the opponent have?!"
The usually carefree Garp raised his doubts.
If Tsuru's guess was correct, the opponent's strength likely far exceeded their imagination.
Of course, compared to their strength, perhaps their audacity was what truly set them apart from anyone else.
"Admiral Kong, everyone, take a close look at these photos!"
At that moment, Sengoku, who had been silent, seemed to discover something and called everyone's attention.
Among the photos he deliberately laid out, some showed ships sinking into the sea, while others showed ships burning with raging flames.
"Did you find something??" Garp frowned, continuing to ask.
"Wait!! Something's wrong!!" Tsuru's sharp mind quickly noticed the clue.
She carefully compared the photos Sengoku had picked out.
Her eyes lit up instantly. "Look closely. What is this black mist in the photos??"
"What could it be?? Just the trace left by the opponent's ability, or maybe a Devil Fruit user," Garp said dismissively.
He thought it was some shocking discovery.
If the opponent didn't have any abilities, how could they have killed so many people?
But soon, he realized that everyone except him was frowning.
Realizing something was wrong, he finally took it seriously.
"If I remember correctly, during the Sanders incident eight years ago, a person with a similar ability appeared."
"We expended a vast amount of manpower and resources, but in the end, the matter was left unsettled."
"Don't you think this person's ability looks very similar to that person's from back then??"
Sengoku's gaze shifted between everyone present as he voiced his speculation.
"Are you saying that the person who killed Sanders back then and the person who killed Saint Roswald now are from the same group?!!"
Tsuru quickly reached a conclusion.
"I'm not sure." Sengoku shook his head. "I'm just suspicious."
"There are countless ability users in the New World. It's not strange for one or two to be similar. I just suddenly recalled that incident."
Though the speaker might not have intended it, the listener took it to heart.
Kong took Sengoku's words seriously.
"Garp, Zephyr, this matter is no small triffle. You two will handle it together. Regardless of whether the opponent is from the same group as back then, killing a Celestial Dragon is a capital offense. It absolutely cannot be forgiven!!"
"Take ten warships and wipe the entire Kast Kingdom off the map!!"
"Admiral Kong!!"
Hearing Steel Bone Kong's order, Garp's expression changed.
The killing of a Celestial Dragon was indeed serious, but not sparing even the civilians??
"Just catch the mastermind. Is it necessary to..."
"Enough!!"
Before Garp could finish, he was sternly reprimanded by Steel Bone Kong!!
"The one who died this time was a Celestial Dragon! Do you know what that means??"
"Garp, I know your concerns, but listen to me carefully. Even if you don't do this, someone else will!!"
"In short, the majesty of the World Government tolerates no provocation from anyone!!"
"We must kill one to warn a hundred!!"
"If you want to blame someone, blame them for being born in the wrong place and following the wrong person!!"
"If you have reservations, I can send someone else. This mission must succeed; failure is not an option!!"
"You heard what the Five Elders said just now. I don't need to teach you what to do, do I?!"
Garp wanted to say more, but Tsuru grabbed him in time.
"I understand."
"I'll handle it immediately!"
...
Kast Kingdom.
Learning the news of Saint Roswald's death, King Leyton showed no joy; instead, his face was full of worry.
He paced back and forth in the vast palace.
Even a fool would understand what killing a Celestial Dragon meant.
"Father, don't worry. Since I dared to kill him, I naturally have a way to deal with it."
Raynor patted Leyton on the shoulder, comforting him softly.
It wasn't strange for Leyton to react this way. There were many countries in the sea stronger than Kast.
History had seen many vicious pirates, but none had dared to truly target a Celestial Dragon.
They knew very well: what was the point of killing a Celestial Dragon for a moment of satisfaction?
The consequences that followed were definitely not something they could bear.
Even the dogs they raised would be dismembered!!
"Father, leave this matter to me."
"Issue an order immediately to temporarily suspend all trade between Kast Kingdom and the outside world. Notify those outside to find a place to hide for now."
At this point, Leyton understood this was the only way.
"This is easy to solve, but if the Marines send powerful experts..."
Leyton hesitated. This was his biggest worry.
"Hey, old man, why are you chattering so much? Didn't my Big Bro tell you not to worry?"
Linlin, growing impatient, interrupted him directly.
As soon as she spoke, Raynor glared at her. Scared, Linlin pouted and hid behind Shakuyaku, daring not to say another word.
"Ahem, ahem... I'll go arrange this immediately."
Seeing the situation, Roger tactfully exited the main hall.
"It should take some time for them to get here. Before that, I need to make a trip."
"Father, tell me the location of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!"
Both matters were equally important to Raynor.
He had a premonition that there was a high probability Whitebeard obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit around this time.
He had to get the fruit before Whitebeard did.
"Right, right. In the panic, I completely forgot about this."
"It's located at..."
After learning the location of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Raynor nodded.
"While I'm gone, help me watch over Kast. Anyone who approaches the port of Kast, no matter who they are, kill without mercy!!"
Meeting Raynor's gaze filled with killing intent, Jace and the others nodded heavily.
This was the first time they had felt such intense killing intent from Raynor.
Even with Linlin's current strength, looking into Raynor's eyes gave her a suffocating feeling.
"Don't worry, Captain. Leave it to us!!"
"That's right! No one will step foot into Kast!!"
Jace and the others stepped forward to respond.
After giving a few simple instructions, Raynor piloted the Ark Maxim and left.
It had to be said that his decision to build both the Totto Land and the Ark Maxim at the same time was correct.
The Ark Maxim was powered by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, plus hundreds of Jet Dials on the hull.
The more power provided, the faster its speed.
Raynor went full throttle. In the blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace...
...
...
On a deserted island several hundred miles away from the Kast Kingdom.
An exploration team from the Kast Kingdom had set up camp and built a fire.
A cleaned beast was sizzling over the flames, its fat dripping and releasing a mouth-watering aroma.
One member turned the roasting spit. Oil dripped onto the fire, causing flames to burst and crackle loudly.
"To have such a good thing right in front of us, yet be unable to get it... it really makes one itch with frustration!!"
One of them looked up at the Tremor-Tremor Fruit on the distant cliff face, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.
"Don't think too much. Our mission is just to send the intelligence back. His Majesty will handle the rest naturally."
The soldier turning the spit said without looking up.
"True enough."
"As long as we have the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, let's see if that old fool Flander still dares to oppose us!!"
Thinking about how many brothers had been assassinated by Flander's men while out on missions, he wished he could swallow Flander whole.
"Don't worry. It won't be long before His Majesty sends someone. We just need to keep an eye on the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. If something goes wrong..."
Thud, thud, thud—Thud, thud, thud—
Before he could finish his sentence, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble, emitting a dull sound.
The rhythmic thuds grew closer, amplifying in their ears.
"What's going on??"
"Enemies! Everyone stay alert!!"
Sensing danger, they all stood up, grabbed their weapons, and formed a circle, back-to-back.
"Gurararararara..."
The voice arrived before the person did!
A hearty laugh reached their ears, and soon, they saw the owner of the voice.
Clang—
"Were you guys talking about guarding something here just now??"
The newcomer slammed a naginata (bisento) fiercely into the ground.
Looking at the arrival, the entire exploration team gulped subconsciously.
This man was six meters tall, wielding a naginata. He had long blonde hair and wore a pirate hat.
Most striking was his white mustache, curved upwards in the shape of a crescent moon.
That's right. This man was none other than the future ruler of the New World, the man who would be known as the strongest in the world, one of the Four Emperors: Edward Newgate, "Whitebeard"!!
Just moments ago, he had landed on this island with his pirate crew. They hadn't walked far.
His Observation Haki had picked up the aura of the exploration team. Upon getting closer, he overheard what they were discussing.
"Hahahahahaha... Boss, look at how scared they are!!"
"Exactly! Scared witless by the Boss!!!"
"Speak up! Where is the treasure you mentioned?!'
The pirates, arriving belatedly, waved their swords and encircled the exploration team.
"You..."
Seeing the dire situation, the team trembled all over.
It wasn't that they hadn't dealt with pirates before, but the aura radiating from the man in front of them was simply not something they could handle.
"Gurararararara.... Calm down, boys!!"
Whitebeard waved his large hand. The pirates quieted down instantly and cleared a path.
"Were you talking about the Tremor-Tremor Fruit just now??"
This earth-shattering question made the faces of all the exploration team members change.
Whitebeard keenly caught their subtle expressions and felt a surge of ecstasy.
Now he was 100% certain that the treasure was indeed the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
"As long as you tell me the location of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, I can let you go. How about it??"
"Otherwise..."
BOOM—
Whitebeard snorted coldly. A surging aura like a volcanic eruption exploded, pressing directly onto everyone in the exploration team.
Thud.Thud.
The men who were standing suddenly felt as if a mountain were pressing on their backs. They all instantly fell flat on the ground.
Their faces twisted in agony, unable to move even a finger.
"You... who exactly are you?!!"
The strongest among them, the team captain, gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words.
"Who am I???"
"Gurararararara..... Boys, tell them who I am!!!"
Whitebeard laughed loudly.
"Kid, listen well! Standing before you is Edward Newgate, 'Whitebeard', with a bounty of 500 million Berries!!"
One of the show-off pirates said smugly.
"What???"
"You're Whitebeard??"
Upon hearing this name, the faces of the exploration team changed dramatically.
Although their country was in a remote sea area, it was still in the New World.
They had heard a little about the pirates, big and small, active in the New World.
And Whitebeard was a pirate who had become quite famous in recent years.
Glancing at that iconic mustache again out of the corner of their eyes... It's over. Everything matches!!
"Now that you know who I am, tell me: where is the Tremor-Tremor Fruit??"