Chapter 101: The Admirals Depart! The Strange Tree
Although Night Leopard initially wanted to deliver the finishing blow.
The strength Lotte displayed earlier was simply too terrifying. For safety's sake, he gave up the idea. If that guy tried to drag him down with him in his final moments.
It would be troublesome.
The Azure Emperor Lotte was, after all, a Devil Fruit user. With such heavy injuries and being swallowed by such ferocious waves, the outcome was undoubtedly death!
White Fox's face was pale.
He pressed one hand against the barely-stemmed bleeding stump of his severed arm, staring gravely at the gradually calming water surface.
"What a terrifying little monster."
"In all my decades, I've never seen a guy like him. A genius of this caliber is truly unprecedented."
"Good thing we finally killed him."
Everyone knew that even White Fox, the most experienced Admiral, had never seen a talent this monstrous. If they had let the Azure Emperor grow any further.
He would become the next Rocks in no time!
No... he might even surpass that guy!
Night Leopard also said in a deep voice.
"It's just a pity he was a pirate. If he had been one of our Navy recruits, it would have been a great fortune for us."
"But since he's a pirate, we couldn't let him live."
Even someone as proud as him.
Had to admit that the talent and strength shown by the Azure Emperor Lotte were frightening.
If he had been on the Navy's side, opening a new era for Marine Headquarters would have been very possible!
"White Fox, is your injury okay?"
Night Leopard glanced at White Fox's arm, frowning slightly.
This time, the price Marine Headquarters paid to kill the Azure Emperor was truly heavy.
Zephyr finally snapped back and hurriedly said.
"Mr. White Fox, how is your injury? We need to return to Headquarters for treatment immediately!"
White Fox let out a muffled groan.
"Don't worry, this old man isn't going to die yet. But I'm afraid I'll have to resign from the Fleet Admiral."
"With this, I can't continue serving as an Admiral."
These words.
Also announced the end of his Admiral career.
After all, White Fox was already advanced in age as an Admiral. Losing an arm now made it impossible to continue in the role—perfectly reasonable.
Zephyr fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.
Night Leopard snorted coldly and raised an eyebrow.
"Then just retire in peace. Even without you, it doesn't matter."
As longtime colleagues.
Night Leopard's mood was naturally quite bad at this moment.
Seeing the atmosphere turn heavy, White Fox raised an eyebrow.
"What? You looking down on old people now?"
"Enough, Zephyr—stop acting like it's the end of the world. I was planning to resign in a few years anyway."
"Now that you young ones have grown up, it's time for the old generation to retire in peace."
Zephyr quickly waved his hand.
"We still have a long way to go before reaching Admiral level."
"But since we've taken care of the Azure Emperor Lotte, let's head back and report immediately."
"Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong is probably waiting anxiously."
White Fox and Night Leopard nodded slightly.
As the three figures left the gradually calming sea surface, amid the crashing waves, a strange tree eerily grew up along the ruined rubble.
...
Rocks Pirates.
Whitebeard had been constantly monitoring Lotte's Vivre Card. As the edges began to burn, his expression immediately tensed.
But at the same time, confusion filled his heart.
Lotte's strength was top-tier even within the Rocks Pirates. Even if Marine Headquarters wanted to capture him.
Sending one Admiral wouldn't be enough.
After all, a single Admiral might find it troublesome to fight someone like Lotte—who could match top cadres—but escape would be no problem.
So why, in such a short time.
Had Lotte fallen into crisis?
Newgate recalled Rocks' earlier actions and could almost conclude that the captain was behind this. Otherwise, this situation would never have occurred!
Just as Whitebeard felt anger rising inside.
Suddenly, a pirate's loud shout came from outside.
"Report to the captain! We've spotted God Valley… but it's completely surrounded by warships!"
"Damn! This is the first time I've seen so many warships together! As expected, that island hides Celestial Dragon treasure!"
"Kehahahaha! We're the Rocks Pirates—mere Navy scum is nothing to us!"
The noise outside instantly grew lively.
Whitebeard Newgate's expression shifted. In the end, he stood up and walked outside.
As the door opened.
What entered Whitebeard Newgate's vision was a bizarre island completely surrounded by warships in layers upon layers. On that island, colorful light seemed to shimmer.
The raging storm acted like a barrier, fiercely crashing against the waves, causing the ships to shake violently—even making people feel fear just looking at it.
Whitebeard couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
In his line of sight, there were many familiar faces on those warships—Garp, Sengoku, and even Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong.
But something felt strange to Whitebeard.
For such an important battle at God Valley, only one of the three Marine Headquarters Admirals was present.
White Fox and Night Leopard,
Two Marine Headquarters Admirals were missing. No matter how you looked at it, this was abnormal!
Unless those two were off handling something.
But what could be so important.
That Marine Headquarters would send two Admirals away at such a critical moment?
Newgate's heart suddenly had a guess.
He couldn't help but glance at Rocks standing at the bow, his expression growing even graver.
"Looks like this battle is going to be a bloody one."
Newgate said in a deep voice.
Though he had no intention of confronting Rocks face-to-face right now, Whitebeard was already prepared to withdraw from this war.
Let Rocks face those Marines alone.
Beside him, Golden Lion also stepped out of his room, gripping his dual swords and sneering coldly at the distant warships.
"Kehahahaha!"
"It's been a while since I stretched my body. I hope this time you bastards don't disappoint me!"
Golden Lion appeared eager for battle,
But his eyes held a complex glint. Squinting at the warships, he estimated the number of Navy soldiers on board.
The other cadres also prepared themselves.
Whether those truly loyal or ambitious ones like Golden Lion Shiki and Charlotte Linlin—at this moment, all were ready.
For them.
God Valley was undoubtedly a golden opportunity!
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