Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
As early as the day the Fiore Sea Battle concluded, Sengoku had reported all the war intelligence back.
The current Fleet Admiral Kong subsequently received orders from the Five Elders.
Through the Den Den Mushi, he deeply felt the anger of the Five Elders, especially Saint Saturn.
No one knew that at that moment, Kong's seniority instantly dropped two levels.
A man in his sixties, directly scolded like a grandson.
That very night, the Marine Headquarters declared a Level 1 alert status, meaning combat readiness.
Under this state of readiness, numerous compulsory conscription orders were issued to Marine branches worldwide.
A large number of Marine elites, from Vice Admirals down to Captains, rushed to the headquarters in the shortest possible time.
This very situation led to varying degrees of Marine manpower shortages across the world.
Providing ample opportunities for numerous pirates, the world naturally grew increasingly turbulent.
But Kong no longer had time to worry about these issues.
The Marines needed to show an attitude, to demonstrate it to the World Government.
Especially concerning the Celestial Dragons, who always look down upon the world from on high, they had now cast their attention downward.
Kong dared not gamble, nor could he afford to.
For the sake of his own position, for the Marine's military funds in the coming years.
Even for the future of the entire Marine organization, he had to take this action.
In the large conference room at Marine Headquarters, the air was thick with smoke.
All Marine officers ranked Vice Admiral and above were present, attending a major assembly.
Kong sat at the head of the table, his expression grave.
In the second row below him were the current three Marine Admirals.
All were elderly figures, serving more as mascots for the Marines.
In recent years, the Marine's structure had been somewhat chaotic, and constrained by the World Government, they had been retained in their positions.
This also meant that Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, seated in the third row, had yet to be promoted.
Thanks to the Marines' advanced medical technology, Sengoku had largely recovered from his post-battle fatigue of two days prior.
An occasional cough was nothing significant to him.
The partially graying hair remained gray—an irreversible loss.
Further down in the fourth row were a series of Vice Admirals, including Tsuru among them.
The young Tsuru was truly youthful, possessing considerable beauty.
One could only say that the creator of this world was too harsh on women; no matter how beautiful in youth, their looks would inevitably fade with age.
Truly a peculiar quirk from Oda.
Notably, beside Kong, five figures stood out prominently.
Dressed in standard white suits, each wore an animal mask, appearing quite mysterious.
These five were members of the highly secretive CP0 of the World Government, sent to the Marine Headquarters under the orders of the Five Elders.
Tap tap tap~
Tap tap tap~
"Since everyone is here, let the meeting begin."
Kong, from the head seat, tapped the table as the atmosphere settled, moving straight to the main agenda.
"Today, we have gathered everyone here for this meeting. I believe you all know what has happened."
"Let's skip the unnecessary talk. Today's meeting has two main topics."
"The first topic: the rescue of the Celestial Dragons."
"The second agenda item: deploying forces in the Grand Line to restore our Navy's prestige."
"Now we begin the first agenda item, Sengoku."
Kong looked directly at Sengoku as he spoke.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Sengoku stood up and produced a small golden Den Den Mushi from his person, placing it on the table before Kong.
The Den Den Mushi immediately captured the attention of all the officers present.
"Contact them. Let's see what conditions these lunatics from the Rocks Pirates intend to demand."
Kong sighed with profound resignation.
This Den Den Mushi was naturally the one Shiki had tossed to Sengoku after the Fiore Sea Battle concluded.
Sengoku had already contacted the Rocks Pirates once before, only to receive the reply that the ransom terms were still under discussion.
Sengoku was utterly baffled.
Seriously, man? Are you really going to make such outrageous demands?
It's been two days already, and you still haven't finalized them?
Unfortunately, with their backs against the wall and the Celestial Dragon in enemy hands, the Rocks Pirates had indeed seized the Navy's lifeline.
Left with no choice, Sengoku reconfirmed with Shiki, ultimately settling on this moment.
This was the primary reason the assembly was convened at this time.
Buru buru buru~
Buru buru buru~
Click~
Under everyone's gaze, the Den Den Mushi finally connected.
A familiar voice came through.
"Gyahahaha~"
"Sengoku, I'm here."
Shiki's arrogant voice transmitted from the other end, his expression perfectly mimicked by the Den Den Mushi.
That smug look was truly infuriating.
"Cut the nonsense. Have you Rocks Pirates finalized the ransom terms or not?"
"They're finalized, heheh."
"As long as you meet our conditions, we'll return the Celestial Dragon you want."
Simultaneously, far away in the New World, on Hachinosu.
In the central hall, all the executives of the Rocks Pirates had gathered.
Mirroring the Navy's actions, everyone focused on the speaking Den Den Mushi.
The only difference was that the Navy wore expressions of helplessness, while the pirates were brimming with delight.
Sengoku gritted his teeth: "Then spit it out!"
"Gyahahaha, so impatient. How boring."
"Captain, shall I proceed?"
"Wahahaha, it's all yours."
Rocks agreed, unable to conceal his own joy.
His elation had been unceasing ever since Shiki and Brian brought the Celestial Dragon back two days prior.
Such an enormous surprise had left Rocks almost at a loss.
He had never imagined finding himself in such a position—holding a deeply connected Celestial Dragon and indirectly grasping the Navy's lifeline.
Rocks had repeatedly declared to all his executives that Brian was his lucky star.
Having just joined, Brian had delivered a tremendous surprise.
Such praise made the other executives cringe, especially Silver Axe.
Silver Axe wanted to say, you've never praised me like that.
Brian deserves to die, you Rocks deserve to die, everyone deserves to die!
"Listen up, old man Sengoku."
"First condition: prepare fifty billion Berries."
"Second condition: thirty Devil Fruits."
"Among the Devil Fruits, there must be at least five Logia Types, five Mythical Zoans, and ten Ancient Types."
"Third condition: one ton each of five precious materials—sword jade, Sea Stone, Iron Essence, Gold Crystal, and Jadeite."
"Just these three conditions. Quite simple, aren't they?"
"Gyahahaha~"
The Navy personnel had prepared for the Rocks Pirates to make outrageous demands, but never expected it to be this absurd.
This was no longer just making excessive demands—this was practically trying to empty out the entire Navy.
No, even selling off the entire Navy wouldn't yield this much.
This move had directly struck at the Navy's vital artery.
The surrounding Navy officers grew restless, all turning their gaze toward Fleet Admiral Kong above.
And indeed, as expected—
Kong had exploded in rage!