Kong frowned deeply, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the desk.
The threat of the Rocks Pirates was like an ever-expanding dark cloud looming over the New World, suffocating the Marine Headquarters.
Finding a breakthrough, obtaining crucial intelligence, and formulating effective strategies to contain or even strike back had become urgent matters.
Buru buru... Buru buru...
Just then, a Den Den Mushi on the corner of the desk suddenly rang urgently, interrupting Kong's heavy thoughts.
He glanced at the Den Den Mushi, then at the present Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr.
With these absolutely loyal and high-ranking colleagues, he had nothing to hide.
So, he directly picked up the receiver.
Click.
The call connected.
"This is Hachinosu Island..."
The voice from the Den Den Mushi was extremely hushed, but the words "Hachinosu Island" immediately made Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr's expressions turn grave.
Hachinosu Island—that nightmare place for the Marines, the impregnable stronghold of the Rocks Pirates!
"Fleet Admiral Kong! The Rocks Pirates... today, another monstrous rookie has appeared!"
"You're referring to 'Kaido,' the one from the recent intelligence reports, suspected to be of the Ogre Tribe, who could single-handedly fight three Branch Vice Admirals without being defeated.
The G-3 Branch has already submitted a detailed combat report on this matter. I'm aware of it." Kong nodded.
He had thought the undercover agent's urgent contact was to report Kaido's latest movements or a large-scale gathering of the Rocks Pirates.
"No... not Kaido!"
"It's another one... who appeared just today, with strength more terrifying than Kaido's and a Devil Fruit ability even more bizarre!"
"What?!" Kong's heart sank.
This undercover agent, whom he had personally selected and planted within the high ranks of the Rocks Pirates, was resilient and experienced—certainly not one to exaggerate or fabricate intelligence.
"A rookie stronger than Kaido? What exactly happened? Report in detail! Leave nothing out!"
"Yes! Just this afternoon, a young man forcibly landed on Hachinosu Island and, alone, barged directly into the core area!
He possesses an unprecedented, highly bizarre Devil Fruit ability, suspected to be related to 'space.'
He instantly defeated three Squad Captains!"
Hearing this, Kong's eyes narrowed.
Every Squad Captain of the Rocks Pirates was a ruthless character forged in the bloody battles of the New World.
Their strength was at least comparable to the Marine Headquarters' Elite Rear Admirals, with the best among them not inferior to some Vice Admirals.
Instantly defeating three? What did that imply?
"Immediately after, in front of everyone, he displayed considerable swordsmanship, using a Supreme Grade Sharp Blade to directly repel Officer Wang Zhi.
Wang Zhi's weapon was cracked, and he himself sustained serious injuries. The scene was completely one-sided!"
Finally... it was Rocks himself who intervened. Not only did he not hold the young man accountable for killing captains and defeating an officer, but he immediately promoted him to an officer on the spot!"
As the words fell, the air in the office seemed to freeze.
The officers of the Rocks Pirates were all formidable individuals capable of stirring violent storms across the seas, roaming the New World with few equals.
They were well aware of the strength possessed by figures like Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, and Charlotte Linlin.
Although Wang Zhi was not considered among the absolute strongest officers, he was still a genuine officer-level combatant, undoubtedly one of the top-tier experts standing at the pinnacle of the New World.
If that young man could overwhelm Wang Zhi head-on, did that mean...
"What's the name of this rookie?!" Kong urgently pressed - this would be another name requiring prominent marking on the Navy's highest danger list.
"His name is Raiver Sky! It seems someone's coming this way, I can't say more—"
Beep—
After the undercover agent hastily reported the name, the communication abruptly cut off.
Kong slowly placed the receiver down, the four present falling into complete silence.
After a long while—
"Tch!" Garp dug his nose casually, breaking the silence with a mix of irritation and confusion on his face:
"Why do all these monstrously talented rookies keep running to that bastard Rocks' pirate crew?
Can't they come to our Marine Headquarters to serve justice? Are young people these days really so shortsighted?"
Ahem! Sengoku shot Garp a fierce glare - this was hardly the time for such comments.
Though deep down, he couldn't help sharing similar doubts and frustrations.
Even Zephyr, always serious and devoted to naval justice as his lifelong belief, could only shake his head helplessly.
That Garp really knew how to test one's patience sometimes.
But his words had indeed hit upon the Navy's weakness in talent attraction and their current awkward predicament.
Kong slowly sat back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp.
Sengoku began his analysis: "Recently, the Rocks Pirates have been producing exceptional rookies, particularly that Kaido with his unbelievable physical strength, and now this even more bizarre Raiver Sky from the intelligence.
I believe the Navy can no longer stand by idly. We must adjust our strategy and adopt more proactive containment measures!
If these two monstrous rookies fully develop under Rocks' command, their destructive power and threat to world order would be immeasurable!"
"Agreed," Zephyr added gravely:
"Rocks already possesses both the ambition and capability to overthrow the world, and now he's continuously receiving such terrifying new blood...
If these rookies fully integrate into his system, the overall strength of the Rocks Pirates could swell to levels we might struggle to handle in a short time!
By then, the cost to contain or eradicate them would be unimaginable!"
Sengoku and Zephyr's eyes finally turned to the Navy Fleet Admiral at the head of the table, awaiting his final decision.
Kong declared with resolute force: "Immediately classify Raiver Sky's intelligence as top secret!
Add his name to the Marine Headquarters' 'Highest Potential Threat Targets' list, with provisional ranking... equal to Kaido's.
Notify all New World branches to heighten vigilance. Meanwhile, the intelligence department must utilize all resources to gather as much information as possible about Raiver Sky, including his origins, ability details, and personality weaknesses!
Once a suitable opportunity arises, or if he's confirmed to be isolated, we must spare no expense, deploying all possible forces to completely eliminate this rising star of the Rocks Pirates while he's still in his infancy!
We absolutely cannot allow him to develop into another Golden Lion or Whitebeard!"
Meanwhile, the Marine Headquarters must shift its focus toward the New World in the near future!
Maintain strict surveillance over all movements of the Rocks Pirates, especially the activity patterns of personnel at the Officer level and above!"
Kong issued a series of orders, acknowledging the judgments of Sengoku and Zephyr while recognizing the severity of the situation.
The Rocks Pirates—this malignant tumor entrenched in the New World.
It now appeared not only to show no signs of decline but had become even more troublesome and dangerous by continuously absorbing monstrous rookies.
Why did those exceptionally talented, arrogant monsters always gather under Rocks' command?