There were only a few strong fighters left in the audience, still exchanging blows with Brad.
Boom!
Gliner sprang behind an enemy and took him down with a single punch.
Seeing his overwhelming strength, the remaining three hesitated, their faces paling. Without a second thought, they turned to flee.
Unfortunately for them, escape was impossible.
"Where is your ship?"
The captured pirates, their faces ashen with fear, quickly revealed the docking location of their vessel.
Caesar and his crew showed no mercy. After eliminating several of them, they located the enemy's pirate ship.
Sweeping through their spoils, they chose the best vessel—a two-masted sailing ship, significantly superior to their previous one.
"Finally! We're moving up in the world!" Brad grinned.
"Their strength... it's on another level," muttered Hades, who had been watching the battle unfold. His eyes lingered on the laughing figures of Gliner and Brad, his tone filled with astonishment.
"You can become just as strong," Caesar said with a smirk.
"Me?" Hades looked at him in surprise.
"Yes. If you undergo my training, there's no doubt about it."
Caesar patted him lightly on the shoulder before walking toward the newly acquired ship.
Hades stood there, stunned, replaying Caesar's words in his mind. Slowly, his astonishment turned to excitement. He hurried to follow.
As the ship set sail, they headed toward their next destination—a place rumored to hold high-quality sword-making materials.
Just as their ship left the port, a man in a worn fisherman's hat peered from a nearby alley. His ordinary appearance blended perfectly with the crowd, but his sharp gaze tracked the ship's departure.
Wasting no time, he slipped through the town's winding streets and entered a dimly lit cabin. From a hidden compartment, he retrieved a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
[88] Caesar's Whereabouts Leaked – Garp Personally Takes Action
At Marine Headquarters, inside the intelligence division, the Den Den Mushi rang non-stop. Operators answered calls from across the world, documenting incoming reports.
One officer, mid-call, suddenly tensed. His pen halted, his expression shifting.
"What? Are you certain?"
"Understood! I will report immediately!"
Without hesitation, the operator rushed from his post, carrying the intelligence report straight to his superior.
---
Marineford – Admiral's Office
Inside, Fleet Admiral Kong convened with the navy's top brass: Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
"Half a year has passed since the disbandment of the Rocks Pirates," Kong stated gravely. "Other than Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and John, the remaining Rocks survivors vanished without a trace."
"But now," he continued, "it seems some of them are resurfacing."
He handed out intelligence documents.
"Golden Lion Shiki has founded the Flying Pirates, rapidly expanding his forces. He's already triggered multiple high-profile conflicts in the New World."
"Charlotte Linlin, on the other hand, has chosen a different path—securing an island and fortifying her influence."
"As for Edward Newgate…" Kong paused. "He remains alone, showing no interest in forming a crew—for now. But we cannot afford to underestimate him."
Sengoku and the others examined the reports.
"It's a chaotic time," Zephyr muttered. "Rocks is gone, yet the world is no closer to peace. If anything, the seas are more dangerous than ever."
"The navy still hasn't solidified its position in the New World," he added. "Instead, these pirates grow bolder by the day!"
"These were Rocks' strongest subordinates," Tsuru said calmly. "Each one is a force to be reckoned with."
"Our approach must be strategic. We can't spread our forces too thin," she advised. "We need to eliminate them one by one."
Garp, munching on a senbei, glanced at Sengoku.
"You're quiet," he noted. "What's on your mind?"
Sengoku exhaled. "I agree with Tsuru."
He placed his report on the table.
"Shiki's influence is growing, but he's not without obstacles. Other pirates see him as competition," he explained.
"Our current priority should be Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and John," he declared. "Their activities are drawing too much negative attention."
His analysis was precise—evaluating each pirate crew based on their threat level, strength, and strategic implications. Even Tsuru found little to criticize.
"In that case," Kong nodded, "we proceed with Sengoku's plan. Begin operations immediately!"
The meeting was about to conclude when hurried footsteps echoed outside.
Knock! Knock!
"Enter," Kong commanded.
A naval intelligence officer stepped in, saluting.
"Fleet Admiral Kong! Urgent intelligence just arrived!"
"The last missing Rocks Pirate cadre has been located!"
The room tensed.
Kong swiftly took the document, his expression serious. Sengoku, Garp, and the others leaned in.
"Caesar."
The room fell into silence.
For months, the navy and the World Government had scoured the seas for traces of the remaining Rocks Pirates.
Only three had eluded them—Caesar and two others rumored to be traveling with Kaido.
Today, they finally had a lead.
"There aren't many people in the world capable of using Conqueror's Haki," Kong muttered. "The intelligence report confirms that the pirate in question is likely Gliner—Caesar's known subordinate."
"If that's true…" He glanced at the others.
"Then there's no doubt. Caesar is alive."
Sengoku's eyes sharpened. Garp's usually laid-back demeanor vanished. Even Tsuru furrowed her brows.
Garp clenched his fists.
He had fought Caesar before.
During the God Valley Incident, he had personally witnessed the young pirate's meteoric rise in strength.
Though the youngest among Rocks' surviving commanders, Caesar had already reached a level rivaling Whitebeard and Golden Lion Shiki.
Now, six months had passed.
Given his talent, he was undoubtedly even stronger.
And worse—he was only nineteen.
A chill settled over the room.
"Karp?" Zephyr broke the silence, noticing his friend's grim expression.
"What are you thinking?"
Garp exhaled.
"That kid… is a menace."
He recalled God Valley—where Caesar single-handedly took down a CP0 top operative.
"He's young, but his threat level is no less than Whitebeard or Shiki. If we don't stop him now, he could surpass them."
Sengoku nodded. "No… he will surpass them. If left unchecked, he will become the navy's greatest enemy—perhaps even on the level of Roger himself."
The weight of his words sank in.
Steel Bone Kong pondered for a moment before fixing his gaze on Garp.
"If that's the case," he said, "we cannot afford to wait."
"Karp, this mission is yours."
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