Chapter 107: The Stalemate War

Even at sixty, Steel Bone Kong remained at the peak of his strength. Garp, at forty, had not yet reached his full potential, with plenty of room for growth. Especially in Haki, as long as one's spirit and body remained unscathed, Armament Haki would deepen with age.

Just like Rocks now, his unfathomable Armament Haki was far superior to that of Steel Bone Kong. Even a full-force strike from Steel Bone Kong would be completely blocked by Rocks' Haki. As long as Rocks' Armament Haki wasn't depleted, seriously injuring him was nearly impossible.

Thus, Steel Bone Kong would never let Garp face Rocks. Having fought Rocks many times, he understood how terrifying Rocks was. Even he could be killed, let alone Garp, who wasn't as strong as him yet.

Garp was seen as the next generation of the navy, and as long as Steel Bone Kong lived, he wouldn't let him face Rocks. This was the responsibility of a Navy Admiral, or rather, the Navy Admiral, towards the next generation.

Looking at his respected elder brother, Garp wanted to say something but couldn't. He knew Kong was concerned for his safety, but he couldn't suppress his frustration.

"Garp, follow orders!" Sengoku patted Garp's shoulder.

"Yes," Garp replied reluctantly.

"Big news, big news! The Rocks Pirates have successfully conquered the G5, G6, and G7 naval fortresses. Does the navy have no foothold in the New World anymore?"

"Breaking news: Rocks is a Devil Fruit user?"

"Shocking: Navy Admiral Black was killed by Rocks!!!"

"Oh my, will the navy be driven out of the New World by the Rocks Pirates, turning it into a pirate's paradise?"

After the Rocks Pirates' victory, the World News Economy immediately spread the news worldwide. With photos, videos, and solid evidence, the reports shocked the world.

Previously, the navy was seen as the nemesis of pirates by kingdoms and civilians alike, believing pirates could never defeat the navy. But with the rise of the Rocks Pirates in the New World, everything changed. Not only had the navy been defeated, but naval fortresses were also being destroyed.

Even World Government member nations were unsafe, facing the threat of annihilation by pirates. All signs indicated the imminent rise of pirates, unstoppable even by the World Government and navy. The era of pirates was approaching!

The entire sea was on the brink of chaos.

"Wahahahaha, attack, attack!!!"

When the Rocks Pirates reached the G4 fortress, Rocks drew his Asura Sword, excitedly pointing at the fortress. 

"Kill!!!"

"Destroy the naval fortress!!"

"Kill the navy!!"

With Rocks' orders, the pirates charged forward, weapons raised.

"Gurararara, I can't let Li Yuan steal all the glory. This time, I want to kill an admiral too!" Whitebeard charged forward with his bisento. Knowing the army admirals were weaker and easier to kill, Whitebeard aimed to slay one for glory.

As a pirate, reputation was crucial. Killing an admiral-level powerhouse brought immense fame. Even if it was an army admiral, not a navy one, it was still an admiral. Claiming to have slain one was a lifelong boast.

"Jeeraharara, killing an admiral? I want to kill one too!" Golden Lion's blood boiled at Whitebeard's words. Previously hunted by Navy Admiral Steel Bone Kong, he now sought revenge by killing an admiral, even if it wasn't a navy one.

"Do they think killing an admiral is that easy?"

"After last time's lesson, they won't take such risks again."

Listening to the cries for admiral blood, Li Yuan found it absurd. His previous success was due to surprise, without which he couldn't have slain Army General Kaweh.

With that lesson learned, the admiral-level powerhouses weren't foolish enough to be unprepared.

Sure enough, when the battle began, the navy fought conservatively, stalling the Rocks Pirates' officers without giving openings. Even when Rocks intervened, he was held back by Steel Bone Kong, Army Marshal Genor, and a non-Devil Fruit user from the Celestial Dragons.

Deadshot Leondona was closely watched, unable to assist others. Losing four top powerhouses was significant even for the World Government. The reinforcements were the best they could muster.

They weren't unwilling to kill Rocks but couldn't persuade the Celestial Dragons to deploy their hidden powerhouses. The Celestial Dragons were selfish and stingy, acting only when directly threatened. Until then, they left matters to the World Government.

The relationship between the World Government and Celestial Dragons was delicate. The Celestial Dragons saw the World Government as their tool to manage the world, while they were the true rulers. The Five Elders, chosen by the Celestial Dragons, tended to favor their interests.

Thus, until Rocks targeted the Celestial Dragons, they wouldn't regard him seriously. Even if he severely injured the World Government, it was their problem, not the Celestial Dragons'.

If the current World Government was incompetent, they'd simply replace the officials, even the Five Elders, through the Celestial Dragons' council.

This led the World Government to prolong the war, hoping the pirates would retreat. The balance of war remained, with the Rocks Pirates unable to break it despite half a month's efforts.

The sudden emergence of admiral-level powerhouses revealed the World Government's deep roots, making Rocks realize their vast strength. They had quickly filled the void left by the slain powerhouses and brought in non-Devil Fruit users to counter him.

Rocks understood the World Government had more admiral-level powerhouses than he imagined. The legendary Five Elders were at least admiral-level. While unsure why they hadn't all appeared to confront him, apprehension grew in Rocks and his officers.

They weren't fools, recognizing the newly emerged powerhouses were likely World Government forces.

"The World Government's roots run deep!" Golden Lion finally grasped Li Yuan's earlier advice to let Rocks probe the World Government's strength. The revelation was shocking. Only united could the Rocks Pirates withstand such power.

Without Li Yuan's suggestion to attack Impel Down, victory was uncertain. After half a month without breaking the stalemate, pirate morale waned. Without a quick victory, their momentum would falter, leading to defeat.

This was why Rocks convened all officers for a meeting.

"Let's hear it. Any ideas to break the deadlock?"

Rocks sat at the head, addressing his officers. Though seemingly asking everyone, his gaze was fixed on Li Yuan.

Not only Rocks, but the other officers also instinctively looked at Li Yuan. Known for his cleverness, they hoped he had insight.

"So Captain, when you say break the deadlock, do you mean killing more admiral-level powerhouses or winning the war against the navy and World Government?"

Facing their stares, Li Yuan leaned back, a slight smile on his face, and calmly asked.

"Hmm? Is there a difference?" Rocks frowned. To him, killing admirals meant winning the war. Without defeating their top forces, how could they win?

"Of course, there's a difference. Killing admirals requires absolute strength, which we've tried for half a month and failed."

"If you want solutions in that area, I'm out of ideas."

"But if winning the war is the goal, there are ways beyond brute strength."

Li Yuan crossed his legs, a confident smile on his face. 

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