[Sponsored] Chapter 39: Navy's Uneasiness

[This chapter is proudly sponsored by "pukeofhurl." Please join me in expressing your thanks in the comments! If you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]

"Whoosh…"

In the distant sea, a massive Sea Homie transformed into a surging wave, propelling the Demon King's Lucifer ship forward.

"Woohoo!"

At that moment, El, having returned to his human form, flew in from afar, his wings flapping.

"El/Oniisan, are you okay?"

"Boss El/El-sama!"

Seeing El return safely, Linlin, Gerd, Streusen, and the others, who had been worried, finally breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

"I'm fine, don't worry." El waved his hand, glancing back at the sea where the battle had just taken place, feeling a bit nostalgic. "As expected of an admiral candidate, he's really strong!"

Though he possessed both Lunarian and Giant bloodlines, making him a born monster with immense strength and near-invulnerable defense like a steel balloon, further enhanced by his Mythical Zoan: Quetzalcoatl form, he hadn't fully matured yet. If it weren't for the Lunarian tribe's racial ability to ignore damage, challenging a monster like Steelbone Kong recklessly would have been suicidal.

However, despite the brief but intense exchange with Steelbone Kong, El had gained much from the encounter. Not only had he honed himself and gained valuable combat experience, but his barely mastered Armament Haki had also improved significantly.

"The fact that you were able to escape unscathed from someone like Steelbone Kong, an admiral candidate…"

A glass of freshly squeezed juice was quickly offered to him. Streusen, looking at El, who appeared unscathed despite being a bit disheveled, couldn't hide his excitement.

"El-sama, you're truly incredible!"

Indeed, being a nine-year-old with a bounty of six hundred million beli, El was a monster. At this moment, Streusen became even more convinced that he had made the right choice. Only someone with such limitless potential was worthy of his allegiance.

"Just passable…" El took the juice, sat down at the bow of the ship, and chuckled. "But it wasn't all for nothing—at least I destroyed the fleet that guy was leading."

He had to admit, the Navy officers' ships had unique styles. The flagship he burned down even had a figurehead of a gorilla flexing its muscles—so ridiculous, it was practically begging for a beating.

…

Meanwhile, at the Navy Headquarters building, located in the first half of the Grand Line, Fleet Admiral Hammons William stood up in shock, gripping the phone with disbelief.

"What did you just say? Even you, an admiral candidate, couldn't handle that Lunarian brat? Kong, are you joking with me?"

Steelbone Kong was the young generation William valued the most. Not only was he a user of the Mythical Zoan: King Kong Ape form, but he also possessed the potential for Conqueror's Haki and outstanding leadership qualities. His mastery of martial arts and the three types of Haki were already at a level of perfection, making him fully qualified to become a Navy Admiral.

Moreover, Steelbone Kong's "political awareness" had gained the admiration of some of the top figures in Mary Geoise. In fact, once Admiral Ross, who was already sixty-eight and in poor health, officially stepped down, William was prepared to immediately appoint Steelbone Kong to the position of Admiral.

A Lunarian brat under ten years old, even if he was a natural-born monster and a Mythical Zoan user, shouldn't have been able to render someone as overwhelmingly powerful as Steelbone Kong helpless.

"I'm not joking, Fleet Admiral William…"

From a certain sea in the New World, Steelbone Kong, standing aboard the only surviving warship, spoke with a solemn expression, gripping the phone tightly attached to the mast.

"The Fallen Angel El is far stronger than a typical Vice Admiral. While his potential is astounding, his current power is still far below mine. But his racial ability, combined with his Mythical Zoan: Quetzalcoatl form, gives him astonishing flight speed and extremely formidable aerial combat abilities…"

Steelbone Kong clenched his teeth and admitted: "And as a natural-born monster, he practically has an immortal body! Even when I attacked with all my might, I couldn't truly hurt him… This meant that neither of us could decisively defeat the other."

He was filled with self-blame, speaking earnestly as he confessed to his superior.

"I apologize. My Devil Fruit abilities are not well-suited for aerial combat, so I was unable to capture that brat and could only watch as he destroyed most of the fleet before escaping."

"Even your full effort couldn't stop him…"

Fleet Admiral Hammons William frowned deeply, his face darkening as a sense of dread crept in.

"If that's the case, eliminating this threat in the future may not be easy."

In this vast ocean, flight-capable Devil Fruits were exceedingly rare. Even among the three Navy Admirals, except for Admiral Ross, none possessed true flight capabilities. Steelbone Kong had already mastered Moonwalk from the Six Powers, using it with ease. His claim of being unsuited for aerial combat was merely a humble excuse.

Two years ago, a powerful user of the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Pteranodon Model, with a bounty of three hundred million beli, failed to escape from him. The fact that Steelbone Kong couldn't subdue the Fallen Angel El, and could only watch as his warships were destroyed, showed just how absurdly fast El was.

Even if a regular Vice Admiral possessed flight abilities, they wouldn't be able to catch up to El, and even if they could, they would likely be no match for him—only heading to their deaths.

"Enough, let's not dwell on it for now…" Pacing back and forth, Fleet Admiral William instructed, "Kong, focus on rescuing the surviving sailors and recovering the bodies of the fallen. Return to Fortress G-11, and later, submit a detailed report!"

"I'll have CP focus all their efforts on tracking down the Fallen Angel El. We need to eliminate him quickly—this Lunarian brat is too dangerous, and we cannot allow him time to grow!"

Even Steelbone Kong, an admiral candidate, couldn't subdue El. Watching him destroy most of the Navy fleet and escape unharmed, the potential El displayed was too terrifying. So much so that even the Fleet Admiral felt uneasy.

"Understood."

"Click!"

After hanging up the phone, Steelbone Kong gazed in the direction where El had disappeared. His face was tense and uncertain, and his fists clenched tightly. He made a silent vow.

"Damn it, I need to quickly master Conqueror's Haki infusion. Otherwise, I really won't be able to deal with that Lunarian brat!"

Even someone as proud as him had to admit that El's potential was truly fearsome.

At nine years old, El already possessed such power. If given a few more years to grow, even if Steelbone Kong became a Navy Admiral and honed his strength further, he still might not be able to handle him.

That bloodthirsty brat certainly wouldn't stay quiet. Steelbone Kong was convinced that they would meet again someday, and he wasn't looking forward to the headache it would bring.