Chapter 39: The World's Panic
"Hahaha! Zephyr, are you out of steam?" Sharlo grinned as their fists collided.
"Heh, you're no different, Sharlo!" Zephyr retorted with a smirk.
With those words, both men collapsed, maintaining their final punching stance.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr!" the marines on the warships exclaimed in shock.
"Hurry! Rescue Vice Admiral Zephyr!" the leading marine ship's crew shouted as they leapt into the water.
The Rocks Pirates also jumped from their ship, rushing towards Sharlo. The elite forces from both sides watched each other warily, sending their subordinates to perform the rescue.
Countless marines and pirates waded through the water, reaching the shore.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr!"
"Captain Sharlo!"
Both groups reached their respective fallen leaders and carried them back to their ships.
Each side's medics began examining them.
"How are they?" Steel Bone Kong asked the doctor who had just arrived on deck.
"Weak! Very weak! They need rest and nourishment. Their injuries are not severe; they just collapsed from exhaustion," the ship's doctor reported.
"Good!" Kong breathed a sigh of relief. "Just exhaustion. Move Vice Admiral Zephyr to the rest area!" he ordered.
Several junior officers carried Zephyr to the ship's cabin. Kong glanced towards the Rocks Pirates, where they were also tending to Sharlo.
"Captain Rocks! Captain Sharlo is fine, just exhausted!" said Miss Bakkin, the ship's doctor and scientist, who would later become known as the mother of the future Warlord Edward Weevil.
"Take him to the cabin to rest!" Rocks ordered, then looked knowingly towards the marines.
Both sides tensed, ready for conflict.
"Whahahaha! Kong, care to join me for a drink?" Rocks taunted.
"Hmph! Return home!" Kong ordered, turning with a swish of his cape.
As the marines moved to leave, Rocks laughed heartily.
"Whahahaha! Men, back to Beehive Island!" Rocks commanded.
With that, both fleets turned and departed, not lingering any longer.
---
The next day, news shook the seas.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr battles Rocks Pirates' eighth officer Sharlo to a standstill! Admiral Steel Bone Kong leads the entire Marine force to face off with Captain Rocks D. Xebec in the Ed War Sea, but no battle ensues. Is the Navy weak, or is the Rocks Pirates too strong, preventing the Marines from attacking?"
Morgans' report spread across the Four Seas and the Grand Line, unsettling everyone.
The situation in the New World changed dramatically. The perceived weakness of the Navy caused unease among the people of the Four Seas. In the New World, there was outright panic. Nations and factions were terrified, especially given the Rocks Pirates' reputation for plundering and slaughter.
"Roger, we missed it by a step!" Rayleigh said, holding a newspaper. They had just crossed Fish-Man Island when they saw the news.
Roger frowned, watching the havoc wreaked by the Rocks Pirates, looking very displeased.
"Rocks D. Xebec," Roger muttered.
At Marine Headquarters:
BAM!
Steel Bone Kong slammed his fist into a newly purchased desk, shattering it after reading the day's paper.
"Damn Morgans, does he want to throw the world into chaos?" Kong fumed.
"Admiral Kong, the world is already in panic. Reports from the branches indicate people everywhere are turning pirate and heading for the Grand Line. All branches are requesting reinforcements," Sengoku said, handing over the latest information.
Kong, after reading, angrily shredded the reports.
Blu-Blu! Blu-Blu!
"Hello!" Kong answered the Den Den Mushi.
The voice of the Five Elders came through. "The World Government approves the Navy's expansion plan. You are allowed to increase the military."
Their calm announcement brought great joy to Kong.
"Yes, Elders! I will ensure the Navy grows stronger again," Kong responded before the call ended.
Sengoku, puzzled by Kong's sudden shift from anger to joy, asked, "Admiral Kong, what happened?"
"The World Government has approved our expansion plan!" Kong said excitedly.
Sengoku was instantly overjoyed. "Excellent! The seas are in crisis, with countless pirates setting out daily. Our branches are stretched thin, but this will help."
"Exactly! With enough manpower, we will eventually eliminate all pirates," Kong said confidently.
"Sengoku, draft a recruitment report and send it worldwide. Let everyone know the Navy is expanding, and take this chance to warn potential troublemakers!" Kong ordered.
"Yes, sir!" Sengoku replied, pleased. He excelled at such tasks.
---
At Beehive Island:
Sharlo lay on a large bed, staring at the ceiling. Wrapped in bandages with only his mouth and eyes exposed, he awoke to find himself in his own bed. His five maids were nearby, one of them nursing a two-month-old baby.
"Master, you're awake!" Alice exclaimed in delight upon seeing Sharlo's open eyes, drawing the attention of the others.
"Master!" the five maids cried, gathering around, including Jenny, who was holding the child.
"What time is it?" Sharlo asked softly.
"Master, you've been unconscious for two days. This is the third day since your battle with Zephyr," Martha answered, holding a towel.
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Should I make ko- fi page for advance chapter for this novel
Give me your suggestions 😄