Chapter 25: The Navy's Comprehensive Retrenchment

"Wa ha ha ha ha! Newgate, your strength has grown again!" Rocks looked at Edward Newgate, commenting. Anyone observing his eyes would notice the deep wariness within them. Indeed, Newgate's recent display of power had caused Rocks to be cautious.

"Goo ha ha ha! Captain, you're joking. My strength is nothing compared to yours," Edward Newgate replied humbly, despite the awe-inspiring impact of his attack.

Sharlo watched Whitebeard's strike, deeply shocked. No wonder he was dubbed the world's strongest man; such power allowed him to dominate the seas effortlessly! Seeing the ten naval battleships scattered so easily, the Rocks Pirates erupted in cheers.

"Whitebeard! Whitebeard! Whitebeard!" The pirates chanted, referring to Edward Newgate by his nickname. His signature white mustache twitched slightly as he unleashed his power, leaving all the pirates in awe.

"Goo ha ha ha ha ha!" Whitebeard stood at the bow of the ship, laughing heartily, relishing the cheers. Even the other officers couldn't help but smile. Only Rocks and his veteran crew felt a sense of unease.

"Wa ha ha ha! Men, chase those naval ships! Today, I want to kill an admiral!" Rocks D. Xebec shouted from the bow, directing his men towards the retreating naval fleet.

"Kill the admiral! Kill the admiral!" The pirates cheered, setting their ten ships in motion to pursue the fleeing navy.

"Damn it!" Steel Bone Kong's heart bled as he watched his ships being swallowed by the waves. These were the elite of the Navy Headquarters!

"Admiral Kong! We must retreat; it's not suitable to fight the pirates now!" Sengoku shouted, clutching the ship's mast, urging the enraged Steel Bone Kong.

Seeing the approaching pirate fleet, Kong clenched his fists. "Retreat! Withdraw from this sea!" He shouted reluctantly. The signalman, ignoring his own safety, blew the retreat horn.

"Woo~!" A long horn sounded, signaling the fleet and smaller ships to adjust their sails and retreat. The Rocks Pirates, seeing this, cheered even louder.

"Long live Rocks! Long live the Rocks Pirates!"

"Extra! Extra! The naval grand fleet has been utterly defeated in the second half of the Grand Line! Admiral Steel Bone Kong retreats from the New World, returning to Navy Headquarters!"

"Extra! Extra! The Rocks Pirates declare total war on the World Government, attacking its member countries!"

"The Navy's retreat has led to devastating impacts on countless people in the New World!"

Numerous news birds flew across the world, spreading the news of the Navy's defeat.

Bam! Steel Bone Kong smashed his desk with a fist, reducing it to splinters. "Damn Rocks! Damn Rocks Pirates!" he roared, glaring at the newspaper on his desk.

Forced to retreat from the second half of the Grand Line, Rocks and his pirates had been relentlessly attacking World Government member countries, destroying three already!

"Brother Kong, let me station myself in the New World!" Garp stepped forward, offering to help. Due to the Navy's defeat, the second half of the Grand Line had fallen into pirate control, with only a few key bases near the Red Line remaining.

"No! The Navy's failure has led to a surge in pirates worldwide. You handle the East Blue! Sengoku, take care of the South Blue. Zephyr is already in the West Blue, and the North Blue is in turmoil. Tsuru, go to the North Blue. I'll handle the first half of the Grand Line and wipe out the pirates!" Kong ordered. This command also came from the World Government, as the havoc wreaked by the Rocks Pirates had allowed many ambitious individuals to rise.

South Blue:

"Men, head for the Grand Line! Onward to the New World!" A pirate with a bullhorn hat shouted, raising his gun high.

"To the Grand Line! To the New World!" The pirates echoed.

West Blue:

"Ha ha ha ha! Men, set sail! Destination: New World!" A three-meter giant with a pointed head yelled.

"Yes, Captain!" The pirates responded, marching with military precision, looking more like a regiment than pirates.

"Leader, bad news! Zephyr has caught up with us!" A lackey in a green military coat came running in, shouting.

"What? Zephyr! Damn the Navy! Let them taste my pointy head!"

East Blue and North Blue were also seeing an explosion of pirate activity. Countless ambitious individuals were setting sail with nothing more than a plank.

"Ja ha ha ha ha!" "Captain, we're famous now! So many pirates want to join us. What do you think?" Golden Lion Shiki asked Rocks, holding a newspaper.

Rocks looked at the newspaper in his hand. "Rocks D. Xebec, bounty 2.6 billion berries! Wanted dead or alive!" Rocks crumpled the paper. "Recruit them all! Arm every division. I will dominate the world and become the King of the World!" he roared, his face twisted with determination. His overwhelming Conqueror's Haki flooded the room, impacting the eight officers present.

"Ja ha ha! I was waiting for you to say that, Captain!" Golden Lion Shiki laughed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Sharlo, sitting at the end of the officer's row, looked at his bounty poster. A youthful face smeared with blood, surrounded by corpses, grinning maniacally. "Blood Swordmaster Rockefeller Sharlo, Eighth Division Captain of the Rocks Pirates. Bounty: 590 million berries! Wanted dead or alive!"

Having destroyed several member countries alongside Rocks, his bounty had increased significantly.

"Let's go see our future subordinates! Let's see if there are any good seedlings!" Rocks said to the eight officers, standing up and heading outside.

The others followed, though only Golden Lion Shiki and John showed much interest. The rest were indifferent to the new recruits.

Opening the main doors, they saw a multitude of pirates gathered on Hachinosu Island. Seeing the Rocks Pirates and their officers, the crowd erupted in cheers.

"Captain Rocks!" they shouted. These were the ones eager to join the Rocks Pirates, all here to pledge their loyalty.

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(40 Advance chapters)