Chapter 394: The Navy's Encirclement
Marine Headquarters.
"Latest intel: The Rockefeller Pirates have departed Water 7 and are heading for Sabaody Archipelago. It's likely they plan to coat their ship and enter the New World from there. Let's hear your thoughts," said Fleet Admiral Kong, seated at the head of the strategy table, addressing the gathered top officers.
He was quite pleased with the young faces before him—up-and-coming commanders who represented the Navy's future.
Among them, seated behind Garp and Tsuru, were the Navy's three most outstanding rising stars:
Akainu (Sakazuki), Kizaru (Borsalino), and Aokiji (Kuzan)—each a user of a top-tier Logia Devil Fruit. Without a doubt, they were the Navy's next-generation core.
"Fleet Admiral! We must intercept Charlotte! Gather all forces and capture the Rockefeller Pirates at Sabaody. It'll make up for our failure against the Roger Pirates!"
Akainu's voice was sharp and unwavering.
His assertive tone made some of the senior officers frown.
Sengoku and Garp remained silent, eyes downcast.
Tsuru let out a quiet sigh as she glanced at the passionate young man beside her.
Many of Akainu's supporters—young, hardline officers—also began voicing their agreement, and soon the room was filled with loud calls to battle.
These were the Navy's militarist faction, all rallying behind Akainu's call for action.
Kong watched them quietly. Despite the growing power of the Navy, he could already see the cracks forming—factions emerging among the younger generation. There was little he could do to stop it.
"A direct assault might not be wise," Aokiji said calmly. "The last operation against the Roger Pirates already proved how unpredictable things can be. No one expected Kozuki Oden to intervene. We need thorough preparation this time."
"Prepare, prepare, prepare! How long do you plan to keep preparing?" Akainu snapped back. "Once the Rockefeller Pirates enter the New World, it'll be a whole different game. We'll suffer even greater losses. We need to eradicate the threat while it's still budding!"
"You just said it—'budding.' But are the Rockefeller Pirates really just a bud? Do you even know how strong they are now?" Aokiji countered. "When was the last time we updated our intel on them?"
The two began arguing openly, ignoring the rest of the room.
"Coward! You're spineless, Kuzan! With officers like you, we'll never wipe out the pirates!"
"Brute! Thoughtless brute! With hotheads like you, the Navy would be destroyed in no time!"
Their shouting match escalated until—
Bang!
Kong slammed his fist onto the table.
"Bastards! Do you think this is a fish market!?"
The room went silent. Everyone looked at Akainu and Aokiji.
Sengoku quickly tried to ease the tension.
"Fleet Admiral, please calm down. Akainu and Aokiji both spoke out of urgency."
Kong's expression eased slightly, but the frustration in his eyes remained.
Tsuru, watching silently, was growing increasingly uneasy.
This wasn't just a disagreement—it was an ideological clash. If unresolved, she could already foresee a split in the Navy's future.
Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji… likely the next generation of Admirals. If they ended up divided, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Tsuru," Kong finally said, "What's your analysis? What should be our strategy against the Rockefeller Pirates?"
Tsuru took a moment, then looked around the room.
"The New World is full of dangerous powers. Charlotte's entry will definitely stir things up. The pirates might start fighting each other over territory. Or worse, they might unite to break through the New World."
She paused and added,
"But pirates have grudges. Whitebeard and Golden Lion, Big Mom and the Rockefeller Pirates—those rivalries might ignite future wars."
"But it's not just the four major crews anymore," Tsuru continued. "There's also the solitary monster, Red the Aloof, Patrick Redfield. And now the Roger Pirates have reentered the New World. They may not want territory, but we can't ignore them. Besides, the World Government's top priority is capturing the Roger Pirates. Everything else is secondary."
She took a sip of tea and looked at Kong again.
"If we want to eliminate the Rockefeller Pirates, we must act before they reach the New World. Otherwise, it may be too late."
The room fell silent.
Everyone understood what Tsuru meant:
If they were going to act—this was their last chance.
Kong's expression turned serious.
He looked at Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr.
If those three joined the operation… then maybe.
Bang!
"Very well. Begin the operation. This is our only opportunity!"
Kong gave the final order.
"Yes, sir!"
All the officers stood in unison.
The Navy Headquarters immediately sprang into action. Over ten warships departed from port.
The massive mobilization caught the attention of every major force.
Hadn't the Navy just launched an operation against the Roger Pirates?
Now another?
The moment the target was revealed to be the Rockefeller Pirates, the world understood:
> A new great battle was coming.
But unlike Roger's crew, the Rockefeller Pirates were more mysterious, more unpredictable.
Would they withstand a full-scale blockade from the Navy?
Currently, the Roger Pirates were still considered the strongest pirate crew. Their combat power outclassed the other four major crews.
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Meanwhile, in Totto Land…
"Roger, are you serious about infiltrating Big Mom's territory just to steal the Road Poneglyph?"
Rayleigh looked like he had a headache.
Sure, they could probably beat the Big Mom Pirates in a straight fight…
But sneaking in?
"Don't worry, Rayleigh!" Roger grinned.
"I already know exactly where it is!"
He patted Rayleigh's shoulder and leapt off the ship.
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