"Fleet Admiral Kong."
After sinking the yacht, Sengoku returned to the cabin, immediately taking out a Den Den Mushi to call Kong.
He knew the Fleet Admiral and the Five Elders were closely monitoring this matter.
Kong had been waiting for Sengoku's call in his office, so he could report to the Five Elders. Picking up the Den Den Mushi, he immediately asked, "Sengoku, how did things go?"
Sengoku suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, reporting truthfully, "All survivors of the incident have been dealt with, ensuring no word will leak out. The Beasts Pirates have not been found."
Kong, holding the Den Den Mushi, nodded, satisfied. Sengoku's efficiency was high as always.
Wiping out everyone involved meant the incident was completely covered up.
Even if the Beasts Pirates themselves spread the word, who would believe them? It wasn't like whatever you said was true.
As for Sengoku not capturing the Beasts Pirates, that was expected. No one would be foolish enough to wait there for the Marines to arrive.
Kong suddenly remembered a strange incident in the intelligence he'd just reviewed, sensing something unusual,
"Sengoku, on Jaya Island, Mock Town, the entire island fell unconscious twice in a single month. This is no ordinary occurrence. There's only one possibility that could cause this."
Sengoku blurted out, "Conqueror's Haki!"
"Correct," Kong confirmed.
Kong didn't need to say more, Sengoku already understood why the Fleet Admiral was bringing this up,
"Among the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line who possess Conqueror's Haki and are still active there, there are only Kaido and Noro of the Beasts Pirates. I'll head to Mock Town now."
Kong was increasingly satisfied with Sengoku, he could infer three things from one.
"Good, head there now. If you still can't find the Beasts Pirates, head to Sabaody Archipelago."
"I refuse to believe they won't go to the New World. Even if they arrive at Sabaody Archipelago ahead of us, they'll have to wait there to coat their ship before going to Fish-Man Island."
"Yes, I'll head there now." Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi, immediately leading the fleet towards Jaya Island, Mock Town.
Along the way, Sengoku frowned, pondering the Beasts Pirates' movements, and why they'd knocked out the entire island, twice.
What were they doing that they wanted to keep secret?
Arriving at Mock Town, Sengoku found it eerily silent. The residents, though awake, were still shaken.
Anyone who fainted for no reason twice in a month would be terrified.
Sengoku carefully questioned the local Marine branch about their symptoms when they fainted.
Everyone was the same, blurred consciousness, foaming at the mouth, unconscious.
It really was Conqueror's Haki, but after searching the area, he couldn't find the Beasts Pirates.
Where had they gone?
No matter, he couldn't waste time.
Wherever they went, they'd eventually go to the New World.
Sengoku decisively ordered the fleet to head to Sabaody Archipelago immediately.
...
New World.
Baltigo, also known as Karakuri Island.
A winter island, covered in snow year-round, the surrounding waters frozen, requiring large icebreakers to reach it.
After some time traveling, the Beasts Pirates finally arrived.
"It really is a thousand miles of ice, ten thousand miles of snow," Noro said, stepping on the snow that never melted, looking at the silver-clad world before him, unable to help but sigh.
Stussy, clinging to Noro's back, wrapped in thick winter clothes, still couldn't resist the bitter cold, her face red, her body shivering.
Unable to help but complain, "It's freezing! Why did you come to this godforsaken place!"
Saying that, she hugged Noro even tighter, seeking more warmth.
It was no wonder Stussy complained, it was really cold, so cold Noro wanted to hibernate.
Noro remembered that Vegapunk had semi-mechanized the animals here in his early years, helping the people reduce physical labor.
Later, he'd also tried to build a large heating furnace here to improve the lives of the island's residents, but it was eventually stopped due to funding and technical problems.
Actually, it was just funding. How could Vegapunk have technical problems building a heating furnace?
Kaido and the others weren't as pathetic as Stussy. King even thoughtfully made the flames on his back burn brighter, trying to dispel the cold.
Noro looked at the prominent building on the island, which was, as expected, Vegapunk's former research facility.
This was a treasure trove, containing Vegapunk's former research manuscripts and blueprints.
The group slowly moved towards the research facility...
Inside the research facility, Marine Vice Admiral Ellis leisurely enjoyed a cup of hot tea.
He'd been quite resentful when he was first transferred here.
What bullshit Vegapunk's hometown and research facility, he was a Marine Vice Admiral, guarding such a godforsaken place.
But after so many years, Ellis felt it wasn't so bad here.
He didn't have to carry out any dangerous missions, he didn't have to hunt pirates, it was too cold for pirates to attack, and he didn't have to deal with his superiors.
All he had to do all day was drink tea and read the newspaper.
Anyway, he knew his own strength, he couldn't rise to Admiral, Vice Admiral was his limit.
In that case, wasn't it good to retire on this island?
It was just really cold!
At this moment, a piercing alarm suddenly rang throughout the research facility.
A Marine rushed in to report, "Vice Admiral Ellis, something's wrong! Someone's invaded the research facility!"
Ellis frowned, his expression displeased, "Who's so audacious?!"
Some lunatic, invading such a cold place!
"Uh..." The Marine stammered, unable to say anything clearly.
They were used to being idle here, not paying much attention to the outside world. Anyway, no pirates would attack here.
Ellis was too lazy to scold him. After so many years, he knew what his men were like.
Downing the hot tea in his hand, he ordered the Marine, "Go get me another cup of tea, I'll go take a look."
"Yes, yes, Vice Admiral Ellis, you're busy," the Marine nodded quickly, relieved.
Slacking off was one thing, making a fool of himself in front of his superior was another.
On Baltigo, Vice Admiral Ellis had absolute power of life and death, to put it bluntly. If he really killed him, no one would dare say anything.
Vice Admiral Ellis had already gotten up, grabbing a long sword from the table, walking out the door.
Although he didn't know what lunatic had come to invade such a cold island, he hoped it would be fun, he hadn't stretched his muscles in a long time.
At the same time, Kaido, Noro, and the others strolled leisurely, as if touring a garden.
The Marines along the way had already been killed by King and Englar.
To avoid damaging the research facility, Noro had specifically instructed them to be gentle.
People moving towards each other would eventually meet.
Vice Admiral Ellis, holding a long sword, was walking towards them...
===
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