Chapter 69: Return to Ryugu Palace! Steel Bone Kong's Silence
After leaving the Rocks Pirates some distance behind,
Lotte used Wood Transformation to disguise his appearance. His originally jet-black short hair turned golden, and at the same time, both swords were wrapped in cloth strips.
Otherwise, with two Supreme Grade Swords in hand,
Anyone with sharp eyes would basically be able to recognize his identity. He then continued straight toward Ohara.
The journey from Ohara to the New World was quite long. First, he had to pass through Fish-Man Island to enter the first half of the Grand Line, then travel from the first half to reach the West Blue among the four seas.
This journey
Was also a rare experience for Lotte.
As he once again arrived at the devastated Sabaody Archipelago for coating, he could see that reconstruction had already begun. From time to time, Marines were patrolling the streets.
"That pirate called the Azure Emperor is really terrifying—he destroyed this place to such an extent."
"Truly worthy of being the madman who killed a Celestial Dragon!"
Amid their discussions,
Lotte acted as if nothing was wrong. After the coating was finished, he left the island. The scene of devastation on the island didn't stir much emotion in his heart.
He was a pirate, after all.
Though Lotte didn't enjoy killing, battles with the Marines allowed no room for mercy. Causing such destruction was inevitable.
Blame the careless Marines.
Lotte sneered coldly.
He turned and left without hesitation. Under the cover of night, with his coated ship, he headed straight toward Fish-Man Island.
After a while,
As the ship continued descending to a depth of fully ten thousand meters, Lotte saw Ryugu Palace again without the slightest hesitation and steered straight toward it.
He dispelled the Transformation Technique disguise and calmly piloted the ship.
As expected,
The ship easily passed through the entrance of Ryugu Palace. As he arrived inside the massive palace, the tall Neptune came forward with a laugh.
"Ho ho ho ho! If Newgate hadn't called me on the Den Den Mushi earlier, I really wouldn't have known you were coming here."
"It's only been a few short months,
Yet you and Newgate have already caused several huge incidents."
Neptune couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Though information exchange between Fish-Man Island and the human world was relatively blocked, major events like killing Celestial Dragons, plundering Heavenly Tribute, and triggering the Sabaody Upheaval
Had still reached his ears.
Thinking that just a few months ago he had crossed blades with Lotte for a few moves, and now the kid had grown to this level,
Neptune felt a mix of emotions.
Truly a monstrous genius.
Lotte looked at Neptune and smiled lightly.
"It's just some small matters—nothing worth mentioning."
"I don't plan to stay long on Fish-Man Island either. The longer I stay here, the greater the risk. If the Marines or World Government discover me, it'll be troublesome for you."
"I'll just resupply and continue on my way."
Neptune waved his large hand carelessly and laughed.
"Don't worry. Whatever you need, I'll prepare as much as I can."
"Don't look at me like this—I'm still the prince of Ryugu Palace, after all."
To him, Newgate's friend was his friend. Helping was perfectly natural.
The current Neptune had not yet become the king of later years. Though he had already been selected as the next king, he was still just one of the princes.
Lotte expressed his sincere gratitude for Neptune's help.
So he decided to give Neptune a small promise for the future.
Before leaving, Lotte glanced at Neptune and smiled lightly with the corners of his mouth raised.
"Neptune."
"If your daughter ever runs into trouble in the future, perhaps you can come find me for help."
These words
Instantly left Neptune completely confused.
He didn't even have a wife yet—where would a daughter come from?
Just as Neptune was about to ask what Lotte meant by this,
He realized the other had already gradually distanced himself from Ryugu Palace.
Perhaps it was just a joke?
Neptune thought about it and didn't take it too seriously. He turned and went back to his own affairs.
...
Marine Headquarters.
Not long after Lotte left the Rocks ship,
They received the news.
Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong stood quietly at the top of the Marine fortress,
Gazing at the gradually fading setting sun in the distance.
Beside him, Sengoku held a submitted document and reported.
"It seems the one who leaked the information last time was indeed one of the cadres—Blood-Hand Silver Axe. But now he's been killed by the Azure Emperor. It really is a bit of a shame."
"Otherwise he could have become a great asset for us."
Sengoku's tone carried some regret.
After all, as a cadre, Blood-Hand Silver Axe's intelligence was quite valuable. If they could have extracted more from him, it would undoubtedly have been good for the Marines.
Unfortunately, that Lotte had seen through the mastermind so quickly.
Steel Bone Kong nodded slightly.
"It is indeed a shame. But this also proves that Lotte's strength has now reached a level that cannot be underestimated."
"Blood-Hand Silver Axe was still a great pirate. For him to be killed so easily…"
"This Azure Emperor is truly a real headache."
Though Blood-Hand Silver Axe's bounty among the cadres wasn't high, as a great pirate famous even before the Rocks Pirates were fully formed,
Being killed so easily was still shocking.
Sengoku narrowed his eyes and said,
"According to the latest intelligence we have, Lotte has already left the Rocks Pirates—and he left alone."
"If we can find him, eliminating him won't be impossible."
This was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Marines.
If they could kill Lotte and then deal with the Rocks Pirates, the seas would once again return to Marine rule.
Steel Bone Kong nodded lightly.
"That pirate called Redfield has also gone into hiding. A man with great-pirate-level strength like that cannot be allowed to roam free."
"Leave this to White Fox. The rest of you focus on training hard."
"Perhaps in a few years, it'll be time for you to succeed as Admirals."
He had originally not planned to let Sengoku and the others take over as Admirals so soon, but the massive changes in the current situation made Steel Bone Kong reconsider.
Sengoku looked surprised upon hearing this.
"Admirals are still far off for us, Fleet Admiral. You're overthinking it. Admirals Night Leopard and White Fox are still in their prime."
"Barring any accidents, they can serve at least another ten years!"
Steel Bone Kong fell silent.
He didn't explain the unease in his heart, only nodding calmly.
At the same time,
Lotte's ship had finally reached the first half of the Grand Line.