Despite their efforts, even the CP department couldn't determine the direction of the Rocks Pirates' fleet.
After all, in the sky above ten thousand meters, clouds obscured the view, making it impossible to see the fleet from the ground.
Sending someone to search at such altitudes was out of the question.
Both the Navy and the World Government could only wait in place, hoping for the Rocks Pirates' appearance.
This waiting left them feeling helpless.
Unbeknownst to the Navy and the World Government, the Golden Lion had already led the Rocks Pirates' fleet across the Calm Belt, entering the skies over the Kingdom of Feiple in the West Blue.
"This is the Kingdom of Feiple, one of the World Government's member nations."
"Our first stop is here, then we split into eight routes to begin our plundering."
"Each of these ten routes includes at least two World Government member nations, along with several non-member nations."
"These are your targets for plundering. We will regroup in the Kingdom of Ivorni."
"It takes at least seven to fifteen days for the World Government's and Navy's forces to return from the New World to the West Blue."
"So, each fleet must reach the Kingdom of Ivorni within fifteen days at the latest."
"Then, Shiki will use his powers to take us out of the West Blue and back to the New World!"
Rocks laid out the prepared sea chart for everyone, detailing the plan.
"Yo hohoho, no problem, fifteen days is more than enough to cover this route."
John laughed excitedly.
"Wa hahaha, so it's settled. Shiki, let's descend!"
Rocks commanded.
"Ze hahaha, get ready, we're descending!"
With that, the Golden Lion used his abilities to rapidly lower the massive fleet into the sea below.
"Oh my god, what is that?"
"A flying fleet?"
"No, it's the Rocks Pirates' fleet! How did they appear in the West Blue?!"
"Quick, report to the king, the Rocks Pirates are in the West Blue."
"…"
When the massive fleet of the Rocks Pirates appeared over the Kingdom of Feiple, the patrolling soldiers screamed in panic, rushing to report the situation.
Holy Land Mariejois:
"What? The Rocks Pirates appeared in the Kingdom of Feiple in the West Blue?"
Science Defense God Saturn Saint was shocked by the report.
The Rocks Pirates had left the New World and arrived in the West Blue!
"It's clear that Rocks' appetite has grown. The wealth of the New World's member nations no longer satisfies him, so he seeks to plunder the richer Four Blues."
Finance God Nasujuro Saint said gravely.
The member nations within the Four Blues had a long history, each possessing vast wealth, surpassing that of the New World's member nations.
Rocks had set his sights on this, targeting the Four Blues.
"Unforgivable!"
"Immediately redeploy the naval forces stationed in the New World and those previously sent to deal with the Rocks Pirates back to the West Blue. We cannot allow the Rocks Pirates to plunder our wealth with impunity!"
Legal God Vauquere Saint said angrily.
The Four Blues were considered the World Government's treasure trove, as the largest share of the Heavenly Gold each year came from them.
If the Rocks Pirates ravaged the Four Blues' member nations, the Heavenly Gold share for the coming years would decrease.
"Our reinforcements won't arrive quickly enough, giving the Rocks Pirates ample time to plunder."
"While this will anger the member nations, it may also instill fear due to the Rocks Pirates' plundering."
"In that case, we can seize the opportunity to demand more Heavenly Gold from them to combat the Rocks Pirates. It might be a good strategy."
Environment God Mars Saint had a different perspective, seeing the Rocks Pirates' plundering as a wake-up call for the Four Blues' member nations.
Only the World Government could handle the Rocks Pirates, and if the Four Blues' member nations did nothing, the pirates might target them next.
Mars Saint's idea garnered agreement from the other Five Elders.
Since the plundering in the West Blue couldn't be stopped, they would use it to their advantage, leveraging it as a card or threat against the Four Blues' member nations.
Upon reaching the sea near the Kingdom of Feiple, the ten officers of the Rocks Pirates set out on their designated routes.
The Kingdom of Feiple was Rocks' chosen target, his exclusive prey, with no other officer allowed to interfere.
Not only the starting point at the Kingdom of Feiple, but also the endpoint at the Kingdom of Ivorni was Rocks' target.
After leading his four pirate ships for a day, Li Yuan finally arrived at the nearest World Government member nation: the Kingdom of Alex.
The Kingdom of Alex had a 400-year history in the West Blue and had produced about five great swordsmen in its time.
It was known as a swordsmanship nation and a powerhouse in the West Blue!
Before Li Yuan's four pirate ships even reached the port of the Kingdom of Alex, the port was already brimming with soldiers and cannons.
Clearly, the Kingdom of Alex had been informed of Li Yuan's arrival and had set up defenses in advance to intercept the fleet.
"Hmm? A great swordsman!!"
For ordinary soldiers, Li Yuan paid no heed.
But the man standing at the forefront, clad in black armor with a sword at his waist, exuded a sword intent that Li Yuan recognized as belonging to a great swordsman.
"As expected of a swordsmanship nation in the West Blue, encountering a great swordsman here is quite a surprise!"
Li Yuan said with interest as he regarded the unknown great swordsman.
"Supreme Swordsman Li Yuan, this is the territory of the Kingdom of Alex, a World Government member nation. Please leave immediately!"
The unnamed great swordsman radiated a sword intent that felt as imposing as a mountain.
"Buzz!!!!"
Li Yuan didn't reply with words; instead, he unleashed his blood-red Conqueror's Haki.
The Haki spread like a dark cloud, enveloping the entire port of the Kingdom of Alex.
A vast and sharp mental shock swept through the port, where one hundred thousand soldiers stood.
But against Li Yuan's Conqueror's Haki, they couldn't withstand even three seconds before collapsing to the ground!
"How is this possible? Such powerful Conqueror's Haki, integrating three types of sword intent into it!"
"Is this the Supreme Swordsman Li Yuan who could slay a Navy Admiral?"
The unnamed great swordsman exclaimed in shock at the sight of the soldiers falling around him.
He had heard of Li Yuan's power, but he hadn't imagined it was this formidable. Just a sweep of Conqueror's Haki had toppled a hundred thousand soldiers, leaving only ten standing.
These ten were all of rear admiral rank or higher.
In one move, Li Yuan's Conqueror's Haki had incapacitated everyone below rear admiral.
"Great swordsman, tell me your name. You are worthy of my memory!"
As his Conqueror's Haki swept through, Li Yuan used Moonwalk to instantly appear at the port, standing before the great swordsman.
"Elizabeth Roosevelt!!"
"Supreme Swordsman Li Yuan, even if I must die, I will not allow you to plunder this nation!"
Roosevelt, gripping her sword with both hands, gazed fixedly at Li Yuan, declaring her resolve.
"Elizabeth Roosevelt, since you dare stand in my way, I can only send you to your death with my sword!"
As he spoke, the Seven Star Sword appeared in his hand, unleashing a vast killing intent. The intense aura caused the ten remaining soldiers to tremble uncontrollably!
"Infinite Sword Technique: Void Slash!"
In an instant, Li Yuan drew his sword from its sheathed state. The lightning-fast slash appeared before Roosevelt in the blink of an eye, despite originating hundreds of meters away!
"Block it!!"
Roosevelt held her sword defensively, bracing against the oncoming slash.
"Clang!!!"
However, the power behind the slash exceeded its speed, far stronger than it appeared.
With a single strike, Roosevelt, also a great swordsman, was pushed back hundreds of meters by Li Yuan's sword.
"How can he be so strong!!"
Roosevelt looked at the hundred-meter marks on the ground left by her feet and the throbbing pain in her hands.
She couldn't fathom how Li Yuan, another great swordsman, could be so much stronger.
"Your speed is too slow!"
As Roosevelt heard this, Li Yuan appeared before her once more, wielding the ominous Seven Star Sword just as before, ready to strike.
"Clang!!!!"
Again, Roosevelt was forced back hundreds of meters by Li Yuan.
"Your strength is too weak!"
Yet, it wasn't over. As Roosevelt stabilized herself, she heard the same voice again.
"Clang!!!!"
With his great swordsman instincts, Roosevelt blocked to his left.
But once more, he was pushed back a hundred meters.
"Curse it!!!"
After regaining his balance, Roosevelt gritted his teeth and fully activated his Observation Haki, trying to catch any trace of Li Yuan's swordplay.
"I see it!"
The next moment, as Roosevelt caught a glimpse of Li Yuan's sword movement, he launched a counterattack, hoping to break the stalemate.
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