Chapter 95: A Call from Rocks
This was a devastating blow to the Navy. Losing a vice admiral was no small matter—such officers were the backbone of the Navy, and their loss was both a blow to morale and a stain on their prestige.
To make matters worse, the one responsible was none other than the Red Earl.
"Raise his bounty! Increase it to 1.8 billion berries!"
Admiral Kong roared in his office, his voice shaking the walls as his fist struck the table.
The new bounty spread quickly across the Four Seas and the Grand Line, sending waves of shock and awe. The news traveled like wildfire: a lone man had dared to infiltrate the World Government's sacred passage and humiliate them at their doorstep.
---
"Report! The Bloody Great Swordsman, Charlotte, has been sighted!"
A navy messenger burst into Admiral Kong's office, his voice urgent.
"What?!" Kong shot to his feet, his chair screeching across the floor. "Charlotte, who disappeared for an entire month, has appeared again? Where?!"
"On Askaka Island! Captain Sadhu of the Askaka Island Naval Branch just sent this photo!**"
The messenger hurriedly handed over the image.
Admiral Kong's brow furrowed as he looked at the photo. There was no doubt—this was Charlotte, holding a struggling girl in his arms.
The admiral's jaw clenched, his anger bubbling up. He thought of Charlotte's notorious reputation—a pirate infamous for his indulgence in women. The Eighth Division was practically a "daughter ship," with powerless women taking up half of his crew.
"Damn it! That bastard!" Kong slammed his massive fist onto the desk, cracking the wood.
The thought of a young girl being taken by such a pirate filled him with fury.
"Find him! I want you to investigate his movements immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" The messenger saluted sharply before rushing out.
Left alone, Admiral Kong ran a hand down his face and let out a frustrated sigh.
"Damn pirates..."
---
Bru Bru Bru Bru!
The sound of the Den Den Mushi echoed across Charlotte's ship.
Charlotte, who had been lifting weights on the deck, wiped the sweat from his face and walked over to the table where the Den Den Mushi sat.
When he saw the caller ID, his brow furrowed slightly.
It was Rocks.
After a brief pause, he picked up the receiver.
"Hey, Captain Rocks. What's the matter?" Charlotte asked casually.
"Wahahahahaha! Charlotte, are you done with your little task?" Rocks' loud, booming laughter echoed through the Den Den Mushi, equal parts jovial and ominous.
Charlotte frowned slightly.
"We're already on our way back. Why?"
"Hahaha! Nothing much. I just wanted to remind you—it's been nearly three months since you left Beehive Island. You didn't even call me once during this time. Have you forgotten about your captain?"
Rocks' voice was teasing, but there was a dangerous undertone.
"Captain Rocks, is that the only reason you called?" Charlotte asked, clearly unamused.
"Of course not!" Rocks chuckled darkly. "I just wanted to check in on my most capable subordinate. Consider this a sign of my concern."
Charlotte's expression didn't change. "Right. Is there something you need?"
Rocks' voice turned cold and cryptic.
"As a matter of fact, yes. Something big is coming. It doesn't involve you yet, but it might in the near future. You'll need to be ready when the time comes."
Charlotte's eyes narrowed. "Something big? What are you planning?"
Rocks' laugh echoed through the receiver.
"You don't need to know just yet. But know this—there's going to be a war. A war that will shake the very foundations of this world. Whether we win or lose, everything will change! Wahahahahaha!"
Charlotte's heart skipped a beat. "A war?"
"That's right! How long until you reach Beehive Island?"
Charlotte thought for a moment. "We're nearing the Sabaody Archipelago. It'll take about two months to get back."
"Good. That's all I needed to know. I just wanted to make sure you're still alive. I'll be in touch."
Click!
The Den Den Mushi went silent.
Charlotte set the receiver down and frowned.
A war…
He knew what Rocks was referring to: the infamous Battle of the Valley of the Gods, a clash that would change the course of history.
But what exactly was Rocks after? What was so valuable in the Valley of the Gods that he would risk everything?
No matter how much Charlotte thought about it, he couldn't come up with an answer.
With a sigh, he shook his head and returned to his training.
If a war was coming, he needed to be ready.
---
Beehive Island
Rocks leaned back on his grand throne, holding the now silent Den Den Mushi in his hand.
He wasn't worried about Charlotte. After all, Charlotte's family—his wives and children—were still on Beehive Island. Rocks knew the man well enough to trust he wouldn't abandon them.
Smirking to himself, Rocks reached behind his throne and retrieved a small wooden box. He opened it to reveal a purple Devil Fruit with swirling patterns.
"Kurozumi Murasaki finally gave up and handed this over. She had no choice." Rocks grinned darkly.
"Someone come!"
An old man in a suit entered the hall and bowed. "Captain."
"Take this Devil Fruit to Kurozumi Murasaki. Tell her to hand over that map in exchange." Rocks tossed the box to the man.
"Understood, Captain."
The old man bowed and left with the box.
As soon as he was alone, Rocks leaned back, his laughter filling the grand hall.
"Wahahahahaha! Just wait! When I obtain it, this world will be mine. Wahahahahaha!"
---
On a Remote Island
Kurozumi Muramaru looked nervously at his sister, Kurozumi Murasaki.
"Sister, do you think Rocks will agree?"
Murasaki smirked, full of confidence.
"He has no choice. The opportunity only comes once every forty years, and he doesn't have time to verify anything. If he misses this chance, he'll have to wait another lifetime. But do you think Rocks will live that long?"
Her words hung coldly in the air as a devilish smile crept across her face.
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