Chapter 39: World Panic
"Hahahahaha! Zefa, are you getting tired?"
Charlotte grinned, his fist still pressed against Zefa's in their final clash.
"Haha! Charlotte, you're not much better!"
Zefa chuckled, though his body trembled with exhaustion.
With those words, both combatants collapsed to the ground simultaneously, maintaining their final punching stance.
---
"Lieutenant General Zephyr!"
Sailors aboard the navy's ships shouted in alarm.
"Quick! Save Vice Admiral Zefa!"
Several navy soldiers leaped off the lead warship, rushing toward the beach.
On the other side, pirates from the Rocks fleet jumped into the water, racing toward Charlotte.
High-ranking officers from both sides stood back, watching cautiously, their hands on their weapons. No one dared to make the first aggressive move.
As soldiers and pirates poured onto the beach, the tension mounted.
"Lieutenant General Zephyr!"
"Captain Charlotte!"
Both sides reached their respective leaders, hoisting the unconscious warriors onto stretchers.
Back on the ships, ship doctors immediately tended to the injured.
"How is he?"
Kong, standing on the deck of the navy's lead ship, asked with concern.
"He's weak—exhausted, but his injuries aren't life-threatening. He just needs rest and proper nourishment," the ship's doctor reported.
Kong exhaled deeply, relief evident in his expression.
"Good. Take Vice Admiral Zefa to the infirmary to recover."
Several officers carried Zefa below deck.
---
Meanwhile, on the Rocks Pirates' flagship, Charlotte was also being examined.
"Captain Rocks! Captain Charlotte is fine—he's just severely exhausted," reported the ship's doctor, Miss Bakkin, who stood at Charlotte's bedside.
Rocks smirked.
"Good. Let him rest."
With a wave of his hand, the unconscious Charlotte was carried to his quarters.
Rocks turned toward the navy's ships, his gaze locking with Kong's.
"Hahahahahaha! Kong, care to join me for a drink?"
Rocks' voice was loud and mocking.
"Hmph! Withdraw!"
Kong spun on his heel, his justice cape billowing as he ordered the fleet to retreat.
As the navy ships turned back, Rocks laughed heartily.
"Hahahahaha! Alright, boys! Head back to Beehive Island!"
With the captain's command, the pirate fleet also began their journey home.
---
The Next Day
The world awoke to explosive news.
**"Vice Admiral Zephyr of the Navy Headquarters battles Charlotte, the 8th Division Captain of the Rocks Pirates, resulting in a stalemate!
Admiral Kong leads the Navy's top forces to confront Rocks D. Xebec, but no battle ensues.
Is this a sign of the navy's weakness or the overwhelming power of the Rocks Pirates?"**
The headlines, spread by Morgans, caused a global uproar.
---
In the New World, chaos reigned.
The apparent inability of the navy to confront the Rocks Pirates plunged countless nations and factions into panic.
Kings of World Government member nations, as well as underground world leaders, were terrified. They knew the reputation of the Rocks Pirates—wherever they went, they left a trail of plunder and destruction.
---
On the Roger Pirates' Ship, Rayleigh approached Roger with a grim expression, holding the morning newspaper.
"Roger, we're too late."
Roger's brow furrowed as he read the headlines. His grip tightened on the paper.
"Rocks D. Xebec…" he muttered.
---
At Navy Headquarters, the reaction was explosive.
Bang!
Kong slammed his fist into the new table, shattering it instantly.
"Damn Morgans! Does he want to throw the world into chaos?!"
His furious outburst startled the nearby officers.
"Admiral Kong, the situation is dire," Sengoku said, handing over the latest reports.
"People in the Four Seas and the Grand Line are panicking. Every branch is reporting a surge in piracy. Many are requesting reinforcements."
Kong scanned the reports, his frustration boiling over. He ripped the papers apart.
---
Buru Buru Buru!
"Hello?"
Kong answered the ringing Den Den Mushi.
"This is the Five Elders. The World Government has approved the Navy's expansion plan. Begin recruitment immediately," a calm voice announced.
Kong's expression shifted from anger to elation.
"Yes! Understood, Your Excellency!"
The call ended.
Kong turned to Sengoku, his joy evident.
"The World Government has approved our expansion plan!"
Sengoku's face lit up.
"That's fantastic! The situation is critical, and we desperately need more manpower to handle the growing pirate threat."
"Exactly! With more soldiers, we can eliminate these pirates once and for all!" Kong declared.
"Prepare a global announcement. Let the world know the navy is expanding. This will serve as a warning to anyone harboring criminal intentions!"
"Yes, Admiral!" Sengoku saluted and quickly left to carry out the orders.
---
Beehive Island
Charlotte lay on a massive bed, wrapped head to toe in bandages. Only his eyes and mouth were visible.
Beside him sat five maids, one of whom cradled a two-year-old child in her arms.
"Master, you're awake!" Alice exclaimed in surprise, her voice drawing the attention of the others.
"Master!"
The maids gathered around, their relief evident.
"What day is it?" Charlotte's voice was soft but steady.
"Master, you've been unconscious for two days. This is the third day since your battle with Zefa," Martha explained, holding a damp towel.
Charlotte closed his eyes, recalling the fierce clash. Despite the pain, a small smile tugged at his lips.
He had survived, and in the chaos of their confrontation, the world had taken notice.
---
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