Chapter 176: The Demise of the Golden King - Kosa?
Suddenly, a piece of news caused Newgate and Hades' expressions to change.
After the World Government's defeat in the war, they had been quiet for two years, and now the World Government had finally made its move.
The vast majority of the Marines' strength had been driven out of the New World.
"Golden King" Donovan had also led the Golden Pirates back to his original territory, Golden Island.
Compared to the entertainment environment of Honeycomb Island, Donovan preferred to stay in his independent Kingdom.
One thing had to be admitted: as he aged, although Donovan still maintained his peak, he couldn't hold on for many more years.
His ambition had inevitably declined, and he had even lost his competitiveness, especially with the emergence of numerous Strongmen within the Rocks Pirates.
The title of "Golden King" was no longer as dazzling as it once was.
Under these circumstances, Donovan returned to Golden Island, where he was the absolute King.
And this gave the World Government an opportunity, an opportunity to weaken the Rocks Pirates and remove a Top Tier Combatant from their ranks.
To be honest, the World Government and the Marines had been waiting for such an opportunity.
"Golden King" Donovan had killed a Celestial Dragon, committing an unforgivable crime, and had long become a thorn in the World Government's side.
The CP0 Director-General, Army General "The Storm Dragon", Marine Admiral Davis "The Day Tiger", and Marine Vice Admiral Sengoku the Buddha.
The World Government dispatched four Top Tier Combatants at once, launching an aerial assault on Golden Island, aiming to defeat "Golden King" Donovan in the shortest possible time.
In addition, a mysterious Strongman wearing golden armor joined them.
With five Top Tier Combatants, even with the other members of the Golden Pirates delaying them, Donovan only lasted less than two hours.
By the time the news arrived, everything had been decided.
This news was simply too shocking, waking the many Cadres of the Rocks Pirates from their glorious dream.
Their carelessness had given the World Government an opening.
Hades knew that "Golden King" Donovan would eventually fall, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.
Regarding the mysterious Strongman in golden armor, Hades roughly guessed his identity: a hidden Strongman from the "Golden Kingdom" Hilton Kingdom.
It seemed the Hilton Kingdom had cooperated with the World Government.
After all, they had been targeting "Golden King" Donovan for a long time, and naturally wouldn't give up such a hard-won opportunity easily.
Besides revenge and weakening the Rocks Pirates, the World Government had several other important reasons.
One was for "Golden King" Donovan's treasure.
Possessing the ability to create gold, Donovan was undoubtedly the wealthiest person in this World.
His palace alone was completely plated with a layer of gold.
According to intelligence, Golden Island was reportedly dug up three feet deep, and the gold from Donovan's residence was scraped clean.
The World Government was short on funds right now.
Even with continuous printing of currency, leading to devaluation, it required a period of adaptation.
If the devaluation was too rapid, and if Beli were to be abandoned, the impact would be terrifying.
Therefore, the World Government needed to supplement a large amount of funds to maintain development.
However, the final result was clearly unsatisfactory to the World Government.
They did not obtain Donovan's true treasure.
Although Donovan himself was a treasure capable of creating gold, he also had his own golden treasure.
Its location was not on Golden Island, but on an island somewhere in the latter part of the New World.
Hades knew the approximate Sea Area and could find it with a careful search.
The World Government was clearly mistaken if they thought they could obtain Donovan's treasure this way.
Another reason.
This year's World Summit was already in the process of preparation.
At the World Summit, the World Government had areas to discuss with the Member Nations regarding Heavenly Tribute and other matters.
However, facing Member Nations with increased influence, the World Government was somewhat at a disadvantage.
They needed a victory, a major operation to prove the strength of the World Government and the Marines, and increase their leverage during negotiations.
What could always suppress those with ulterior motives was strength.
"Donovan is dead."
"What should we do next? Any ideas?"
Inside the Giant Skull Building on Honeycomb Island, the Base of the Rocks Pirates, the Cadres gathered together in the massive Conference Room.
Rocks' calm voice echoed in the Conference Room, his icy gaze sweeping over the Core Cadres one by one.
Those who knew Rocks understood that the more calm he appeared, the more furious he truly was inside.
And the news of Donovan's death brought a shock to everyone present.
Hades was no exception.
They had thought Donovan was merely defeated and captured, with his final fate being nothing more than imprisonment in Impel Down.
But they hadn't expected that Donovan was actually dead!
As one of the original Core Cadres of the Rocks Pirates and one of the Four Kings, Donovan's influence within the Rocks Pirates was terrifying.
Compared to his strength, his powerful "money" ability provided considerable assistance to the Rocks Pirates' development and logistical reserves during wartime.
Losing Donovan meant the Rocks Pirates lost not just a Top Tier Combatant, but it would also have an impact in many other areas.
The Rocks Pirates' rising momentum was curbed.
Rocks and Donovan had also been old acquaintances for decades.
The suppressed rage emitting a mad aura, with black and red lightning arcs continuously flashing in the air, brought terrifying pressure upon everyone.
The Rocks Pirates would definitely seek revenge.
They needed to give the World Government and the Marines a painful lesson; that was their style.
But how exactly should they do it?
Go to war directly?
"Then let's go to war! Two years have passed, we can't let the Marines continue to recover."
Shiki erupted with intense fighting spirit, eager to show his fangs.
And he was right.
Once the Marines recovered, they would definitely cause trouble for the Rocks Pirates.
Donovan's fate told them that the strength of the Marines and the World Government was still terrifying.
They absolutely had to suppress this trend.
"Give them another lesson!" "Werewolf" Quilo revealed a ferocious, bloodthirsty smile.
The Rocks Pirates never feared war!
"Completely destroy them!"
Byrnndi World, who had joined the Rocks Pirates two years ago, also became excited.
"Hades, what are your thoughts?"
Rocks had always relied heavily on Hades.
"Going to war is certain, but only after the Pirate Crew is reorganized and the Thirteen Divisions are established."
"Since the Thirteen Divisions were determined early on, and the positions of the last two Division Captains are Nash and Zak, then Donovan's position as the Second Division Captain needs to be filled."
Since Rocks asked, Hades wouldn't hide it.
"The position of Second Division Captain?"
"Who has the qualifications?"
"Werewolf" Quilo asked, frowning.
They automatically excluded Titan, who was behind Hades.
As for the other Cadres of the Rocks Pirates, they were all dissatisfied with the idea of any of them becoming the Second Division Captain.
"Have you forgotten someone?"
Under their confused gazes, Hades smiled, opened his mouth, and spoke a name.
"Hmm?"
"Kosa!"
(end of chapter)