Chapter 188: The Marines' Helplessness
"Golden Lion Shiki has the ability of the Float-Float Fruit, and there is no news of the Flying Fleet at all."
"Pluto Hades is also nowhere to be found."
"There is truly no news to be found regarding these two Pirate Fleets."
On Reverse Mountain, the Marines have established a temporary combat Conference Room here.
Most of their forces are gathered here, allowing them to reinforce the Four Seas and the First Half of the Grand Line in the shortest possible time.
Smoke filled the Conference Room.
Listening to the Intelligence Officer's report, Kong used his fingers to extinguish the ember on his cigarette.
Unbeknownst to him, Kong had developed a smoking habit to relieve his stress.
"We understand the strength of the Rocks Pirates. It's impossible to resist all of them. As for Shiki, unless we find his whereabouts, we can only give up on him."
"Furthermore, we won't be the ones truly dealing with Shiki when the time comes. The CP0 Director-General is ready to depart at any moment."
Kong said calmly.
"As for Hades, we don't need to worry about him. He won't attack Member Nations."
These words caused some confusion.
As his True Identity hasn't been publicly revealed, not many people actually know it.
Moreover, so many years have passed.
Especially after the sacrifice of most of the Elders within the Marines, the newly risen Marines, aside from knowing Hades is the son of "Jaeger", have no clear understanding of his specific background.
"The Superpower Kronos Kingdom."
Many Marines present were hearing this for the first time and found it hard to believe.
There is actually such a Kingdom in this World, independent of the Member Nation System established by the World Government, possessing the strength to resist the World Government.
Perhaps they knew of this country, but they didn't realize that the Kronos Kingdom actually possessed such great power.
Pluto Hades, the Heir to the Throne of the Kronos Kingdom.
Thinking about Pluto Hades' past actions, he indeed never actively invaded a Member Nation, nor did he personally take action.
They didn't understand before, but now they did.
This World is not as simple as they imagined.
Although Kong didn't say it, they knew that the so-called Superpowers were not just one.
However, these matters are too distant for them now.
The upcoming attacks by the Rocks Pirates are what they must deal with.
"Which Pirate Fleets' locations have been confirmed?"
Kong continued to ask.
"Captain John, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi's Pirate Fleets have appeared in the South Blue. It's highly likely they've formed an alliance, and their targets won't be too far apart, allowing for mutual reinforcements at any time."
"Tyrant Dragon Zack and Death Gun Leon's Pirate Fleets, along with Rocks' Pirate Fleet, have appeared in the First Half of the Grand Line."
"Whitebeard Edward Newgate and Weather Queen Charlotte Linlin have appeared in the North Blue."
"Destroyer Byrnndi World and Werewolf Queiro's Pirate Fleets have appeared in the West Blue."
"Demon King Nash and Violence King Kosa's Pirate Fleets have appeared in the East Blue."
Hearing the Intelligence Officer's words, Kong frowned.
"Now, what exactly should we do?"
"Should we focus on encircling and annihilating Rocks D. Xebec, or disperse our combat strength to tie them down?"
Kong believed that as long as the dispatched forces could intercept the Rocks Pirates' Pirate Fleets before they invaded the Member Nations, the Pirate Fleets would naturally evacuate, even if their combat strength was weaker than the Rocks Pirates'.
However, with Rocks D.
Xebec appearing in the First Half of the Grand Line and the vast majority of the Rocks Pirates' combat strength was not with him, this was an unprecedented opportunity.
Kong's heart stirred with eagerness.
As long as Rocks D.
Xebec was eliminated, the Rocks Pirates would naturally disband, scattering like loose sand.
However, if they focused on Rocks D.
Xebec, at least half of the Rocks Pirates' Thirteen Divisions would be unstoppable.
This meant that at least six Member Nations would be destroyed.
If reinforcements were delayed, these ferocious Pirates wouldn't be satisfied with just one Member Nation; it would be two, three, or even more.
The World Government's current number of Member Nations has already dropped below one hundred fifty.
Since the Rocks Pirates began their operations, the World Government has lost nearly a third of its Member Nations.
This also means a third of the annual Heavenly Tribute amount has been lost.
This is something the World Government and the Member Nations absolutely do not want to see.
The World Conference is just a few months away.
Regardless of victory or defeat, if they proceed like this, the World Government will definitely be criticized by the Member Nations.
Furthermore, whether the operation will succeed is still a question mark.
Regarding the specific strength of the Pirate Fleets, they are still shrouded in a fog.
Besides Rocks D.
Xebec, who else are the Top Tier Combatants?
There is simply too little intelligence.
Being able to confirm their locations already shows the strength of the Marines and the World Government's Intelligence Force.
This leaves them with no certainty in their hearts.
What if Rocks escapes? Then they will have to bear the wrath of the Member Nations.
The World Government and the Marines would bear the brunt of it.
This is also where Kong was conflicted.
"This isn't something we can decide. Let's report it to the World Government."
Tsuru, standing nearby, shook her head.
In truth, she knew in her heart that while there were said to be two options, there was really only one.
They couldn't gamble; they didn't have the capital for it.
The World Government's rule was precarious.
If they truly failed again this time, the World Government's authority would truly be swept away.
She was gradually taking over the work of the Staff Headquarters, and the position of the next Chief of Staff of the Marines was a certainty for her.
The more she understood, the clearer her grasp became of the current situation of the Marines and the World Government.
The World Government and the Marines couldn't afford any more turmoil.
They needed to be more cautious.
What puzzled her was that the World Government clearly still possessed a portion of very strong strength, yet they simply weren't deploying it.
Otherwise, how could the situation be like this?
"Mm." Kong was also very helpless.
The Marines had already done their best.
(end of chapter)