Chapter 11: A Mysterious Threat Emerges: The Hunt for Karl

“Buruburu!”

On Fleet Admiral Hill’s desk at Navy Headquarters, a Den Den Mushi suddenly began ringing.

“Hello, Fleet Admiral Hill?”

After pulling out of battle, Kong wasted no time calling Fleet Admiral Hill.

“Is that you, Kong? What’s the situation?”

Fleet Admiral Hill had been waiting on Kong’s call. The moment she saw it was him, she answered without hesitation.

“Were there heavy casualties?”

The first thing Fleet Admiral Hill asked was about the situation and losses.

From her point of view, it made sense. After all, they just faced Newgate, second division captain of the Rocks Pirates, who wielded the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Losses were only to be expected, though she hoped they hadn’t suffered too badly.

Especially since this confrontation took place in the latter half of the Grand Line. The Rocks Pirates could show up with reinforcements at any moment.

Last thing she wanted was to lose both the opportunity and her people. If they failed to capture Newgate and ended up losing Kong in the process, it would weaken the Navy as a whole.

“Fleet Admiral Hill, the plan failed.”

Kong sat in his office aboard the battleship, brow tightly furrowed, disappointment written all over his face.

The room was completely silent except for Kong’s heavy breathing.

He couldn’t help but feel defeated. Newgate got away, and there was nothing he could do. Even though things went sideways because of an unexpected factor, he couldn’t forgive himself. It had been a golden opportunity.

“During the attempt to capture Newgate, there was another powerful figure on his ship.”

Kong reported to Fleet Admiral Hill, hoping for some useful intel.

“Even when I unleashed everything I had, I could only take him down quickly for a short window. But if I did, the others would be doomed—especially with Newgate still there.”

Kong’s solemn tone made it clear he respected this young man, Karl’s, strength.

Karl’s abilities far surpassed what Kong expected, leaving him feeling utterly defeated.

“Did you manage to get any info on him?”

Fleet Admiral Hill sounded surprised. According to their intelligence from Navy informants, the Rocks Pirates didn’t have anyone like that on board. This mysterious appearance just proved their intel had gaps.

Kong scratched his head, searching the room for any newly issued wanted posters, but found no trace of Karl.

For now, all he could assume was that Karl was a rookie who hadn’t set out to sea yet. With power like that, it was no wonder Newgate came for him.

What Kong didn’t know was that Newgate had ended up on that island by accident, driven ashore by a brutal storm. They’d only met by chance.

“I’ve got nothing on this guy. I’ll send you his picture through the Den Den Mushi.”

Right away, Kong transmitted the photo of the mysterious man, Karl, he’d managed to snap during their battle.

“Alright, that’s enough for now. Hurry back—the New World is just too dangerous.”

Fleet Admiral Hill’s voice held a note of concern.

“Understood, Fleet Admiral Hill.”

“Clack!”

Fleet Admiral Hill hung up. She knew Kong and his team couldn’t linger in the New World. She then picked up the faxed image and studied it carefully.

“Summon all Navy officers, rear admiral and above, to a meeting!”

She immediately ordered the messenger posted at the door.

“Yes, Fleet Admiral Hill!”

The messenger snapped a salute, then turned and rushed off to gather the high-ranking Navy officers still at headquarters.

Fleet Admiral Hill looked down at the Rocks Pirates’ wanted poster on her desk.

“Rocks…”

With anger burning in her eyes, Fleet Admiral Hill slammed her fist down on the wanted poster of Rocks, whose laughing face stared back at her.

Inside Navy Headquarters’ conference room.

Holding Karl’s photo in hand, Fleet Admiral Hill walked up to the front as dozens of Navy officers filled the seats.

She pinned the photo to the blackboard, swept her gaze over the room, and cleared her throat.

“This man’s name is Karl. Today, Kong reported finding him on Newgate’s ship. There’s a strong possibility he’ll join the Rocks Pirates soon.”

Fleet Admiral Hill’s commanding voice rang through the conference room.

Everyone in the room sat up straight, their attention fixed on her.

She continued, “The reason for today’s meeting is for us to assess the risk level he poses—and determine his bounty.”

Murmurs and exchanged glances spread among the officers. They were shocked by this newcomer’s strength.

“With talent like that, how come he hasn’t joined the Navy?”

One officer couldn’t help but ask.

“Seriously, what’s so great about being a pirate? All they do is plunder and kill—pure evil,” another officer said, shaking his head.

Another officer looked regretful.

“If only we had more influence on the second half of the Grand Line. With the Rocks Pirates getting stronger by the day, the Navy’s outposts in that region have almost all been wiped out.”

Fleet Admiral Hill sighed, a trace of helplessness on her face.

Silence fell over the conference room as the officers reflected. Ever since the Rocks Pirates began dominating the latter half of the Grand Line, it had been nearly impossible for the Navy to get a foothold. By the time they could respond, any major incident would be over.

They understood that upholding justice at sea was their duty. But honestly, they just didn’t have the strength.

This new powerhouse made them realize the Rocks Pirates were still growing stronger.

“He’s chosen the pirate path, so we have no choice!”

Fleet Admiral Hill declared firmly. Since Karl had essentially thrown in with the pirates, there was no way to win him over to their side now.

“That’s right!”

“He picked the pirate life, so there’s nothing left to discuss.”

“It’s a shame, though. Someone like that could’ve made a difference on our side.”

Fleet Admiral Hill nodded along with her officers’ muttering. After all, the Navy couldn’t be bogged down in stubborn thinking. If her orders were followed without question, with no flexibility, things would break down.

“Alright, let’s end the chit-chat.”

Fleet Admiral Hill smacked the table, silencing the room. Order returned at once.

“I propose an initial bounty of 500 million Berries.”

Her words echoed through the hushed conference room.

But just as she announced Karl’s bounty, a vice admiral named Jeremy stood up.

“Isn’t that a bit high for a rookie?”

Vice Admiral Jeremy voiced his concern. He doubted this newcomer’s strength, and at this point in history, 500 million Berries meant a lot more than it would later.

“Not high at all. He went toe to toe with Kong and didn’t lose ground.”

Fleet Admiral Hill’s tone was rock steady.

Her statement brought a heavy silence to the conference room.

“True, the newcomer is incredibly strong.”

“Any more details on him?”

“Nothing. He first appeared on that deserted island—there’s no other info.”

The officers’s discussions continued. With every piece of news about this newcomer, their amazement only grew.

“Alright. Set his bounty at 500 million Berries and get it out across the sea as soon as possible.”

Fleet Admiral Hill made the final decision, giving the order to spread word of this new bounty throughout the world.

Seeing Fleet Admiral Hill motioning to him, the guard at the door hurried over to take Karl’s photo to the communications room, where his new bounty would be relayed to every Navy branch.

“Now, we need to discuss how to deal with the Rocks Pirates. We can’t let them keep getting stronger.”

Fleet Admiral Hill looked around the room, inviting input and suggestions from all present.

“That’s another matter. For now—let’s focus.”

The room buzzed with conversation as everyone racked their brains, determined to find a way to take on the Rocks Pirates.

……