Chapter 149: Crisis in the Four Seas: The Calm Before the Storm

“Looks like we’ve got no choice. We’ll have to deploy troops to every region to restore order.”

The next moment Fleet Admiral Hill pulled out another report. This one bore the seals of all the major nations in the Four Seas.

In their letters they reported outbreaks of pirates and chaos, calling for the Navy to put things down. Dozens of allied nations had even signed together.

Sengoku shook his head, took the file, and chuckled with a touch of disdain.

“Their influence runs deep… Even these countries are pulling strings now.”

Vice Admiral Tsuru also looked up and met Sengoku’s gaze, offering a gentle smile to her old comrade.

“I doubt this is the first time we’ve seen something like this.”

“But the fact we only figured it out now… Does that mean their secrecy is just that good?”

“I don’t think so.”

Vice Admiral Tsuru was now part of Navy Headquarters’ Strategic Command.

She mulled over the document carefully, then stood and looked at Fleet Admiral Hill.

“Reporting in, Fleet Admiral, this was a lapse on our part in Command.”

Hill pressed her right hand down, signaling for calm.

“That’s enough. It isn’t entirely your fault.”

“With things so quiet in the Four Seas, everyone’s let their guard down. It’s only natural some things slipped through the cracks.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. They’d all read the report, but who could have guessed pirates from the New World could stretch their reach so far, stirring up trouble across the entire sea?

It was clear—the years of peace in the Four Seas had made Navy Headquarters complacent.

They’d been laser focused on the New World and completely overlooked the Four Seas.

“How much longer until we reach God Valley?”

Garp suddenly spoke, his question coming out of nowhere.

His words left the room in silence for a moment.

Everyone fell into thought. None of them quite understood why Garp had brought that up.

Something about it felt off, but no one could put a finger on it.

“Could it be they’re planning something?”

Sengoku’s words snapped the rest out of their daze.

Instinctively, they all began to wonder, with Rocks going to so much trouble—what if they reached God Valley later than Rocks? What would happen then?

A sense of foreboding crept into all their hearts.

That’s why Sengoku had earned the title of “wise general”—he was the first to spot the flaw, snapping everyone back to reality.

The Rocks Pirates were stirring up chaos to slow them down on the way to God Valley or weaken the forces Navy deployed there.

If they spread their strength too thin, they wouldn’t be able to defend God Valley—and everything would be lost.

But if they didn’t send reinforcements, then the chaos in the Four Seas would only grow worse. Neither outcome was acceptable.

It really was a clever scheme.

“Seems like there’s someone sharp in the Rocks Pirates, orchestrating all of this for them,” Tsuru murmured silently.

But the planners had overlooked one thing. Rocks had only sent a few eyes to stir up some trouble on the Red Line. As for the incidents raging across the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line, that was all Karl’s doing.

Yet, because Karl had kept such a low profile these past three years, everyone had forgotten about the Rocks Pirates’ vice-captain.

Which was exactly what Karl wanted. Only with the Navy’s guard down could he finish his preparations.

The record keeper at the side, oblivious to any tension, didn’t even lift his head as he replied, “Five days left.”

Fully aware of the crisis at hand, Fleet Admiral Hill quickly looked to the messenger at the door.

“Go, now!”

“Tell them this ship is to set course for God Valley at top speed.”

Seeing Hill’s stern face, the runner dared not hesitate.

He snapped off a quick salute, then disappeared around the corner.

“Yes, ma’am!”

A faint shout floated back only after the runner had gone a long way.

“A fierce battle is coming. I don’t need to say any more. Meeting adjourned.”

Hill waved her hand, leading the way out of the conference room. She needed to report all this to the Five Elders.

After she left, several vice admirals also stood up, heading off to make their own preparations.

“Zephyr, Sengoku, Garp—let’s hope we all make it back from God Valley in one piece,” Kong said, giving them a crisp salute before striding out.

Kong saluted them sharply, then strode away with steely determination.

Sensing the heavy mood, Garp burst into booming laughter.

“Zephyr, Sengoku, relax.”

“Rocks Pirates can’t take our lives that easily.”

Zephyr watched Kong leave, then turned and grinned.

“That’s right. If Rocks wants us dead, he’s got a long way to go.”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

Garp and Sengoku roared with laughter.

But deep down they all knew—the day might come on that battlefield when any of them could fall.

For now, all these bold words were just a way to spur each other on. None of them were fooled.

On the Azure Dragon—

Brown eyed the few unfamiliar kids stepping out of the cabin, his curiosity piqued.

“Who are these brats?”

A few odd-looking kids stood before him—some as tall as three meters, others around average height, maybe a meter and a half.

But their youthful faces made it clear none of them were very old.

Brown’s guess was spot on—the oldest was Aramaki at fourteen, while the youngest, Crocodile and Jinbei, were just six.

None of them were meant for the main battlefield this time, just to watch as spectators for the fiercest battle in pirate history.

Issho came forward, ready to introduce everyone.

“These are new recruits for the Young Pioneers: Aramaki, Gecko Moria, Kuzan, Bartholomew Kuma, Magellan, Jinbei, and Crocodile.”

Karl had gathered all children aged six and up, wanting to shape their views from a young age.

Normally, these kids trained together in the Young Pioneers, so Brown didn’t see much of them.

“Hello, I’m Bartholomew Kuma from the Sorbet Kingdom in South Blue.”

“Hello, I’m Gecko Moria from West Blue…”

“…”

After some quick introductions, everyone was at least on speaking terms.

“Listen, brats, I don’t care what’s going through your heads. This battle isn’t one you’ll be taking part in. Just keep your eyes open and learn as much as you can,” Davis said, leaning against the rail with a puff of smoke.

Davis exhaled a smoke ring, quietly watching them.

He knew Karl had poured his heart into raising these kids, often teaching them himself. Davis didn’t know what Karl’s real plan was, but there was one thing for sure—he wouldn’t let any of these kids get hurt.

Borsalino eyed Davis’s serious face and piped up right away.

“What about us?”

Borsalino had put in hard work the past three years, and he was leagues ahead of other kids his age.

The other kids looked just as dissatisfied, glaring at Davis in protest.

Davis looked out over the crowd of spirited, stubborn children.

He could only shake his head helplessly.

“Anyone seventeen or older can join the frontlines. Anyone younger, that’s the end of the discussion.”

“Your lives are just beginning to shine—don’t throw them away here.”

When Borsalino looked like he wanted to argue, Davis cut in sharply.

“That’s my bottom line. No negotiations.”

He turned and went inside, leaving the group glancing at each other. No one dared cross Davis at that moment.