Chapter 94: The Captain’s Urgent Summons

“Bulu bulu!”

“Newgate, do you know what Captain Rocks wants from us?”

Karl pulled out the Transponder Snail and called Newgate, who was still on Beehive Island.

He wanted to find out if Newgate knew what big news Rocks had called them together for.

“I’m just as clueless as you are.”

“Are you heading back now?”

To keep things secret, Rocks hadn’t told Newgate anything either, so he was just as in the dark.

He also knew that Karl wasn’t on the island right now.

“Yeah, but it’ll still be a few hours before we get there.”

“Gurararara!”

“See you on the island.”

“Click!”

After hanging up, Karl turned to look at Linlin.

“Linlin, looks like even Newgate doesn’t know what’s going on.”

Linlin thought for a moment.

“Mamamamama!”

“Then it must be something big, needing the whole crew called in.”

Karl agreed with Charlotte Linlin’s guess. The last few secret meetings had all been leaked.

It made him seriously wonder just how high-ranking the spy in the Rocks Pirates really was.

So to keep this news under wraps, Rocks was probably only calling in division commanders.

After a few hours of travel, the two finally reached the skies above Beehive Island.

But they didn’t stop—they headed straight for the conference room in the middle of the island.

As they got close, both of them dismounted from Zeus.

“Thud, thud, thud…”

“Gurararara!”

“Karl, you made it pretty early this time.”

“Don’t tease me, Newgate.”

Karl and Linlin stepped into the meeting room, found their seats, and smiled back at Newgate.

He hadn’t expected that even after being held up for hours, they’d still be among the first to arrive.

Right now, including him and Linlin, there were only six or seven people in the conference room.

John, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi were to be expected, but Golden Lion and Kaido still hadn’t shown up.

John glared furiously at him, so Karl naturally glared right back without hesitation.

What did surprise him were the twelve chairs set up.

But he quickly understood why.

Soon, the heavy doors swung open again.

Leading the group was none other than Golden Lion Shiki.

“Jihahahaha!”

“Looks like I’m running late.”

“Shiki, you’re the last ones—hurry up and take a seat.”

“Hmph, acting all high and mighty!”

Hearing John’s jab from the side, Shiki bristled with anger.

But this was a meeting, so he held it in.

Following behind Shiki were two men and three women. Kaido, of course, sat next to Charlotte Linlin.

A sweet-looking girl walked over to Newgate’s side.

“Newgate, why didn’t you come looking for me?”

“And who might you be?”

Watching this blonde woman, Karl guessed—could she be Miss Buckin?

“I’m Miss Buckin. Hello, Lord Karl.”

Karl smiled and greeted her.

So he’d guessed right—this had to be Miss Buckin, the woman later rumored to be Whitebeard’s favorite.

Still, no one really knew if Weevil was actually Newgate’s son.

He glanced at the opposite seats where two women and one man sat.

One of them was Shakky—no introduction needed.

“Those two are Kurozumi Murasame and Kurozumi Semimaru.”

“They just joined the Rocks Pirates in the last few months.”

“Their Devil Fruit powers are special, so they have special permission to attend the commanders’ meeting.”

Hearing Newgate’s explanation made the names ring a bell.

Now he remembered them.

In the original story, those two helped the Kurozumi clan seize the throne, didn’t they?

They were the Copy-Copy Fruit user and the Barrier-Barrier Fruit user, if he recalled right.

Just talking Devil Fruit powers alone, those two were pretty useful.

“Hahahahaha!”

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s start.”

Rocks emerged from the side room and took his seat at the head of the table.

Everyone turned to Rocks, eager to hear why he’d called everyone back.

Rocks sat, wearing a mocking grin as he looked at the group.

“We’ve pretty much unified the latter half of the Grand Line.”

“But this year, there are still kings in the New World paying the Heavenly Tribute to the World Government.”

“And not paying it to us instead.”

“Maybe we’re just not intimidating enough?”

John was about to say something, but Shiki jumped in and grabbed the chance to speak first.

“Jihahahaha!”

“Now that’s what I like, Captain Rocks. Just tell us when and it’s done.”

“I’ve only got one thing to say about this.”

“If I can’t have it, the World Government can’t have it either.”

Rocks’s ferocious presence filled the room, sending chills through everyone.

Feeling that overwhelming aura, Karl thought: no wonder he was called the world’s most ruthless pirate.

Kurozumi Murasame felt that maybe, just maybe, the Kurozumi clan’s hope for restoration would begin here.

“I’ve received word.”

“There are three Heavenly Tribute convoys in total.”

“I plan to strike as they make their return journey.”

Rocks first looked at Shiki, then at Newgate, and finally at Linlin and Karl.

“Newgate and Shiki, you’ll take command of the first convoy. John and Wang Zhi will go with you.”

“Charlotte Linlin and Karl, you’ll lead the second group—Silver Axe and Kaido will back you up.”

“I’ll personally lead the last team with Miss Buckin and the Kurozumi siblings.”

Rocks didn’t mention any specific routes. With traitors possibly lurking, he wouldn’t give them away till the very last moment.

If the Navy caught wind of the plan, all would be lost, so he’d reveal the actual route on the day of departure.

“We move out in three days.”

“I expect no leaks. If word gets out…”

“Vmm!”

Rocks unleashed his raw Conqueror’s Haki, making Karl’s brow twitch as if he’d just walked into a nightmare.

But it only lasted a few seconds, and even then, cracks had spread across the table and walls.

Captain Rocks’s strength was truly unfathomable.

Karl had no idea how Garp and Roger ever managed to bring down someone this strong.

Honestly, even the two of them together shouldn’t have stood a chance against him. Was there some secret twist?

“Don’t worry, Captain Rocks. If there’s a traitor, I’ll crush them first.”

John looked straight at Karl, no attempt to hide his meaning.

If there was a chance Karl was the mole, John would be more than happy—no more hesitation, just one good excuse to strike.

“That’s all. Go get ready—three days from now, we set out sharp on time.”

With that, Rocks turned and headed back to the side room.

“Understood!”

Everyone, Karl included, got up and started to file out.

“Gurararara!”

“Karl, watch yourself this time.”

“Maybe you’ll run into your old rival again.”

On the way out, Newgate kindly reminded Karl.

After all, Karl had been badly injured last time—he’d barely survived.

“Relax. I won’t be so pathetic this time.”

“Honestly, I hope I do run into him.”

Not that Newgate knew, but Karl had actually fought Sengoku and Garp together once before.

“Drinks tonight?”

“Absolutely. Wait for me, Newgate.”

With Karl’s promise, Newgate headed for his quarters.

“Hold it!”

“What’s your deal with Linlin, anyway?”

“What do you think it is?”

Barely had he parted with Newgate when Kaido jumped out to block his way.

“You’d better treat her right. If I hear Linlin got hurt because of you, I won’t let you off so easy.”

“Hahaha, kid, you think you’re in a position to worry about that?”

“Just remember—if I ever hear you mistreated Linlin, I’ll come for you. Count on it.”

Kaido spat out those words and stomped off, club slung across his shoulders.

“Kids really did look better in their younger days.”

Kaido was all brawn up top and two skinny legs down below—his build really did look off-balance.

As Karl watched him disappear, he scratched his chin.

Then he chuckled and headed back to his own quarters—time to get ready.

“Davis, start packing. We’re setting out in three days.”

“Captain Karl, why’s it so urgent?”

The moment Karl was back, he called for Davis.

But when Davis heard they’d be heading out again in just three days, he couldn’t help questioning it.

“We’ve got a big job coming up.”

“Don’t worry, Captain Karl. I’ll get everything in order right away.”

With Krell not on the island, the burden of organizing and passing the word fell to Davis.