Not good!
Kid watched as the hand moved with incredible speed, unable to avoid it, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and use the other mechanical giant hand to block.
In the next instant, there was a crunching sound, and this mechanical arm was instantly smashed, not sustaining for even a second, metal fragments flew in all directions.
Kid groaned, not yet having time to react, when Jack's other hand was already clutching his neck, lifting him up like an eagle catching a chick.
"Let go of the captain!"
Seeing this, Kira's eyes flashed under the mask, he drew his scythe, swinging it with a motion so smooth water couldn't penetrate, his figure rushing towards Jack like a phantom.
"Get lost, scum!"
Jack didn't even look, raising his foot for a precise sweep, hitting Kira right on the head.
Bam! The latter was instantly hit as if struck by lightning, his whole body flying backwards, crashing heavily into the distant ruins.
"Weak, truly too weak."
Jack shook his head, looking at Kid struggling in his grasp, a hint of disdain in his eyes, "With only this strength, you dare challenge our boss?"
"Bast...ard..."
Kid's face turned red, veins popping on his temples, hands desperately prying at Jack's fingers, but utterly unable to budge them, his breathing becoming increasingly difficult.
"This is the reckoning you deserve, remember to be a good person in your next life."
Jack spoke impassively, suddenly tightening his fingers.
Crunch!
The crisp sound of breaking bones echoed, Kid's struggle came to an abrupt halt, eyes staring blankly skyward, head drooping powerlessly.
Jack casually tossed him aside like garbage, then strode towards the distant ruins, deciding not to spare Kira either.
Watching the burly figure walk away, the other Super Rookies nearby were left stunned and speechless.
Eustass Kid, dead just like that?
The entire process took only a minute or two... he was the Super Rookie with the second-highest bounty among them.
If Shano had taken action personally, taking down Kid so quickly wouldn't have surprised them, they'd have thought it rightful.
But... even the young cadres under Endgame have such strength?
Ace managed a dry laugh, suddenly glad he hadn't rashly initiated a challenge earlier... it turns out he knew better after all...
Law, Sanji, and Zoro exchanged glances, each seeing the shock and a hint of urgency in the other's eyes.
Indeed, should we say New World's standards of strength are indeed on another level?
They, the newcomers, aiming to make a name for themselves within Endgame, keeping pace with Brother Shano, clearly need to double their efforts...
——————
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
Navy Headquarters, Marinfanto.
Within a wind-style building resembling a Heavenly Guard Tower, a long-unused conference room was brightly lit, the tatami below was full with Navy high command smoking cigars and draped in white Cloak of Justice.
Headquarters Senior Staff Officer Blanu, in such a setting, had no qualification to host the meeting, standing obediently by the far end, performing clerical record duties.
As for the main seat given up, the somber-looking old man standing there...
Was none other than Admiral Sengoku himself.
Blanu stealthily glanced at Sengoku, the first time seeing his superior in such poor condition.
His face was alarmingly haggard, eye sockets sunken, bloodshot eyes, the goat whiskers lost their usual sheen, seemingly neglected for days, appearing unruly.
He was inwardly perturbed.
It was heard that the Admiral, Grand Admiral Kizaru, and Instructor Zephyr were summoned to the Holy Land a few days ago, only released the next day.
The latter two were in decent shape, only Admiral Sengoku seemed changed after whatever he endured in Mary Geoise...
Being an admiral is truly no easy task.
"Gentlemen."
Sengoku's hoarse voice broke the silence of the conference room, he surveyed all present Navy high command, slowly speaking:
"The execution event that occurred in Shampodi a few days back, its nature was truly malignant, I believe all present are aware, the World Government expressed unprecedented rage, a highest-level command has been issued to me—"
He took a deep breath, raised two fingers, enunciating word by word:
"First, the vacant positions of the Seven Warlords of the Sea have now reached three, we must determine candidates as quickly as possible, with approval from the Holy Land to fill them."
"Second, the ceasefire agreements previously reached between Endgame and the Holy Land are officially void as of today! Compared to other Sea Emperors, the Endgame led by Shano will become the Navy Headquarters' highest priority extermination target!!!"
These two points were long anticipated by the high command.
Thus, no one interjected, they continued silently smoking.
"Previously, following last year's Dressrosa conflict's conclusion, Endgame has frequently provoked the Navy, but due to the Holy Land's stance, we had to exercise restraint, this was reflected in bounty adjustments, Endgame members' bounties haven't been updated for a long time."
"And what's the result? Tolerance, compromise, in the end only led to more rampant provocations! More insane atrocities!"
Sengoku roared, vigorously pounding the table, shaking cups:
"Executing Heavenly Celestial Dragon, declaring war on the World Government, using broadcast signals to incite the public... these heinous acts are truly innumerable! The Five Elders have personally ordered a review of Endgame crew's bounty criteria!"
He glanced at Blanu.
Blanu immediately understood, quickly moving to the whiteboard, adhering a stack of new bounty orders one by one.
"First, for those cadres remaining on territory!"
Sengoku intoned, "Though these criminals from the same gang did not partake in Shampodi's operation, they are equally culpable! However, their importance is lower, so here I'll quickly and briefly go over them, Blanu."
"Yes, Admiral!"
At this point, Blanu had finished posting all the warrants.
A total of seven.
Facing the focused gazes focused upon, his face grave, he read aloud from left to right:
"Thunder Grey Wolf Ah Yin, original bounty 300 million, now increased to 420 million Belly!"
"Pet-Eating Demon Nami, original bounty 228 million, now increased to 350 million Belly!"
"Defector Hunter Smoker, original bounty 365 million, now increased to 412 million Belly!"
"Frosty Fist Nojiko, original bounty 330 million, now increased to 400 million Belly!"
"Son of the Demon Robin, original bounty 300 million, now increased to 400 million Belly!"
"Redfoot Zeff, original bounty 220 million, now increased to 300 million Belly!"
"As for this last one..."
Blanu looked at the photo of the little white cat, hesitating:
"This one is rather special, Endgame adopted a new pet last year-end, one would expect it to be quickly eaten by that female demon, but it's unexpectedly survived until now."
"It either possesses genuine self-preservation skills or is unusually adored by the Endgame cadres, regardless, this cat clearly holds high hunting value, originally 1000 Belly bounty appears unsuitable, new bounty significantly increased to 10 million Belly!"
Among the numerous high command below, regarding the previous bounty changes, they were not particularly surprised.
Only here did many faces fluctuate, somewhat astonished.
Just a mere cat, can it really live this long under that infamous demon's hands?
Truly a miracle...
"Next comes the main event."
Blanu coughed once, drawing everyone's attention back, quickly removing the seven photos, replacing them with a new batch of bounty orders.
This batch, consisted of four.
"If I recall correctly, weren't Endgame's top cadres three individuals?"
A Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral couldn't help asking, "I just completed an overseas duty, I'm unclear on details of the Shampodi incident, how is it, does Endgame have new powerhouse promoted to the top cadre ranks?"
He looked at that last photo, seemingly of a somewhat portly blind person, unfamiliar and without any impression.
"Not internal promotion, but heaven-sent."
Sengoku coldly spoke, "And unknown what stroke of luck these criminals encountered, to unwittingly recruit such a once unheard-of powerhouse."
"In short, this individual sealed the dock that day, successfully blocked Zephyr's reinforcement troops, otherwise the Shampodi situation wouldn't have turned so dire!"