Marineford, the Marine Headquarters.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, the air was so heavy it felt like it could drip water.
Fleet Admiral Kong stood with his back to the door, gazing out the window at the naval port below, which remained busy but seemed to be shrouded in a gray pall.
His imposing figure appeared somewhat hunched at this moment.
The office door was pushed open gently, and a bespectacled female secretary walked in silently, placing a thick report on his desk.
Her movements were more cautious than usual, as if she were afraid of disturbing something.
"Fleet Admiral... the preliminary statistics are out." Her voice was low.
"The fleet that participated in the encirclement suffered losses exceeding sixty percent. Seventy percent of the Vice Admiral-level Marines were killed in action, and eleven are severely wounded and unable to continue fighting. Marine Soldiers' casualties... are countless."
This battle had wiped out most of the Navy's mid-level command; if any further conflicts were to arise in the future, there would be only a handful of people left to deploy.
Kong did not turn around, but his hand resting on the windowsill turned white at the knuckles from the excessive force.
He remained silent for a long time before asking in a voice that sounded decades older, "What about Garp and the others?"
Most of the previous Navy Vice Admirals had been killed in battle, but Garp and Sengoku, the future pillars of the Navy, could not afford to have anything happen to them, especially now that most of the Navy Vice Admirals were dead.
"Both Vice Admirals sustained some injuries, but they are not critical and are currently on their way back. Zephyr and Tsuru have led the remaining Marines away from the most dangerous waters."
"...Understood, you may leave." Kong waved his hand, his voice filled with exhaustion.
The female secretary retreated silently and pulled the door shut behind her.
Kong slowly turned around, looking at the heavy report on the desk. Finally, he picked up the transponder snail and dialed Mary Geoise.
Regardless, he had to report this crushing defeat to those five adults in person.
Even if it meant facing their thunderous rage and even stricter constraints from the World Government.
The future of the Navy seemed to be shrouded in a thick shadow at this moment.
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Chamber of Authority.
"Trash! The Marines are a bunch of trash!" Saint Macajuma threw the report in his hand onto the floor in anger.
"After assembling such a massive force, they were actually routed head-on by a single Pirate Crew! What is that fellow Kong doing?"
"The losses are too great. The pension and reconstruction costs will make our finances even more stretched." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter frowned, his tone cold.
There was no pity in his words for the Marine Soldiers who had died in battle, only concern for the tight finances.
"A bunch of trash, why give them pensions? Let the Marines figure it out themselves," Saint Macajuma said angrily.
Saint Topman Warcury tapped his cane lightly on the ground, his voice low: "Now is not the time to assign blame. After this battle, the Rocks Pirates will surely become even more arrogant. We must eliminate them before he shakes the foundations of the world!"
"A direct confrontation seems to result in too many losses," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps... we should change our approach. How is the plan targeting Elbaf coming along?"
"Harald, is it..." Saint Peter mused, "We let that fellow attack the Marines after he saw non-Affiliated Nation personnel who were helping his country being captured by the Marines as Slaves. He must be completely at a loss now."
"Has the plan reached this stage?" A cold light flashed in Saint Warcury's eyes. "If he knows that killing Rocks will allow him to join the Affiliated Nations, he surely won't refuse. After all, someone who cares so much about those Slaves will care even more about his own citizens!"
"Let's do it," Saint Saturn finally made the decision. "It has dragged on for so long; it is time."
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