After hanging up the phone and pondering for a moment, Kong's furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
This might... not only be a crisis, but also a perfect opportunity to severely damage or even completely destroy the Rocks Pirates, this major threat!
Without hesitation, he immediately made calls to gather people.
Soon, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru hurriedly arrived at Kong's office.
"I just received a secret report..." Kong repeated the intelligence provided by the undercover agent in its entirety.
"Rocks himself is leading Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and that newly emerged monster rookie Raiver Sky to rob the main Celestial Tribute escorted by Sengoku and Zephyr.
The other officers, including Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, Charlotte Linlin, etc., will go to rob the other batch escorted by you, Tsuru and Garp.
This is the complete plan of the Rocks Pirates.
Now, tell me your thoughts.
We not only need to stop them and protect the Celestial Tribute... perhaps we can do even more."
After speaking, Kong sharply scanned the four with his gaze.
"This might... be an unexpected opportunity for us?" Tsuru looked up at Kong and Sengoku.
"Exactly!" Sengoku took over:
"I've also noticed this point. As the captain, Rocks doesn't usually take action personally.
This time he's taking the field himself, but only brought two core officers and one rookie. It seems like he's taking it seriously, but in reality, they don't have absolute superiority in high-level combat power.
That rookie Raiver Sky might be the most unstable element in the entire plan, and could be our breakthrough point!
If we can defeat this rookie first, then we can concentrate our forces to divide them, and even... defeat them one by one! We must not let such a good opportunity slip away!
I suggest we adjust and upgrade our original escort plan.
On the surface, Zephyr and I will still be responsible for escorting the main Celestial Tribute fleet, while Garp and Tsuru will be responsible for the other batch.
But in reality, Garp and Tsuru, you two will secretly hide in our main fleet, ready to take action according to the battle situation!
The other batch of Celestial Tribute will serve as bait, escorted by a 'Shadow Fleet' to attract the other officers of the Rocks Pirates to rob it.
As long as we handle the intelligence properly, they should take the bait.
In other words, we'll use the other batch of Celestial Tribute as bait to draw away most of Rocks' officers like Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, Linlin, etc., preventing them from providing timely support to Rocks in the main battlefield.
Our real strategic goal is to gather all the elite forces the Marines can currently mobilize in the New World.
Myself, Garp, Zephyr, Tsuru, plus four elite vice admirals.
With absolutely superior numbers, we'll fully encircle and defeat Rocks, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and that rookie Raiver Sky!"
Sengoku's plan was excellent.
If successful, severely damaging or even killing Rocks himself and his right-hand men would be a devastating blow to the Rocks Pirates.
After hearing Sengoku's proposal, Kong crossed his hands beneath his chin and began weighing the pros and cons.
Shortly after, Kong abruptly stood up: "We'll proceed according to Sengoku's plan! Begin covert deployment immediately!
Tsuru, you're responsible for refining the operational details and implementing intelligence misinformation.
Sengoku, Zephyr, Garp - you three immediately begin secretly mobilizing our most elite forces and prepare to strike at any moment!
Remember, this operation's codename is 'Broken Horn' and is classified as the Marine Headquarters' highest-level secret!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!" Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru rose solemnly, standing at attention and saluting.
Even Garp, who was usually casual, stopped chewing his snacks and showed an unusually serious expression, nodding firmly.
...
Three days later, at Hachinosu Island's port.
The flag of the Rocks Pirates flapped loudly in the wind, with over a dozen massive pirate ships ready and poised for action.
The decks were crowded with pirates, their noisy excitement carrying a bloodthirsty edge.
Rocks stood at the bow of the flagship, with Shiki, Newgate, and Raiver Sky positioned behind him to his left and right.
Rocks scanned the surroundings with hawk-like eyes before giving the order in a deep voice: "Set sail!"
...
In the New World, within an area of treacherous climate and complex ocean currents.
Over a dozen warships of the Rocks Pirates advanced in formation, cutting through the waves!
At the flagship's bow, Rocks stood facing the wind. His Observation Haki seemed to detect something as he spoke gravely:
"Shiki, Newgate, the task of charging forward and tearing through the Marine formation will be yours."
Shiki grinned: "No problem!"
Whitebeard nodded steadily: "Leave it to us."
Rocks slightly turned his head, his gaze falling upon Raiver Sky: "Raiver, you'll remain with me on the flagship to coordinate the overall situation and monitor battlefield changes."
Raiver felt a slight surprise, a flicker of doubt arising in his heart.
According to past plundering operations and his own combat role, he should have been joining Newgate and Shiki as part of the vanguard assault force.
Did the captain think his Devil Fruit ability was more suitable for battlefield control?
Or did he feel Raiver's practical experience was still insufficient compared to the two veterans, requiring more observation?
Or perhaps... the captain foresaw other variables?
Rocks seemed to keenly detect Raiver's momentary emotional fluctuation.
Without turning around, he began to explain:
"In the Marine strategy department, there's a woman named 'Tsuru.'
In terms of direct combat power, she might not rank high, but she's meticulous, cunning, and excels at planning and intelligence analysis.
Our previous Celestial Tribute raids all encountered unexpected complications later on - she was likely behind them.
Although our intelligence source for this Celestial Tribute raid is reliable and our operation sufficiently covert, we can't guarantee there won't be variables.
You'll stay on the ship with me to anchor our position.
Your abilities, whether in large-scale control or precise response to emergencies, are better suited for this role.
Someone needs to manage our retreat path and battlefield tempo."
Just then, at the distant horizon.
A series of small black dots gradually appeared, rapidly growing larger as the distance closed.
It was a Marine escort fleet composed of ten warships of varying sizes!
On the deck of the particularly massive warship at the fleet's center, numerous giant cargo containers covered with waterproof canvas could be vaguely seen, stacked neatly.
Inside it lay the priceless "Celestial Tribute" offered by various member nations of the World Government!
"They're here." Rocks raised his arm and pointed sharply toward the naval fleet ahead, his voice suddenly rising:
"Bring the ships closer! Crush them!!"
"ROAR——!!!"
The pirate fleet erupted with earth-shaking roars as all ships abruptly accelerated, cutting through the waves.
On the observation deck of the main naval vessel, a sailor responsible for surveillance was scanning the surrounding waters with binoculars.
When he saw over a dozen massive pirate ships charging toward them in full force, he instantly turned pale with terror and desperately screamed down to the deck below:
"Ro...Rocks! It's the Rocks Pirates! They're all attacking——!!!"