Rocks' gaze swept over the officers present as he continued:
"All officers, assemble in the conference hall immediately."
"Yes, Captain."
The officers quickly followed Rocks toward the castle.
As for whether the pirates transporting the treasures would embezzle any, Rocks wasn't concerned at all.
He had already arranged for trusted subordinates to monitor the situation, with each cargo box assigned to specific personnel for counting and recording.
Moreover, who would dare to embezzle the Celestial Tribute?
The consequences went without saying.
The rules of the Rocks Pirates were simple: distribution according to merit, fair and just.
...
Conference Hall.
Raiver Sky, Shiki, Whitebeard, and other officers gradually took their seats.
Rocks sat silently in the main seat, quietly observing everyone.
His gaze swept over each face like an eagle's, as if trying to capture some information from the subtle changes in expression.
From this operation, Rocks had sensed that there must be a Marine spy among the officers. Otherwise, the Marines' plans wouldn't have been so thorough.
It was also possible that the Marine high command had anticipated they would hijack the Celestial Tribute.
Seeing that Rocks remained silent, the officers also kept quiet, each with their own thoughts.
For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After a long while, Rocks finally spoke:
"Silver Axe, briefly report on your team's operation."
The named Silver Axe trembled slightly, immediately straightening his posture as he reported truthfully to Rocks:
"Captain, our team followed the plan and went to the predetermined sea area to intercept."
"We did encounter a Marine fleet, led by several Headquarters Vice Admirals with considerable strength."
"However, they were ultimately no match for us. We sank three warships and injured two Vice Admirals, but..."
Silver Axe showed regret on his face, his voice lowering:
"We didn't encounter the Celestial Tribute transport ship."
If they had also obtained the Celestial Tribute, their share of the distribution would have been much more substantial.
But now... they would probably only get some scraps.
Rocks' face showed neither joy nor anger as he nodded slightly:
"Well done."
His gaze turned to the others:
"Does anyone have anything to add?"
The hall remained quiet.
"You don't need to be disappointed."
Rocks broke the silence, his eyes sweeping over each officer, his tone calm:
"Everyone will get their share of the Celestial Tribute we seized this time."
"According to the rules, participants get sixty percent, while the remaining forty percent goes to those who didn't participate."
"Specific distribution details will be announced later."
"There's one more thing: I've just received word that this hijacking of the Celestial Tribute has thoroughly enraged the World Government."
"They have ordered the recall of Admirals Zhu Yan and Qiongqi."
As these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.
"The Marines are actually recalling those two old guys who are about to retire?!"
Wang Zhi, John, Silver Axe, and several other officers immediately changed expressions.
Zhu Yan! Qiongqi!
These two were Marine Headquarters Admirals, peak powerhouses from an earlier generation than Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, with unfathomable strength!
These three were among the earliest officers who had followed Rocks, and they remembered clearly the might of Zhu Yan and Qiongqi.
During the early days of the Rocks Pirates' establishment, it was these two who often led the Marines in battles against the Rocks Pirates!
Silver Axe's right hand unconsciously moved to his left chest.
There were two intersecting scars, still ferocious and terrifying even after all these years.
They were left by Qiongqi's claw strikes.
Wang Zhi unconsciously touched the scar at the junction of his shoulder and neck.
If Rocks hadn't pulled him away in time back then, he would have long been dead.
That was caused by Zhu Yan's slash.
Qiongqi, shaped like a tiger with wings on its back; Zoan Type, Tiger-Tiger Fruit, Mythical Zoan - Qiongqi Form!
Zhu Yan, resembling an ape with a white head and red tail; Zoan Type, Monkey-Monkey Fruit, Mythical Zoan - Crimson Ape Form!
These two Admirals' epithets were named after their Devil Fruits.
Compared to the current Sengoku and Zephyr, those two... were probably several times stronger!
"The World Government's move undoubtedly targets us."
Rocks' voice pulled everyone back from their memories:
"With Zhu Yan and Qiongqi's return, the Marine's top combat power is almost fully assembled!"
"What we'll face next might be the most powerful suppression force the Marine Headquarters has ever assembled."
Even Rocks himself showed a trace of gravity on his face.
The return of two Admirals, plus a lineup including Kong, Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr - this was enough to crush any force in the New World.
"Jihahaha... Captain, have you forgotten? Those two old guys are long past their prime, otherwise they wouldn't be nearing retirement."
Golden Lion Shiki laughed heartily, breaking the tense atmosphere:
"Hmph! Even at their peak, I'd want to test their strength. Let's see how much power these old guys have left!"
Indeed! Golden Lion Shiki remained as arrogant and rampant as ever!
"Shiki's not wrong!"
Whitebeard also stood up, his Cloud Cutter thumping heavily on the ground.
The statements from the two strongest Officers slightly eased the atmosphere in the hall.
...
After the meeting concluded, Raiver Sky and others followed money-obsessed John as instructed by Rocks to participate in the distribution of the Celestial Tribute.
In the underground warehouse of Hachinosu Fortress, treasures were piled up like mountains.
Gold coins, gold bars, gems, pearls, treasures, luxury goods... all sorted and neatly arranged.
Rocks personally oversaw the operation, trusted Officers supervised, and ordinary crew members handled the transportation - the entire process was orderly.
Besides the Devil Fruits they obtained earlier, Raiver Sky, Shiki, and Newgate could also receive a share of the treasure.
But according to the rules, since Raiver Sky, Shiki, and Whitebeard contributed the most, their shares were still several times higher than other Officers.
"Officer Raiver Sky, this is your share list."
A clerical pirate responsible for recording respectfully handed over a parchment detailing the items Raiver Sky received:
One hundred thousand gold coins, fifty gold bars, three chests of gems, two bags of pearls, ten barrels of fine wine...
Subsequently, Raiver Sky stored these spoils in his Space Warehouse.
[Space Warehouse] - creating space in his palm to store items!
...
At night, bonfires lit up across Hachinosu Island.
The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and alcohol, with laughter and cheers echoing through the night sky.
Raiver Sky sat at the same table with Whitebeard and Shiki.
"Jihahaha... Raiver kid, you contributed the most in seizing the Celestial Tribute this time!"
Shiki held a jar of fine wine, drinking deeply before wiping his mouth and laughing heartily:
"Who would dare look down on you now? This is the respect earned through strength!"
Shiki spoke the truth.
Whitebeard also downed a jar of strong liquor, his voice booming:
"Gurarara... Shiki's right."
On these seas, only the strong earn respect.
"Raiver Sky, I see you don't seem interested in forming your own crew—"
At this moment, Shiki lowered his voice, leaned forward with a serious expression in his eyes:
"Why not stay on my ship permanently? When I establish my own pirate crew in the future, the vice-captain position will undoubtedly be yours!"
These words made even Whitebeard cast a surprised glance.
The vice-captain position—this was the highest commitment Shiki could offer.
Indeed, Raiver Sky was not only powerful but also courageous and strategic.
With his assistance, dominating the seas might truly become achievable.
Now that Raiver Sky was already a renowned powerhouse across the four seas, if he didn't extend the invitation now, what qualifications would he have to ask him aboard once he grew even stronger?
Shiki was completely serious.