Several days later, Hachinosu Island.
Conference Hall.
"You should have noticed the recent movements of the Marines."
"The Marine Headquarters has not only recalled the two Admirals, Zhu Yan and Qiongqi, but has also deployed the majority of their elite forces to various bases in the New World, training day and night."
"Clearly, in the near future, we will inevitably face a large-scale encirclement and suppression by the Marines!"
The conference hall fell into a dead silence.
"Waiting idly for death is never my style."
Rocks stood up and walked over to the enormous nautical chart on the wall, his fingers tracing across the vast sea of the New World:
"Therefore, we must strike first and seize the initiative before the storm fully takes shape."
He turned around, a mad flame burning in his eyes:
"But before that, we need more weapons and ammunition, and our overall strength must reach the next level!"
"For the next period of time, I have important matters to attend to."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over all the Officers present:
"You all can't be idle either."
"Each of you, lead your respective fleets and plunder every visible force in the New World seas—whether they are pirates, kingdoms, or other small fry."
"In short, complete the mission as quickly as possible, then use the plundered treasures to exchange for the weapons we need on the black market—firearms, ammunition, ships, and... Devil Fruits."
"Of course, don't stop improving your own strength either."
"If any emergencies arise during this time, contact me via Den Den Mushi."
The Officers in the hall listened silently, with no one raising any objections.
Everyone understood that Rocks was accumulating the capital needed to shake the world for the inevitable decisive battle against the Marines and even the World Government.
This was no ordinary plunder; it was the final preparation before war.
"Meeting adjourned."
Rocks waved his hand.
The Officers gradually stood up and left.
Soon, only Raiver Sky and Rocks remained in the conference hall.
No one was surprised that Raiver Sky was singled out to stay.
Given the strength and status he had demonstrated, it was certain that the captain had a more critical mission for him.
Raiver Sky spoke calmly: "Captain, you kept me behind specifically because you have a secret mission for me, right?"
Rocks laughed:
"Hahaha... You guessed correctly. There is indeed a task that only you are suited for."
"But this mission's location is not in the New World."
"For the sake of safety, you are the most suitable candidate."
"With your strength and Devil Fruit Ability, even if an Admiral were to appear personally, they might not be able to stop you. Moreover..."
He paused:
"The place you're going to is a bit far."
Raiver Sky understood and nodded slightly, indicating his acceptance.
Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind.
The entire crew being mobilized to sweep through the New World and plunder treasures meant that his mission was also about "acquiring treasure," and the destination was so distant that it needed special emphasis...
Combining this with certain information from the original story, Raiver Sky tentatively asked:
"The target this time... could it be the 'Ice Continent'?"
The Ice Continent, located within the territory of the Flower Kingdom in the West Blue. Legend has it that beneath the eternal glaciers lies a staggering treasure accumulated over more than ten generations, piled high like a mountain.
This was the inherited secret treasure guarded by the Happo Navy for generations, its value far surpassing the Celestial Tribute they had previously seized.
Although the Rocks Pirates' fearsome reputation shook the four seas, their actual sphere of influence was mainly concentrated in the New World, not yet extending to the distant West Blue.
If the target were within the New World territory, any core Officer could accomplish the task.
But the West Blue was entirely different.
If the operation were detected in advance by the Marines, even someone as powerful as Whitebeard would find it extremely difficult to escape unscathed when surrounded and pursued by several top Marine experts.
However, the power over force and space that Raiver Sky controlled granted him formidable mobility and breakthrough capability, making him the perfect candidate for such long-range covert assault missions.
"Oh? It seems you've heard of it too."
A flicker of surprise crossed Rocks' eyes before he confirmed:
"Correct, it's the treasure slumbering beneath the glaciers."
"Accumulated over eleven generations, its value..."
Rocks paused, his voice carrying a rare hint of anticipation:
"Is likely far greater than the Celestial Tribute we seized last time."
"If it weren't so far away in the West Blue, this treasure would have been ours long ago."
He was somewhat surprised that Raiver Sky knew about this, but since the other party was aware, it saved a lot of explanation.
"After the mission is accomplished, half of the treasure will belong to you personally, while the other half will be added to the pirate crew's treasury."
These terms could be considered generous.
Half of the Ice Continent treasure... that would be wealth enough to buy an entire country.
Raiver Sky nodded calmly:
"Understood."
"I'll set off for the West Blue tomorrow."
...
The next day, Raiver Sky came to the port alone.
The island seemed much quieter than usual.
Officers like Whitebeard, Shiki, and Linlin, along with their respective fleets, had already departed. The vast Hachinosu Island appeared to have only Rocks' direct fleet remaining.
Raiver Sky walked to the dock and saw that most of the berths that were once filled with masts were now empty, with only a few ships still moored by the shore, making it appear particularly desolate.
They moved quickly. The orders were just given yesterday, and today the Officers have already set sail with their teams.
Raiver Sky walked to the end of the pier where a massive pirate ship was docked.
The hull was painted dark red, with towering masts and numerous cannons lining the sides. Though not as enormous as Rocks' flagship, it was still considered an elite warship.
This ship was temporarily assigned to Raiver Sky by Rocks for this mission, and it would also bear the responsibility of transporting the treasure back.
Raiver Sky's figure shifted slightly, and the next moment he appeared in the center of the deck.
"Look! It's Officer Raiver Sky!"
"Greetings, Officer Raiver Sky!"
The pirates standing by on the ship immediately gathered around, bowing respectfully.
These pirates were all elites directly under Rocks' command, far more disciplined than ordinary crew members.
"Is everyone here?" Raiver Sky's gaze swept over the crowd as he asked calmly.
"Reporting, sir! All members present, supplies fully stocked, ready to depart at any time!"
Raiver Sky gave a slight nod and said nothing more.
He walked to the bow of the ship, facing westward, and with a slight thought.
Hum—
The entire massive pirate ship shuddered slightly before slowly lifting off the sea surface, hovering in mid-air.
"It's flying! We're flying!"
"As expected of Officer Raiver Sky! This ability is so similar to Officer Shiki's Float-Float Fruit!"
Suppressed yet excited gasps rippled across the ship. Though these pirates had witnessed Shiki's abilities before, seeing Raiver Sky lift the vessel in a similar manner still left them awestruck.
Ignoring the commotion behind him, Raiver Sky pressed his palms downward through the air, then—
Directional Void Stream!
[Directional Void Stream] channeled void energy, forming a directional surge of energy that propelled objects along a designated path at high speed!
BOOM!!!
An invisible torrent of energy erupted behind the ship's hull, thrusting the thousand-ton vessel westward like an arrow released from its bow.
The ship's surface glowed faintly red from atmospheric friction during its high-speed travel, with a conical shockwave forming at the prow.
...
Three days later.
West Blue, a vast stretch of sea.
Standing at the bow, Raiver Sky gazed toward the gradually sharpening silhouette where sea met sky.
That faint coastline ahead must be the territory of the Flower Kingdom.
This nation was renowned for its abundance of flowers and spices, while also commanding respect across the West Blue through the formidable combat prowess of the "Happo Navy."
"Raise the flag."
Raiver Sky issued the calm command.
Soon, the Jolly Roger of the Rocks Pirates slowly ascended to the top of the mast.
The black banner featuring a crowned skull with crossed cutlasses behind it symbolized the authority of the New World's supreme ruler.
The hovering pirate ship flew into the territorial waters of the Flower Kingdom.
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