The sea after the battle was littered with countless fish floating belly-up on the surface.
A trench dozens of meters wide and stretching for kilometers was clearly visible?
In this battle, the long-renowned Marine Admiral Qiongqi had been severely wounded, while Raiver Sky - who had started the conflict - departed completely unscathed!
When the news spread, it created tidal waves throughout the world.
The pirates went wild.
"Did you hear? Raiver Sky from the Rocks Pirates took down a Marine Admiral!"
"Is that true?! Is that old bastard Qiongqi still alive? I thought he'd retired long ago!"
"It's absolutely true! It's in the newspapers! Merchant ships from the Kingdom of Sinate witnessed it themselves - the seawater was stained red!"
"My god... How strong must Raiver Sky be now? Admiral-level?"
"Probably even stronger! To severely wound Qiongqi and force him to retreat, that kind of power already stands at the world's peak!"
However, in stark contrast, Raiver Sky's shocking acts of brutally killing a Celestial Dragon and kidnapping two other Celestial Dragons...
Seemed as if they had never happened at all, with not even a whisper leaked in the newspapers.
The general public remained completely unaware.
Only a very few well-informed factions learned partial truths through secret channels.
But they all chose to remain silent.
Because this matter involved the Celestial Dragons, it involved the World Government's dignity, it involved the most fundamental order of this world.
Whoever touched it would die.
...
Hachinosu Island, the headquarters of the Rocks Pirates.
At the center of the island stood a majestic Gothic-style black castle, the core stronghold of the Rocks Pirates.
Inside the castle's main hall.
Rocks sat on his stone throne, holding the freshly delivered newspaper, his eyes scanning the shocking headlines.
"Heh haha... This kid Raiver, he really knows how to surprise people every time."
His laughter echoed through the hall, carrying undisguised appreciation.
He continued reading the report, and when he saw "Admiral Qiongqi severely wounded and fell into the sea," the amusement in his eyes turned serious.
"His strength has actually grown to the point where he can severely wound that old bastard Admiral Qiongqi..."
Rocks put down the newspaper, leaned back on his throne, and lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers.
"It seems he's already no inferior to Newgate now."
This evaluation, if spread, would be enough to shock the entire pirate crew.
Edward Newgate, known by his epithet "Whitebeard," was the First Officer of the Rocks Pirates.
His strength was publicly acknowledged as second only to Rocks himself, and some even believed that in terms of pure destructive power, Whitebeard might be superior.
And now, Rocks said Raiver Sky was "already no inferior to Newgate."
What did this mean?
It meant the Rocks Pirates had gained another monster standing at the world's peak.
Rocks casually set aside the newspaper, stood up, and laughed heartily.
His laughter was filled with boldness and excitement.
This secret mission to capture Celestial Dragons was originally intended for Whitebeard.
But because his distinctive appearance and Devil Fruit ability were too conspicuous and easily exposed, they had instead assigned Raiver Sky to execute it.
Whitebeard's signature crescent-shaped white mustache and the power of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit were simply too easily recognizable.
Though Raiver Sky was also a wanted criminal, his Space Fruit abilities were far more concealed.
He had long anticipated the dangers of this mission.
With a Celestial Dragon kidnapped, the Marines and World Government were bound to dispatch top-tier experts to intercept.
He just hadn't expected them to send Qiongqi – nearing retirement – personally deep into the New World.
Though Qiongqi was past his prime, his ferocious might remained, making him no easy opponent to challenge.
Yet Raiver Sky had managed to severely injure him head-on! This young man's growth rate was truly staggering!
Rocks slowly settled back into his throne, his gaze growing profound and dangerous.
"At this rate, that plan can be set in motion."
He murmured to himself, a suppressed excitement lacing his voice.
The purpose of forming the Rocks Pirates had never been merely to plunder riches or dominate the New World.
He had greater ambitions.
And those ambitions required sufficient power to realize.
Now, the pieces of that power were steadily falling into place.
Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Raiver Sky, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, Linlin... over a dozen Officers, each possessing the strength to shift the tides of battle.
"Hah! Do those five old fossils in Mary Geoise truly believe they can completely cover up the shame of a Celestial Dragon's kidnapping?"
Rocks' eyes fell upon the newspaper, a flicker of mockery passing through them.
The press made no mention of the Celestial Dragon's abduction, clearly a result of the five rulers in the Holy Land Mariejois using their authority to deliberately suppress the news.
This displeased Rocks considerably.
If news of the Celestial Dragon's death spread, the entire world would be shaken. The Marines and World Government would lose all face, making the execution of his plan far smoother.
But the Five Elders were clearly no fools.
They had chosen the safest approach: bury the scandal, pin all the blame on the Marines, and at least preserve the World Government's superficial dignity.
"Heh hah hah... The real show is just beginning."
"Let me tear this veil of shame to shreds!"
"The World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, becoming slaves to pirates – now that's a headline that will truly explode!"
Rocks' eyes shone with fervor and anticipation.
He could already foresee the cataclysmic upheaval that would sweep the world once his plan truly commenced.
...
On Hachinosu Island, after the pirates read the newspapers, deafening cheers and uproar instantly erupted.
Most members of the Rocks Pirates were cruel and violent scoundrels, but they shared one common trait – they worshipped strength.
And Raiver Sky had repeatedly proven his "strength" through his battle records.
"What?! Officer Raiver Sky fought the Marine Admiral 'Qiongqi'?!"
"Did you hear? That battle nearly shattered the territorial waters of the Sinatu Kingdom! The skies darkened, the seas churned, and in the end, Admiral Qiongqi was severely wounded and forced to retreat!"
"How come I heard Officer Raiver Sky almost ripped the old man's wings off?!"
"Nonsense! Where did you hear that?"
"Uh... I just figured it myself. Can't I, as Officer Raiver Sky's staunch supporter, hype up my idol a bit?!"
Such scenes played out all over Hachinosu Island.
The fervor from Officer Raiver Sky's defeat of Officer Shiki hadn't even fully subsided before the crew was hit with yet another shocking piece of news.
Every pirate was utterly electrified, boiling over with excitement they could scarcely contain.
They already idolized Raiver Sky, and with this news, their worship soared to new heights.
After all, that was the Marine's top combat power – Admiral Qiongqi!
Even in his old age, few could defeat him!
Captain Rocks was one.
Whitebeard might also be capable of it.
Golden Lion... perhaps barely.
And now, another name had been added to this list: Raiver Sky.
What did this mean?
It meant the Rocks Pirates possessed at least four "Admiral-level" combatants!
What did this signify?
The entire Marine Headquarters only had three publicly acknowledged Admirals!
Although the Marines still had powerful figures like Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr, at least on paper, the Rocks Pirates were already no less formidable!