Pirates on Rocks' Ship 996

Chapter 1120 Reina's Intentions

“Satan?”

As soon as the Den Den Mushi was connected, the voices of the Five Elders came through.

“It’s me. Things have changed a bit here!” Jegarcia Satan Saint said softly.

"What happened? Did you run into some trouble?" the other five elders asked curiously from the Den Den Mushi.

Jegalsia Satan Saint recounted the events that had transpired, then said in a deep voice, "The Whitebeard Pirates' Akame Reyna actually knew about Lord Im's existence, so in order to preserve our strength, I chose to retreat. The Straw Hat crew and Uta escaped!"

After hearing Jegalsia Satan Saint's words, the other side fell silent. If they hadn't done this, they probably would have started cursing long ago. They took such a powerful force out, but not only did they fail to capture the Straw Hat crew and Uta, they also provoked Shanks and the Whitebeard Pirates.

Are you perhaps a spy sent by the other side? Even a spy wouldn't be as ruthless as you!

"So what are your plans now? You should know that your target this time isn't those pirates!" After a long pause, one of the Five Elders asked, "If you go to Xuan Yue Island now, I'm afraid it won't end well!"

“So I have no choice but to go to Future Island!” Jegarcia Satan Saint said in a deep voice.

“You’re planning to take direct action against Vegapunk? He’s still useful to us!” another of the Five Elders said after thinking for a moment.

In fact, Jegarcia Satan Saint's original goal was to go to Crescent Island. Because of Vegapunk's abnormal behavior, they realized that the world's chief scientist might have rebelled, so they sent him to Crescent Island to capture him.

Because their mole planted next to Vegapunk had reported that Vegapunk had contacted the Whitebeard Pirates, and that three of Vegapunk's clones had disappeared, the mole suspected that the clones had gone to Crescent Island, which is why Jegarcia Satan Saint was dispatched this time.

His reason for coming out was quite simple: it wasn't because of the Whitebeard Pirates' strength, but because of his desire to control Seraph.

If Vegapunk were to send Seraphim into battle, the average CP0 member would have less authority over Seraphim than Vegapunk himself, which is the main reason why the Five Elders were mobilized.

They can't directly attack Crescent Island right now because the Whitebeard Pirates have mobilized all their forces to rescue the Straw Hat crew, so now is definitely not a good time for them to go.

As for why they didn't go directly to Future Island from the start, it's because they knew that Vegapunk's Future Island and Crescent Moon Island were definitely equipped with teleporters. They might not be able to capture Vegapunk even if they went to Future Island. On the contrary, if they went to Crescent Moon Island, as long as they captured Vegapunk's clone, they would have an excuse to massacre Crescent Moon Island. By then, even if the main force of the Whitebeard Pirates returned, they would have already withdrawn.

That would have served as a warning to Vegapunk, demonstrated the World Government's military might, and ensured Vegapunk continued to work for them—a win-win situation. However, this plan is no longer feasible. The only option is to follow Jegalsia Satan's advice and capture Vegapunk on Future Island, as the World Government is well aware of the immense impact a Vegapunk rebellion would have on the world.

So after discussing it over the Den Den Mushi, no one asked Jegalsia Satan Saint to take some people to Future Island first. They would report the matter to Lord Im and see if Lord Im had any other plans.

Meanwhile, after the World Government and Navy personnel withdrew, Reina and the Straw Hat crew reunited.

At this time, Luffy and Zoro were still unconscious, Sanji and Jinbe were also seriously injured, Franky had the fewest injuries, but he had used up a lot of cola energy, and the Sunny was in a dilapidated state.

As for Shanks, after seeing the enemy retreat, his captains immediately rushed over. During the time they were hiding, they carried out emergency repairs on the pirate ship, and it is now able to sail normally.

Only the Whitebeard Pirates suffered minimal losses. Marco was also injured, but not seriously, and there were no major problems.

"Jinbe, what exactly happened on your side? Why did you provoke the Five Elders?" At this moment, Reina finally asked, wanting to find out the reason for the Five Elders' appearance.

"I don't know, we just came to pick up Uta! Later we met Shanks, and after Luffy made a deal with him, we left. Later we met up with the ship that came to pick us up, but Luffy was worried about Shanks, so we came back to check on him. As a result, we ran into the Red-Haired Pirates who were fighting against the Navy and the World Government!" Jinbe said with a wry smile.

Reina then looked at Shanks, his eyes questioning him.

"I didn't expect the Five Elders to come either, but I think, just like you guessed, they must have had other purposes for coming to the North Blue. They just happened to learn that Luffy was going to pick up Uta, so they came. Otherwise, the battle wouldn't have ended so easily. And it's strange that they would fight me head-on even though they knew Uta wasn't here!" Shanks shook his head and said.

"Alright, whatever their purpose in coming here, the Navy and the World Government have violated the North Sea Treaty, and we definitely need Sengoku to give us an explanation!" Reina said with a light laugh.

"Warring States period?" Shanks, Jinbe, and the others looked at Reyna in surprise.

With all five elders mobilized, even the current Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, let alone Sengoku, the former Fleet Admiral, couldn't give them an explanation.

"Don't forget, it was Sengoku who signed the treaty with us! So if something happens, we'll definitely only go after him! As for how he argues with the Marine Headquarters and the World Government, that's their business. So now I need your answer. If Sengoku doesn't give an explanation, are you willing to join us in waging war against the Marines?" Reina asked with a slight smirk.

Shanks looked at Reina and quickly understood his intention. He nodded and said, "We almost capsized this time, and we definitely have to settle this score with them. Since your Whitebeard Pirates already have a plan, then I have no objection!"

Jinbe, standing to the side, was speechless. He wasn't the captain of the Straw Hat crew, so he had no right to make the decision!

Besides, he really didn't want to get involved. The Five Elders had threatened him with Fishman Island before, and he didn't know what Luffy was planning.

So after thinking for a moment, Jinbe looked at Luffy, who was still unconscious, and said, "I can't admit to this. Luffy is still unconscious. We can only make a decision after he wakes up. And I think we have to go back and discuss it!"

Jinbe, thinking about Luffy's usual "junior" status on the ship, was very skeptical that Luffy could make a decision on his own.

“Alright, wait here. Our reinforcements will be here soon. I’ll send someone to escort you back! You can negotiate and then tell them what you think is best!” Reina nodded and said.

Chapter 1121 Reina's Purpose

When Lakuyo arrived with reinforcements from the Whitebeard Pirates, Reina had already finished what he needed to do. So, under Reina's arrangement, Lakuyo and Kingo led five pirate crews to escort Luffy and his crew back to their base.

As for Shanks, there was no such arrangement. They were simply given some supplies and then sent away.

“The Five Elders actually appeared in the North Sea this time, Reina. I have a feeling they’re coming for us!” Marco said softly to Reina on the way back.

“It’s very likely that all our forces are deployed on the front lines. Once they get close to Xuan Yue Island, given their strength, Xuan Yue Island will have a hard time resisting! However, they probably don’t know that with Dr. Vegapunk’s help, Xuan Yue Island’s power system has been upgraded, so if they can’t win, escaping shouldn’t be a problem!” Reina said after thinking for a moment.

"When I get back, I'll discuss it with Shakya and ask him to help us upgrade our defense system. Future Island's defense system is excellent. Once the defense mode is activated, ordinary attacks simply cannot break through it, which can effectively protect the core area!"

Marco nodded upon hearing this and said, "Vegapunk truly lives up to his reputation as the world's number one scientist. His arrival has solved a lot of our problems! Also, perhaps we should give that extraterrestrial visitor we've been holding a try? If we can obtain more intelligence, we can launch a more proactive attack!"

“Yes, let’s get started when we get back! Shakya and the others have been waiting for a long time!” Reina replied with a smile.

Although he didn't understand why the Five Elders came to the North Sea, Marco's words gave Reina a wake-up call, so he decided to go back and discuss with Shakya about rebuilding the Xuan Yue Island defense system.

Otherwise, if another force were to launch a surprise attack on Xuan Yue Island one day, they would likely suffer heavy losses.

On the way back, Reina called Whitebeard to let him know he was safe and sound, and also told him about his plan to upgrade the defense system of Crescent Moon Island. Whitebeard did not object, but reminded Reina that the fully automatic defense system that Shakya had mentioned might not always work well.

Reina had naturally thought a lot about it, and he would discuss it with Shaka. Apart from Whitebeard and Reina, who had the highest authority, the next level up would be the captains. As for Shaka and Vegapunk, their authority would be at most the same as that of the captains of the pirate crews under Whitebeard, because they were only in a cooperative relationship at the moment and the other party had not joined the Whitebeard Pirates.

Of course, Dr. Sieg is different. He has the same captain-level authority as Marco, and he is also quite high up among the captains.

Gaji and Shakyamuni have the same authority as the captains.

Actually, this already shows that Reina trusts them a lot. You have to know that some of those captains have been with Whitebeard for a long time. They just wanted to go out and make their own way, which is why they didn't become captains of the crew.

When Reina led the main force back to Kaka Island, he specially rewarded Kuki and taught him some combat skills and training methods. As for whether Kuki could stick to the training, that was up to him.

Kuki was extremely grateful for this.

"Alright, you did a very good job this time. I was originally going to transfer you back to Xuan Yue Island, but there's no suitable replacement right now, so I'll have to keep you here for a while!" Reina said with a smile, patting Kuki on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, First Mate, I will definitely complete the mission!" Kuki patted his chest and assured him.

"I trust you completely! You should practice the training methods I taught you to strengthen your abilities so that everyone can see them when we return to Xuan Yue Island!" Reina said with a smile. "Your underlings did well this time too, but I won't overstep my bounds. You can reward them yourself. You can also teach them what I taught you. If you can cultivate more strong individuals for the pirate crew, that will be your achievement!"

"Yes!" Kuki replied, bowing.

"Don't be so picky. We're still pirates. According to the captain, as long as you're a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, we're all family!" Reina said with a laugh.

After leaving Kaka Island, Reina led the main force quickly toward Xuan Yue Island.

Despite expending a significant amount of the teleporter's energy to bring the main force back from the front lines, Reina wasn't bothered, knowing that someone would have to pay for it.

Before he even arrived at Gengetsu Island, he received a Den Den Mushi from Sengoku of the Navy.

"Yo~ Isn't this our former Fleet Admiral, Lord Sengoku? What? Planning to wipe us all out in one fell swoop?" Reina said with a mocking expression.

“Reina, you should understand that the appearance of the Five Elders in the North Sea is something I have no control over!” Sengoku said in a deep voice.

"So what? I'm asking you, aren't you a Marine? Isn't Kizaru a Marine? Don't the Five Elders represent the World Government? Wasn't the North Blue Treaty we signed between the Marines and the World Government? Now that something's happened, you think you can just walk away and pretend it never happened? Let me tell you, that's impossible!" Reina's tone changed, and he immediately shouted.

Sengoku's face immediately darkened. He couldn't believe that Reina wouldn't understand such a simple question. This was clearly an attempt to blackmail him!

"Just tell me! What are you planning to do about this?" Sengoku was too lazy to argue with Reina and asked directly.

"Hehe...Ask me? I have no idea! But I can tell you that if you don't handle this matter well, then the Whitebeard Pirates, the Red-Haired Pirates, and the Straw Hat Pirates will launch an attack on you. After all, you are also a Marine. We suffered such a great loss this time, how could we not seek revenge on you?" Reina said with a light laugh.

Although Luffy's Straw Hat crew hadn't agreed yet, that didn't stop Reina from using Luffy's name to intimidate people. Given their relationship with the Straw Hat crew, Sengoku would definitely believe him!

Upon hearing this, Sengoku was so angry that he almost slammed his fist on the table. He roared at the Den Den Mushi, "Reina, you know perfectly well that this has nothing to do with me, so why are you pinning it on me?"

"You dare yell at me? It has nothing to do with you? Unless you, Sengoku, declare that the North Blue Navy is seceding from the World Government and the Marine Headquarters, otherwise... you dare say it has nothing to do with you?" Reina finally revealed his fangs and said in a deep voice, "Either you take responsibility, or... we go to war! Sengoku... you have no other choice, this is the price!"

Hearing Reina's words, Sengoku finally calmed down. He understood what Reina wanted to do, and he finally realized that he could no longer bear the consequences of this matter.

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi with Reina, Sengoku remained silent for a moment before picking up the Den Den Mushi again to contact Sakazuki. He could no longer make a decision about this matter!

Chapter 1122 Sakazuki's Wrath

When Sakazuki connected to Sengoku's Den Den Mushi, he guessed that it must be about the Five Elders appearing in the North Blue.

However, after learning from Sengoku what the Five Elders had been doing, Sakazuki couldn't help but get angry.

"Are they all idiots? Just to go to the North Sea and provoke those pirates? What were they thinking? Those pirates finally went to the North Sea to fight off those invading extraterrestrial visitors, and they had to go and show off their skills? They're a bunch of pigs!" Sakazuki, with a cigar in his mouth, smashed the cigar in one bite and roared angrily.

"It's no use talking about this now. Apart from the Revolutionary Army, all the pirates in the North Sea are now holding me responsible, saying that we violated the original North Sea Treaty. Such a huge responsibility is something that I, a mere retired former marshal, really cannot bear!" Sengoku said softly, as if he had aged more than ten years in an instant.

Sakazuki remained silent, unsure how to handle the situation.

Back when I wasn't a marshal, I always felt that once I became a marshal, I could do whatever I wanted. But now that I've actually become a marshal, I realize how difficult the Warring States period was.

Therefore, the state of the Warring States period at this time evoked some sympathy from Sakazuki.

They finally managed to establish a foothold in Beihai, only to be met with a bunch of incompetent teammates who caused trouble and then ran away.

"I'll contact the Five Elders and see if they have any solutions. If not... we'll see!" Sakazuki replied weakly.

Sengoku knew that this matter was indeed beyond Sakazuki's capabilities, so he could only say, "They won't give us much time to prepare. Besides... they've given us two options: either give them an explanation, or... declare that our North Sea Navy no longer belongs to the navy or the world, becoming a new power, and then it will be unrelated to this incident!"

Upon hearing this, Sakazuki immediately understood the pirates' plan: they wanted to split up their navy!

So Sakazuki rejected the proposal without even thinking about it. If that were the case, he would rather give up the North Sea and let the navy in the North Sea region return to headquarters, so that he could take over the New World more quickly.

"What do you think?" Although Sakazuki knew that he absolutely could not agree to this, he still wanted to hear Sengoku's opinion and see if Sengoku had such thoughts. At the same time, he was also thinking about whether he should send all those who opposed him to the North Sea, since he had almost no control over the North Sea now.

This would not benefit the navy. Perhaps it would be better to recall some of the commanders there and send some of our own trusted confidants instead.

“This is absolutely unacceptable. Reina’s request is an attempt to divide our navy. Once the navy in the North Sea becomes independent, the entire world will be without a navy!” Sengoku immediately refused.

Although he and Sakazuki were at odds, it was only a difference of opinion; they were both in the Navy and both held a sense of justice.

Hearing Sengoku's words, Sakazuki finally felt a little relieved, but he also valued the arrangements for the North Sea Navy even more. He knew that he couldn't rely on others for such matters; it was best to have them in his own hands.

After hanging up with Sengoku, Sakazuki immediately got up, intending to go to where the Five Elders were to discuss how to handle the incident.

As for personnel arrangements in Beihai, it's not too late to plan them after this matter is resolved, because if things go wrong, they might have to give up on Beihai.

Of course, all of this is just Sakazuki's own idea. The most urgent task now is to figure out how to deal with the North Sea. After all, this is a mess created by the Five Elders themselves, and they have to clean it up themselves.

After Sakazuki explained the situation to the Five Elders, they didn't seem to care at all and instead told Sakazuki to figure it out himself, which infuriated Sakazuki to the point that he almost flipped the table.

"This is something you did on your own. Our navy finally gained a foothold in the North Sea, but you went and provoked those pirates. Now they've joined forces to drive us out of the North Sea. You expect me to resolve this? How am I supposed to resolve this?" Sakazuki asked loudly, his face flushed.

Upon hearing this, the Five Elders fell silent. They knew that they had failed in their mission, but they were simply not capable of giving the pirates an explanation.

So Sakazuki had no choice but to handle it himself.