CHAPTER 29

"It was just luck."

Ayr shrugged with a smirk.

It really was a coincidence—he hadn't even realized Marines were approaching the back hill. His original intent was simply to test out his newly acquired Meito blade.

Not to mention, he had also planned to train his Rasengan, an ability he had obtained through the system two days prior.

But fate had other plans—he stumbled upon Garp and the others instead.

"Hahaha… You bastard, you've grown stronger in just a few days." Rocks' eyes gleamed with sharp intent as he studied Ayr.

Using his monstrous Observation Haki, Rocks peered into Ayr's very core. What he saw confirmed his suspicions—Ayr had become significantly stronger than when he first boarded the ship.

A talent of this caliber was rare, even among the ranks of legendary figures like Gol D. Roger and Whitebeard.

Rocks felt a surge of satisfaction.

The more Ayr grew, the more formidable the Rocks Pirates would become.

If he could nurture this potential to its peak, the dream of ruling the world—the same ambition that drove Madara Uchiha—would no longer be a dream but an inevitable reality.

"All thanks to your guidance, Captain Rocks." Ayr grinned.

"You know well, Ayr… on this ship, strength determines status." Rocks' voice carried weight. "With the level of power you're displaying now, you're close to earning a high-ranking position. Keep it up, and soon enough, you'll be among my elite."

Despite the immense power Ayr had displayed, Rocks needed to be sure.

He had yet to see Ayr's battle firsthand—so while the destruction Ayr left in his wake was proof enough that he had grown, promotion wouldn't come just yet.

In due time, though, Ayr would get his chance to prove himself on the battlefield again.

"Understood, Captain Rocks. I'll keep working."

Rocks nodded before addressing the entire crew.

"We need to move. Our location has been exposed. If we stay in this country any longer, the Marines will reinforce their ranks."

Despite his overwhelming confidence, Rocks had no desire to engage in a pointless battle—one that wouldn't yield any gains.

The time to crush Marine Headquarters would come, but that time wasn't now.

For now, retreat was the best move.

---

Meanwhile, across the ocean…

Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru had barely managed to escape after their disastrous encounter.

Once they confirmed no Rocks Pirates were tailing them, they immediately contacted Kong, the Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters.

The situation was too severe to delay.

The moment Kong received the report, he wasted no time summoning Marine Fleet Admiral Brownie, insisting on an emergency summit in Mariejois.

The call for a Marine Supreme Council had been made.

---

Holy Land of Mariejois – Highest Meeting Chamber

The Supreme Council was an event of unparalleled gravity.

Apart from the World Government's high-ranking officials, only the Marine Fleet Admiral held the authority to call such a meeting.

As a result, whenever this council was convened, all Marine top brass dropped whatever they were doing and arrived at the fastest possible speed.

A meeting of this magnitude only meant one thing—an emergency that could alter the course of history.

Inside the grand conference chamber, the tension was thick enough to cut with a blade.

Fleet Admiral Brownie stood at the head of the table, eyes cold and calculating.

"Report." His voice was absolute.

Kong stepped forward, his expression serious. "We have critical intelligence regarding the Rocks Pirates. I will be briefing you all while the Fleet Admiral and I take this information to the Five Elders."

This was not something they could afford to handle alone.

"Yes, sir."

"The Rocks Pirates were located in a country deep in the New World," Kong began, voice steady despite the weight of his words. "To investigate, we dispatched four Marines—Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru."

At that moment, one of the World Government executives slammed his fist onto the table.

"What the hell is wrong with you Marines?!" The man's face twisted with rage. "You sent four of our most promising young talents to gather intelligence on the most dangerous pirate crew in the world?! Do you fools even understand what they represent?"

The executive's frustration wasn't unfounded.

Naval Headquarters had painstakingly selected these four officers. They weren't just symbols of Marine power—they were symbols of the World Government's dominance over the seas.

To endanger them recklessly was unacceptable.

Another government official leaned forward, fingers steepled. "The Marine Four Stars are the future of the Navy. Are you prepared to take responsibility if we lose them?"

Their fury wasn't just for show.

Even among the Marine's greatest legends, the likes of Garp and Sengoku were once-in-a-generation figures.

Especially Garp.

He was the one many believed would carry the future of the Marines—someone who could one day rival the Pirate King himself.

For the World Government, his survival was essential.

Kong met their anger with unwavering calm.

"I understand your concerns, but that's not why we called this meeting," he said. "The accident I'm referring to is not about our mission failing—it's about something far more shocking."

Silence fell over the chamber.

An Admiral, one of the few who held authority second only to the Fleet Admiral, narrowed his eyes.

"What are you saying, Kong?"

Kong's tone was grave.

"When Garp was investigating, he encountered a pirate… and was severely wounded."

A ripple of shock passed through the room.

"Garp… was defeated?"

That was unexpected—but not unheard of.

If he had been surrounded by multiple members of the Rocks Pirates, it was understandable.

The true concern was whether or not he had survived.

"Garp is currently receiving medical treatment. He is out of immediate danger."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the Marine officers.

"Then why call the Supreme Council?" the Admiral pressed. "Defeat is an unfortunate reality. Garp may be strong, but he's still growing. Losing a battle doesn't justify such drastic measures."

Kong's next words silenced the room entirely.

"No. The reason we called this meeting isn't just because Garp lost… it's who he lost to."

Confusion flashed across the officials' faces.

"What do you mean?"

Kong exhaled, his face unreadable.

"The man who defeated Garp wasn't a Rocks Pirate commander. He wasn't Whitebeard. He wasn't Kaido. He wasn't even Big Mom."

The air in the chamber grew suffocating.

"Then… who?"

Kong's expression darkened.

"A rookie. Someone who only joined the Rocks Pirates two days ago."

Gasps filled the room.

"That's impossible!"

No one—not even Marine legends—could rise to such power in mere days.

And yet…

The evidence was undeniable.

This was no ordinary pirate.

This was something far more terrifying.

The birth of a monster.

And if left unchecked…

He could very well become something far worse than even Rocks D. Xebec himself.

—