# Chapter 223: Round Table Meeting
The news of Rocks' death spread throughout the entire world in a short period.
All news about the Rocks Pirates attacking God Valley was replaced by this event.
Under the influence of the World Government, it was overwhelmingly known by everyone.
The news promoted the hard work of the World Government and the Marines, exaggerated the crimes of the Rocks Pirates, and stood on the moral high ground.
They completely avoided mentioning the losses suffered by the World Government in this battle, as well as the existence of the "Heavenly King".
This seemed somewhat ridiculous to some people.
It must be said that this approach was very effective; after all, only a minority knew the truth.
The prestige of the World Government and the Marines greatly increased.
Rocks D.
Xebec's death in battle brought tears of excitement to the eyes of those who had suffered from the Rocks Pirates and the Great Sea's chaotic situation over the years.
The sound of drums and cheers made it seem as though a future of beautiful peace was about to descend.
This was merely standard procedure for the World Government, turning black into white, and bad into good.
However, without Roger's participation, coupled with other factors, the outcome of this war had undergone significant changes.
At the very least, the title of "Hero" was not associated with Garp; he did not defeat Rocks.
Rocks died under the bombardment of the "Heavenly King".
Nevertheless, as the absolute main force opposing Rocks, Garp was also within the World Government's propaganda scope, and his popularity surged among the Marines and even the world for a time.
But the final result, the shocking casualties after the statistics were compiled, made it impossible for them to be happy.
The battle of God Valley ended, but they could not relax yet.
The vast Four Seas and the First Half of the Grand Line, with their numerous Pirate and countless messes, still needed to be dealt with.
At least until order was restored in the Four Seas and the First Half of the Grand Line, they could not counterattack the New World.
The Marines also needed time to recover their strength.
Especially the World Government, which suffered the greatest loss; even twenty years might not be enough to recover.
They hadn't even had much rest before the Member Nation started urging them.
Rocks' death was something to be happy about.
However, it didn't have a very direct connection to the Member Nation's interest.
Pirate rampaging across the Great Sea, severely damaged Sea Route, constantly plundered merchant ship, and even Kingdom territory being attacked by Pirate – these were what truly touched their fundamental interest.
The Marines simply could not refuse the demands of the Member Nation.
In the past two years, if the Member Nation hadn't increased the heavenly tribute share, significantly increasing the military budget supplied by the World Government to the Marines, the Marines wouldn't have been able to recover so quickly.
With sufficient military strength to provide reinforcements throughout the entire Great Sea.
Only by stabilizing their base could they shift their energy back to the New World.
On the other side, the Rocks Pirates' Base Camp, Honeycomb Island.
Many members of the Rocks Pirates had returned.
Honeycomb Island also gathered a large number of Rocks Pirates members, as well as countless treasure.
The atmosphere of the entire island was somewhat strange, maintaining a delicate balance.
However, in the next moment, it could turn into a burning powder keg.
Captain Rocks D.
Xebec, who founded the Rocks Pirates, had perished.
And before Rocks died, he personally announced the formal disbandment of the Rocks Pirates.
Without Rocks' suppression, the ambitions of almost all ambitious Great Pirate and Cadre began to swell.
Once the Rocks Pirates lost control of Honeycomb Island, which held countless treasure, the entire island would turn into a slaughterhouse, a living hell.
And this was something no one wanted to see.
The Pirate were wary of each other, worried that others were targeting their treasure.
What would determine the island's future destiny were the Core Cadre.
The peaceful state of Honeycomb Island was somewhat eerie; everyone was waiting for the final decision, which was likely related to their future destiny.
Honeycomb Island, once a Pirate Paradise, now seemed to have turned into a Forbidden Land.
Most Faction that did not belong to the Rocks Pirates were directly expelled.
The entire island was completely blockaded, not needing anyone other than the Rocks Pirates.
No pirate ship could approach; once they did, they would be met with indiscriminate attack and destruction by the Rocks Pirates.
No one dared to provoke the Rocks Pirates at this moment.
The moment to decide the Great Sea's future destiny had arrived.
In the tall skull-shaped building in the center of Honeycomb Island.
Inside the hall that served as the Rocks Pirates' meeting venue.
A massive round table.
Thirteen Division Captain sat around the table in their respective seats.
Now, one crucial person was missing: the empty seat at the head, the throne belonging to Rocks D.
Xebec.
Only these thirteen people were present.
The other Cadre and mid-to-high tier combatants were guarding the area outside the core of Honeycomb Island, allowing no one to approach.
"What should we do next?"
"Death Gun" Leon frowned, looking at the figures.
Yes, what to do? Rocks was dead.
"Naturally, we disband. Among the people present, there shouldn't be anyone who would submit to another, right?"
Hades chuckled softly.
As soon as the words fell, several angry gazes landed on him.
"Hey, Hades, why didn't you participate in the battle? If you and Titan had acted, we definitely wouldn't have lost that battle."
Zak slapped the table with his large hand and stood up.
He felt very aggrieved, having almost been in life-threatening danger.
Following this were many gazes.
Hades didn't care.
"I naturally participated in the battle. The progress of the war was controlled by me. Furthermore, Roger arrived."
He briefly explained, not taking Zak's words to heart.
This reason served as an explanation for them; many Strongman at God Valley had felt the earth-shattering clash between Hades and Roger.
"That's Roger's aura, alright." Newgate spoke up for Hades.
Having fought Roger, Newgate was clearly aware of Roger's aura.
"Let's talk about serious matters."
Everyone looked at each other.
Just as Hades said, no one present would submit to anyone else.
The disintegration of the Rocks Pirates was inevitable.
And in their hearts, they were actually prepared.
However, with the war just ended, the Rocks Pirates immediately falling apart and starting to kill each other internally was clearly not a good thing.
Lone Wolf like "Death Gun" Leon didn't need to worry; they just needed to watch the show.
No matter what happened next, it had nothing to do with him.
However, he also wanted to see what kind of development would occur next.
Out of interest, more people chose the latter.
(end of chapter)