"Not just the four seas, Fleet Admiral Kong, but the current situation in the Grand Line is also completely unfavorable."
"Although you've dispatched most of our officers to the Grand Line to suppress the unrest, the results so far haven't been particularly noticeable."
Seeing Kong so furious, even Tsuru felt somewhat embarrassed.
But she had no choice but to add fuel to the fire.
She took out a new stack of intelligence reports and placed them on the table, once again igniting Kong's rage.
Bang~
Another slam of his palm, and the already precarious table was completely destroyed.
"Damn it, have these kings gone mad?"
"It's one thing for pirates to rebel, but as World Government affiliate nations, they're actually pulling this kind of stunt at a time like this."
"Damn them, every last one of them deserves to die."
The intelligence indicated that in the first half of the Grand Line, besides the massive unrest caused by pirates, the even more absurd part was that some World Government affiliate nations had actively chosen to join the chaos.
For example, the Mokefeller Kingdom.
At this critical juncture, they actually dispatched thousands of troops to annihilate several small neighboring countries.
In just over a week, they had wiped out a total of five small nations.
All the original nobles and royal families were completely exterminated.
Disobedient civilians were all killed.
Even pirates who came to plunder without recognizing the situation were likewise entirely slaughtered.
This could be called the pirate world's version of the Three Alls Policy, utterly appalling.
They then annexed all the islands and territories of these small countries.
This allowed the Mokefeller Kingdom, originally just a medium-sized nation, to leap to nearly the scale of a large kingdom.
The only thing holding them back was that their top combat power still fell short.
Otherwise, the Mokefeller Kingdom would truly be classified as a major power.
How many large nations are there in the entire Grand Line?
It's a common understanding across the seas that the conditions for becoming a large country are extremely stringent.
Besides meeting requirements for population, territory, and resources, the most crucial factor is that the nation's strongest combatant must be at Admiral Level.
At the very least, they must be a candidate for Admiral, equivalent to a Yonko Commander level.
Without meeting this standard, no matter how powerful the country might be, it still cannot be called a large nation.
Take the Alabasta Kingdom, for example—their strongest fighter isn't even at Vice Admiral level.
Yet their land area is nearly the largest in the world.
But does anyone in the entire world acknowledge them as a major power?
No, not a single one.
It's only because the World Government considers past ties, plus the fact that Alabasta is ultimately descended from the Twenty Kings and holds many secrets, that the Navy specially established a branch there under World Government directive.
This ensures that the Alabasta Kingdom doesn't fall to pirate invasions.
Alabasta's survival all these years is closely linked to this arrangement.
Besides the Mokefeller Kingdom, the Kubi Kingdom and Nue Ling Kingdom employed similar tactics, though not to Mokefeller's extreme extent.
This is the main reason Steel Bones Kong is so enraged.
When World Government affiliate nations cause trouble, the Navy, as an organization, finds it difficult to take direct action.
These kings may be incompetent in other areas, even downright poor performers, but when it comes to creating obstacles for the Navy, they're remarkably skilled.
Once targeted by them, it would be raised at the quadrennial World Conference.
They would claim the Navy's operations were improper and that it was necessary to reduce military funding.
As long as enough countries joined in, the Navy would face difficult times ahead.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, the quadrennial World Conference is approaching soon."
Tsuru, as if reading Kong's mind, softly remarked.
"Yes, another World Conference. Damn it, it's really troublesome."
Kong was momentarily at a loss for how to handle it.
Not reacting was clearly not an option.
If things continued like this, more and more World Government affiliate nations would follow suit.
The Grand Line was chaotic enough; if it got worse,
he might as well pack up and return to his hometown as Fleet Admiral.
But reacting wasn't feasible either.
These were all affiliate nations, part of the upper echelons.
At least administratively, they were not inferior to the Navy.
Fortunately, Sengoku quickly racked his brains and offered a suitable suggestion.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, report it to the Five Elders. After all, you have the authority to report directly."
"Pass this hot potato to the Five Elders, and we just need to await their orders."
"For our Navy, our primary duty is dealing with pirates."
"Let the Army or even the CP organizations handle these messy affairs of the affiliate nations."
As long as it didn't involve Brian, Sengoku's mind remained sharp.
His words hit the mark, pulling Kong back from his wild thoughts.
"You're right, Sengoku. I'll report it to the Five Elders and let them deal with the headache."
"Hmm, that makes sense. Alright, let's do it that way."
Kong nodded, planning to call the Five Elders after this small meeting.
Although he really didn't want to make that call at all.
Every time he called the Five Elders, it inevitably involved being berated by those five old men.
And Kong couldn't talk back at all.
They were the top superiors, the true pinnacle of power.
It had gotten to the point where Kong was almost developing Five Elders PTSD.
Unfortunately, he had no choice but to make the call.
Without it, the issue wouldn't be resolved.
"By the way."
"Garp, you and Zephyr work together. Each take a direction and quickly clear out the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line."
"Tsuru, you handle the four seas."
"You have a better understanding of the depths of the four seas than these two brutes and know how to act with discretion."
"These areas can't continue to be so chaotic."
"If it gets any worse, we won't even be able to recruit new members for the Navy next year."
Kong recalled the main purpose of today's small meeting.
He looked up and laid out a new mission.
"Sure, Fleet Admiral Kong."
"No problem, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Garp and Zephyr were the first to nod, both fully aware.
In essence, it was about killing.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, I understand."
"However, how should we handle the World Government-affiliated forces in the West Blue, South Blue, and North Blue?"
Tsuru agreed but was troubled by the sources of unrest in these four seas.
The West Blue Mafia, the South Blue Cross Guild, and the North Blue Germa Family.
All connected to the World Government—what a damn headache.
"Focus on eliminating the pirates first. Cut off the tentacles they've extended."
"But avoid direct conflict with them. Just push them back to their original territories."
"As for the rest, I'll report it to the Five Elders."
"Understood, I see now."
Tsuru nodded, deep in thought.
"As for you, Sengoku, stay at headquarters and recuperate from your injuries."
"Yes, thank you, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Sengoku nodded, feeling quite helpless.
Given his current physical condition, it was unrealistic for him to take on missions in the short term.
"Alright then, that's settled. Meeting adjourned."
"Understood, I'll take my leave."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Tap tap tap~
The four quickly left Kong's office.
After the four had departed, Kong retrieved an obviously expensive Den Den Mushi from the cabinet behind him.
"Hiss~"
"Buru buru buru~"
He took a deep breath before finally making the call.
"Kacha~"
"Honorable Five Elders, your subordinate Steel Bones Kong..."
Why don't you ask?
If you want to know something, why don't you ask?
Just fighting without any questions?
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