"El-sama, the Fishman reaissanit has just reported back..."

  That afternoon, after returning to Atntis, El was enjoying time in the Dreamnd Park with his children when he received a report from Sally, the Intelligence Minister:

  "Due to the betrayal of Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and John, Rocks, who initially po front the Navy head-on, decided to retreat with his forces before the Navy’s expeditio arrived. Golden Liohe Float-Float Fruit’s ability to carry away the entire Haosu isnd with them!"

  "Oh?"

  Seated on a rge bubble chair, El raised an eyebrow as he held little Ares in his arms.

  He wasn’t particurly surprised—this oute was within expectations.

  Rocks might be arrogant, but he wasn’t foolish. After the betrayal of John, Wang Zhi, and Silver Axe, he had to prevent Whitebeard and Golden Lion from leaving as well. Otherwise, the Rocks Pirates’ alliance would pletely colpse.

  "Huff… huff…"

  Little Ares struggled in his arms, clearly unhappy. With a flutter of his wings, he attempted to fly out of the Dreamnd Park.

  However, his path was blocked by Sif, a t, youthful figure over five meters tall, who quickly caught him.

  "Ares, you 't go out. You have to stay inside!"

  Among the young members of the Kukulkan family, only Thor and Sif, with their immerength, could withstand a direct collision with the powerful and reckless Ares.

  The others, like Dal and Willie, while also dispying great physical strength, were still noticeably weaker. Even with the Lunarian race’s natural resiliehey couldn’t prevent themselves from bei flying by Ares.

  "Still, before they fled, they retaliated heavily against the Navy."

  Sally tinued her report:

  "Golden Lion dropped a pre-prepared isnd hiddeh the sea onto the Navy's fleet, causing signifit casualties and damage."

  "Following that, Whitebeard used the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to tear the sea apart, creating massive trehat swallowed many warships. Even with the Freeze-Freeze Fruit’s power in py, it was uo fully ter the destructive force of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, especially since Zephyr’s strength is still somewhat g."

  She paused briefly before adding:

  "But the Wover held a press feren Mary Geoise, deg a major victory for the Navy. They annouhe full formation of the Shichibukai, officially designating it as the fourth major power on the Grand Line."

  "They even cimed that Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and John—once renowned figures in the Rocks Pirates—have now ‘abandoned darkness fht’ by joining the Seven Warlords."

  "Huh? So much has happened?"

  Nearby, Linlin, Gerd, and athered, listening to the report with visible surprise.

  They had known about the Navy’s expedition to Haosu, but they hadn’t expected such dramatic twists. They thought there would at least be a major battle, with both sides taking heavy losses.

  "Humph, the fourth major power?"

  El sneered.

  "In terms of sheer strength, they might barely qualify. But the idea that these ambitious, self-serving individuals could serve the Wover loyally is ughable."

  "The Seven Warlords are just a facade to intimidate others—strong in appeara ultimately hollow."

  "You're absolutely right, El-sama," Sally agreed with a nod.

  After all, pirates like Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and John—ing and treacherous—were emblematic of the entire Warlords system. Not a single one of them would align fully with the Wover’s is.

  Even if summoo battle, these pirates would likely only make a superficial effort to maintain their privileges, tributing little to the actual fight.

  In dire circumstahey might even turn against their supposed allies.

  "The Wover dares to cim a victory after such losses?"

  The Cloud Giantess Helen chuckled mogly.

  "Isn't that their usual trick?"

  Gerd smiled wryly.

  "They might lose anything, but they'll never lose face."

  "Ma-ma-ma-ma! After suffering such a setback, I doubt Rocks will let this slide so easily."

  Linlin’s voice carried a tone of amusement.

  "Indeed, he won’t," El replied with a smirk. Holding little Idunn, he kissed her cheek affeately.

  "Strictly speaking, Rocks hasn’t really lost much. The plundered Heavenly Tribute should more than pensate for any damages—moving house, in essence."

  "However, with the loss of key figures like Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and John, Rocks will o stabilize his crew. Otherwise, more defes are iable."

  "If even Whitebeard and Golden Lioo leave, the so-called alliance would pletely colpse."

  As little Idunn flew off to py with Willy and the others, El leaned bad mused aloud:

  "Roeeds to act decisively to suppress dissent aer opportunists."

  "If I had to guess, his move would likely be a retaliatory strike against one of the Navy’s major bases to save fad reassert dominance."

  As if ohe transponder snail in Sally's arms rang:

  "Brrrr~~ Brrrr~~"

  Sally answered with a smile:

  "Baka, what is it?"

  She was unsurprised, knowing that Baka had likely just recovered from her ret “exertions.”

  "Sally-sama, urgent news!"

  Baka’s voice was steady as she reported:

  "Rocks has unched a sudden atta the Navy’s G-12 base in the New World, the major outpost to Haosu. The entire isnd has been razed to the ground!"

  "Ha! Now things are getting iing."

  Bleam