LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Aftermath
"How can pirates be so brazen, slaughtering the Celestial Dragons a second time? Are the Celestial Dragons and the World Government just going to stand by? Can't the World Government deal with these pirates?"
"Hahaha, finally someone dares to punish those damned Celestial Dragons. Pirates, pirates are the saviors of this world! I'm going to become a pirate!"
"This is terrifying. The New World pirates are too fearsome. They've broken through the Calm Belt and can descend upon the Four Seas. Will they come to the North Blue next?"
People around the world had mixed reactions to the newspapers and videos. Some were fearful, others excited, some confused, and some indifferent. But all were shocked by the audacity of the pirates to repeatedly challenge the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, and to do so with apparent impunity.
In the New World, pirates reigned supreme, and neither the World Government nor the Navy seemed capable of stopping them. Was the World Government truly so powerless?
Holy Land Mariejois:
"Damn the World Economic News! They've publicized this again. What is CP doing if they can't even find and destroy the World Economic News!" Science Defense God Saturn Saint fumed, tearing up the newspapers and videos in rage.
"The World Economic News is hard to locate. They're in the New World, where our influence is limited. Even if we find them, they can easily escape," Environmental God Maz Saint explained.
"A new intelligence organization called the 'Net' is expanding rapidly, already established in the East and South Blue. The CP has clashed with them—it's tough. They're too secretive and elusive. Our only advantage is numbers and familiarity with the terrain," Maz Saint continued.
"This means we need to strengthen the CP. Otherwise, we'll always be on the back foot in situations like this," Legal God Vochuli Saint said.
Controlling global intelligence was once a unique strength of the World Government. Now, with this power fragmented and eroded, they struggled to contain damaging information, leading to a decline in reputation.
"CP matters can wait. Right now, we need to address our failure. We're facing pressure not only from member nations but also from all Celestial Dragon families. Including God Valley, our kind have been slaughtered twice at celebrations. Should an 800-year tradition end?"
"In that battle, 250 Celestial Dragons were killed. The entire Divine Guard, including Garlins Saint, was wiped out. CP0 Deputy Chief Segun was killed, not to mention other losses," Financial God Nassaurang Saint added bitterly.
Despite being at the pinnacle of power, the Five Elders had failed against a group of pirates. A decisive defeat.
"We must retaliate against the pirates. Gather the Navy and attack the New World—it's inevitable!" Agricultural God Peter Saint declared, slamming the table.
If they didn't respond, the world would see the World Government as cowardly, emboldening pirates and potentially destabilizing their rule over member nations.
"Yes, we must fight. But our top forces have been severely depleted over the last decade," Saturn Saint noted.
"The Navy has four top-tier forces, including Kong. The Army has two admirals and a marshal, making three top-tier forces. CP0's deputy chiefs and chief are dead, with no strong replacements yet."
"In that battle, the pirates had nine top-tier fighters. Are we all supposed to join the battlefield?" Saturn Saint asked, frowning.
They could muster 12 top-tier forces, including themselves. But the New World pirates, with the Roger Pirates, equaled that.
Though Roger's crew didn't join the Baladi Kingdom battle, they might intervene if the World Government attacked New World pirates.
Moreover, pirate underlings could hold off several admirals, leaving no clear advantage.
Key plans to target specific pirate crews wouldn't work. New World pirates, likely in alliances, would unite against them.
Given these calculations, victory seemed impossible without involving the Celestial Dragon families' forces.
"If we involve the Celestial Dragon families, they'll need to provide top-tier fighters and powerful Devil Fruits to restore CP's strength," Vochuli Saint suggested.
To temporarily boost strength, powerful Devil Fruits were the answer. Admiral-level candidates, after consuming a strong Devil Fruit, could temporarily match admirals.
CP0 had several such candidates. With powerful Devil Fruits, they'd reach deputy chief levels quickly.
The Celestial Dragon families had vast Devil Fruit reserves. As rulers, they'd collected many over 800 years, often feeding them to slaves rather than consuming them.
With the Five Elders' summons, key Celestial Dragon family representatives gathered for a meeting. The details were unknown to outsiders, but afterward, both the Celestial Dragons and the World Government mobilized, sending orders from Pangaea Castle.
Meanwhile, the Navy and Army began preparations for the upcoming war.
"Summon the Four Seas' naval divisions to headquarters, ready for war!" Kong ordered after receiving the Elders' instructions.
"But Admiral, the Four Seas' naval forces are already stretched thin. If we withdraw more, the seas will become chaotic!" Sengoku warned.
Recent losses forced constant draws from the Four Seas to fill gaps, leaving many divisions undermanned.
With rising pirate numbers, the Four Seas were already unstable.
"We can't worry about that now. The Four Seas are ours, and any chaos will be temporary. We'll suppress them after the New World pirate war," Kong replied reluctantly.
The Navy's mid-to-low-level strength was weakening, and the lack of successors left apparent power gaps.
Sengoku couldn't argue against Kong's decision, having heard similar promises before, only to see them unfulfilled.
On a beast-infested New World island, Kaido leaned against a tree, reading a newspaper handed to him.
"Ughorogoro, those guys, reigniting the God Valley battle, slaughtering Celestial Dragons, seizing treasure—without inviting me!!" Kaido's eyes burned with intensity and madness, soon turning to rage.
As a former Rocks Pirate trainee, he lamented his lack of presence post-dissolution, while former cadres shone brightly.
"Boss, that was led by legendary pirates Li Yuan and Golden Lion. They only invite top-tier crews. Our Beasts Pirates aren't there yet," a new underling said cautiously, fearing Kaido might rashly challenge the Infinity Pirates and face annihilation.
"Damn it, my Beasts Pirates will be New World's rulers someday!" Kaido roared, kicking the underling away.
"Prepare to move out, Beasts Pirates! War is coming!" Kaido shouted, knowing the World Government wouldn't let this slide. A war engulfing the New World was imminent.
He understood his former seniors well; few New World pirates would escape the coming conflict.
The next morning, Li Yuan, having slept in, read the newspapers when Kaya arrived.
"Captain, the blood pool is full!" Kaya said excitedly.
Kaya, Howard's daughter, had been learning from Yadina to handle various affairs, including the blood pool.
"Oh? It's full again? Let's go. My Seven Star Sword is hungry," Li Yuan said, smiling as he headed to Venus Island with Kaya.
Transformed into a medicinal garden by Lazuli, the island's center housed a base for storing herbs and blood.
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