Chapter 47: Seeking Follow-up Reads! The Two Fierce Cats of the South Blue!
[Rumble——]
A dazzling Lightning bolt flashed across the sky, illuminating the dim Great Sea covered by Dark Clouds, but it was only a fleeting Radiance. The dark blue Sea Waves constantly tried to shake the towering Red Line but only ended up shattering.
[Splash!!]
A Marine Warship covered in Gun Barrels could be seen rushing down from a place whose top could not be seen, following Reverse Mountain's Mountain Climbing Current like a Brute Beast, plunging fiercely into this Sea Area, which was immeasurably larger than the Grand Line.
Next, a completely identical 'Brute Beast' would dive down every ten minutes, until a Fleet composed of five Warships, much larger than ordinary Seaships, appeared clearly on the Sea Surface below Reverse Mountain.
"To encounter this kind of Stormy Weather right upon arrival..." Dragon, wearing a Green Suit and a Coat of Justice, pushed open the cabin door and walked onto the Deck, feeling quite speechless as he looked at the gloomy sky, the whistling Gale, and the Heavy Rain.
However, because of the Hurricane Fruit Ability, the invisible Air Current surrounding him would naturally shield him from all Wind and Rain.
After many days of Voyage, they finally arrived at the South Blue. At this time, Vegapunk had not yet researched the Technology for Warships to pass through the Calm Belt, so even the Marines had to honestly queue up and go through Reverse Mountain.
[Whoosh——]
Dragon glanced at the surrounding Warships, and a light green Air Current suddenly emanated from his body and spread out. Immediately, the five Warships received the 'favor' of the wind; not only did an invisible membrane block the Gale and Heavy Rain, but their Voyage Speed also continuously increased at a visible rate.
He deeply understood the principle of speed in military operations. The area of the South Blue is very, very large. Moreover, although the Climate of the Four Seas is not as extreme and sudden as the Grand Line, it doesn't mean it's very stable. It's just that compared to the extreme and sudden Climate of the Grand Line, the Climate of the Four Seas is relatively stable and orderly.
That is to say, if in the Grand Line, Stormy Climate comes and goes as it pleases and leaves just as quickly, the duration is quite short, but no one knows if the next will be Hail or a Tornado.
On the Four Seas side, the duration of a Climate is relatively normal; lasting for several days and nights is not a problem.
In this way, the time taken for the Fleet to reach its destination will greatly increase!
At this time, the Marines of various ranks who were originally inside the cabins gradually discovered this miraculous aspect. Except for those who needed to stay at their posts, they all walked out onto the Deck and happily breathed the fresh air.
"Rear Admiral Dragon, your Ability is really convenient, truly worthy of being a Logia System!" A Rear Admiral carrying a Long Saber in a red sheath walked over and smiled.
In this Operation, Rear Admiral Aven temporarily served as the Adjutant. At Marine Headquarters, only Vice Admirals are assigned long-term Adjutants, and this time was an exception.
Logically, as a Rear Admiral, Dragon shouldn't be the Commander of five Headquarters Warships, but now he is, so an Adjutant is needed to assist in commanding the Fleet.
However, Rear Admiral Aven had no complaints. Firstly, as Garp's son, Dragon would certainly be treated differently; after all, few Marines don't respect that Marine Hero. Secondly, Dragon's Strength was enough to be convincing.
Dragon, who was not an Ability User before, had Martial Arts and Haki levels that exceeded the average level for the Rear Admiral Military Rank. Now, with the addition of the Top-tier Logia Hurricane Fruit, he must have become even Stronger.
Many Marines now compared him to Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, the three Admiral Candidates.
However, Dragon himself was clear about his own Situation. He had only eaten the Hurricane Fruit for about a year, and the Development Level was difficult to compare with those three who had been cultivating this path for over a decade.
Therefore, his main Combat Power was still focused on Martial Arts and Haki!
"Have you clarified the Situation regarding the Marine Branches around the Tutmos Kingdom?" Dragon had no intention of joking and seriously brought up the main Matter.
"Yes, it's clear. South Blue Branch 289, Branch 242, and Branch 194 are about fifty Nautical Miles from the Tutmos Kingdom, and are located respectively in its northeast, southeast, and due west directions, while Reverse Mountain, where we are located, is on the northwest side."
Dragon nodded but thought in his Heart, "These four Marine Branches are so close to that Slave King's Headquarters, but why has the other party hidden so well for so many years?"
"What about the Military Strength and Configuration of these Branches?"
"Branch 289 and Branch 242 are similar, with a Military Strength of around three thousand people and five small Warships. Branch 194, which is closest to the Tutmos Kingdom, is relatively Stronger; according to Intelligence, it has nearly five thousand Marine Soldiers and eight small Warships."
Rear Admiral Aven reported the Intelligence he had received and then asked, "Should we inform them now to cooperate with this Operation?"
The Tutmos Kingdom has nearly thirty thousand Army personnel, as well as ten thousand Slave Ship Fleets scattered in Various Places in the World, with an unknown number able to return. Therefore, relying solely on the Military Strength they brought with these five Headquarters Warships, it would be too difficult to completely encircle them.
Because the standard Military Strength of a Headquarters Warship is eight hundred people, five ships make four thousand people. Although because they all come from Headquarters, whether it's Military Quality or Individual Strength, they are much Stronger than the Marines from the Four Seas Branches, but after all, the number of people is still small.
It should be noted that the Tutmos Kingdom is a medium-sized Island, which is actually much larger than the Drum Kingdom.
Therefore, this Encirclement and Suppression of 'Slave King' Taklama and his entire Influence will definitely require a Joint Operation with the Marine Branches here in the South Blue.
Dragon Shake Head.
"No, inform them only when we have one day of Voyage left. These Branches are only fifty Nautical Miles from the Tutmos Kingdom; they can reach the location in at most two hours. There's no need to rush."
Rear Admiral Aven pondered for a moment after hearing this and quickly understood some of the other party's thoughts. This was clearly to guard against someone Reporting/Informing the 'Slave King'.
It makes sense when you think about it. Tarklama has been operating in this area of the South Blue for decades; it would be ridiculous to say that his Influence hasn't infiltrated the surrounding Marine Branches.
After all, not many people can resist all kinds of Temptation.
"Understood, Rear Admiral Dragon!"
Rear Admiral Aven suddenly realized that this temporary Commander he was partnered with didn't seem like the kind of person who was all brawn and settled matters with his fists.
Cough cough, although it might not be appropriate to say this, but Vice Admiral Garp's impression on everyone is like that, so they assumed Dragon was similar.
"Oh, right, who is the Pirate with the highest Bounty in the South Blue right now?" At this time, Dragon asked again, and Rear Admiral Aven thought for a moment.
"It should be the Black Cat Pirates and the White Cat Pirates. The Captain of the Black Cat Pirates, 'Three-Legged Cat', has a Bounty of forty-eight million Berry. The Captain of the White Cat Pirates, 'Fishing Little Cat', has a Bounty of forty-three million Berry. These are the two most famous Pirate groups in the South Blue in recent years."
"'Three-Legged Cat', 'Fishing Little Cat'... What kind of funny Names are these?" Dragon turned his head with a puzzled expression, because they really didn't sound like Nicknames that fierce Pirates should have.
Rear Admiral Aven shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he wasn't clear either.
"Heh heh, although the Names are quite ridiculous, but according to Intelligence, both are Zoan Cat-Cat Fruit Ability Users, and they are in the Pallas's Cat Form and Lion Cat Form, which are famous for being fierce among Cat Species. Because their Real Names are unknown, they are referred to by their Nicknames."
"It is said they are also Brothers, and their Feelings are very good. Because neither wants to wrong the other, they each established a Pirate Crew under the name of Captain. But the two Pirate Crews have always been in Joint Operation. Over so many years, whether it's Strength or Influence, they are enough to dominate one area in this South Blue, and they are even unwilling to risk entering the Grand Line."
"So that's how it is. Zoan Ability Users, huh, and two of them. It's not strange then." Dragon suddenly understood and no longer delved into the matter of the Nicknames.
"Alright, you inform those three Branches... no, inform all the surrounding Branches. Just say we are here to catch these two 'Cats'. Ask them to help pay attention to the other party's location and be ready to wait for Orders to Support at any time!"
Seeking Follow-up Reads! As expected, once the introduction was changed, the speed of Collection increase greatly. Eh.
(End of this chapter)