One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 38: The Confrontation Between the Two Sides

"It's too late! Kong has already set off! We only just learned about it! If we order a retreat now, where will the World Government's reputation go?"

The sword-wielding elder among the Five Elders spoke, his tone sharp.

"Call Kong immediately and tell him not to engage Rocks. Now is not the time for an all-out war with the pirates!"

Satan glared at the elder holding the sword.

The remaining three elders also looked at him, their expressions mirroring Satan's sentiment.

The sword-wielding elder fell silent, his gaze sweeping over his peers. With a resigned sigh, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his robe.

Buru Buru Buru!

The telephone snail rang several times before being picked up.

"Is this Kong?" the sword-wielding elder asked.

"It's me, Master Five Elders," Kong replied, holding the Den Den Mushi aboard a warship.

A sinking feeling had settled in Kong's chest when he saw the call, and the next words from the elder only confirmed his fears.

"Do not engage the Rocks Pirates. Withdraw Zephyr and return to base."

The elder's tone was cold and calm.

"What? Why?" Kong's voice carried his disbelief.

"No reason! This is an order!"

The elder's words were final.

"Understood. But what about the navy's reputation?" Kong protested, his tone desperate.

"Remember, the navy is just a tool of the World Government. You have no reputation to protect!"

Click!

The line went dead.

Kong stared at the silent Den Den Mushi in his hand, his jaw clenched tightly. His forehead veins bulged, and his body trembled with suppressed rage. He wanted to throw the Den Den Mushi into the sea but restrained himself.

Behind him, Sengoku and Garp were less composed.

"Admiral! We can't listen to the World Government this time. This is our chance to destroy the Rocks Pirates!" they said in unison.

Their voices carried the same conviction as Kong's thoughts, but he quickly shut them down.

"Shut up! Follow the order!" Kong barked, his voice leaving no room for argument.

The atmosphere on the warship grew tense as Kong turned his attention back to the horizon.

---

"Report, Admiral! We've spotted a large fleet from the Rocks Pirates!"

The lookout's shout sent a ripple of unease through the navy.

"What? Already?" Kong snatched a telescope and peered in the direction indicated.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

Sixteen massive pirate ships emerged on the horizon, each carrying some of the most notorious figures in the New World.

"Whitebeard Edward Newgate!"

"Shiki the Golden Lion!"

"Charlotte Linlin!"

"Ochoku, Silver Axe, John!"

The names rolled off the lips of horrified marines. Standing on the bows of their respective ships, these infamous pirates stared menacingly at the naval fleet.

But their imposing presence was overshadowed by the arrival of the final ship.

Rocks' main ship sailed into view, exuding an oppressive aura.

"Rocks D. Xebec!"

Every marine's eyes were locked on the towering figure at the bow of the ship. The man who had terrorized the New World with a bounty of 2.36 billion stood tall and unbothered.

---

"Wahahahahaha! Kong! Long time no see!" Rocks' voice boomed across the sea.

"What are you doing here, Rocks?" Kong shouted back from the bow of his warship.

Rocks smirked, his gaze shifting to the distant island where violent clashes echoed.

"Why am I here? To pick up one of my lovely crew, of course! Do you plan to stop me, Kong? Wahahahaha!"

Rocks' laughter ignited cheers from his pirates.

"Captain Rocks! Captain Rocks!"

The chants from the pirate fleet filled the air, their morale high.

Kong, his face dark, ignored the taunts. He turned to his subordinates.

"Head toward the island! Rescue Vice Admiral Zephyr!"

"Yes, Admiral!"

The navy's ships began to maneuver toward the island.

Rocks grinned at the sight.

"Wahahahaha! Boys, let's retrieve our captain!"

The pirate fleet moved in tandem, heading toward the island where Charlotte and Zefa's fierce battle raged on.

---

The island was in ruins, torn apart by the two fighters who had been clashing for three days and nights.

"Hahaha! That boy Charlotte is quite something, to push Zefa this far!" Shiki the Golden Lion chuckled, floating beside Rocks.

"Indeed! To face a monster like Zefa for this long is no small feat!" Whitebeard Edward Newgate praised as he took a swig of sake.

"Seems like Charlotte's been hiding some cards up his sleeve," John added, though his tone carried a hint of disdain.

The remark made some of the cadres frown, but Rocks only smiled, intrigued by his subordinate's growth.

---

On the naval side, the sight of the battle filled Sengoku and Garp with mixed emotions.

"It seems we underestimated Charlotte," Sengoku admitted, his tone heavy.

"Damn it! Why do the pirates always produce such terrifying talents?!" Kong roared, slamming his fist into the ship's guardrail.

---

On the island, Charlotte and Zefa continued their brutal clash.

The once lush terrain had been reduced to a wasteland, with no signs of life except for the two battered combatants.

"Zefa, still standing? Impressive!" Charlotte smirked despite his bloodied face and tattered clothes.

"You won't win, pirate!" Zefa roared back, though his body trembled from exhaustion.

Their fists collided again, sending shockwaves across the island.

---

High above, Morgans watched the scene unfold with unbridled excitement.

"Big news! Big news!" he exclaimed, snapping pictures furiously. But his elation faded as he noticed the two fleets.

"Why aren't they fighting? What's the point of gathering all this firepower if they won't use it?!"

Frustrated, Morgans vowed to expose both sides in tomorrow's headlines.

---

Both Zefa and Charlotte, their stamina nearly depleted, prepared for one final clash.

"Let's settle this, Zefa!"

"Bring it, pirate!"

Their fists met one last time, the impact shaking the heavens.

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