Chapter 47: Seeking Follow-up Reads! The Two Ferocious Cats of the South Sea!
[Rumble--] A dazzling lightning bolt flashed across the sky, illuminating the dark Grand Line under the cloud cover, but it was only a momentary light. Black and blue Sea Waves continuously tried to shake the towering Red Line that reached into the clouds, but could only end up shattered.
[Splash!!] A Navy Warship covered in Muzzles rushed down from the seemingly endless height along the Reverse Mountain's uphill Sea Current, like a wild beast, plunging into this Sea Area that was far larger than the Grand Line.
Next, every ten minutes, an identical 'wild beast' would dive down, until a Fleet composed of five Warships far larger than ordinary Sea Ships appeared brightly on the Sea Surface below Reverse Mountain.
"To arrive and immediately encounter this kind of rainstorm weather..." Dragon, wearing a green Suit and a Justice Coat, pushed open the Cabin Door and walked onto the Deck, feeling rather speechless as he looked at the gloomy sky, the howling wind, and the heavy rain.
However, due to the Ability of the Hurricane Fruit, the invisible airflow surrounding him naturally shielded him from all wind and rain.
After many days of sailing, they finally arrived in the South Sea. At this time, Vegapunk had not yet researched the technology for Warships to navigate the Calm Belt, so even the Navy had to honestly line up and pass through Reverse Mountain.
[Rustling--] Dragon glanced at the surrounding Warships, and suddenly a faint green airflow emanated from his body and expanded. Immediately, the five Warships were 'blessed' by the wind. Not only did an invisible membrane block the wind and rain, but their speed also visibly increased rapidly.
He deeply understood the principle of speed being crucial in military affairs. The South Sea was extremely vast, and although the climate of the Four Seas was not as extreme and sudden as the Grand Line, it did not mean it was very stable. It was just that compared to the extreme and sudden climate of the Grand Line, the climate of the Four Seas was relatively stable and orderly.
In other words, if it were in the Grand Line, rainstorm weather would come and go quickly, lasting for a very short time, but no one knew if the next would be hail or a tornado.
In the Four Seas, the duration of a weather pattern was relatively normal, lasting for days and nights was not a problem.
In this way, the time it would take for the Fleet to reach its destination would greatly increase!
At this time, the Navy of various Military Ranks who were originally staying in the cabins gradually discovered this miraculous phenomenon. Except for those who needed to stay at their posts, they all walked out onto the Deck, quite happily breathing in the fresh Air.
"Rear Admiral Dragon, your Ability is really convenient, truly worthy of being a Logia Type!" A Rear Admiral Evan with a red-sheathed Long Sword walked over and laughed.
In this operation, Rear Admiral Evan temporarily held the position of Deputy. In Marine Headquarters, only Vice Admirals were assigned long-term Deputies, and this time was an exception.
Logically speaking, Dragon, as a Rear Admiral, should not be the commander of five Headquarters-Class Warships, but since he was, he needed a Deputy to assist in commanding the Fleet.
However, Rear Admiral Evan had no complaints. Firstly, Dragon, as the son of garp, would definitely be treated differently, after all, there were few Marines who did not respect that Navy Hero. Secondly, Dragon's Strength was convincing enough.
Before Dragon was an Ability User, his Body Technique and Haki level already exceeded the average level of a Rear Admiral's Military Rank. Now, with the addition of the Top-Tier Logia Type Hurricane Fruit, he had definitely become even stronger.
Now, many Marines were already comparing him to Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, the three Admiral Candidates.
However, Dragon himself knew his situation. He had only eaten the Hurricane Fruit for about a year, and his level of development was difficult to compare with those three who had been immersed in it for more than ten years.
So, his main Combat Power was still focused on Body Technique and Haki!
"Have you investigated the situation of the Navy Branch around the Tutmose Kingdom?" Dragon had no intention of joking and seriously brought up the main topic.
"Investigated. Branch 289, Branch 242, and Branch 194 of the South Sea are about fifty nautical miles away from the Tutmose Kingdom, and are located in its northeast, southeast, and due west directions respectively, while Reverse Mountain, where we are, is located on the northwest side."
Dragon nodded, but in his heart he was thinking, these four Navy Branches are so close to that Slave King's base camp, but why has the other party been able to hide so well for so many years?
"What about the troop strength and configuration of these Branches?"
"Branch 289 and Branch 242 are similar, with about three thousand troops and five small Warships. Branch 194, which is closest to the Tutmose Kingdom, is relatively stronger. According to Intelligence, it has nearly five thousand Marines and eight small Warships."
Rear Admiral Evan explained the Intelligence he had obtained, and then asked, "Should we notify them now to cooperate with this operation?"
The Tutmose Kingdom has nearly thirty thousand troops, and a Slave Ship Fleet of ten thousand scattered around the World, it's unknown how many can return. Therefore, relying solely on the Combat Power of the five Headquarters-Class Warships they brought, it would be too difficult to handle everything.
Because the standard troop strength of a Headquarters-Class Warship is eight hundred people, five ships is four thousand people. Although because they all come from Headquarters, whether it is military quality or individual Strength, they are much stronger than the Navy of the Four Seas Branches, but after all, they are still few in number.
You should know that the Tutmose Kingdom is a medium-sized Island, which is actually much larger than the Drum Kingdom.
Therefore, this time's encirclement and suppression of 'Slave King' Taklama and his entire Strength must require joint operations with the Navy Branches in the South Sea.
Dragon shook his head.
"No, wait until we are only one day's voyage away before notifying them. These Branches are only fifty nautical miles away from the Tutmose Kingdom, and they can reach the location in at most two hours, no need to rush."
Rear Admiral Evan pondered for a moment after hearing this, and quickly understood some of the other party's thoughts. This was obviously to prevent someone from tipping off 'Slave King'.
Thinking about it, Taklama had been operating in this South Sea for decades, it would be ridiculous to say that his influence had not infiltrated the surrounding Navy Branches.
After all, not many people can resist various temptations.
"Understood, Rear Admiral Dragon!"
Rear Admiral Evan suddenly realized that this temporary commander he was partnered with did not seem to be the kind of person who was all brawn and relied solely on fists to handle matters.
Cough cough, although it was a bit inappropriate to say so, Vice Admiral Garp gave everyone this impression, so they thought Dragon was about the same.
"By the way, who is the Pirate with the highest Bounty in the South Sea right now?" At this moment, Dragon asked again, and Rear Admiral Evan 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 48 million Belly, and the Captain of the White Cat Pirates, 'Fishing Cat', has a Bounty of 43 million Belly. These are the two most famous Pirate Crews in the South Sea in recent years."
"Three-Legged Cat, Fishing Cat, what kind of ridiculous names are these?" Dragon turned his head in confusion, because these didn't sound like the nicknames of ferocious Pirates at all.
Rear Admiral Evan shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he also didn't know.
"Hehe, although the names are laughable, according to Intelligence, both of them are Zoan Type Cat-Cat Fruit Ability Users, and they are in the Pallas's Cat form and Lion Cat form, which are famous for being ferocious among cats. Because their real names are unknown, they are called by their nicknames."
"It is said that they are also biological brothers and have a very good relationship. Because neither wanted to wrong the other, they each established a Pirate Crew in the name of Captain, but the two Pirate Crews have always operated jointly. Over the years, whether in Strength or influence, they are enough to dominate a region in the South Sea, and they are even unwilling to risk entering the Grand Line."
"I see, Zoan Type Ability Users, and two of them, no wonder." Dragon suddenly understood and no longer delved into the matter of the nicknames.
"In that case, you inform those three Branches, no, inform all the surrounding Branches, and say that we are here to capture these two 'cats', and ask them to help pay attention to their positions and stand by for Orders to support at any time!"
(End of Chapter)