While the au on Sabaody Archipego was in full swing, creating a lively aed atmosphere, not far away at Marine Headquarters in Marineford, a grand and solemn naval building, a figure walked into the admiral’s offibsp;

  The man, wearing a bck suit with the navy’s justice cape, was tall and powerfully built, appearing to be in his fifties.

  "Hark, you’re here… Have a seat!"

  Marine Admiral Hammons William greeted him politely. Although he didn’t rise from his chair, he gestured for the man to sit. The visitor was not just any officer but one of the Marine Headquarters' stro forces: Admiral "Iron Cw" Hark.

  Admiral Hark nodded, crossed his arms, and sat down casually. He looked at the man behind the desk, who was in his sixties, with graying temples and an imposing figure. His mere presence radiated authority.

  "Why did you call me here? What’s the matter?" Hark asked.

  "Do you remember that young Lunarian?" Hammons William got straight to the point. "The Fallen Angel, El?"

  "Of course I remember…" Hark’s eyes narrowed in surprise. "Has he finally surfaced to cause trouble after five years?"

  Five years ago, Admiral Hark had led a fleet alongside then-admiral didate, now Admiral Kong, and thousands of elite marines from G-11, with a total of eleven warships. Their mission was to annihite the Fallen Angel Pirates, led by Kukulkan El, a young Lunarian with terrifying potential. However, when they arrived, the isnd was deserted, and nothing was left.

  "Over the years, CP has been searg for his whereabouts. They’ve caught glimpses of him a few times," Hark said, recalling the intelligence reports on El. "But by the time the Wover received the reports, he had already disappeared."

  "It’s believed he’s hiding in the Calm Belt."

  "Hmm, that kid is too ing—hiding in the shadows and gathering strength," Hammons William said sternly as he handed several photographs to Hark.

  "What’s this?" Hark asked, gng at the first photograph, his eyes widening in shock. It showed a winged figure using a massive rock wall as a pung bag, delivering furious blows. Judging by the sery, it seemed to be the Red Line.

  The wo photos depicted vast, t ndscapes of the Red Line, now marred by a colossal, gaping hole that seemed bottomless. The marks clearly indicated that it was man-made.

  In disbelief, Hark gasped.

  "This monster…"

  He stared at the photos, astohen looked at Admiral William. The idea that someone could use the iructible Red Line as a pung bag, hammering it into such a state, was terrifying. Given enough time, this person might even be able to punch through the entire Red Line.

  "These photos were taken a month ago. A news bird from the World Eic Journal happeo catch sight of Fallen Angel El training on a er of the Red Line," Hammons William expined gravely. "CP spent a siderable sum to buy these from the news agency."

  He paused before tinuing. "As soon as we got the report, I sent Kong to the area to monitor it for a few days... but for some reason, El never appeared. Maybe he noticed us, or maybe something else happened."

  "Judging by these ses, Kukulkan El has already gained siderable power," Hark said bluntly.

  "Indeed, he’s not to be uimated. But at the end of the day, he’s still just a seventeen-year-old kid… I’m fident in Kong’s strength," Hammons William said with a smile, pride evident in his voice.

  Steelbone Kong had officially bee an admiral three years ago, and Hammons William felt a particur pride in him, as Kong was his personal protégé. Now in his prime, Kong had already gained reition from the higher-ups, and there was a ce he could one day succeed William, rising beyond the rank of admiral.

  "Given time, he will surely surpass me…"

  Hark nodded in agreement. He aowledged Kong’s talent and potential, but as a senior admiral, Hark also had his pride. He didn’t believe that a "newer" who had only retly been promoted had already surpassed him, even if that person was a rare Zoan-type user with the Mythical Beast Model: King Kong Ape.

  "Still, we ’t let this Lunarian monster tinue lurking in the shadows. If we don’t act, he’ll bee an enormous threat."

  Hark stared at the photos of Fallen Angel El. Though they only showed part of El’s side profile, it was clear that he had grown taller and more mature since a few years ago. His muscur frame, though not exaggerated, exuded an explosive strength that was hard to fathom. The massive holes in the Red Line… just looking at them made one’s scalp tingle.

  "Exactly, that’s what I’ve been thinking…"

  Before Hammons William could finish his sentehe Den Den Mushi on his desk suddenly opes eyes and rang urgently.

  Both William and Hark turoward the call.

  "Moshi Moshi, this is Fleet Admiral Hammons William…" William frowned as he picked up the receiver. Calls that reached the fleet admiral’s office were usually emergency military reports, not to be ignored.

  "This is G-5 base, Admiral William, something terrible has happened…"

  A panicked, fearful voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "Just moments ago, a gigantiake with four wings and golden horns suddenly attacked the G-5 fortress! No, ahhhh—"

  Crack

  "What!?"

  Before the report could be finished, a scream was heard, followed by a sharp cut iransmission.

  Both Hammons William and Admiral Hark’s faces ged dramatically.

  Bleam