Once they died, it meant the celestial tribute had been plundered. Only with this method, even if they couldn't contact the celestial tribute transport ships, they could confirm the celestial tribute had been robbed.
However, even changing the transport routes didn't help much.
The Rocks Pirates seemed to know all the transport routes in advance, always managing to find the celestial tribute ships.
Out of the twenty-five celestial tribute transport ships in the New World, thirteen had now been plundered.
"An internal spy, there's an internal spy!"
"Immediately go and investigate the internal spy for me."
"Also, issue an order to abandon all previously planned transport routes, replan the routes, and transmit the new routes directly once they are finalized!"
It was only after receiving this information again that Finance War God Nasujuro Saint, realized the Rocks Pirates' intelligence network had actually infiltrated the World Government.
However, since things had come to this, he could only send people to investigate the internal spy while also taking remedial measures.
But at this point, the opportunity for correction was very limited.
Ultimately, out of the twenty-five celestial tribute ships, only five managed to safely reach the Holy Land Mary Geoise, with the rest all being plundered by the Rocks Pirates.
Not even a single ship sank to the bottom of the sea.
"Arrogant, too arrogant!"
Finance War God Nasujuro Saint, was so angry he almost went berserk when he saw the final number of celestial tribute!
The loss of twenty portions of celestial tribute meant that the World Government, which was already short on money, became even more so.
After all, the large amounts of funds that had been in arrears from last year and the year before could not be recovered through the celestial tribute.
"At this point, we can only hold a meeting to see if we can allocate a portion from the Celestial Dragons' share of the celestial tribute for the World Government's emergency needs."
Environmental God Mars Saint said.
The celestial tribute was originally offered to the Celestial Dragons, and then the Celestial Dragons would allocate a portion to the World Government to maintain the World Government's rule over the World.
Later, this method was too cumbersome, so a rule was directly established that sixty percent of the celestial tribute would be given to the Celestial Dragons, and the remaining forty percent would be given to the World Government.
But now, twenty portions of celestial tribute were lost, and the lost portion was deducted from the World Government's original share of the celestial tribute.
The Celestial Dragons' share of the celestial tribute was still given to the Celestial Dragons at sixty percent of the original amount before the loss.
The Celestial Dragons didn't care why the celestial tribute was lost; the celestial tribute was the responsibility of the World Government, and the loss was also the World Government's responsibility. The Celestial Dragons would not pay for the World Government's dereliction of duty.
"It's really difficult to get a portion of the celestial tribute from them."
Warcury Saint, God of War of Law, shook his head and said.
They, the Gorosei, were also Celestial Dragons themselves. If the Celestial Dragons' portion of the celestial tribute was transferred to the World Government, it meant that their five interests would also be harmed.
Furthermore, the celestial tribute had to be distributed among all the Celestial Dragons, and there were also many factions among the Celestial Dragons. It was truly difficult to take a share from their mouths.
"Hahaha, this is the last trip. I didn't expect that out of the eight celestial tribute transport routes, we found seven. It's a pity we didn't find the last remaining route."
Nox laughed heartily after killing the two CP0 agents.
This celestial tribute was truly a lot. Even if they ultimately handed over half to Rocks, the remaining half would be equally divided among the four of them.
Each of them could get around five billion Berries.
"Gurahahaha, that's right, the celestial tribute is truly overflowing with wealth. If we didn't have to hand it over to Rocks, we could get even more!"
Golden Lion said greedily.
"Shiki, we can't beat Rocks right now."
Whitebeard reminded Golden Lion.
After witnessing Rocks' strength, especially the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit, Whitebeard knew that even if the four of them teamed up now, they couldn't beat Rocks.
Among the four of them, except for Nox, the other three would lose a lot of strength if they lost the power of their Devil Fruits.
Under these circumstances, they simply couldn't beat Rocks.
So, after witnessing the power of Rocks' Dark-Dark Fruit, both Whitebeard and Golden Lion consciously strengthened their physique and Haki.
Rocks could nullify their Devil Fruit abilities, but he couldn't affect their physical bodies and Haki.
"I'm just saying."
Golden Lion pouted. How could he not know that he couldn't beat Rocks right now?
Especially after Rocks exposed the Dark-Dark Fruit, an ability that specifically countered Devil Fruit users, he knew that even if he teamed up with Whitebeard and Nox, he might not be able to defeat Rocks.
"That being said, as long as we don't tell Rocks, it's not impossible for us to do some things."
At this moment, Nox suddenly said.
"Hmm? Nox, what do you mean?"
Golden Lion looked at Nox suspiciously and asked.
"Whitebeard, I remember you got on this ship to find your family. You've found your family now, do you still want to stay on this ship?"
Nox didn't answer Golden Lion, but instead looked at Whitebeard and said.
"Hmph!!!"
Whitebeard looked at Nox with great displeasure.
He naturally didn't want to continue staying in the Rocks Pirates, and even less did he want his sons to stay on such an utterly evil and mutually killing pirate ship as the Rocks Pirates, lest his sons be affected by that atmosphere.
But unfortunately, he couldn't beat Rocks, and even less could he protect his sons from Rocks' madness.
So he could only continue to stay in the Rocks Pirates, and he would leave the Rocks Pirates when he had enough strength to contend with Rocks.
"Golden Lion, Charlotte Linlin, you actually don't want to stay on Rocks' ship either, do you?"
Nox continued.
"Nox, just say what you want to say directly. Although we can't beat Rocks in a one-on-one fight, if the four of us team up, we might not be afraid of him, Rocks!"
Golden Lion said.
Rocks' Devil Fruit countered ability users, countering Charlotte Linlin's Soul-Soul Fruit, countering Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and countering Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit.
But their strength wasn't just in their Devil Fruits. Leaving aside the Devil Fruits, they all possessed strength comparable to an Army General.
Four against one, they weren't afraid of Rocks, and even had the confidence to defeat Rocks.
"Hahaha, then I'll be direct."
"It's perfectly fine to give half of the other treasures to Rocks, but I think the secret treasures of this Sea should not be given to Rocks. Let's divide them among ourselves!"
Saying that, he opened a box and took out eight Devil Fruits.
These were Devil Fruits found among the celestial tribute.
"Hmm, Nox, you're absolutely right. The Devil Fruits should indeed be divided among us. Anyway, Rocks only said to give him half of the treasures, but he didn't say he wanted half of the Devil Fruits as well."
Golden Lion nodded in satisfaction.
Even if Nox didn't say it, Golden Lion would have brought it up.
Compared to ordinary treasures, he preferred Devil Fruits that could enhance a person's strength.
"Mama Mama, Nox, I really like your suggestion."
Charlotte Linlin was also very happy and greedy when she saw the Devil Fruits.
Although they were now Executive Officers of the Rocks Pirates, they didn't have much territory or treasure in their hands, let alone secret treasures of the Sea like Devil Fruits.
Even Whitebeard was tempted by the Devil Fruits, because although he didn't need them, he could prepare them for his future sons.
"In that case, it's decided."
"None of them are labeled with the type or name of the Devil Fruit. Two for each person!"
Nox said with a smile.
"Gurahahaha, then I won't be polite."
Saying that, Golden Lion casually chose two of the Devil Fruits. He didn't know what these two Devil Fruits were.
"Mama Mama!!"
"gura rara rara!"
Then Charlotte Linlin and Whitebeard also chose two each, and Golden Lion took the last two.
At this point, the eight Devil Fruits were divided among the four of them.
"Gurahahaha, let's go, we're sailing back!"
After getting the Devil Fruits, Golden Lion was in a very good mood.
Upon returning to Beehive Island and distributing the treasures, Rocks didn't ask about the Devil Fruits.
Meanwhile, Nox quickly returned to his residence, took out his Devil Fruit encyclopedia, and checked the information of the two Devil Fruits he had.
"Paramecia-type: Invisible-Invisible Fruit!"
"It can make people invisible, a similar ability to the Clear-Clear Fruit. Besides making people invisible, it can also hide one's life aura and reduce one's presence."
"This is a good fruit for training assassins or gunmen!"
After getting the information on the Invisible-Invisible Fruit, Nox was very satisfied. Such a Devil Fruit, while not top-tier, was the most suitable Devil Fruit in the hands of certain people.
"Regular Zoan-type: Ox-Ox Fruit, Red-Eyed Ox Form!"
"Hmm, this Devil Fruit is also relatively good among the regular Zoan types. The strength increases when the red-eyed ox goes berserk."
Nox nodded, getting two Devil Fruits made him feel better.
"Kano, Marley, have there been any difficult matters recently?"
After putting away the Devil Fruits, Nox called Kano and Marley to ask about the situation over the past two months.
"Senior Brother, we've been training as usual, and occasionally taking people out to plunder. There haven't been any problems."
Kano said.
"It's good that there are no problems. I'll be leaving Beehive Island for a while recently. If anything comes up, call my den den mushi."
Nox waved his hand.
He was going to the Land of Women. Calculating the time, Athena was about to give birth. His child was being born, and as a Father and husband, he had to be there!
"Captain, don't worry, no Pirate dares to provoke us."
Marley flattered, the name of Limitless Great Swordsman Nox wasn't something anyone dared to challenge.
Since the news of Nox killing an Army General spread, some people subtly referred to Nox as the World's Greatest Swordsman.
After all, Nox wasn't a Devil Fruit user, and being able to kill an Army General with his sword was a feat only achieved by him besides Rocks.
And Rocks himself wasn't a pure Grand Swordmaster, coupled with the fact that Rocks now possessed a Devil Fruit, the title of World's Greatest Swordsman subtly fell upon Nox.
It's just that Nox's reputation wasn't high enough yet, otherwise, the title of World's Greatest Swordsman would have been solidified!
"Okay, go!"
With that, Nox also left Beehive Island and headed towards the Land of Women.
After sailing for several days, he reached the Calm Belt. Nox directly moored his ship on an uninhabited small island, and then flew into the Calm Belt using Moonwalk.
Guided by the Vivre Card, Nox found the Land of Women without alarming anyone else.
He simply greeted the Captain of the Kuja Pirates, Fire, and then went to Athena's residence.
"Limitless Great Swordsman Nox, what a terrifying man!"
Cecilia just exchanged a glance with Nox, and she felt like a peerless treasure sword with a sharp edge. Just the sharpness of the blade stung her eyes.
Athena's residence was relatively secluded, quiet, and suitable for pregnancy. Few people would come here.
It was equipped with various maids, all of whom had grown up on Amazon Lily since childhood and had never left Amazon Lily. They didn't know the true identity of the person they were serving.
"Sister, Sister, come quickly, there's a butterfly here!!"
"Butterfly? Where, where, I'm coming!"
As soon as Nox arrived, he saw two adorable little girls happily chasing a butterfly.
The two little ones were looking at the butterfly in the sky, so much so that they didn't look ahead, and then bumped into Nox's legs.
"Ouch!!"
"It hurts!"
After being bumped, the two little ones rubbed their foreheads and then stood up.
The child in the Pirate World had strong physiques. Even if they were less than a year old, they could jump and run, and even learned to speak.
"Butterfly, butterfly!!"
When the two little ones looked up at Nox, they realized that the butterfly they were just chasing was caught in Nox's hand.
So the two little ones looked at the butterfly in Nox's hand with watery eyes and immense longing, all their meaning expressed in their eyes.
"Rhea, Esdeath, here, the butterfly is for you!"
Nox looked at his two daughters in front of him and placed the butterfly he was holding in front of them.
"Butterfly, butterfly!!"
"So beautiful!!"
When Rhea saw the butterfly, she carefully held it in her hands, very happy.
"Huh? How do you know our names? We haven't met you before."
"No, I think I've seen you, I just don't know where."
Esdeath looked at Nox in front of her with a curious expression.
"You are my daughters, and I am your Father. Of course I know your names."
"Think about it, have you seen my photo?"
Nox said kindly to his two adorable daughters in front of him.
"Hmm?"
"Seen it. Are you really our Father?"
When Rhea heard Nox's words, she even felt the butterfly in her hand was no longer fun. She looked at Nox with both eyes and said.
"Rhea, Esdeath, he is your Father!"
At this moment, Athena walked out of the room with her big belly.