So you slaughter someone's entire family… and you won't even allow them to retaliate?
And it wasn't like a single Celestial Dragon had even died yet.
Sengoku and Zephyr stood off to the side, saying nothing.
They didn't speak up to support Kong's decision—and that silence alone was already a statement.
It was obvious: these three weren't happy with how this was being handled.
They were the future pillars of the Marines. Steel Bone Kong couldn't just brush them off—he had to explain himself.
"How could I not want to give Rono a pass?" Kong said, voice heavy. "But the Marines' superior is the World Government. Obeying orders is a soldier's duty!"
"If we start feuding with the World Government over something like this, then who's going to uphold justice across the world?"
"And besides—who can guarantee Rono isn't a vicious criminal? Don't forget: there are countless civilians across these seas who are still waiting for us to protect them!"
Kong's words… did persuade Sengoku and Zephyr.
Because he wasn't wrong.
Yes, today it was the Heavenly Tribute—
but who could guarantee that tomorrow Rono wouldn't start robbing ordinary people too?
If they let him go now and he later harmed innocent civilians… wouldn't that be the Marines enabling evil?
"But—"
At the same time, Dragon—still just a recruit—couldn't help wanting to finally say what was burning inside him…
…but his father, Garp, pressed him down with one strong hand and stopped him cold.
…
......
New World — Pirate Island, Hachinosu.
This was the infamous headquarters of the Rocks Pirates.
"It's huge—this is huge! Something massive just happened!"
"What happened?"
"You haven't seen the news? A rookie named Rono seized the Heavenly Tribute—and his very first bounty is five hundred million Beli!"
"What?! Five hundred million? Stop bullshitting. Captain Shiki and Captain Charlotte Linlin are only a bit over six hundred million—how the hell does a rookie deserve five hundred million?!"
"I'm not bullshitting. Look at today's paper if you don't believe me."
More than a dozen Rocks Pirates crowded together, staring at the newspaper—shocked again and again by what they were reading.
"What's all the noise about?"
A voice cut through the commotion.
A tall man stepped forward—massive frame, dense muscle, and a cascade of luxurious golden hair down his shoulders.
Most striking of all was the crescent-moon mustache curving upward on his face.
That's right.
This was the man who would one day be famous enough to rule an era—
the 'World's Strongest Pirate,' Whitebeard.
His mustache was still gold at this point… yet he already preferred people to call him Whitebeard.
"Captain Whitebeard!"
The pirates straightened at once, respectful as they greeted him.