"Heh heh heh… Before long, it will be a flag that shakes the entire ocean," Bege said, gazing at the pirate flag billowing in the wind, his heart swelling with ambition.
"That's a given," Moria replied with a confident laugh.
The other disciples wore similar expressions of self-assurance.
"Godfather, we've spotted ships approaching!" a disciple called out from the crow's nest. "They're warships! Three warships are closing in fast!"
Bege's face darkened. He snorted coldly, "The Marines weren't going to let us go that easily. Tell Laboon to prepare to set sail. We'll shake them off."
Laboon emerged from beneath the sea, and with spirited effort, began pulling the pirate ship, rapidly picking up speed.
On the pursuing warship, Mad Tiger stood at the bow, staring through a telescope at the swiftly retreating pirate ship. His expression was terrible.
"They have a Sea King pulling their ship. The warships can't keep up," a tall, burly man, also wearing the uniform of a Marine Vice Admiral, said beside Mad Tiger.
"Even Sea Kings get exhausted. I refuse to believe they can maintain this speed indefinitely. Order the ships to go full speed. Do everything possible to keep them in sight," Mad Tiger commanded coldly. "Report to headquarters. Have them fully coordinate with informants on nearby islands. We must pinpoint their location." He was absolutely determined to capture Bege and his crew.
Every time Bege and his crew managed to shake off Mad Tiger's pursuit, the Marines would relentlessly catch up. They'd be overtaken, then break free…
The two sides engaged in this chase across the sea for a full month, and Mad Tiger was still in relentless pursuit.
Finally, with no other options, Bege abandoned the pirate ship. He released some of the pirates he'd previously kept confined within his castle, giving them the ship. He then packed all of his disciples into his internal castle and rode away on Laboon.
This maneuver finally allowed them to shake off Mad Tiger.
Mad Tiger and his forces found the pirate ship, and a battle ensued, but it was quickly suppressed. When Mad Tiger boarded the ship and didn't find Bege, he was furious, practically steaming from the ears.
"Where is Capone Bege?" Mad Tiger grabbed a pirate, his voice full of rage.
The pirate trembled, stammering, "He… he left on a giant whale. He left a letter."
The pirate pulled a letter from his pocket. Mad Tiger tossed the pirate aside, opened the letter, and scanned its contents. His face grew even darker.
"Fire Tank Pirates… Capone Bege… I will catch you eventually," Mad Tiger clenched his fist, his heart burning like a volcano about to erupt.
A few minutes later, he calmed down and pulled out a Den Den Mushi to report to Fleet Admiral Kong once more.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, we've lost Capone Bege," Mad Tiger said, his face full of shame.
"Return to headquarters first. We've just formulated a major plan that requires you to enter the New World. The capture of Capone Bege will be handed over to Vice Admiral Hakusan," Kong said, his expression devoid of emotion.
"Understood," Mad Tiger replied. The call ended, leaving Mad Tiger with a face full of unwillingness.
After Mad Tiger returned to headquarters, Fleet Admiral Kong immediately convened a meeting of all officers of Vice Admiral rank and above.
The scale of this meeting was significant. All Marine Vice Admirals were gathered, and of the three Marine Admirals, only Zephyr was present. The other two had gone to the New World to capture Gol D. Roger.
Vice Admiral Mad Tiger, who had been tasked with capturing Bege, was also seated, just below Admiral Zephyr. He was covered in bandages, and his expression was extremely unpleasant.
"The first item on today's agenda is the bounty for Capone Bege. You've all reviewed Capone Bege's information. What do you think his bounty should be?" Kong looked at the photograph of Capone Bege placed on the table, his face grim.
The Vice Admirals reviewed Capone Bege's information:
West Blue Mafia, Capone Family head Capone Rod's eldest son. Paramecia-type Castle-Castle Fruit user. Swordsman. Proficient in the Rokushiki techniques Soru and Geppo…
"This Capone Bege, at such a young age, was able to escape from Vice Admiral Mad Tiger. His threat level is too high. He must be eliminated, and the Capone Family in the West Blue must be uprooted as well," a Vice Admiral with a scarred face said gravely.
"We informed the West Blue base immediately after Capone Bege escaped the Sabaody Archipelago to apprehend Capone Rod. Unfortunately, we were one step too late. He escaped," Vice Admiral Tsuru said gravely. "The Capone Family seems to have anticipated the possibility of Capone Bege's exposure and prepared an escape route long ago."
"A monk can run, but the temple can't. I refuse to believe they'd willingly abandon the territory they worked so hard to secure. I propose we immediately cleanse the Capone Family's territory and conduct searches. We must capture the Capone Family members, all of them," another Vice Admiral said coldly.
Many Vice Admirals voiced their agreement.
"Since they're intentionally hiding, finding them will be extremely difficult. I suggest we don't make a move on the Capone Family for now. Instead, dispatch CP9 agents to infiltrate the Capone Family's territory, secretly embed themselves, and become core members of the family, monitoring them. Then, obtain Capone Bege's location. If necessary, use the Capone Family members as leverage against Capone Bege," Tsuru said calmly.
"I agree with Vice Admiral Tsuru's method," someone immediately responded after Tsuru finished speaking. Soon, nearly all the Vice Admirals had agreed.
"Then we'll proceed accordingly. I'm setting Capone Bege's bounty at 350 million Berries," Kong declared.
"350 million Berries? Isn't that a bit high?" a Vice Admiral questioned. Never before had a pirate received a bounty of 350 million Berries on their first issuance.
"Hmph, I think it's too low," Mad Tiger said darkly. "That Capone Bege's strength is at least 400 million. Considering his young age and potential, I think a bounty of 500 million wouldn't be out of the question."
"To be able to inflict such severe injuries on Mad Tiger, this kid has at least the strength of a major pirate. He also has the allegiance of Gecko Moria, who has a bounty of 200 million, and a swordsman comparable to a Supernova. This Fire Tank Pirate crew already has the qualifications to gain a foothold in the New World. I also think his bounty should be 500 million," Admiral Zephyr spoke up.
When Zephyr spoke, the other Vice Admirals' expressions changed, and they looked seriously at the young face on the table.
"His strength may reach the level of a major pirate, but considering this is his first bounty, we'll temporarily set it at 350 million," Kong stated.
"I agree," Zephyr nodded.
Mad Tiger also nodded in agreement, and naturally, the remaining Vice Admirals didn't object.
"Although the bounty is only 350 million, you must all remember that Capone Bege's strength is at least at the 500 million level. Capturing him requires a complete and viable plan."
"Since this person poses such a great threat, he should be eliminated immediately," a Vice Admiral stated.
"I also want to eliminate him as soon as possible, but things are also unstable in the New World. The Roger Pirates have already provoked the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons. The Golden Lion Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates are also showing signs of unrest. The Five Elders have ordered us to focus all our efforts on capturing the Roger Pirates. The pursuit of Capone Bege will have to be postponed," Kong said gravely.
When the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons were mentioned, everyone chose to remain silent.
Kong moved Capone Bege's file to the side, revealing a photograph of the imposing Gol D. Roger underneath. His expression became solemn.
"Next, we will discuss the plan to capture the Roger Pirates."
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