Chapter 48: Marine Reaction
Entering the Auction House, the venue was still quite spacious, with half an hour remaining until the auction officially began.
Hades went directly to the foremost seat in the Auction House, crossed his arms over his chest, closed his eyes, and quietly waited.
Titan stood behind Hades, silent, radiating an aura that warned others away.
The strong smell of blood still lingered on him, and the hammer resting on his shoulder was extremely intimidating.
As time passed, more guests arrived at the Auction House.
Eyes, whether hidden or direct, fell upon them from all around, carrying wariness, fear, and interest.
The big shots from the entire Island would gather in this Auction House, including well-known Pirates and some heads of Underworld Forces.
Bounty Hunters, Lone Wolves.
Although the strength of those killed by Titan wasn't considered high, the terrifying destructive power was real.
Before coming, most of them had gathered intelligence; destroying two streets with just one hammer blow was a feat that only a handful on this Island could accomplish.
They couldn't even think of a second person.
Just based on this performance, no one dared to provoke them casually; unnecessary provocation was a foolish act.
Previously, a Pirate who thought Charlotte Linlin was pretty and easy to bully was slapped to death just like that, his entire body's bones crushed.
After all, the young Charlotte Linlin was truly beautiful!
She should still be in her youth now!
As Charlotte Linlin was invited to join the Rocks Pirates and became a Cadre, such stories began to circulate.
Even Shiki and Edward Newgate have several versions of their stories.
During this time, events happening on the Island began to be known by other factions.
In this critical period, the World Government and Marines have stationed and deployed a large number of intelligence agents throughout the New World.
To ensure an advantage in intelligence, any relatively prominent event would attract their attention.
From the spread of intelligence to its reception and the analysis and organization of the intelligence, within a mere twenty minutes.
A complete report was delivered to Fleet Admiral Black.
"After two years of silence, he finally appeared!"
Black looked at the printed photograph.
The photo was secretly taken from a distance, but it clearly captured Hades's front view.
Looking at the somewhat familiar face and the unique temperament, Black confirmed the identity of this mysterious noble without needing to read the analysis report below.
The Son of Jaeger, "Death God" Ye Ge.
"Hades!"
Black softly muttered this name, both familiar and unfamiliar.
The Marines and World Government lost so many personnel in the Kronos Kingdom; it was impossible for them to have found nothing, they at least learned the name of Jaeger's child.
Beside him, Jaeger's Wanted Poster was conveniently placed, that sky-high bounty of 1.
2 billion Beli from ten years ago.
If Jaeger had survived that battle, his bounty would have increased by several hundred million more Beli.
In this Great Sea, only Rocks D.
Xebec could surpass him.
This current sole hegemon of the Great Sea, his bounty is 1.
8 billion Beli, and it also hasn't changed for ten years.
Hades looks very similar to Jaeger, revealing a domineering will from within.
Black still carefully read the report, understanding the beginning and end of the matter.
Putting down the report in his hand, Black's expression was solemn.
How similar, Jaeger also had a monster by his side back then.
In his eyes, Hades's face in the photo seemed to overlap with Jaeger's face.
"What must come will always come."
Looking at those indifferent eyes in the photo, and the terrible tragedy caused by Titan, a strong killing intent almost uncontrollably rose in the depths of Black's heart.
Hades, Son of Jaeger, is definitely a major threat.
He must be killed as soon as possible before he grows stronger.
This is definitely a major enemy for the Marines going forward.
"Since you've come out, don't even think about running!"
The Marines and World Government surrounded and killed Hades's father, and how many familiar faces died at Jaeger's hands; there is an irreconcilable hatred between the two sides.
Originally, Hades was hiding, the Marines couldn't find him and had no means.
Now that he has voluntarily exposed himself, they naturally won't miss this opportunity.
"Bring me the military strength deployment map."
A rough map of the New World was posted on the board, depicting the current military strength deployment of the Marines in the New World, as well as the various islands in the New World.
He needed to use this to determine how much combat strength to send against these two individuals who hadn't truly grown yet.
However, Black's expression quickly changed, becoming quite grim.
In the Sea Area near Kent Island, the only Navy Fortress that could reach Kent Island in a short time was the G-36 Navy Fortress, garrisoned by Vice Admiral Vic.
The other Navy Fortresses, even at full speed, would take half a day to reach Kent Island.
"This was premeditated, wasn't it?"
Black seemed to have seen through Hades's purpose; how could he not know what Vice Admiral Vic had done in the past.
Hades causing such an incident was like bait, waiting for the Marines to jump in and send Vice Admiral Vic there.
It was specifically to deal with Vice Admiral Vic.
The location of Kent Island was also just right; there weren't many forces the Marines could send that could arrive quickly.
Because the location of this Island is already in the central part of the New World; the further in one goes, the more active the Rocks Pirates' faction becomes.
There, Marine Headquarters has no military strength deployment; the Rocks Pirates would not allow the presence of the Marines.
Fleet Admiral Black thought carefully, feeling something was wrong; Vice Admiral Vic might not be a match for Hades and Titan.
This conclusion was reached based on the enemy's perspective; regardless, Black was giving his enemies the utmost importance.
There was no room for luck in his heart; at his age, he didn't consider possibilities like young people being arrogant or unaware of the Great Sea's terror.
Because this is the Son of Jaeger, just like "those" Celestial Dragons; they receive the most elite education from a young age and never do things they aren't confident about.
Now he already knows Hades's general idea.
He also doesn't want to give up this bait delivered to his doorstep, because this might be the only chance the Marines have to deal with this threat.
Whether Hades stays in the Kronos Kingdom or joins the Rocks Pirates, it would be difficult for the Marines to act again.
Various thoughts flashed through Black's mind.
"Transmit the intelligence to the G-36 Fortress, order Vic to lead his troops there, surround Kent Island, don't let anyone leave."
"Branches X36-2 and X36-4 will depart together to assist Vice Admiral Vic with his mission."
Fleet Admiral Black made his decision, but it wasn't over yet.
"Notify the G-35 Fortress and G-37 Fortress to depart immediately, proceed at full speed towards Kent Island."
"Have Davis return, block the route from Kent Island to Honeycomb Island, and proceed towards Kent Island along the way."
Black issued commands one after another; he didn't want Vic to directly clash with Hades, instead adopting a strategy of encirclement to prevent anyone from escaping Kent Island.
As long as they can stall for time, until the other two Vice Admirals arrive, the situation will basically be stable.
Three Vice Admirals, enough to sweep Kent Island.
Taking this opportunity, they can also clear out Kent Island, this Island of sin.
This was a conservative decision made by Black based on his own judgment.
As long as they can stall for half a day, three Vice Admirals, one Marine Admiral, how could such a lineup possibly fail?
The Marines moved swiftly; three Navy Fortresses dispatched simultaneously, heading towards Kent Island at full speed from different directions.
From each Fortress, a small fleet was dispatched; at least half of their military strength was mobilized.
"A mere youngster, I'll personally finish him off."
The tall man with a face covered in hideous scars stood at the bow of the ship; the pitch-black "Justice" written in flowing script on the white cloak behind him fluttered in the sea breeze.
This was the person Hades was determined to kill, Vice Admiral Vic, who had injured his mother.
A Hawk Faction member who acted cruelly, possessed formidable strength, and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
He also held a fearsome reputation in the New World; even among Vice Admirals, he was one of the top powerful individuals.
(end of chapter)