Chapter 213

The words fell silent.

Aokiji's eyes slightly narrowed, his hand pausing mid-motion to hang up the Den Den Mushi.

"A genius in the eyes of the World Government?"

"And one whom the CP Organization holds in high regard?"

He let out a soft laugh.

Holding the Den Den Mushi,

Aokiji couldn't help but glance toward Lu En, not far away.

The latter was bare-chested, his muscles rippling with thick, centipede-like veins, powerfully built, his demonic back especially grotesque and intimidating.

"As for genius…"

"Who can compare with this monster, Lu En?"

"Marshal, the genius you mentioned—Robo Lucci. How does he stack up against Lu En, the grandson of Vice Admiral Karp? Is there even any comparison?"

Aokiji smiled strangely.

In his memory,

Among all the geniuses he had ever seen in his life, none could be mentioned in the same breath as Lu En.

Throughout the Navy's centuries of history…

There had never been a comparable, terrifying example!

Aokiji was eager.

The genius in the World Government's eyes…

And the genius in the Navy's eyes…

What kind of sparks would fly if these two met?

Who would be stronger?

Which genius would prevail?

Aokiji naturally favored the latter.

He firmly believed.

No genius in this world could be compared to Lu En!

"That brat named Robo Lucci—I don't know him well."

"But at just thirteen years old, he dared to join the mission to rescue the noble captives of the Rose Kingdom. That alone proves Luo Bu Lucci is no ordinary person."

"The captain of the Sword Lion Pirates, Sword Lion Gatt, has a bounty of nearly fifty million nine hundred seven Berries. For this kid Lucci to join such a rescue mission, it's clear he's no mere nobody."

"Surely, the people above wouldn't send a top-tier genius to die."

"A genius whom the CP Organization values and favors can't possibly be weak."

Kong pondered for a moment, then voiced his thoughts.

But…

Soon after,

he shifted his tone, laughing through the Den Den Mushi, "Still, that brat Lucci will ultimately fall short of Karp's old bastard grandson."

"After all, Karp's old bastard grandson, Lu En—this kid possesses astonishing heavenly talent. Even I, in my entire life, have never heard of anything like it."

"This kind of astonishing heavenly talent literally rewrites understanding!"

"As for that Robo Lucci? Compared to Lu En, he's not just a little inferior—he's vastly outclassed."

"But the specifics…"

"Only when these two geniuses meet will the true gap become clear."

This speech,

received Aokiji's deep approval.

He was already eager

to have Lu En participate in this rescue mission.

And then…

Let Lu En go up against that genius the World Government considers supreme.

See who is truly the strongest genius!

"Let me warn you first."

"Originally…"

"I assigned you to personally lead this rescue mission because I thought that thirteen-year-old brat Lucci was unreliable."

"But you, you little brat, had the audacity to scheme and want Karp's old bastard grandson Lu En involved. I must warn you—Lu En is the Navy's treasure! A future Admiral candidate!"

"You must not let this kid suffer any mishap or loss."

"Otherwise, our Navy would suffer heavy losses!"

"With Lu En's astonishing heavenly talent and potential, there is no second example like him on this entire sea. If such a genius is lost, even if Karp forgives you, I will never spare you."

Kong spoke with a solemn tone.

"Marshal Kong, I understand. Rest assured."

Aokiji smiled.

The difficulty of this rescue mission lies in the noble captives themselves!

That band of ruthless pirates intends to use these noble captives and five hundred royal guard soldiers to pressure the King of the Rose Kingdom.

But against such vicious pirates…

How could the King of the Rose Kingdom possibly choose to compromise?

Pirates — they're all insatiably greedy!

Greedy through and through!

A pirate's greed is endless.

If we compromise even once, it will only invite more pirates to eye us like tigers watching their prey.

That kind of precedent must never be broken!

Therefore.

King Rosed would never choose to compromise with pirates.

The two sides are as incompatible as fire and water.

The situation, as a result, has grown extremely dire.

A moment later.

Aokiji hung up the Den Den Mushi.

Then,

he turned with a strange smile and looked toward Lu En, who stood not far away.

"Lu En, kid, there's an interesting mission — want to consider it?"

"For you, this is a Dahaoji Society to rack up some experience!"

Aokiji began to sweet-talk him.

"Vice Admiral Aokiji, if you want me to run a mission for you, just say so."

"No need to beat around the bush."

"And no need to spin me all these excuses."

Lu En rolled his eyes.

"Uh…"

Aokiji opened his mouth, then fell speechless.

He hadn't expected that the moment he opened his mouth,

his purpose would be seen right through by this kid, Lu En!

Speaking of which…

He was a dignified Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters — couldn't this kid Lu En at least be a little more tactful?

Not even giving him a shred of face!

"Let me ask — what mission is it?"

Lu En asked, with a hint of curiosity and anticipation.

Several days of dreary sailing at sea had left the violent streak inside him nearly impossible to rein in.

Right now.

Since a mission had come along, if it suited him, he wasn't entirely unwilling to accept it.

"A rescue mission."

"Head to the Kingdom of Rosed, and rescue the dozen-odd nobles captured by the pirates, along with five hundred of the king's personal guard soldiers."

"As long as the captives are rescued, the mission is complete."

"There's no need to break into open conflict with that band of pirates."

"Of course, that's how it sounds on paper — but in reality, while rescuing these noble captives, there's a very good chance the pirates will notice, and the most likely outcome is still an all-out clash with them."