Chapter 983

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze carrying a degree of gravity, and asked, "What do you mean? What happened out there in the sea? What event could possibly stir up such a storm across both the Grand Line and the New World?"

Unless it was a major event.

He believed,

that this naval elite would never rush to notify him so hastily.

And…

not with such solemn an tone.

Even,

the words themselves indicated.

The New World itself had been fully ignited~!

This left Kong utterly bewildered.

What kind of event could fully ignite the New World?

Kong simply could not fathom it.

He racked his brains but found no answer.

Then,

under Kong's gaze,

the naval elite took a deep breath, slightly calming his shaken emotions.

Afterwards,

he revealed the truth: "Admiral, a few days ago, the Red-Haired Pirates returned from the New World all the way to the East Blue—surely you remember this news?"

Upon hearing this,

Kong's pupils shrank slightly, his expression shifting subtly.

Immediately,

he blurted out, "Are you saying Red-Haired and Captain Kapu met? Or did Red-Haired meet Lu En? Did a conflict break out? What was the outcome?"

Hearing the matter involved the Red-Haired Pirates, Kong could no longer sit still.

He pressed urgently, his face filled with frantic anxiety.

"They all met."

said the naval elite.

"All met?!"

"The Red-Haired Pirates met both Captain Kapu and Lu En?"

Kong was stunned.

He continued, "Did a conflict break out? What was the outcome? How heavy were the losses on our side?"

The naval elite replied, "The Red-Haired Pirates first clashed with General Lu En. Then, at a critical moment, General Kapu arrived."

"Thus…"

"The situation escalated into a direct confrontation between the Red-Haired Pirates and General Kapu."

"That battle shook the heavens and shattered the earth!"

"The entire Red-Haired Pirates crew suffered severe injuries…"

"We lost over a dozen naval elites."

"And General Kapu also sustained considerable injuries…"

Kong cut him off,

asking, "How is Lu En? Tell me the outcome! I don't want to hear the process!"

"Yes, Admiral."

The naval elite nodded, his voice trembling, "The Red-Haired Pirates suffered heavy losses! General Lu En, alone, stood firm against the Red-Haired Pirates' vice-captain, Ben Beike Man!"

"This notorious pirate, with a bounty of over a billion Berries, could not defeat General Lu En—he fought him to a standstill."

"That means…"

"General Lu En, single-handedly, challenged a Royal Vice-Commander!"

"One battle, evenly matched!"

"At just five years old, General Lu En already possesses the combat power of a Royal Vice-Commander."

"In the entire Navy Headquarters, his strength may already rival that of Admiral Kizaru and Admiral Akainu."

In an instant,

Kong stood frozen.

He was stunned.

"Y-You said what?!"

"Lu En, single-handedly, challenged a Royal Vice-Commander?"

"That notorious New World pirate, Ben Beike Man?"

"Are you certain?"

"Lu En has grown this powerful?"

"Are you sure this isn't just rumor, exaggerated and distorted?"

Kong asked again, his face filled with shock.

He was dumbfounded.

How strong was Ben Beike Man?

As Navy Admiral, he knew perfectly well.

Even across the entire New World, powerful figures like Ben Beike Man, such grand pirates, are few enough to count on one hand!

You could count them on a single hand.

Yet.

How could a child merely five years old, Lu En, have fought him to a standstill?!

Who could believe this?!

Even Kong, the Admiral of the Marines, felt a wave of utter disbelief.

"Has this boy already become this strong?"

"That can't be right?"

"Just a short while ago, he fought Doflamingo to a draw."

"Now, barely a month later, you tell me this boy has grown strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with a Vice Admiral? Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined this!"

Kong was utterly stunned.

What kind of talent and potential is this?

It is nothing short of monstrous in talent!

Is this, then, the Marine Corps' first genius in centuries?

He fully deserves it!

"I originally thought…"

"I had already regarded Lu En as highly as I could."

"But now I see, I still underestimated him."

"His talent and potential are far more terrifying than I ever imagined."

Kong let out a bitter laugh.

After a brief moment of shock, he quickly calmed his astonishment.

Any unbelievable event, if it happens to Lu En, this monster…

Then…

All of this…

Becomes perfectly understandable.

It makes sense!

"Admiral, I know it's hard for you to believe."

"But all of this is true."

"The most terrifying part is…"

"General Lu En didn't just stand his ground against a Vice Admiral-level strength."