Chapter 97: Tracking and Counter-Tracking
Three Marine warships cut swiftly across the sea. Leading the fleet was a high-ranking battleship, far larger than the two escort ships accompanying it. Standing at the bow, Admiral Shirokiri wore a grim expression.
According to intelligence reports, the Hell Pirates had entered the territory of the New World's ruling power—the Vesper Pirates—and had since vanished without a trace.
As a Marine Admiral, barging into the domain of an emperor-level pirate crew was far from an ideal choice. Even though there was some degree of cooperation between Marine Headquarters and Vesper's intelligence network, it didn't mean he could act without caution.
That old bastard Vesper was no weaker than he was. If a battle broke out on enemy turf, reinforcements would be endless. His three warships wouldn't even be enough to put up a decent fight.
And the officers he'd brought along—one Vice Admiral and three Rear Admirals—weren't strong enough to take on Vesper's top commanders.
Left with no choice, Admiral Shirokiri reported back to Marine Headquarters, asking whether to continue the pursuit.
The response? Retreat to the New World's Marine base and await further orders. The World Government and Celestial Dragons, aside from their usual tantrums, didn't issue any further reprimands, as if they had already anticipated this outcome.
Historically, once pirates entered the New World, even if the World Government ordered the Marines to hunt them down, the success rate rarely exceeded forty percent.
That was why the Celestial Dragons had long since deployed their own carefully trained spies—to compensate for the Marines' inefficiency.
...
"Hell yeah! It actually worked!!"