After listening to Sengoku, Kong's expression gradually grew more serious.
Previously, he had taken Sig seriously only because Sig had acted against the Celestial Dragons and was linked to the Revolutionary Army.
But now, things seemed to be getting increasingly complicated and enigmatic.
"Unfortunately, after being intercepted by the Revolutionary Army's Dragon, we've temporarily lost track of Sig."
"This kind of criminal should have been dealt with immediately!"
"The naval forces in the East Blue are insufficient. To handle Sig, we'll need to mobilize elites from the Grand Line."
Kong declared firmly.
In the face of Kong's concern, Sengoku, however, seemed unperturbed.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, that issue isn't difficult to resolve."
Sengoku smiled confidently.
"We simply wait for the right opportunity."
"This so-called 'Bandit King' Sig, if he has grand ambitions, cannot possibly remain hidden in a small place like the East Blue for long."
"The Grand Line is the true stage for such major criminals."
"You're suggesting that we lay a trap at the early sections of the Grand Line to intercept Sig?"
Kong's expression shifted slightly as he looked toward Sengoku.
Sengoku shook his head slightly, stood up, walked over to a world map hanging on the wall, and pointed to a specific location.
The spot his finger landed on was not within the Grand Line but still in the East Blue.
The final town in the East Blue before entering the Grand Line, and also the birthplace of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Almost all pirates entering the Grand Line from the East Blue would stop at this critical town.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, we can employ a two-pronged strategy: overt and covert."
"On the surface, we, the Navy, should give Sig the attention he deserves, treating him as a major criminal and launching a high-profile manhunt in the East Blue. This will pressure Sig to enter the Grand Line as soon as possible."
"Meanwhile, in secret, we deploy heavy forces to Loguetown, setting a massive trap and waiting for Sig to walk right into it."
Sengoku calmly laid out his strategy for dealing with Sig.
"I'll consider your suggestion," Kong replied, lightly tapping the table with his fingers as he fell into quiet thought.
Sengoku's plan had its drawbacks—it was highly conspicuous and required mobilizing considerable manpower and extensive preparations.
Although the Navy was powerful, it was responsible for managing nearly the entire world's seas and faced numerous enemies.
Whether it was worth such a large-scale operation to capture someone like Sig required further deliberation on Kong's part.
"For now, have the Intelligence Department draft Sig's bounty."
Kong ordered his secretary.
Soon, in the Intelligence Department of Naval Headquarters, a heated discussion about Sig's bounty began.
In this era, pirates often compared their bounties, making the act of setting a bounty a nuanced task—too high or too low, and it wouldn't be appropriate.
"Sig, the Bandit King of the East Blue. He attacked the Celestial Dragons. According to reports, this individual is extremely ferocious. None of the Celestial Dragons' bodyguards could stop his assault!"
"It's also said that he has ties to the Revolutionary Army…"
"Sig initiated an attack on the Celestial Dragons… His bounty can be referenced against Fisher Tiger, the Fish-Man pirate who burned down Mariejois and freed thousands of slaves from the Celestial Dragons. His initial bounty was 230 million berries."
Fisher Tiger was the first individual in history to cause chaos in Mariejois and openly challenge the World Government.
Sig's most serious crime was similarly assaulting the Celestial Dragons.
"Then, Sig's bounty can be set at… 180 million berries."
The Grand Line, Headquarters of the World Economy News Paper.
"President, you should take a look at this—a new bounty poster just released by the World Government!"
A reporter, waving a bounty poster and a stack of documents, hurried into the office of the president, "Big News" Morgans.
President Morgans, a user of the Albatross Zoan-type Bird-Bird Fruit, typically presented himself in his humanoid bird form.
Seeing the reporter enter, Morgans casually glanced over, his expression darkening slightly.
"What's so special about a bounty poster… Hmm? 180 million? You must be joking!"
President Morgans was somewhat annoyed.
The World Economy News Paper, under the World Economy News Corporation, was the most influential and widely distributed newspaper in the world.
As president, Morgans, often referred to as the "King of News," held a top-tier status in the underground world. He had strong connections with both the World Government and the Four Emperors of the pirate world.
With his extensive experience, he wouldn't normally pay attention to a new criminal with a bounty close to 200 million berries.
"You're wasting my time."
Morgans' voice carried a hint of displeasure.
"A newcomer with an initial bounty of 180 million, you say? Seems talented. If this were a few years ago, they might've had a chance to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea. But now? Too late."
The current Warlords, such as Pirate Empress Hancock, had an initial bounty of 80 million berries, while Sir Crocodile had 81 million. Both were quickly noticed by the World Government and invited to join the Warlords after making their mark.
A bounty of 180 million berries wasn't low. For a newcomer, it was enough to secure a place among the Supernovas.
"President... Actually, this Sig wasn't a newcomer. He was previously an 8-million-berry mountain bandit."
Morgans immediately turned his face away, refusing to engage further.
But the reporter, still waving the documents, pressed on:
"It's not about the bounty; it's about what this Sig did!"
"He attacked a Celestial Dragon, and he hasn't even entered the Grand Line yet but already has a bounty of 180 million berries!"
This finally piqued Morgans' interest. He carefully reviewed the documents handed to him, his expression growing increasingly animated. He could sense the scent of a big story brewing.
The East Blue was the region with the lowest average bounties. Prior to this, the highest bounty in the East Blue was only around 20 million berries.
Sig's bounty, nearly ten times that, not only shattered the East Blue's record but was significant enough to qualify as a "big pirate" even in the first half of the Grand Line.
"This individual deserves to headline the East Blue edition of our World Economy News Paper! He's worth our attention!"
Morgans made his judgment, a grin forming at the corners of his beak.
"Sig, you should consider yourself fortunate. Getting noticed by our news agency is a rare opportunity for any newcomer."
Assigning the task of drafting the news article to one of his reporters, Morgans prepared to return to his other work.
While Sig's story intrigued him and was bound to shake up the East Blue, it was ultimately just that—a story confined to the East Blue.
Pouring himself a cup of hot tea, Morgans resumed reviewing other reports.
As the "King of News," Morgans' true focus lay on stories capable of shaking the entire world.
The same reporter rushed back into the office, his expression urgent. This time, he was holding a Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snail).
"President! It's a call from Celestial Dragon Saint Charlos!"