Momonga desperately tried to distance himself from the Celestial Dragon's death.
He also revealed that Ignis Glow was a retired soldier.
After all, if the outside world knew this was related to someone from the Navy, the vast Navy organization would inevitably be implicated.
He himself, naturally couldn't bear the responsibility for the Celestial Dragon's death.
Momonga's nerves were taut, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
Anyone could see that he was hiding something.
Fortunately, Vice Admiral Tsuru looked up, attracting everyone's attention, saying: "Alright… since he's a retired Navy member, we don't need to delve into the details of the attack on the Celestial Dragon."
"The most crucial issue now is that a Celestial Dragon has been killed, and we need to resolve this quickly. Otherwise, it might severely impact our plans against the Whitebeard Pirates."
As Chief of Staff, Tsuru offered her opinion.
After pondering for a moment, everyone agreed.
The Celestial Dragon incident was extremely serious.
It was no less impactful than dropping a bomb in the ears of countless people.
But at this critical time, the Navy couldn't give the Whitebeard Pirates any opportunity.
Therefore, whatever Momonga was hiding was irrelevant for now.
What mattered was that, due to the pressure from the World Government, or for the Navy's image, and for the upcoming plan against the Whitebeard Pirates, the best course of action was to resolve this as quickly as possible.
And the fastest solution was to dispatch an Admiral!
However, considering the possibility of the Whitebeard Pirates using this opportunity to attack Navy Headquarters, the Admirals couldn't be deployed casually as usual.
At the same time, because the deceased Celestial Dragon's identity was not simple.
He was the heir to the Rosward family of Mary Geoise.
The Rosward family, through the World Government, issued an order explicitly stating that the killer shouldn't be killed too easily, demanding capture and a live prisoner, to show the world the terrifying consequences of killing a Celestial Dragon.
This unreasonable and unrefusable demand, caused considerable trouble for everyone in the conference room.
After careful consideration, the Navy decided to issue a wanted poster, and Vice Admiral Momonga volunteered for the mission.
After all, if the truth came out, his Navy career would be over.
Therefore, Momonga secretly planned to eliminate Ignis Glow, the retired soldier who dared to disobey orders.
Only a dead man wouldn't reveal secrets.
Momonga firmly believed this.
Of course, Momonga wouldn't go alone.
Before leaving, Momonga requisitioned five warships, not crewed by Navy personnel, but by the latest scientific creations from Admiral Kizaru's research team.
'Pacifistas'.
Originally intended to be used against the Whitebeard Pirates in the Summit War.
These powerful weapons possessed the ability to identify friend and foe, capture targets, and fire powerful laser beams.
To capture a lone individual in the vast North Blue, they were perfect.
They could also test the Navy's latest technology.
In this way, Momonga believed that no matter what methods the retired soldier used to kill the Celestial Dragon, or if there was an unknown force behind him, facing this force, there would be no resistance.
Furthermore, the creation of Pacifistas, was to effectively deter pirates.
Now, such an opportunity presented itself to the Navy!
Thus, Ignis Glow's fate was decided in this meeting originally focused on planning for the Whitebeard Pirates' attack.
However, at this moment, …
North Blue, "Guh… th-that's impossible, right?"
"This kind of thing… is it even humanly possible?!"
Before the crucial passage from the North Blue to the Grand Line.
Pirates were following the sea route to the Grand Line.
But the ambitious pirates of the North Blue, upon reaching the passage between the North Blue and the Grand Line, one by one, stopped.
Their hearts trembled, and for the first time, they doubted their ambitions, feeling a desire to retreat.
The reason was simple.
Before their eyes, under the sky, in front of the blue sea, beside the blocked sea route… an 'unprecedented' passage appeared.
It was only wide enough for a small ship to pass through, leading to the Grand Line, the dream of countless North Blue pirates.
But no matter who looked at it… the terrifyingly fresh cut marks… all the pirates had an absurd thought.
It had been… cut open!
What kind of being?
Could cut through the Red Line!
Yes, as the Navy Headquarters decided Ignis Glow's fate, Momonga didn't know, that he didn't need to find Ignis Glow.
Ignis Glow had already gone to the Grand Line!
Ignis Glow's 1 Billion Belly Navy Bounty, First Half of the Grand Line
…
First half of the Grand Line, seagulls soared across the clear sky.
On an island, ships constantly came and went from a port.
"You know, the pirates who come to this sea, although they're all strong."
"Even so, why is this sea called a pirate's graveyard by some, and a paradise by others?"
A one-armed middle-aged sailor looked at a large pirate ship with hundreds of people setting sail, suddenly turning to a young sailor.
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