Although Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro were extremely dissatisfied with this matter, after analyzing the current situation of the Navy, they believed that the most suitable Navy Admiral at the moment was still Sengoku the Buddha, and this position certainly couldn't be moved!
To be honest…
In the past, Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro wouldn't have cared if Sengoku would resign, as anyone from the Three Admirals of the Navy, who are the highest force of the World Government, could be promoted…
But now…
It's not suitable at this time!
Firstly, the Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters: Aokiji's attitude is too gentle. After the O'Hara incident, he always defies the World Government's orders; Kizaru's attitude is even worse. As a Navy Admiral who slacks off all the time, there's no need for the World Government to have the Navy do anything…
The only one somewhat reliable is Akainu.
Even though Akainu has been extreme in the past, the Five Elders still consider Akainu the most reliable, far stronger than Aokiji and Kizaru…
However…
Akainu's extremeness has directly targeted the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. After being scolded a few times by them, he ordered his subordinates to sever a Heavenly Celestial Dragon's arm…
No matter what…
Akainu definitely cannot become the Navy Admiral!
Akainu, now just a mere Navy Admiral, dared to order his subordinates to attack the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. Who's to say he won't rebel against and attack Mary Geoise once he becomes Navy Admiral!
After much discussion…
Sengoku is still the most suitable Navy Admiral.
Saint Saturn, leaning on a cane, waved his hand at Sengoku the Buddha and sternly reprimanded, "Don't talk about resigning from the position of Navy Admiral. As long as you deal with Sakazuki and that guy named Akihara Kagura, we can let this matter slide…"
"Kill them."
Murderous intent flickered in Saint Saturn's eyes.
"..."
Sengoku's eye twitched.
Has this old guy sat in the Five Elders' position for too long, thinking Akainu and Akihara Kagura are people that can be easily replaced?
These two subordinates…
Both Akainu and Akihara Kagura actually have the potential to become Navy Admiral, and they could both become the flagbearers of the Navy in the future!
While Akainu is indeed extreme, he dares to take responsibility; Akihara Kagura, on the other hand, is both the most intelligent and vigorous within the Navy today!
"That's impossible!"
Sengoku quickly waved his hand, rejecting Saint Saturn's proposal, with an especially firm attitude, as if the person standing before him wasn't his superior: "Neither Sakazuki nor Akihara Kagura can be dealt with. At this moment, I cannot deal with them, even if it means resigning from my position as Navy Admiral!"
"..."
Saint Saturn looked at Sengoku as if he were watching a madman.
"..."
Sengoku looked at Saint Saturn and also felt as if he were looking at a madman: "Has Saint Saturn forgotten that the Konoha Pirates, the Goddess of Rabbit, and those standing behind them are still eyeing all this? At this moment, spending immense power to deal with our own people…"
"We will deal with those Konoha monsters…"
Saint Saturn's expression faltered, forcing a confident look.
"..."
Sengoku showed disbelief.
Not only did Sengoku find it hard to believe, but Saint Nusjuro, standing beside him, also found it hard to believe. Even Saint Saturn, who said those words, didn't have much confidence.
Konoha Pirates.
They truly are the most terrifying enemy the Heavenly Celestial Dragons have faced in 800 years.
Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro used to believe they could handle any crisis because they had Imu-sama as their trump card.
But now…
The current Imu-sama is not very reliable…
Even Imu-sama, who has always sat high on the throne among the flowers, doesn't have the confidence to resolve the crisis posed by Konoha, and continues to deceive the two Five Elders with false history…
However…
Saint Saturn cannot show fear.
Especially cannot lose the face of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
"Fine."
"I believe the World Nobles have the power to resolve the Konoha Pirates."
Sengoku let out a long sigh and didn't expose the barely maintained dignity of Saint Saturn. Even if he didn't know how many trump cards the Heavenly Celestial Dragons still had, he could already see how embarrassed they were when dealing with Konoha Pirates.
The Holy Land Mary Geoise was breached by the Konoha Pirates; three of the Five Elders were killed on Sky Island. A group of noble Heavenly Celestial Dragons were hunted like game animals, and the high-ranking Commander of the Divine Knight Order was auctioned as a lowly slave. The Shampodi Archipelago, the garden of the World Nobles, was used as a rest area by the Konoha Pirates…
All of this happened…
What is there to pretend about…
The Konoha Pirates have already dragged the faces of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons through the mud, doing basically everything that could humiliate them. Even then, the Heavenly Celestial Dragons endured it all and avoided the Konoha Pirates, trying not to provoke them…
The Heavenly Celestial Dragons have borne so much…
Are they still those World Nobles who would immediately send a Navy Admiral if a commoner attacked them?
Now they can't even deal with the matter of Akihara Kagura severing Saint Figarland Garling's arm, leaving it to him, the Navy Admiral, instead of sending their own people…
"You tell me…"
Saint Saturn's anger was suppressed by the threat of the Konoha Pirates, and he said in a deep voice, "How exactly should this matter be handled?"
"I cannot deal with them."
Sengoku could only shake his head. He wasn't afraid of the now hollow Heavenly Celestial Dragons, and spoke frankly: "Sakazuki is one of the three strongest Admirals the Navy has cultivated in decades, and has made significant contributions to the Navy. Sakazuki's combat prowess is evident to all, possibly the strongest among the three…"
"Akihara Kagura…"
"Was my most promising recruit in the past."
"After Vegapunk's defection, Akihara Kagura's power skyrocketed, and her Supreme King Haki awakened in the Shampodi Archipelago, where she single-handedly captured Hundred Beasts Kaido and Charlotte Lingling, her combat proficiency exceeding even Sakazuki's…"
"If they were to be driven out of the Navy…"
"The Navy's high-level combat power would essentially be halved…"
"And that's in the most optimistic scenario, because Akainu and Akihara Kagura already have considerable support within the Navy, especially Akainu, who is quite favored by Navy officers. Considering the current situation and the future of the Navy, I cannot deal with them…"
"..."
The corners of Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro's eyes twitched simultaneously.
"Even more so…"
"What I said was initially true."
"This matter is not their responsibility."
Sengoku looked at Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro and even spoke harshly: "During the time of crisis, I told them not to adhere to the orders to protect the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, and not to care for their lives. Everything should be based on the stability of the World Government…"
"All of this is my responsibility."
"It's because of my attitude towards the World Nobles that they lacked respect for the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, leading to this bloody conflict. I will take full responsibility for this matter."
"You!"
Veins popped on Saint Saturn's forehead as he spoke coldly, "Since all of this is your fault and you no longer respect the power and status of the World Nobles, then you don't need to continue as the Navy Admiral. Retire from the Navy immediately!"
This bastard…
Even when given an out, he refuses to take it!
For the sake of two subordinates, he actually won't back down!
"Saint Saturn…"
Saint Nusjuro furrowed his brows.
No…
This isn't what we agreed upon!
No matter what, we can't let Sengoku resign!
At this time, if Sengoku resigns, who will take on the role of Navy Admiral?
"We'll promote Borsalino to Navy Admiral."
Saint Saturn's eyes were cold as he picked up his Radio Snail. While calling Borsalino, he coldly glanced at Sengoku and said scornfully, "The Navy is merely a dog raised by the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. If you don't want to be a dog, there are plenty of people willing to be one…"