"It's him."
Garp picked his nose, rolled it into a ball, "But don't bother looking for him, that kid's expression when he speaks is just as punchable as Borsalino's. I couldn't help myself and sent him flying. It'll probably take him some time to fly back."
Kizaru glanced at Garp.
"In any case, Whitebeard discovered my trail, tacitly allowed me to bring people back, but didn't allow me to directly intervene in this battle."
Garp flicked away the booger and laughed heartily:
"Hahaha, how completely unreasonable! In this day and age, he's still acting like the head of the Four Emperors... that old man truly considers the New World his territory!"
Wasn't it a secret departure from the G-1 Branch, only to be immediately detected by the Whitebeard Pirates' spies?
Kizaru frowned slightly.
It seems that the ever-reliable G-1, known for its strongest branch, needs to be investigated internally...
"Whitebeard, Garp... things are getting more lively."
Shano shook his head, "I do have respect for you, Old Man Garp, but... just your face and those niceties aren't enough to make me give up the spoils of war..."
To pursue relentlessly!
Across this broken icefield, the Navy executives, apart from Gion who is still fiercely battling Kuina, have all been knocked down by his subordinates.
The freed up Kuma and Jack are enough to hold off Kizaru.
As for himself, while his Haki reserves are low, his physical stamina is still ample enough to continue fighting fiercely with Garp, no problem.
In this situation, without sufficient benefit, how could he let Garp simply take the Navy back?
Of course.
There are differences in cases; those basic Marines, even if Garp doesn't come, he won't give them a hard time. Let them escape if they wish.
But those incapacitated Headquarter Vice Admirals, he won't let them go so easily!
"Well..."
Garp scratched his head and turned to look at his Doghead Battleship.
Bogart, who had been waiting on the deck, understood instantly and used Moonwalk to come over, taking out a somewhat special Radio Snail from his chest.
"Here, it's for you, Borsalino."
Garp didn't even want to touch the Radio Snail, disdainfully had Bogart toss it to Kizaru:
"Your personal Radio Snail got destroyed in the battle, right? Those guys up top couldn't reach you, so they called me instead... Tsk, even though only the Navy Grand Admirals should report to them directly, they're always making exceptions. So troublesome..."
Up top?
As Kizaru took the Radio Snail, from the first sentence he realized instantly, Garp's "up top" didn't refer to Marshal Sengoku.
But rather...
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
With his only remaining hand, Kizaru took the Radio Snail and connected the signal. The once lazily dozing Radio Snail instantly sat up straight, its demeanor turning imposing and stern:
"Borsalino."
The Radio Snail transmitted a deep, elderly male voice, its tone unquestionable:
"We already know the situation, now, I will personally convey the World Government's highest decision to you."
"I understand."
Kizaru nodded and said, "Besides Garp and me, there's no one else around, please speak directly."
"First, the Navy is to immediately withdraw from the Dressrosa waters, abandoning any military intervention in this country."
Kizaru frowned but didn't retort, quietly listening.
The Radio Snail continued coldly:
"Second, as long as Dressrosa continues to pay the Celestial Gold, its status as an allied nation will be retained, but its eligibility to participate in the World Conference will be rescinded, and it shouldn't expect any future Navy aid for its crises."
Offer aid?
Kuma couldn't help but step forward, gritting his teeth and clenching his right fist, fury burning in his eyes.
He had witnessed the suffering in the Toy Country firsthand; no matter who this mysterious person on the other end was, to shamelessly say such words... How despicable!
"Third."
The simulated, aged and stern voice of the Radio Snail paused, then continued:
"The failure of this operation was entirely due to the Navy Headquarters' misunderstanding of the Holy Land's strategic planning. By acting without reporting, they led to this outcome."
"The punishment for you and Marshal Sengoku will be issued later. Remember, the current strategy from the Holy Land is to ally, not destroy, Endgame and Shano."
"What?!"
Kizaru finally lost his cool, squinting as he asked, "Why?"
The strategy from the Holy Land is completely opposite of the Navy Headquarters'?
Focusing on alliances?
What kind of reasoning is this!
Many opportunities have already been missed; facing an Emperor group that hasn't fully grown, shouldn't it be nipped in the bud early?
This, he truly couldn't comprehend.
"This is not for you to know, Borsalino; mind your tongue, don't ask what shouldn't be asked."
The Radio Snail coldly responded:
"Now, dismiss everyone around, everyone, including yourself; I need to have a private conversation with Shano."
The night sea breeze blew, and for a moment, there was a bone-chilling coldness.
"..."
Kizaru stared at the Radio Snail, silent for a moment.
Eventually, he handed the Radio Snail to Shano, then retreated to a distance with Garp.
Jack, on the other hand, was consumed by curiosity and was reluctant to leave, but was dragged away by Kuma, who grabbed him by the shoulder.
...
In the vast center of the icefield, only Shano remained.
Shano lifted the Radio Snail, observing it with interest, as the stern face simulated by the Radio Snail also stared intently at him.
"Shano."
The Radio Snail spoke, its voice deep yet filled with an oppressive sense of superiority:
"Although it's the first time speaking with you... I've heard of your reputation for a time now. As a mortal hearing my voice firsthand, you ought to feel greatly honored."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Honored... If I toss this Radio Snail into the sea right now, who do you think would be anxious?"
Shano chuckled, glancing sideways at the Radio Snail:
"Spare me the pompous rhetoric. Say, your voice... you're the Scientific Defense Martial God, Saturn Satan, right? Somehow, you seem like the lowest-ranked of the Five Elders. Why is it always you dealing with trivial matters? Can't they send someone else?"
"..."
The expression on the Radio Snail first appeared astonished, before its face turned sullen, remaining silent for a while.
...
At this moment.
Mary Geoise, between powers.
The hat-wearing Saturn of the Five Elders temporarily muted the microphone, looking displeased as he raised his head to the others.
"Fellow stars, this kid's origins indeed seem suspicious."
The kimono-wearing Five Elder holding the Demon Sword Kitetsu squinted, coldly remarking:
"Despite being a mortal who hasn't been in contact with the Holy Land, he possesses unexpected knowledge about us, even accurately stating Saturn's name and role details."
"That's about as far as it goes," Saturn replied with a strained smile, "The rest of his guesses aren't accurate."
"Regardless, his attitude is telling,"
The blonde Five Elder crossed his arms, speaking in a deep voice, "A reckless one with no respect for the World Government or the Holy Land isn't suited for recruitment into the Divine Knight Order."
"That's for Shamrock to consider, not our concern. It seems he hasn't abandoned that idea, so let him hit a wall with it."
The bearded Five Elder slowly spoke:
"Fellow stars, our task is to carry out Lord Yim's will, to make both Navy Headquarters and this Shano understand the Holy Land's stance."
At this moment.
Shano's impatient voice suddenly came through the Radio Snail:
"Hey, you old folks, have you finished deliberating? Chattering endlessly, if you don't speak up soon, I'm hanging up!"
Saturn's eyes turned cold.
He took a deep breath, reopening the microphone:
"Shano, you've probably heard the directives given to Borsalino earlier. Besides those, to conclude this war and show our sincerity, we're willing to offer you three conditions that will surely satisfy you."
Hmm?
They actually have benefits to offer?
Shano lifted an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
Those high and mighty old men, to speak to him in this manner... Has the sun risen from the west?