The strange thing is that such a large fleet was sent, yet none of them moved, just anchoring far away, with not a single ship daring to get closer.
"Did they recognize your identity, sir?"
Shiryu sneered while holding a cigar, "Looks like they plan to wait until we leave and then clean up the mess."
This is the facade of the Four Emperors, the deterrent power of the Four Emperors!
"No point, let's go."
Standing at the edge of the tower, Shano's black cloak fluttered in the wind. He withdrew his Observation from the fleet, shook his head, and said:
"Didn't sense any familiar presences, not a single Grand Admiral sent over. It seems someone conceded."
He wasn't interested in troubling these lower-tier Navy members. Everything has been accomplished, no need to waste more time here.
————
Opposite, Navy fleet, on the flagship at the center.
"Vice Admiral! They're leaving; are we just going to do nothing and watch them depart like this?"
A young Navy Rear Admiral gritted his teeth, full of unwillingness, looking at the superior officer in front of him, who was also the commander of this fleet — the veteran Navy Vice Admiral Yamakaji.
"Don't be foolish, kid."
Yamakaji bit down on a cigar, saying indifferently, "The orders I received were just to help with cleanup, not to obstruct. In reality, before that man, I don't have the qualifications; at least a Grand Admiral must personally come."
"Why didn't the Grand Admirals take action then!"
The young Rear Admiral was even more puzzled, "If I recall correctly, Mr. Akainu has been at headquarters; why didn't he come over?"
"Who knows."
Yamakaji raised his head, watching the two figures gradually disappear from view:
"With Sakazuki's personality, he would definitely come no matter what. The reason he hasn't appeared must be because someone higher up stopped him..."
"Someone higher up?"
"Yes, not Marinfanto, but higher."
Yamakaji exhaled a puff of smoke, saying softly, "The thoughts of those people are beyond our understanding..."
...
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
In the top-level room called "Between Authority," the Five Elders were gathered.
"I don't understand!"
Akainu had a gloomy face, clenching his fists, "Please provide an explanation; Impel Down is clearly an important institution of the World Government, and now it's invaded by pirates, why let it stand idly by!"
He was even at the pier, ready to board the warship to depart, but was personally called back by Sengoku, and the decision was made by the five present.
The Five Elders collectively looked up, their gaze coldly focused on Akainu.
"Watch your attitude, Sakazuki, as a mere Grand Admiral, you're not in a position to question us."
The blonde-haired Elder spoke slowly, slightly displeased, "What would sending you over accomplish? With that man's current strength, if he wants to leave, can you stop him alone?"
"The situation in Impel Down is completely under our control. From the looks of it, the other party came quickly and left quickly, yet hasn't done anything excessively outrageous."
The White-Bearded Elder took a sip from his teacup, calmly said:
"This minor loss is wholly acceptable, just mark it down for later settlement. If you and that man were to fight in Impel Down, the resulting loss would be even greater, with the risk of the entire Great Prison being destroyed. You should understand this reasoning."
I should... understand?
I don't understand!
What kind of crappy reasoning is this!
Akainu was so angry he laughed.
If it were other pirates, going to Impel Down to kill a batch of felons arbitrarily and kidnap the Deputy Chief of Impel Down along, these old fossils would have unleashed thunderous wrath to enact a siege long ago!
But when it comes to the name "Shano"...
They suddenly became calm, even regarding it as "totally acceptable minor losses"?
Picking easy targets, bullying the weak and fearing the strong?
He, Sakazuki, despises such people the most!
Akainu's fists clenched with a creaking sound, blue veins popping on his forehead. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his rage, and said in a low voice:
"If even the World Government's highest authority likes being cowardly, compromising softly with pirates, then where is the justice? Where are the principles? For the Navy soldiers fighting bloodily on the front lines, what is their significance?"
Those words were overly offensive.
The air in "Between Authority" became somewhat stagnant.
"If such words appear a second time, you can take a trip to Impel Down yourself."
Saturn Satan Saint suddenly sneered, "Sakazuki, you've overstepped. Do you think we don't want to eliminate that Shano?"
"But the time has not yet come."
Clutching Kitetsu, the Elder in a kimono closed his eyes, "At least recently, there's no time to spare; that matter was officially decided yesterday, Sakazuki. Since Sengoku advocated you as the person in charge, you shouldn't waste energy on other matters now; instead, focus on how to properly execute the cleanup and guarding tasks."
"Is the Paradise plan approved?"
Akainu was first stunned, then sneered:
"Really adept at creating trouble, oh Five Elders, Heavenly Celestial Dragons of the Holy Land, your young compatriots can't hold back so soon?"