"I'll kill you!" In a fit of rage, Akainu launched a Dog Biting Crimson Lotus at Robin, but Setsuna easily intercepted it.
"Tsk tsk, trying to destroy evidence, Admiral Akainu? What about [Absolute Justice]? According to Marine discipline, shouldn't you arrest yourself first?" Setsuna chuckled lightly.
Akainu's face turned from green to red, finally spurting a large mouthful of blood.
"Rage hurts the body, Admiral Akainu," Setsuna shook his head with feigned concern, then lowered his voice. "However, with just a word from me, this footage won't circulate."
"What do you want?" Akainu gritted his teeth.
Setsuna lowered his voice further. "As long as Admiral Akainu cooperates, today's events won't leak."
"You're threatening me?" Akainu glared, eyes wide.
"Yes, I am threatening you," Setsuna nodded matter-of-factly. "Admiral Akainu, you don't want this footage to circulate, do you?"
Akainu clenched his fists. He wanted to shout that justice wouldn't be tarnished by slander.
But he knew perfectly well that once this footage spread, everyone would believe he killed the Celestial Dragon.
Even if the World Government knew the truth, to maintain the World Nobles' dignity, they'd still issue a bounty on him.
With his strength, he wasn't afraid of being hunted by the World Government.
What he couldn't overcome was the psychological barrier… the Absolute Justice he'd upheld for decades. To end up with a bounty on himself would be utterly ridiculous.
Akainu forced the words through clenched teeth. "Don't think you'll get away. Once this footage is public, I doubt the Five Elders won't see you're the real murderer!"
"I don't care. I'm a Warlord anyway. At worst, I'll become an Emperor in the New World," Setsuna shrugged with a smile. "I can even save a spot for you. How about becoming the Sixth Emperor?"
Akainu's body trembled violently. He closed his eyes for a long time before finally reopening them. "What do you want me to do?"
"Don't worry. I won't force you to do anything, at least not now," Setsuna revealed a gentle smile. "Let's treat this as a misunderstanding. You continue being a Marine Admiral. I'll remain a Warlord. We care for each other in life, support each other in our careers."
Akainu frowned deeply. "A Celestial Dragon died. You think we can pretend nothing happened?"
"Some things weigh less than four ounces off the scale. On the scale, even a thousand pounds can't hold them," Setsuna said meaningfully. "If the footage goes public, to maintain the Celestial Dragons' dignity, the World Government would naturally hunt us."
"But if the footage stays hidden, it's just a dead pig. The World Government wouldn't push a Marine Admiral and a Warlord into opposing sides over that."
Akainu fell into a prolonged silence.
Years of indoctrination by the World Government had ingrained in him… a Celestial Dragon's death should be an earth-shattering event.
Setsuna continued persuasively. "If the Five Elders ask, just say this: the Celestial Dragon died in the aftermath of our battle, purely an accident."
Akainu still felt it was unreliable. "That simple?"
"Truth isn't important," Setsuna said offhandedly. "Never mind whether the Marines or pirates present dare tell the truth. Even if CP0 uncovers the truth, the Five Elders will choose to cover it up. As long as we still hold value for the World Government, they won't push things to the extreme."
Akainu silently descended to the battleship, picked up a Den Den Mushi, then flew back into the sky.
Under Setsuna's watchful gaze, he dialed the Five Elders' direct line.
The moment the call connected, Akainu was met with a torrent of furious reprimands. "Sakazuki! Immediately return your fleet to Marine Headquarters! Do not conflict with Chiaki Setsuna! And Saint Mccanney… bring him back too."
Akainu felt somewhat humiliated. A Marine Admiral being sharply rebuked merely for possibly clashing with a Warlord?
Seeing Akainu remain silent, the Five Elders asked suspiciously, "You've already fought? Is he alright?"
Akainu instinctively touched the wounds on his face, his mouth twitching as he replied. "His strength is formidable. I couldn't harm him."
Hearing this, the Five Elders were astonished.
Although they'd heard about Setsuna sparring with Garp, that was just practice. Moreover, Garp was old, and he might not retain much of his former strength.
'To fight evenly with Akainu… no wonder Chiaki Setsuna dared to challenge Kaido.'
They felt gratified inwardly, then asked, "What about Saint Mccanney?"
Akainu remained silent for a moment, organizing his words. "Chiaki Setsuna questioned Saint Mccanney for defying your orders. But Saint Mccanney claimed even the Five Elders had no right to discipline him. He also hurled insults at you, saying many unpleasant things."
The Five Elders' expressions on the other end darkened instantly, but they weren't suspicious.
They knew full well those pampered Celestial Dragons had always been arrogant, lacking proper respect even for those in power like them.
Akainu continued his report. "Chiaki Setsuna claimed he would discipline Saint Mccanney on your behalf. Then Saint Mccanney ordered me to kill Chiaki Setsuna. I couldn't disobey a Celestial Dragon's command, so I engaged Chiaki Setsuna in battle."
These words made the Five Elders nod inwardly, 'Chiaki Setsuna is indeed quite loyal to the World Government.'
"During my chaotic battle with Chiaki Setsuna…" Akainu's voice lowered slightly, "Maha failed in his protective duties. While evacuating Saint Mccanney, they were struck by the battle's aftermath. Both… perished on the spot."
Dead silence fell on the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
Akainu held his breath, expecting a thunderous outburst. Instead, he heard the Five Elders' unprecedentedly gentle voices. "Sakazuki, this isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself."
For a moment, Akainu was dazed. In the past, the slightest mistake would earn them sharp reprimands. Now, after such a massive blunder, the Five Elders were comforting him?
The Five Elders' voices suddenly turned serious. "Aside from you, who else witnessed Saint Mccanney's accidental death?"
Akainu answered truthfully. "Myself, Chiaki Setsuna's subordinates, and the Kuja Pirates."
A cold snort came from the other end. The Five Elders' tone dropped to freezing. "The news must be contained. If that can't be done…"
After a brief pause, the voice carried a murderous chill. "...then eliminate all witnesses."
"Yes," Akainu responded gravely.
The call ended. Akainu smiled self-deprecatingly. "I've been a Marine for decades, yet I understand the World Government less than you."
Hearing this, Setsuna chuckled lightly. "They know you won't leave the Marines, so they reprimand you for minor mistakes. But if you make a mistake so colossal it breaks the sky, they dare not blame you, fearing they might push you to desperation."