Swish!
Without warning, Is swung his blade.
The CP0 agent who had been kneeling on the ground with a severed arm was instantly cut in half.
Whoosh—
A cluster of purple flames appeared in Is's hand.
He casually tossed the fire onto the corpse.
The purple flames possessed terrifying heat. In mere moments, the body was burned completely to ashes.
Although Is had just killed a CP0 operative, the remaining CP0 members remained astonishingly calm.
Not a single one of them even frowned.
None of them seemed to care about the death of their companion.
"Are you two alright, Rem? Ram?"
Is turned and asked with concern.
"We're fine. Thank you, Lord Is."
Rem shook her head with a smile.
Just moments ago, she had thought she was in serious danger.
Then Is had suddenly appeared and rescued them.
The gratitude in her heart was difficult to describe.
"Ram is fine as well. Thank you, Lord Is."
Ram also shook her head and expressed her thanks.
Smiling, Is gently ruffled their hair.
Then he turned toward Madara Uchiha.
"Madara, your performance today wasn't very impressive. Why didn't you kill them all?"
"The order you gave us was to keep them here, wasn't it?"
Resting his scythe on his shoulder, Madara shrugged.
"Well, they're not Celestial Dragons. Killing one or two wouldn't have been a problem."
Is spoke calmly.
He could tolerate the Five Elders sending CP0 to monitor him because they feared he might rebel.
However, the fact that CP0 had dared attack his people while he was gone had genuinely angered him.
"I see."
Madara nodded and gripped his scythe, preparing to attack again.
"Now that I'm back, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to kill them."
Seeing Madara about to make a move, Is immediately stopped him.
There was no doubt that CP0 would report today's events to the Five Elders after returning.
However, since he had only killed a single CP0 operative, the Five Elders were unlikely to act against him directly.
After all, he had contributed greatly to the World Government.
As long as he didn't openly rebel, the Five Elders would probably continue tolerating him.
With him around, countless pirates could be suppressed.
Still, he couldn't be completely certain how the Five Elders would ultimately respond.
"Fine."
Madara nodded.
"May I ask something, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is?"
The CP0 leader bowed slightly.
"What was the purpose of your departure?"
"When I do something, do I need to report it to you?"
Is's voice turned cold.
"Do you believe your status surpasses mine? Or that your strength surpasses mine?"
"No. But in order to guarantee your safety, we need to understand your objectives. Only then can we protect you more effectively."
The CP0 leader explained.
"Enough with the excuses. I know exactly what your real purpose is."
Is didn't bother dancing around the issue and spoke directly.
Hearing that, the CP0 leader straightened his back.
His expression remained calm, but his tone grew heavier.
"Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is, you're very strong. Your subordinates are also very strong. But if you ever betray the World Government..."
He paused briefly.
"You will regret it."
"If I truly intended to rebel, do you think you'd still be standing here talking to me?"
Is laughed contemptuously.
"I hope you have no such intentions."
The CP0 leader's voice was equally cold.
"And this is the tone you use when speaking to a Celestial Dragon?"
"...My apologies, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
Ignoring him, Is shifted his gaze toward Hashirama and the others.
"Did anyone get hurt?"
"These people aren't qualified to injure me."
Acnologia spoke with complete disdain.
If their orders had been to kill rather than merely restrain CP0, several of the agents would already be dead.
"No injuries."
Unohana Retsu and the others shook their heads.
"Good."
Is nodded.
If anyone close to him had been injured, he wouldn't have let CP0 off so easily.
Fortunately, despite the battle, not a single one of his people had been harmed.
"Shall we depart, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is?" the CP0 leader asked.
"Let's go."
Is had already accomplished his goal in the North Blue.
Although it was unfortunate that he hadn't obtained a Character Summon Card, his next excavation would likely increase his excavation level.
Who knew what treasures would appear after another upgrade?
The central area of the Gadobriel Royal Palace had practically been reduced to ruins by Hashirama and the others.
The king and queen were physically unharmed.
Mentally, however, they were nearly frightened out of their wits.
Soon afterward, everyone boarded a Marine battleship and departed from the North Blue.
Afterward, Is used his privileges as a Celestial Dragon to send a large amount of Beli to the Kingdom of Gadobriel, compensating them for the damage caused during the battle.
Several days later...
...
Mary Geoise.
After returning to the Holy Land, the CP0 agents immediately reported the entire incident to the Five Elders.
On that very day, a shocking piece of news also spread throughout the world.
In the backyard of Is's castle in Mary Geoise—
Having returned home, Is had resumed his training.
At that moment, however, Rozmyne rushed into the backyard with a panicked expression.
"Master!"
"What is it?"
Is turned toward the entrance and looked at Rozmyne in confusion.
"Master... have you seen today's newspaper?"
Rozmyne asked nervously.
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