Chapter 430: Prayers
Brett carried Ace and his companions flying through the New World. Next, he'd find an island to drop them off.
Ace said they'd already departed Fish-Man Island. Returning there seemed somewhat inappropriate.
He requested Brett take them to a nearby island. Then they'd find a new ship themselves and continue their journey.
Such a simple matter—Brett naturally had no reason to refuse.
While they rushed toward the next island, back at the demolished G-1 Base—
"Hey, hey—Sengoku-san, you'll be alright, right?"
Ryokugyu looked at Fleet Admiral Sengoku lying on the ground—body already wrapped in layers of dense bandages—couldn't help worrying.
This Fleet Admiral's complexion looked truly terrible. Red mixed with white.
Not because his injuries were particularly severe. Though indeed seriously wounded—his entire right side nearly shattered by the shockwaves Brett released then.
But at least he was a top-tier powerhouse on these seas. After emergency treatment, he was now out of danger. His terrible expression had only one reason.
"I think the one who'll have problems next is you, Aramaki-san."
Fujitora—sitting to the side—said somewhat helplessly. Didn't you notice the Fleet Admiral's gaze at you looked murderous?
"Aramaki—you bastard, can you explain to me what 'surrender' means?!"
Sengoku's eyes—usually quite gentle—were now sharp as a hawk's, boring into Ryokugyu.
"What the hell were you thinking?!"
This was absolutely unacceptable!
A Marine Headquarters Admiral—speaking the word "surrender" to justice's enemies.
This had never happened in the eight hundred years before this moment.
Which previous Navy Admiral wasn't iron-willed?
No matter how powerful the enemy, no matter how difficult the situation—they always retained courage to resist, always willing to fight to the end!
How did this bastard—with such a position—say such words?!
Sengoku expected Ryokugyu to feel somewhat ashamed. But unexpectedly, this man looked completely unconcerned, saying shamelessly, "I was also helpless, Sengoku-san. You're not unaware of the earlier situation."
The man Sengoku already considered the Navy's disgrace shook his head carelessly. "You and Borsalino-san were both critically injured and collapsed. Issho-san and I had no way to defeat that Brett guy."
"Even continuing to fight—only miserable endings awaited us. So I figured better to end it early."
This guy's confident manner made veins continuously bulge on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's forehead.
The earlier situation was indeed critical. Even Sengoku had to admit—that Brett guy's strength completely surpassed their imagination.
Sengoku even felt that even bringing Garp along—letting all Marine Headquarters' highest combat powers gather together—perhaps still couldn't bring down Brett.
But that wasn't reason to choose surrender!
Sengoku actually felt that under those circumstances, choosing mutual compromise with Brett wasn't particularly shameful. But this Ryokugyu bastard specifically said "surrender."
If this got out—what face would the Navy have standing in this world?
"Anyway, you bastard—prepare to write me a proper self-criticism."
After his anger, Sengoku said nothing more.
After all, rationally speaking—though this Ryokugyu bastard's actions were disgraceful, strictly speaking they were also correct judgment.
Dragging things out—Borsalino would die. More Navy soldiers would die too.
Sengoku sighed. Going nearly all-out yet beaten like this—what would the Government's reaction be?
Truly didn't dare imagine.
At times like this—could only pray. Pray that Gion's group's operation went smoothly.
But what if not? What if Gion's group also failed?
In the devastated G-1 Base, Fleet Admiral Sengoku—body wrapped entirely in bandages—raised his head skyward. He felt a wind. A wind that made him feel sudden cold.
Mariejois. Pangaea Castle. The Room of Power.
Five old men stared at each other. In the spacious, bright room—the Five Elders remained silent.
Events at G-1 Base had been reported accurately.
Originally confident, they could now only maintain silence.
After a long while, Saint Ju Peter finally spoke somewhat bitterly. "Now—don't even have grounds to blame the Navy, do we?"
Right. What could they blame the Navy for now?
The opponent simultaneously faced Marine Headquarters' three Admirals plus Fleet Admiral—yet still completely dominated. Even critically injured two of them in short time—a monster!
Genuine world's strongest man!
With such an opponent—even failure felt completely natural.
"Looks like we no longer need to plan operations targeting that Brett guy."
The sword-wielding Saint Nusjuro also looked grave. "Only that lord can defeat that man. Any other action would just be humiliating ourselves."
Though extremely unwilling—the Elders could only acknowledge this reality.
That Brett guy was indeed the World Government's strongest opponent since its founding.
To defeat him—could only rely on that lord's power.
"Now—we can only pray for Gion's group's victory, right?"
The Elders spoke the same words as Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
And at this time—Gion's side, on whom they placed such high hopes—
"What just happened?!"
The woman named Gion struggled desperately.
But the layers of chains binding her body were incredibly sturdy. Even a powerhouse like her couldn't break free.
Naturally—Fish-Man Island didn't lack seastone. Seastone shackles were plentiful.
Though Vice Admiral Momousagi wasn't an devil fruit user, seastone's sturdy properties left her helpless.
All she could do was issue a defeated warrior's unwilling roar.
Couldn't even understand what happened. She only remembered—the instant that girl named Uta opened her mouth—they'd already entered some illusory space.
Returning to reality—already locked in prison.
"Who's going to tell you that?"
Tesoro smiled. Uta's ability was truly powerful. Anyone fighting her for the first time would probably suffer greatly. "Right now I'm interrogating you, Fish-Man lady."
"Hmph."
Vice Admiral Momousagi only replied with a cold snort.
"I see."
Tesoro didn't mind. "No problem. When that guy returns, all your secrets can't be hidden."
Vice Admiral Momousagi's heart chilled.
This was truly troublesome!
Now could only pray—pray Sengoku-san and the others defeated that Brett guy!
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