Chapter 107: Eliminate

The meeting about Caelan dispersed, but Sengoku kept Vice Admiral Tsuru behind.

"Sengoku, if you're keeping me here, it must be about Tokikakke and Gion."

Tsuru sat down calmly, though her heart was turbulent.

Gion was like a child to her, she'd watched grow up. Now that Caelan had taken her, how could she not be affected?

"That's right."

"Although Gion and Tokikakke fell into Caelan's trap, they were still the ones who ended up killing two Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders have always been dissatisfied with us, and they won't let this pass so easily."

Sengoku's expression was solemn, his concern heavy.

Caelan wasn't just strong—he was also cunning.

He manipulated the Buster Call into bombarding the Celestial Dragons and even let the News Coo capture it all on film.

Now, the Five Elders would have no choice but to hand down severe punishment. And given the Navy's poor performance lately, that punishment would be even harsher.

"You want Gion to take all the blame?"

Tsuru's sharp eyes bore into Sengoku.

"Yes."

Facing her gaze, Sengoku wanted to say otherwise, but he couldn't.

"Tsuru, you know me."

"I watched Gion grow up too. If there were any other way, I wouldn't choose this."

He spread his hands, visibly helpless.

"Akainu is seriously injured and needs at least a month to recover. Garp is also down for now. Borsalino tried to slack off, but I forced him to keep working."

"Caelan's threat is massive, and the Navy's current strength is too weak. We really can't afford to lose another admiral candidate."

Hearing this, Tsuru closed her eyes in deep thought.

Indeed, as Sengoku said, the Navy was struggling right now and needed every capable fighter it had.

Besides, with Tokikakke's personality, if he were the only one punished, Gion wouldn't accept it.

She was smart enough to know this was the best move for the Navy.

Tokikakke would face a light punishment, nothing serious, and could still serve.

And since Gion had been kidnapped by Caelan, the punishment couldn't fall on her for now.

"Fine, we'll go with this for now."

"See how the Five Elders respond first. If it doesn't work, then let Gion bear the blame."

After saying that, Tsuru looked drained, as if all her strength had left her.

Gion was missing, and now more blame had to be put on her. She felt like she'd failed her.

"Tsuru, you don't need to worry too much. Gion's safety is still likely intact."

Sengoku tried to console her.

"Last time, Gion said Caelan invited her to join him. Aokiji also mentioned that Caelan invited him too, and didn't kill him."

"On Caelan's ship, there's Tashigi, who used to be with the Navy, and Kalifa, who used to be a CP9 agent. They both seem to be doing fine."

As he spoke, Tsuru's expression began to ease, but Sengoku's grew darker.

This Caelan clearly had his eyes on the Navy's talent.

"This bastard just wants to poach all our people!"

Sengoku cursed angrily, clearly dissatisfied.

But this time, he had misjudged Caelan. Caelan didn't accept just anyone. At the very least, he definitely had no interest in the deserter Koby.

Hearing Sengoku's outburst, Tsuru's mood lightened slightly.

Buru buru buru!

As they were talking, the Den Den Mushi rang rapidly.

Tsuru and Sengoku exchanged glances, already guessing the call was from the Five Elders.

"Sengoku, get here immediately!"

An angry voice came from the Den Den Mushi.

Under normal circumstances, Sengoku would have argued back, even if just a little.

But given how badly things had gone, he didn't have the energy.

"Yes, Lord Saturn."

Before he could say more, the call was abruptly cut off.

Sengoku sighed and departed by warship for Mariejois.

…

Mariejois, Pangaea Castle.

"Damn Caelan. Useless Navy!"

Saint Saturn slammed the coffee table in rage.

Everything Caelan had done enraged him beyond reason. He'd been furious for two straight hours and still couldn't calm down.

And the Navy? Despite sending so many, they had allowed Caelan to escape without consequence. What a bunch of failures.

"The bloodline of the Creators is sacred and untouchable. From this moment forward, he is the World Government's greatest enemy. Hunt him down with everything we've got!"

Saint Nasujuro gripped the first-generation Kitetsu tightly, filled with murderous intent.

Caelan had crossed the World Government's line. No matter what, he had to be executed.

He had dared to harm the Celestial Dragons. A criminal of such magnitude had to be made an example of to terrify the rest of the world.

"But we couldn't even bring him down with Akainu and the other two. We can't spare any more top forces."

Saint Mars's face was grim, filled with frustration.

Caelan had fought three top-tier combatants and still came out on top.

Unless they sent at least four admiral-level fighters, there was no hope of defeating him.

But even the World Government couldn't afford to dispatch that much power to deal with just one man.

The Four Emperors in the New World were watching closely. If the Government exposed any weakness, they wouldn't hesitate to strike.

"Are we just going to let him get away with it?"

Saint Saturn slammed the table again, even more furious.

They were being slapped in the face, and they couldn't even retaliate. It was humiliating.

The World Government's prestige was being ground into the dirt by Caelan.

"Damn it! If we could take action ourselves, we'd leave him without a burial!"

Saint Warcury's expression was dark with resentment.

The Five Elders, as one, were not just strong—they had extraordinary regenerative powers. If they could fight, they were confident they could bring Caelan down.

But they were confined to Pangaea Castle. Without Lord Imu's approval, they couldn't leave.

The rest of the Five Elders were equally furious. Each of them wanted to kill Caelan personally.

"If we can't handle Caelan for now, then we'll deal with the Navy first."

Saint Saturn spoke coldly.

The Navy's performance had been absolutely disgraceful. Not only had they failed to capture Caelan, but even Rayleigh, who had been in their grasp, had escaped.

And the Buster Call killing Celestial Dragons? That was unforgivable.

The Navy was just a dog of the World Government, a servant to the Celestial Dragons.

Even if Caelan had manipulated the situation, the fact remained—those "dogs" had killed their masters. That could not be tolerated.

"Eliminate those two vice admirals. The Navy must understand that the Celestial Dragons are inviolable!"

Saint Nasujuro raised his Kitetsu, his eyes filled with bloodlust.

The Navy, especially Sengoku's faction, had long shown discontent toward the World Government.

And the two vice admirals responsible this time were part of Sengoku's camp.

This was the perfect chance to send a message.

"Yes. They must be punished. And we should also consider replacing them with more obedient figures."

Saint Mars nodded in agreement.

Not only did punishment need to be dealt out, but replacements should be brought in—loyal ones.

"In my opinion, Akainu…"

Just as the Five Elders were discussing, Sengoku arrived.

(To be continued.)