A moment later, Sengoku's expression gradually turned grim:
"I understand."
"We'll discuss it in detail when you get back."
"Yes, yes, alright."
*Click—*
He hung up the Den Den Mushi.
*Bang—*
"Left to rot on the streets?"
"What arrogance!"
Suppressing his rage, he picked up the Den Den Mushi and called the Gorosei.......
--------
Meanwhile.
at the Marine branch on the Sabaody Archipelago.
In the sickroom, Demorrah, completely bandaged, dared not move.
However, he barked orders to his subordinates with a voice full of hatred:
"Remember what everyone needs to investigate."
His subordinates' hearts tightened:
"Yes!!!"
Demorrah's voice was chillingly cold:
"Don't let any of their family members, not even illegitimate children, get away."
"If I die one day! They will all accompany me to the grave!!!"
"Go investigate!"
"Go now!!!"
His subordinates dared not delay:
"Yes!!!"
They all rushed out in a frenzy.
Emotionally agitated, Demorrah's eyes were red, and he panted heavily:
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
It wasn't that he was overly agitated; he had truly walked back from the brink of death. If Sakazuki had been a bit harsher, he would have lost his life. The injuries he sustained now would take three months to heal.
The crucial point was that he gained no profit from this affair; in fact, he lost quite a bit. The merchants from whom he used to collect protection money had their shops seized by some high-ranking government officials, leaving him unable to collect anything. This resulted in a significant drop in his income, and he was powerless to do anything about it. Those higher-ups had simply used their authority to pressure him, and since he wasn't clean himself, he couldn't retaliate.
But things were different now.
His life had been on the line, why would he care about them anymore?
Moreover, the Marine Headquarters already had records of his illicit activities, so what was he afraid of? It was a case of mutual destruction; if he died, their families would perish too.
*Burururu~ Burururu~*
The Den Den Mushi beside his sickbed rang.
Looking at the Den Den Mushi, the anger that had just subsided surged back.
He answered the call, saying fiercely:
"Get lost!"
"From now on!"
"This island! I'm in charge!"
"All those businesses! They now belong to the Marines!!!"
"If you disagree, come and try!"
"If I die, your whole family will pay the price!"
"Don't think you're well hidden? Koyla Island, Rhys Island, hmm?"
"Do I need to say more!"
"If I die, you! Your entire family! Will pay the price!!!"
*Click—*
He hung up the phone.
*Crash!*
Demorrah knocked over the table and the Den Den Mushi beside him, scattering everything on the floor.
His wounds throbbed. He leaned back on the bed, taking deep breaths to compose himself:
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
"Hoo—"
The losses this time were too great... He was implicated by those damn, unrestrained individuals. He gained no benefit and was nearly killed by Sakazuki. Half of his life's savings were spent to buy his life back... Damn it! Damn it!!!
*Boom!!!*
A fist imprint appeared on the wall.
A large area was cracked...
----------
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
A high-ranking official angrily threw his Den Den Mushi away:
"Damn it! Who gave him the audacity!"
"Bastard!!!"
Despite his anger, a hint of fear lingered in his heart... How could they know? He thought he had hidden it so well.
He paced back and forth, thinking:
"No, no, I need to relocate, relocate."
It was somewhat laughable; at his level, the amount of wealth didn't matter. But he had no choice... The person at home was too overbearing, couldn't tolerate others, and had a more influential background.
He took a few deep breaths, composing himself. He picked up the photos from the table and headed towards the hall where the Gorosei were.
The bloodbath on Sabaody had already begun to ferment. Countless photos, spread by the surviving reporters and residents. The photos in his hand depicted some of the most brutal scenes...
--------
The Sabaody Archipelago, inside the Marine branch's port.
Sakazuki's Barret stood on the topmost deck of a warship. He watched as soldiers below, box by box, loaded treasures onto the warship. Barret looked at the large number of soldiers below:
"With so many people, won't it leak out?"
Sakazuki shook his head:
"Demorrah is quite skilled at managing people."
"He's bribed many of them over the years; they are fiercely loyal."
"They won't talk."
Barret sneered:
"Fiercely loyal..."
"That means they are disobedient."
Their loyalty to Demorrah meant they weren't obedient to them... Sakazuki let out a soft scoff:
"We'll make do; there aren't many other options."
Under Demorrah's leadership, the soldiers of the Sabaody Archipelago had become useless over the years. If a new commander were to come, it would be the same, and the new commander might even be corrupted. Unless there was a complete overhaul, replacing all the soldiers and officers of the Sabaody branch and transferring them to other branches, there was no point. If these people were transferred elsewhere, they would become a plague. It would be even more troublesome if they spread it further. The Navy wasn't under his command right now, so as long as these people could get the job done, it was fine. After this lesson, Demorrah would surely become a well-behaved dog...
-------
The New World, Punk Hazard.
In Enel's exclusive laboratory, Enel and Vegapunk were busy. On the screen was a design for a new type of missile.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi rang. Enel, engrossed in his research, answered Sakazuki's call:
"Ah."
"Understood."
"Alright."
*Click—*
He hung up the Den Den Mushi. He looked at Vegapunk:
"Teacher, the research funds have arrived."
"Should they be sent to the usual place?"
Vegapunk looked up from the screen:
"They've arrived again?"
"Send them to Egghead Island."
"Just leave them at the old spot and have the robots receive them."
"The research base there is gradually taking shape."
"Our focus might shift there later."
Enel's interest was piqued:
"Oh?"
Vegapunk smiled:
"It's just a possibility."
"After all, that place has just been established."
"This place has been used for many years, and unless something unexpected happens, we likely won't relocate."
Enel nodded:
"Is that so..."
"Alright, I'll head out now."
"Teacher."
Vegapunk said:
"Go ahead, have a safe trip."
Enel gave an OK sign and walked out.
A moment later.
A flash of lightning split the sky...
---------
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
The moment the high-ranking official entered the Gorosei's grand hall, his pupils contracted violently. Fleet Admiral Kong was already there... staring at him with a cold expression...
He swallowed hard, a bad premonition surging within him. He instinctively hid the photos he was holding behind him and forced himself to walk in, bowing respectfully:
"Gorosei, I..."
The Gorosei holding a sword interrupted him directly:
"Enough, there's no need to say more."
"We already understand the whole story."
"You're here to complain, aren't you?"
It was over... The high-ranking official's scalp tingled, and he broke out in a cold sweat:
"Uh..."
The burly Gorosei let out a low hum:
"Such arrogance."
"Threatening a Marine Vice Admiral, killing him on a whim."
"Your authority is even greater than ours."
"Hmm?"
He looked at him intently.
Under the combined gaze of the Gorosei and Kong...
*Plop—*
He collapsed onto the floor.
The curly-haired Gorosei waved his hand:
"Go home and reflect."
His calm words struck the high-ranking official like a bolt from the blue, completely shattering his future... Two CP agents suddenly appeared and dragged him away. The official suddenly jolted awake, desperately pleading:
"No... No!"
"Gorosei!"
"Gorosei!!!"
"I know I was wrong..."
*Click—*
The sound of the heavy door closing echoed.
The blond Gorosei said:
"We can't just focus on the outside; the inside needs some cleaning too."
The tall, thin Gorosei said:
"Indeed, some people have become too presumptuous, hmph."
The impact of this incident was too great. The bloodbath on Sabaody was a minor issue; the most important thing was the Marines. The Marines were the government's primary force for suppressing the world, but some individuals, relying on their status as high-ranking officials in the Holy Land, disregarded Marine commanders and acted even more imperiously. This had angered two Fleet Admirals and one Admiral enough to seek them out... At this point, no one could protect him.
--------
The Grand Line, an uncharted sea.
The Marine training fleet.
*Boom—*
An explosion sounded, and a piercing alarm blared.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!!"