The live broadcast ended, and no further information came through. The viewers who had watched the broadcast and heard the dialogue were now somewhat silent, lost, and confused.
Could the real culprit behind the massacre of villagers on Liulu Island truly be the East Sea Navy?
Was all of this orchestrated by the East Sea Navy themselves?
Otherwise, who were the people arrested by Benedict?
What was the meaning of Vice Admiral Momonga's final words, "absolutely not"?
What was the situation with the public execution at the naval base three days later, which was said to reveal the so-called truth?
Amidst this confusion, they became suspicious of the East Sea Navy again.
Could the East Sea Navy, which had always guarded the East Sea, really have done something like this?
In fact, some people believed Benedict's words.
Was the East Sea Navy clean?
No force was absolutely clean or righteous.
The clandestine activities carried out in private by many mid to high-ranking officials within the East Sea Navy were even darker,惨不忍睹, and even more detestable.
Therefore, when these people learned of the massacre on Liulu Island and heard the East Sea Navy boasting and condemning the Xuanwu Navy, they had all sneered in disdain.
Marineford, Naval Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral Kong and others remained in the office in quiet silence.
The people arrested were members of the World Government's intelligence agency, CP.
Regardless of whether they were involved in this incident, any other unspeakable acts they had committed, if exposed, would definitely be a troublesome matter.
But now?
The reputation of their navy was bound to suffer a blow.
"Whether it's true or not, this is just something the World Government did; it has nothing to do with us in the Navy."
"However, we absolutely cannot let some rumors tarnish our Navy."
Admiral Zephyr spoke calmly.
Zephyr had his own standards for the justice in his heart.
As such, he was also very dissatisfied with some of the methods within the Navy.
However, in his position, he had to voice certain opinions.
"Then let's send someone to negotiate."
"If we don't handle it, they will ask us to handle it," Sengoku said with a hint of helplessness.
Just as Sengoku finished speaking, the Den Den Mushi rang.
Kong, who had been silent, took out the Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
Kong saw this and quietly left.
A moment later, Kong returned, swept his gaze across everyone, and then settled on Sengoku, saying gravely, "The Five Elders have issued an order to send someone to negotiate with the Xuanwu Navy, to exchange the captured individuals."
"If that's not possible, they must also find a way to eliminate them."
Upon hearing Kong's words, Sengoku and the others remained calm.
This was not surprising at all; such an operation was entirely normal.
"Let Garp go directly," Kong said after a brief silence.
At this point, the East Sea Navy was undoubtedly in a passive state.
At this juncture, either the CP members would die, their secrets vanishing with them,
or they would need to bring the people back unharmed before the Xuanwu Navy made their revelations.
"Keep a close watch on the Xuanwu Navy. If necessary, you can intervene."
"Dismissed!"
Kong remained silent for a moment longer before issuing the order, then turned and left under everyone's gaze.
Zephyr, Sengoku, and Tsuru exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts.
It was indeed as expected.
East Sea Naval Base.
Garp's dog-headed warship arrived at extreme speed, but it was ultimately too late.
The battle had already ended, and the people had been taken away by Benedict.
The first official clash between the East Sea Navy and the Xuanwu Navy.
The Xuanwu Navy returned victorious, while the East Sea Navy lost all face.
"Vice Admiral Garp!" Momonga, sitting in a wheelchair with bandages still on his legs, looked at Garp's arrival with shame, unsure of what to say for a moment.
Garp patted Momonga's shoulder, his expression grave, and said, "I've already understood what happened."
"This is not your fault; with such a vast difference in strength, you could only let the other side act as they pleased."
Momonga clenched his fists, showing his unwillingness, and finally could only sigh helplessly.
Indeed, the immense gap in strength made it impossible to fight back.
"Have all those rats hidden within the naval base been apprehended?" Garp then inquired.
Rats?
Momonga paused for a moment, understanding who Garp was referring to.
He was also very displeased with the members of the World Government's secret intelligence agency.
They were always hiding in the shadows, plotting against everyone, and could stab you in the back at any moment.
"There shouldn't be any left."
"It seems Benedict was very aware of who was in our base."
"And from his words, he also has irrefutable evidence proving these individuals are the culprits behind the massacre on Liulu Island."
Garp nodded and said, "It's good that these people have been cleaned up; otherwise, lurking within the military and secretly engaging in unspeakable acts would sooner or later ruin the Navy's reputation."
Momonga heard Garp's words and wanted to refute them, but didn't know what to say.
"Vice Admiral Garp, if the truth is revealed three days from now..."
After hesitating, Momonga finally voiced his doubts.
"The East Sea Navy has stood for hundreds of years in the East Sea; its established prestige and strength will not be completely ruined by this incident."
"Don't worry about these things; no one is clean."
Momonga listened to Garp's comfort and lowered his head in a somewhat helpless manner.
"Birelibili~!"
The Den Den Mushi rang. Garp took out the Den Den Mushi from his pocket and, seeing it was Sengoku, accepted it without much thought.
Sengoku asked Garp, "Garp, where are you now?"
"At the East Sea Naval Base," Garp replied.
"The Five Elders have issued an order for you to go to the Xuanwu Naval Base to negotiate with Benedict, to hand over the CP members, or to find a way to kill them and prevent the action in three days," Sengoku responded calmly.
Garp frowned upon hearing this and then said unhappily, "Why do I have to handle this?"
"Didn't we agree that I was just supposed to test Benedict's attitude towards Marine Headquarters?"
"That kid's strength is unusual, and he's now gathered several strong fighters around him. Are you sending me to my death?"
If it were just a casual chat, Garp, despite his reluctance, would have grudgingly gone.
But to demand the return of people was a troublesome matter.
It couldn't be solved with just a few fists.
After a brief silence, Sengoku finally replied, "World Government personnel will arrive in the East Sea tomorrow afternoon and rendezvous with you."
Garp pouted upon hearing this and said, "Since the World Government personnel are coming, they can negotiate themselves; don't involve me."
"I don't have time to accompany them on their suicidal missions."
"If possible, I'll beat them up before they go to the Xuanwu Naval Base."
In Sengoku's office at Marine Headquarters.
The hand holding the Den Den Mushi by Sengoku bulged with veins, and the Den Den Mushi itself seemed on the verge of shattering.
Sengoku was infuriated by his old comrade.
"Garp, there's no room for negotiation on this matter," Sengoku roared into the Den Den Mushi.
On the other end, Garp quickly moved the Den Den Mushi away.
After Sengoku finished roaring, he brought the Den Den Mushi back and said, "Sengoku, you're still a Vice Admiral, not the Fleet Admiral."
"Don't worry so much!"
"Honestly, it's so hard for me to just slack off... relax!"
"You've already taken a month off, what more do you want?" Sengoku complained indignantly.
Garp dug into his ear and said helplessly, "Alright, alright, it's only been a month."
"Besides, was that a vacation? I was on my way to the East Sea."
"It's just that I encountered a storm on the way."
Hearing Garp's voice through the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku's face darkened, and he directly hung up the call.
Sengoku: I'm under so much pressure.