Black Spear had become even more terrifyingly powerful.
This was the Five Elders' most immediate impression after receiving firsthand battlefield intelligence and footage.
They had originally thought Austin would settle down in the Sabaody Archipelago for quite a while. After two years, they had nearly forgotten about this threat upon the seas.
Yet they had not expected Austin to suddenly make such a grand entrance upon the world stage once more.
Knowing that the matter would now enter the negotiation stage, the Five Elders sternly ordered Spandine:
"CP9, all of you, withdraw!"
Having received the order, the CP agents scattered as though granted a pardon.
Only Spandine remained kneeling before Austin with a bitter expression, as he still had to hold up the Den Den Mushi.
Austin smiled and slowly extended his hand. The Den Den Mushi instantly appeared in his palm.
Only then did Spandine reveal a grateful expression before respectfully vanishing from the warship in a flash.
"Austin, are you planning to wage war against the World Government?"
Once the irrelevant personnel had been dismissed, Financial God Saint Nusjuro spoke coldly. He had always been the most ruthless among the Five Elders.
Austin merely raised one eyebrow in response.
"Where did that come from? I was already on the island before the Marines arrived.
If anyone wanted to start a war, shouldn't that be you?"
"But you clearly knew long ago that the Buster Call would descend upon Ohara!"
"How do you know I knew long ago?"
Saint Nusjuro was momentarily speechless.
How did he know where Austin had gotten his information? Surely he could not say that it had leaked from within the World Government.
Saying so would only embarrass himself.
"Enough. What has happened has happened; there is no point discussing this any further!"
At that