That terrifying spiritual pressure, nearly taking the form of flames, weighed upon everyone's hearts.
Under that pressure, even the surrounding air grew thick and viscous. The air that should have entered their noses with ease now seemed as hard as bricks.
Sasaki Jirocho's face flushed crimson. Struggling to breathe, he instinctively opened his mouth and sucked in the surrounding air like a wild dog.
Captain-Commander merely looked at him calmly and said slowly:
"Do not make me repeat myself. Apologize to Captain Soi Fon!"
His bones groaned! His muscles screamed! Every part of his body sent him signals of the utmost danger!
Sasaki Chojiro could barely remain standing. His face was deathly pale as he looked at Captain-Commander, his mouth slightly open as though he wanted to say something.
But at that moment, Tsunayashiro Sosuke's voice came from nearby, carrying a faint note of mediation and concession:
"Captain-Commander, I am sure Chojiro did not mean to offend Captain Soi Fon. You must have misunderstood him. After all these years, you know what Chojiro is like—he has always been blunt and straightforward. He has no ill intentions. This must simply be a misunderstanding."
Anyone with eyes could tell that Tsunayashiro Sosuke, smiling broadly, was trying to smooth things over and let the matter pass.
However, Captain-Commander merely turned his gaze toward Tsunayashiro Sosuke. Repeated attempts to muddle through and brush things aside had nearly exhausted what little patience the old man possessed. As the temperature around them gradually rose, Captain-Commander let out a deep breath and looked at Tsunayashiro Sosuke with glacial coldness.
"Tsunayashiro Sosuke, stupidity is not a reason for someone to make mistakes, nor is it an excuse you can use to absolve him!"
"But, Captain-Commander..."
"Silence! Tsunayashiro Sosuke! I am not asking for your opinions! I am giving