The negotiations continued until noon.
Imu agreed to many of the conditions Akira had proposed, one by one. Of course, some conditions were rejected, but Akira didn't take it to heart. Those rejected conditions had been deliberately proposed to muddy the waters.
Outside the Holy Land palace, Shamrock and Gunko stood side by side, both looking toward the palace gates, which remained firmly shut.
Behind them stood not only the five Knights of God who had been blown away after following Gunko through the teleportation array to Marine Headquarters, but also several Knights of God who had previously stood behind Gringo.
Unlike the five Knights of God standing behind Shamrock and Gunko, these members had the title Saint before their names.
As everyone knew, the names of male Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land were preceded by Saint. That meant these Knights of God hadn't been specially recruited from outside the Holy Land. They were powerful fighters selected from among the Celestial Dragons who lived there.
The two at the front were Kiringam and Somaz.
Both were key combatants in the Knights of God, and both were Devil Fruit users.
Kiringam had eaten the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Kirin Form. Since his Devil Fruit ability had long since awakened, he currently appeared in a humanoid kirin form, white clouds curling around his long neck. He wore a splendid military uniform and the cloak worn by all members of the Knights of God.
Although he was standing, Kiringam had his eyes closed, as if asleep. He was even mumbling something in his sleep that no one else could understand.
Somaz, meanwhile, was a Thorn Fruit user. Though advanced in years, his muscles were incredibly developed, his build imposing, and he made no attempt to conceal the aura of a powerful fighter.