The death of a Celestial Dragon meant the nature of the incident had completely changed.
It had escalated from "a possible kidnapping" to "an open declaration of war against the World Government."
The Marines had to respond with the utmost force, or their authority would be swept away.
But he understood something else even more clearly: he was no match for Luo Tian.
The G-3 Branch was elite, but its strongest fighter was him, a Vice Admiral.
And Luo Tian was a monster who had fought Iron Fist Garp, a candidate for Admiral, to a standstill.
That meant Luo Tian had at least the strength of an Admiral.
"Vice Admiral, we've spotted the target ship!"
A soldier shouted from the lookout tower, using an ultra-long-range telescope.
Basque immediately raised his own telescope.
Sure enough, about five nautical miles away, the distinctive luxury vessel was sailing across the sea.
Its hull was pristine white and lavishly decorated, unmistakably the style of the Celestial Dragons. The World Government's flag flew above it.
"All forces, listen up—"
"Make full speed and surround the target ship!"
"Do not let it escape!"
The ten warships adjusted course at once, spreading out in a fan formation and closing in on the giant vessel from three directions.
It was a standard naval encirclement formation. Once it closed, the target would have no chance of escape.
But Basque knew that conventional tactics were of little use against an enemy of Luo Tian's caliber.
His mission wasn't to defeat him. It was to stall for time—until Admiral Qiong Qi arrived.
As long as the Celestial Dragons were alive, and the perpetrator could be kept here until the Admiral arrived, there was still a chance to turn things around.
Inside the luxury lounge of the giant vessel.
Luo Tian