Master Snatcher

"Forced Recall."

Only several seconds after the Five Elders vanished did the terrifying aura lingering in place slowly dissipate.

Steel Bone Kong, Sengoku, Garp, and the surrounding vice admirals finally felt the oppressive pressure ease somewhat.

Kong stared at the place where the Five Elders had disappeared and clenched his fists.

"This is—" In the end, he only uttered three words before falling silent.

Sengoku walked to his side. His golden Buddha form had long since receded, returning him to the appearance of the wise strategist.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, what happened today—its impact will probably be even harder to handle than we expected."

"Lin Nuo's escape, the Five Elders'—loss of composure, and the news that the Celestial Dragons were publicly abducted, once it fully spreads—"

He did not continue, but the meaning was obvious.

The authority the Navy and the Government had maintained for centuries had been torn open by a massive gash today.

Someone needed to bear the consequences for all this, and order needed to be reestablished.

Their Navy would undoubtedly be the first to carry out that task.

"I know. Gather the troops immediately, treat the wounded, and assess the losses."

Kong's gaze swept across the devastated Grove 59.

"Also," he added, "regarding Lin Nuo's final condition—"

"Until we obtain conclusive evidence, the official statement will be that he is seriously injured and missing, and that we are pursuing him with all our strength."

"Yes." Sengoku nodded.

At some point, Garp had walked to the edge of the massive crater and looked down at its empty bottom.

He stood there silently for a while before muttering something under his breath.

"Now this really is—"

No one heard the rest. Maybe it was "a huge mess," maybe it was "well done," or perhaps it was both.

"Well done,