"No. I refuse!"
Faced with Vice Admiral Tsuru's request, Loa smiled and turned her down flat.
"Our deal was only for me to travel with the Marines to Elbaf. If you insist on leaving, don't blame me for sticking to the terms."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's request was reasonable and seemingly airtight. Kaido's Flood Calamity, Jin, was locked in a fierce battle with Shanks. As Marines, they had every reason to go and take a look.
Even if they couldn't defeat either side, they might still pick off a few stragglers and make some arrests.
With two fighters of admiral-level strength aboard, Vice Admiral Tsuru had good reason to feel confident.
But that would mean changing course, and no one knew how long the detour would take. Because of their earlier deal, Vice Admiral Tsuru wanted Loa to accompany them to the battlefield.
Loa, however, refused without hesitation.
"Changing course breaks our deal! Sengoku himself said we're enemies now. You don't really think I can trust you completely, do you, Vice Admiral Tsuru?"
Loa's argument was just as sound. She couldn't refute it.
Splitting their forces and sending Kizaru or Fujitora to the battlefield alone was even less realistic.
"Fine. I'll continue to Elbaf as agreed. But I'll notify Sengoku and have him send someone else to handle this. When they arrive, tell your men to be careful. Don't hurt them by mistake."
"Don't worry. As long as they stay at least a thousand meters from Turtle Island, no one should die."
"Hmph! I have no intention of inviting needless trouble!"
And so a strange scene unfolded. Under the eyes of several major powers, a fleet led by Kizaru, one of Marine Headquarters' strongest fighters; Tsuru, its chief of staff; and Fujitora, the monstrous vice admiral who had emerged from the