A Safe Exit

Lu Ge already felt a dangerous aura enveloping the holy land of Mary Geoise. He knew he had caused enough trouble, and it was time to leave. After all, this was the holy land of Mary Geoise. If he continued causing a disturbance, the Five Elders waiting behind the scenes would probably no longer be able to sit still.

He was not yet strong enough to ignore everything. With the situation in chaos, this was the perfect opportunity to make a stylish exit.

Watching Lu Ge suddenly vanish, and seeing the devastated state of the holy land of Mary Geoise, Sengoku and the others all wore extremely grim expressions. The Marines had used every means at their disposal, yet they had still suffered a crushing defeat. They had not even managed to leave the slightest injury on their target.

Sengoku stormed into the command center. He had originally intended to demand that Tsuru tell him which idiot had issued the attack order for the 'Pacifistas,' but when he saw the man seated at the head, everything became clear. He nearly cursed aloud. Those idiots. Wasn't it better to stay home obediently? Why did they have to come out and cause trouble? Do you even have the ability to back it up?

Although Sengoku was furious inside, he was only an admiral at present and did not dare openly challenge the Celestial Dragons. He could only put on a wooden expression and bow. "Saint Rosward..."

"Sengoku, we are extremely disappointed with your Marines' operation this time. Four fellow Celestial Dragons were killed in our holy land of Mary Geoise, and you still failed to capture the culprit!" Saint Rosward glared angrily at Sengoku and immediately launched into a furious tirade.

Sengoku was berated into silence for a moment. After all, it was the truth, and he had nothing to say.

"And where is Marshal Kong? Something this serious happened in the holy land of Mary Geoise. As the marshal, why didn't he come to the scene personally?"

Sengoku's heart jolted when he heard this. This is bad. Still, he bowed and replied, "Marshal Kong is holding down the headquarters and directing operations. It's just that we truly underestimated the enemy's strength this time, which led to this defeat."

Thinking of how he had controlled twenty thousand Pacifistas and still failed to capture the other party, Saint Rosward immediately asked, "Have you found out that man's exact identity?"

"He is the world's greatest swordsman—Lu Ge."

Saint Rosward frowned. "Shouldn't the world's greatest swordsman be that so-called rising star, Hawkeye Mihawk?"

"That was indeed the case some time ago, but Hawkeye Mihawk was defeated by Lu Ge. Now, Lu Ge is the world's greatest swordsman. His swordsmanship is truly formidable. Even my Buddha could not stop the edge of his blade." As he spoke, Sengoku pulled open his clothes, revealing the hideous wound across his chest. From now on, this wound would accompany him as a lifelong humiliation.

Seeing the hideous wound on Sengoku's chest, Saint Rosward was genuinely startled. He immediately waved his hand with feigned composure and said, "That's enough. You appear to be seriously injured as well, so go down and rest at once. Inform Kong and have him go meet with the Five Elders immediately."

"Yes." Sengoku respectfully turned to leave.

Just then, Saint Rosward's deeply dissatisfied voice came from behind him again. "Oh, right. And those so-called 'Pacifistas.' They were supposedly the greatest masterpiece, but after deploying so many of them, they accomplished nothing and nearly destroyed the holy land of Mary Geoise. Go and order someone to execute that scientist who made such grand claims!"

Sengoku's anger flared the moment he heard this. If you hadn't issued orders recklessly, would things have turned out like this? If Tsuru had been allowed to command them, and with our support, we might really have captured the target.

Naturally, Sengoku could not vent his emotions. "That may be inappropriate. Dealing with a scientist of this caliber requires the Five Elders' approval. Besides, if this generation of Pacifistas is inadequate, we can simply improve and upgrade them. There's no need to take out our anger on the scientists."

Saint Rosward was instantly enraged. "What? Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?"

"I wouldn't dare." Sengoku's expression remained calm. Faced with an idiot like this, he could not even be bothered to get angry.

"Hmph!" Saint Rosward snorted coldly, though he also knew that this was not something he could decide on his own. He immediately said icily, "I'll report this matter to the Five Elders..."

With that, he flung back his sleeve and turned to leave.

Only after Saint Rosward had gone did Tsuru come to Sengoku's side. Looking at the injury on his chest, she said, "Stop forcing yourself. Go to the infirmary and get treated at once!"

"This injury is still bearable. It's just that this time, Kong may..."

"Four Celestial Dragons died, and we failed to capture the culprit. As marshal, Kong will certainly have to take responsibility for this."

"But have we found out why Lu Ge came here?"

"It was for three slaves."

"Slaves?" Sengoku was stunned, then snorted coldly. "They brought this upon themselves. It seems their actions finally brought them their own downfall."

It appeared that Sengoku was also deeply dissatisfied with the Celestial Dragons' system of slavery.

Tsuru sighed softly when she heard this. "Sigh... The corruption within is already deeply rooted. What can we do?"

Sengoku sighed as well. When would the justice in his heart finally be upheld?

A little earlier, out on the vast sea, a small boat floated on the surface.

Hearing the terrifying booms that erupted from the distant island from time to time, Boa Hancock clasped her hands together, her face filled with anxiety. "Grandpa Rayleigh, Lord Lu Ge... will he be all right?"

Rayleigh gazed at the island and was just about to answer when his expression shifted slightly. His eyes turned toward Hancock's side, where a door suddenly appeared. A familiar figure stepped out of it in an instant.

When she saw Lu Ge, Hancock was overjoyed. "Ah! Lord Lu Ge, are you all right?"

Seeing Hancock's face flushed with excitement as she wanted to rush over and embrace him but did not dare, Lu Ge smiled and reached out to pat her head. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I don't even have a superficial injury."

Hancock let out a great sigh of relief.

Rayleigh, meanwhile, looked at Lu Ge with astonishment and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "Amazing, kid! Facing the Marines' three rising stars, two admirals, Hero Garp, and more than ten thousand Pacifistas, you still weren't captured. Instead, you even injured five of them! Not even my former captain managed such a feat. After this battle, your name will surely spread throughout the world."

"Wow! Really? That's incredible!"

The three Hancock sisters gazed at Lu Ge with eyes full of admiration.

Lu Ge was somewhat surprised as he looked at Rayleigh. To be able to see the situation on the island from such a distance, Rayleigh's Observation Haki was quite impressive.

He waved his hand casually. "Let's not talk about that for now. We should leave quickly, before the Marines pursue us again!"