That felt amazing.
In that moment, seeing the stunned, unsightly expressions on the faces of the Five Elders, Kong felt as if all the frustration and pent-up fury of these past days had been completely washed away.
In its place was a deep, indescribable sense of satisfaction and relief.
If not for the setting—and his own pride—he would've thrown his head back and let out a triumphant roar on the spot.
But what caught him completely off guard...
Was the sudden, almost imperceptible stirring of something long thought dormant—his Conqueror's Haki.
It had been still for decades. Yet now, just as he had finally released everything that weighed on his chest, that once-slumbering power was beginning to stir again. Rising.
For a moment, he couldn't believe it.
At his age?
Even with rigorous maintenance and careful training, his combat ability had just barely remained at its prime.
But eighty years old was still eighty. His mind and body had already begun to decline.
And yet, his Conqueror's Haki—was it truly surging again?
It didn't make any sense.
Still, beyond the rush of exhilaration, a wave of unease quickly followed.
He suddenly realized—he had just yelled at the Five Elders.
Right here, in the heart of the World Government's stronghold… he had unleashed his temper on the highest ruling authority?
As conflicting emotions swirled in Kong's mind, the Five Elders said nothing.
The chamber fell into an eerie silence.
Then...
"Kong... You've grown bold."
Draped in a white samurai robe, Saint Nusjuro let out a dry laugh. His bony, withered hand slowly caressed the eerie black blade at his side, voice rasping like rusted steel.
"To think you'd dare speak to us like that."
Kong's eyelid twitched slightly.
Saint Saturn calmly took a sip of tea and said coolly,
"You truly are more capable than Sengoku. We were right to place our trust in you—naming you Commander-in-Chief of the entire World Government."
The blond Saint Peter shook his head slightly.
"As for what you said just now, we'll chalk it up to agitation. We won't hold it against you."
Saint Mars's tone, however, was ice-cold.
"If it had been anyone else—uttering such reckless words and displaying such blatant disrespect—they'd already be a corpse."
"For you, we'll allow a single exception."
Saint Warcury's hoarse voice followed.
"But we don't want to hear anything like that again. You've served the government long enough to understand... our patience has limits."
"You are the only one we're willing to show this much restraint toward."
Kong was silent for a moment.
Looking into their eyes—each filled with danger—and at the faint, twisted black shadows stirring behind them, he drew a long breath and said hoarsely,
"Thank you, my lords."
"But I still stand by my judgment. This war must end—and fast. If it continues, neither the Navy nor the Government will benefit in any way."
As he spoke, he stepped forward abruptly, his posture unflinching, making it clear that unless the Five Elders agreed, he wouldn't back down.
To his surprise, the Five Elders... all began to laugh.
"You're right, Kong."
"This war does need to end."
"Continuing to drag this out... it's become dull for us as well."
"We've already ordered the CP organizations and the Holy Land Guard to set sail. Judging by the time, they should be approaching the North Blue as we speak."
"Also, a CP0-led unit has already departed from the G1 branch in the New World, preparing to dive directly into Fish-Man Island's territory."
At those words, Kong's pupils shrank to pinpoints. A wave of icy dread surged from the soles of his feet straight up his spine, flooding his mind.
A chill ran through his entire body, his scalp tingling.
The Five Elders were about to launch a full-scale, destructive strike on the seas, islands, and territories linked to Daren?
This was blatant, unrestrained retaliation.
He stared at them, wide-eyed in disbelief, as cold smiles spread across their faces. He instinctively staggered two steps backward.
"But... my lords, even if Rogers Daren has committed unforgivable crimes, the nations, islands, and towns in the North Blue—the civilians there are innocent!"
Cold sweat broke across Kong's body. He clenched his jaw.
"If the government's forces launch indiscriminate attacks without cause, it will cause a catastrophic diplomatic fallout!"
Saint Saturn scoffed.
"Kong, you're being far too cautious."
"Most of the countries and islands in the North Blue aren't even member nations. To the ones who are, these worthless regions don't matter in the slightest."
Kong's body trembled as he forced out a protest.
"Then... what about Fish-Man Island?"
"They're part of the World Government! On top of that, there's already tension between humans and the fishmen. If we strike them now—"
Saint Mars interrupted coldly.
"We have no intention of actually destroying Fish-Man Island."
"As long as Ryugu Palace hands over Fisher Tiger, we're willing to let the matter go."
The moment those words fell, Kong understood everything.
His face drained of all color.
The Five Elders were mobilizing the full might of the World Government's military to pressure Daren and the North Blue fleet into submission.
It was a cold, calculated move—undeniably effective.
But the thought of how many innocent lives could be caught in the crossfire... how many civilians might be slaughtered in the name of leverage...
Kong couldn't accept it.
This was not how a world-ruling government should act.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Thick cigar smoke curled lazily in the air.
"Who's going first?"
A faint, devilish grin spread across the Vice Admiral's face.
The moment the words left his lips, every Marine present froze, their breath caught in their throats.
A streak of golden light flashed across the ground at blinding speed, rocketing straight toward the Vice Admiral in an instant.
That brilliant gold condensed into the shape of a white leather shoe, hanging in the air in a sharp, upside-down hook.
"Well then, I won't hold back."
A tall figure formed midair. Borsalino stroked the stubble on his chin, grinning lazily.
"By the way, Daren... ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Blazing golden light flared up.
That reverse-hook kick, wrapped in scorching energy, tore through the air—and came crashing down toward the Vice Admiral's head.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
[email protected]/PinkSnake