Half a day later, in the New World at the Clifford Kingdom.
In a large room, two doctors in white coats were changing the bandages on Aeridar. Meanwhile, Millie and Mina watched with worried expressions as they looked at the wound on his chest, which was almost a direct hit to his heart from Redfield's long umbrella.
Pere pere pere... Pere pere pere...
Just as the bandages were changed, the Den Den Mushi on the coffee table rang.
Click.
Aeridar answered it. "Moshi moshi, this is Aeridar."
"Oh, it's Abel. Did you get Death Gun?"
"What?"
Suddenly, Aeridar's expression changed. "CP agents attacked our compound on the Sabaody Archipelago?"
"Nani?!"
Millie and Mina's faces also fell.
The compound had the Chris Pirates' flag flying over it, and attacking it was a direct challenge to the crew.
This was a very serious matter on the high seas, and if it wasn't handled correctly, it would be a huge blow to the Chris Pirates' reputation.
"Alright, I understand. You and Death Gun come back first," Aeridar said, his expression cold and grim. "Leave the rest to me."
Click!
He hung up the Den Den Mushi.
After Millie waved the two doctors away, she asked, "Captain, what's going on?"
"CP agents attacked our stronghold on the Sabaody Archipelago. Out of the two hundred people stationed there, only sixty-three survived," Aeridar said, enunciating each word. His eyes blazed with killing intent. "There were fifty-two people in the raid, including a CP instructor and three high-ranking CP9 agents. Abel killed the instructor and thirty-seven other elite agents. The others got away."
"Have they gone crazy? Are they starting a war with us?" Millie and Mina gasped, surprised at the number of elite CP agents used.
"Hmph. How decisive. I really underestimated that guy."
Aeridar narrowed his eyes.
He never expected that Abner Brynn would be so resolute. If Abel had arrived half a day later, Death Gun and everyone in the compound would probably have been killed.
With the methods of the CP agencies, Aeridar probably wouldn't have even been able to find out who was responsible and would have had to swallow the loss.
But now, it was different. An instructor and thirty-seven elite agents had been killed, which would be impossible to hide from the CP agencies. Furthermore, the Gorosei would have to intervene since the World Government had attacked the territory of a Warlord of the Sea.
"Millie, contact the World Government and tell them that if they don't give me a satisfactory explanation, I'll take matters into my own hands," Aeridar said, looking at Millie.
"No problem. Leave it to me," Millie said, nodding before turning to leave.
Meanwhile, on the Red Line at Mariejois.
In a magnificent palace, the Gorosei sat on a sofa, listening to a man in a black suit giving his report.
"That's everything that happened, as reported," the man in the black suit said, placing his file on the table.
"Abner Brynn… what a hassle he's created."
The blond-haired Gorosei frowned. "He attacked our subordinate's base and killed more than a hundred of his pirates. That man won't let this go."
"Hmph. It's just a few pirates. We lost an instructor and thirty-seven elite agents. What else does he want?" The Gorosei with the katana scoffed. "Does he want us to hand over our officials? Laughable!"
"There's nothing we can do; we're in the wrong here. Besides, destroying our relationship over something like this would be a huge loss," the blond-haired Gorosei said, looking helpless.
"That's right. We need him as a force in the New World. And with the Clifford Kingdom as a neutral zone, along with the support of the Chris Pirates, our intelligence network and CP operations in the New World have gone much more smoothly than before. Even the pressure on the Marines has been reduced," the curly-haired Gorosei agreed.
"So are we just going to hand over Abner Brynn? Not only would bowing to a pirate damage the World Government's authority, but it would also make our people lose heart," the Gorosei with the katana said, looking annoyed.
"It's one thing to say it's understandable to have moved the CP agents to avenge his father, but he not only failed to kill the assassin but also took it upon himself to attack the Chris Pirates' stronghold. And even if you want to say that if he killed everyone in the compound and left no evidence, it would be fine," the long-bearded Gorosei said, looking angry. "But now, he lost so many elites and got us caught. If he doesn't take responsibility for this, are we going to strip the Warlord of his title?!"
"Exactly. Someone has to take responsibility," the bald Gorosei agreed.
The Gorosei with the katana was silent for a moment. "If that's the case, then so be it."
"Very good."
Seeing that everyone had reached a consensus, the blond Gorosei ordered the man in the black suit. "Immediately relieve Inspector General Abner Brynn of his position, take him into custody, and imprison him in Impel Down."
"This will be a fitting end for him!"
The other four Gorosei nodded in agreement.
"Understood, Gorosei. I will do so at once," the man in the black suit said, nodding.
"Gorosei, bad news!"
Suddenly, another middle-aged man in a black suit ran into the palace, kneeling before the Gorosei. He looked flustered. "The CP Inspector General, Abner Brynn, has defected."
"Nani?!"
The Gorosei's eyes widened. They were just talking about him, and now he had defected. What a coincidence. Before the Gorosei could speak, the man in the black suit nervously added, "Furthermore, Abner Brynn has stolen a lot of classified information, including many secrets from the CP agencies and the Marines."
Bang!
The Gorosei with the katana slammed his hand on the table, furious. "Damn it! That guy was planning this the whole time!"
The Gorosei immediately figured out Abner Brynn's plan. If he had successfully avenged his father and handled everything perfectly, there would be no problem. But if he failed, Abner Brynn guessed his fate, so he fled with a trove of World Government secrets.
With these secrets as his bargaining chip, he could join many other powerful organizations, and the World Government would suffer massive losses due to the leak of classified information.
"Mobilize everyone! Hunt down Abner Brynn, and make sure we get those classified documents back!" The curly-haired Gorosei roared, his voice filled with killing intent. "It doesn't matter if he lives or dies, but the information must be recovered. Otherwise, the slave trade won't mind having a few more talented slaves."
"Understood, Gorosei!"
The two men in black suits knelt, their bodies trembling.
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