But he was only moved for a moment before once again recovering his earlier kingly demeanor.
One hand rested on the aristocratic sword at his waist as he spoke in a calm tone.
"They were merely a bunch of trash. How could they possibly stop me? If I hadn't been worried about unforeseen accidents, I would have already taken that fellow's head."
The Four Elders: "…"
The four seemed long accustomed to Garling's tone. Their lips twitched slightly, but they didn't say anything about it. After letting out a heavy sigh, they spoke in helpless voices.
"Better not underestimate him."
"That's right. The boss of Umbrella Corporation is no simple opponent, after all, even Saturn died at his hands!"
"Damn it, why did that guy go to Egghead? If it weren't for him, our plan would have succeeded long ago!"
"No matter what, none of us died this time, which can be considered fortunate. It's just that the Straw Hat Pirates…"
After the four melancholy voices fell, Garling raised his eyebrows slightly, but he still spoke in the same calm tone.
"If you hadn't run back, perhaps I would have already slain him beneath my blade. You must know that place isn't his Ohara. What a pity, such a good opportunity is wasted."
As he spoke, he slightly turned his body, completely forgetting how he had been frozen stiff with fear when he realized he was the only one left at the time.
With his back to the four of them, the hand resting on his sword hilt still did not move. Bathed in the golden light shining in through the window, his entire figure radiated the aura of a king.
"Back in God Valley, I cut off Rocks' heads. So I can also cut off that fellow's head at Egghead. He's nothing more than a counterfeit God of the Sun."
The Four Elders: "…"
This guy…
Others might not know the exact circumstances of God Valley, but the four of them certainly did.
Of course, they didn't say anything about it. After all, Garling wasn't wrong either; he really was the one who cut off Rocks' heads back then.
And besides, now was not the time to argue about such matters.
There had been too many unexpected developments in this operation.
Not only did that guy appear, but the ancient robot that had originally been impossible to activate was suddenly activated, and it even used that person's Conqueror's Haki.
It could be said that both the plan to encircle and eliminate the Straw Hat Pirates and the plan to clean up Vegapunk had completely failed.
As for the Marines' fleet over there… no one knew what the situation was like now.
The four of them exchanged glances, hesitating about whether they should send Garling back to take a look.
Just then…
[What happened?]
That supreme voice suddenly echoed in their minds once more.
[Why did I sense that person's aura? Tell me, what exactly happened?!]
…
Meanwhile, over at Egghead.
The now-awakened Sengoku was on a ship, writing something while muttering curses under his breath.
"Damn it, what exactly is that guy trying to do? He actually…"
But when he reached the crucial part, he involuntarily lowered his voice, then continued cursing.
"And Kuzan, too, does that guy even know what he's doing? Does he want to stand before a military court? If the World Government finds out about this, he'll be finished!"
"Ahh, how scary…"
Hearing Sengoku's words, Borsalino, who had been sitting listlessly on the deck with his hands resting on his knees, also snapped back to his senses. His face returned to its usual lazy expression.
"Just now you mentioned Kuzan…"
"Shut up! I didn't say anything just now! And didn't I already say it? This was done by the Umbrella Corporation senior executive, Enel, the God of Thunder! Those evil fellows are truly vicious."
Sengoku raised his head and glared angrily at Borsalino, his eyes seeming to say: [Keep your damn mouth shut, or we'll all be finished!]
Then he quickly returned to his earlier anxious appearance.
"And what are you standing around for? Hurry up and help!"
"Alright, alright. It's the evil Umbrella Corporation."
Borsalino could only shrug his shoulders before standing up and appearing behind Sengoku, still speaking in a lazy tone.
"What a troublesome situation. So, what are you doing? Haven't the casualty lists already been compiled?"
As he spoke, he leaned over at Sengoku's shoulder and looked down at the paper on the table.
Then, as if he saw something, he suddenly frowned.
"John Kent, Vice-Admiral of the Marines. During the Egghead incident, he was killed by Umbrella Corporation senior executive Enel, the God of Thunder."
Borsalino: "...?"
What the hell?
It wasn't that he was confused about the part saying he was killed by Enel, the God of Thunder, but rather…
"Wasn't Vice-Admiral John Kent already killed during the public execution incident?"
"Of course I know that!"
"Then what are you…"
Borsalino looked at Sengoku with a strange expression. "Defrauding pension money? Can you add me in too? Don't worry, I definitely won't tell the World Government!"
"Defraud my ass! Add you in? Can you take this seriously?"
Hearing Borsalino's slander, Sengoku's face instantly turned black. "Didn't you notice who all the fallen Marines are this time?"
Borsalino: "...?"
Borsalino's brows furrowed again, but he still followed Sengoku's instruction and looked at the list of casualties this time.
After scanning it once, he seemed to realize something. His entire body froze in place as he muttered to himself: "The faction close to the World Government…"
Good heaven, what exactly is that Umbrella Corporation trying to do?!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ian, who still did not know that his cooperation with Kuzan had already been discovered, was currently floating in the sky with the remaining people, flying together in the direction of the West Blue.
This time's gains could be said to be extremely great.
Not only had they emptied out the advanced scientific research equipment that the World Government had left on Egghead, but they had also abducted Vegapunk.
At the same time, he had successfully experienced firsthand the Conqueror's Haki that had been left behind eight hundred years ago.
Although that Conqueror's Haki might not represent Joy Boy's full strength, it was already enough. He had already seen the direction for the next stage of training his Conqueror's Haki.
It was just a pity that the robot had already sunk into the seabed in the end. Otherwise, he could have brought it back together with everything else.