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The first and second underground levels of Impel Down housed criminals who were not particularly significant. The prisoners on the first level, in particular, could collectively be defeated by a single Blue Gorilla (Blugori).
If Soi Fan's Jakuhō Raikōben hadn't damaged many of the security systems, and if staff hadn't been transferred elsewhere, these prisoners wouldn't have been able to cause any trouble.
"Meigō (Dark Hound)!"
A scorching magma fist slammed toward the ringleader.
Pfft!
Half of the man's head melted instantly. He fell to the ground, dead beyond saving.
"Damn it! Why is Akainu still here!"
"Run! We can't handle this guy!"
The escaping prisoners were thrown into chaos; a Marine Admiral was not someone they could afford to provoke! Unfortunately, Akainu gave them no chance to flee.
"Since you dared to escape, you must have prepared to be executed, right? Dai Funka (Great Eruption)!"
Having been frustrated by Yoruichi, Akainu was boiling with rage. He took the opportunity to vent his fury on these reckless criminals!
His massive magma fist split into countless volcanic bombs, turning the first underground level into a sea of magma. The escaping prisoners were instantly consumed by the flames, leaving no remains.
Akainu then proceeded to the second underground level, applying the same method to eliminate the escapees there.
Impel Down finally returned to calm.
Magellan was sent to the medical bay for treatment. Vice-Warden Hannyabal temporarily assumed responsibility, patrolling the levels to check for any other damaged areas.
Akainu, meanwhile, pulled out a Den Den Mushi to contact Marine Headquarters. The mission had failed, and the Navy and the World Government needed to prepare their response immediately!
Receiving Akainu's report, Sengoku felt a massive headache. Auguro actually possessed two Admiral-level powerhouses!
And according to Akainu's report, these two were able to suppress both Akainu and Magellan!
Such strength was enough to shatter the world's balance!
Sengoku rubbed his throbbing temples. The bigger problem now was Impel Down. Auguro had publicly leveled the above-ground area—this was the World Government's face being rubbed into the dirt!
However, such a massive incident had to be reported. Sengoku reluctantly picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed the Five Elders.
"Sengoku, you have disappointed us greatly!"
After hearing the report, the Five Elders harshly reprimanded Sengoku.
"A Marine Admiral, twice defeated by the same pirate crew! You Marines should reflect deeply! We give you so much in military funds every year—is this how you do your jobs?"
In one breath, they pushed all the responsibility onto the Navy, ensuring the Five Elders remained blameless!
Sengoku was internally swearing profusely.
"Impel Down is not even under the Navy's jurisdiction! You insisted we send someone, and now that things have gone wrong, you're blaming me! Do you have any shame?"
Unfortunately, he could only yell this in his mind, never speaking it aloud. Sengoku forcibly suppressed his anger.
"What do we do now? Should we increase their bounties?"
Given the severity of their actions, a bounty of over a billion Berries would be entirely justified. But unexpectedly, the Five Elders rejected the suggestion.
"No! Leave the bounties as they are! And you are to temporarily cease all contact with them!"
Clearly, the Five Elders understood Auguro's warning. I can level Impel Down today; I can do the same to Mariejois tomorrow!
Moreover, Akainu had confirmed that Auguro and his subordinates possessed the ability to fly. This made their movements even harder to predict. Until they figured out a complete countermeasure, the Five Elders did not want any further conflict with Auguro.
Sengoku was immediately incensed.
"A Marine Admiral was driven back! If we, the Navy, don't react at all, where does that leave our reputation?"
The Five Elders' voice turned cold.
"What does the Navy's reputation matter? Sengoku, don't forget that the Navy is merely the World Government's façade!"
"The World Government's matters are paramount! If you are unwilling, then submit your letter of resignation!"
A mouthful of old blood instantly clogged Sengoku's throat.
These bastards! What do they think the Navy is?
Alas, facing the Five Elders' coercion, Sengoku could only grit his teeth and accept.
"I will order everyone to minimize contact with the Scion Pirates!"
The Navy could not function without the World Government; simply paying the soldiers' wages would bankrupt them, not to mention purchasing and maintaining equipment.
Pangaea Castle.
The Five Elders hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said in a deep voice, "By doing this, Auguro should be able to see our sincerity!"
The Five Elders recognized the warning implicit in Auguro's use of Soi Fan's Bankai, and they decisively chose to temporarily lower their swords.
Topman Warcury sneered.
"The great World Government, forced to compromise with a pirate! It's a colossal joke!"
Shepherd Ju Peter shook his head at this comment.
"No! I think your perspective is flawed!"
Seeing the attention shift to him, he stated seriously.
"Sith Auguro has never conducted himself as a pirate. The name 'pirate,' in the end, was forced upon him by the Navy's bounty."
"He, personally, established the Holy Spirit Empire and became its King."
"Therefore, we must not view him as a pirate, but treat him as a King!"
"Thinking this way, doesn't it make sense that so many powerhouses willingly gather under his banner?"
"And many of his ideals become easier to comprehend!"
"Gentlemen, a powerful pirate might be dismissed! After all, we eliminated even a sea titan like Rocks!"
"But if he is an enlightened King, we must proceed with extreme caution! Because the most frightening thing about such a person is not their own strength, but their ability to attract strong individuals!"
The others immediately fell silent. They had always viewed Auguro as a somewhat successful pirate. Even after the establishment of the Holy Spirit Empire, they had not changed this view.
Now, awakened by this insight, cold sweat broke out on their backs. The power of a sovereign nation was far beyond that of a mere pirate crew. They had truly underestimated Auguro all along!
"You are correct! Perhaps we should change our strategy now!" Marcus Mars said earnestly.
"Perhaps we should officially recognize the Holy Spirit Empire's independent status!"
The term "independent status" referred to nations not within the World Government's member states. These nations received no protection from the Navy and were left vulnerable to pirate raids. They were even occasionally used by the Celestial Dragons as hunting grounds and were erased from world maps.
Therefore, recognizing the Holy Spirit Empire's independent status brought no harm to the World Government. After all, the former Water Seven was barely different from being independent anyway. It could, however, be used to ease tensions with Auguro. It was a completely advantageous transaction.
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
After some discussion, they quickly passed the resolution. They had no idea, however, that they would deeply regret this very resolution in the not-too-distant future!