Chapter 118: You Should Thank Me for Becoming Fleet Admiral
At this moment, Kong was extremely confused.
He didn't understand why the man standing at the pinnacle of world power, acting as the highest authority organ of the World Government, would step in front of him to protect a notorious pirate.
But at this moment, Nusjuro had already swung his weapon at him. Although he hadn't unsheathed the blade, merely using the scabbard to block...
That action already indicated that Nusjuro was serious.
What could Kong do?
At this moment, he could only forcefully pull back his power. But it was a full-power strike filled with rage; how could it be so easy to pull back?
But committing the highly disrespectful act of attacking a member of the Five Elders...
Kong wasn't like Garp, who acted recklessly and would directly target the Five Elders. He forcefully pulled back his power, changing the direction of the attack to strike aside, which caused the internal energy within his body to become chaotic.
The feeling of having an attack frequency forcefully interrupted was not good, especially when someone next to him was mocking him.
"Don't be so excited, Fleet Admiral Kong. You should really thank me for being able to become the Fleet Admiral. After all, if I hadn't killed that guy, how could you have been promoted so quickly?"
"You!"
Hearing Nereus's words, Kong almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. But more than this, he couldn't understand why Nereus could be so secure in the knowledge that he had backing.
Even if he was strong, even if he had been here once before, he couldn't be so arrogant in broad daylight.
Finally, the fact that the Five Elders were standing on his side completely made Kong lose his ability to think.
"Saint Nusjuro... why?"
"Kong, do we need to explain our actions to you?"
Regarding Kong's inquiry, Nusjuro had absolutely no intention of explaining.
They negotiated with Nereus because of Imu's order, so they were naturally willing to talk it out properly.
But Kong was the Marine Fleet Admiral. In the eyes of the Five Elders, the entire Marine organization was nothing more than a dog domesticated by the World Government. When a master orders a dog to chase prey, why does he need to explain why to the dog?
It would be a small matter if they fought. If Kong also died at Nereus's hands, the Marines losing two Fleet Admirals in succession would be quite a big deal.
But compared to these things, letting Kong continue fighting and generating shockwaves that disturbed Imu was the real issue.
Nusjuro was certain that Nereus would absolutely not consider such things, as he "didn't know" about Imu.
If Nereus stood there, let Kong take one of his lives, and then affected Mary Geoise... that would be big trouble.
"Nereus, you should leave. It will take some time to notify everyone of the specific matters. As we negotiated earlier, everything will be gradually implemented over the next four years.
You staying here now will only add many unnecessary troubles."
"That's true. I've had enough exercise today. I don't intend to continue fighting with you guys. But I think it won't be long before we meet again."
Nereus directed this last sentence at Kong. Then he took the Poneglyph still tethered by the chain next to him, spread his wings, and left the place.
"Tell the Marines to go back; Mary Geoise doesn't need them. As for you, Kong, come with me."
Nusjuro issued his order, then led Kong into the remaining half of the castle.
The material reserves of Mary Geoise were quite abundant. The Five Elders had already activated a backup conference room and replaced it with a new set of sofas.
"Saint Nusjuro, why did you let Nereus leave? Why did you stop my attack..."
"Hmph, Kong, mind your attitude. Are you questioning us? Do you think that with your strength, you are a match for Nereus?"
"No, I don't mean that, but..."
"There are no buts. We are informing you of a result. After our consideration, we have reached an agreement with that guy Nereus.
We acknowledge his position as King of the Ryugu Kingdom, grant him the right to participate in the Reverie, and will revoke the bounties on him and other related personnel."
The Five Elders' attitude couldn't be described as good. Facing Imu, they could only be respectful.
Facing Nereus, they couldn't defeat him, and with their boss suddenly issuing an order, they could only swallow their pride and negotiate peace. But facing Kong, the Five Elders didn't have such a good temper.
"What?! Then what about the matter of Fleet Admiral Salazar? Shouldn't we avenge him!"
"He is already dead."
The World Government would not pay a greater price for a dead person who no longer had any value. Nusjuro had clearly expressed his attitude.
But this was unacceptable to Kong.
"What is this all about?! How many Marines has that guy killed! To agree to this kind of thing just like that—where does the Marines' face go! How do you expect me to explain this to the other soldiers when I get back!"
Since he took over as Fleet Admiral, the sentiment within the Marines to avenge Salazar had never disappeared. Even Kong had only appeased those soldiers by using the approaching Reverie as a reason to temporarily postpone the matter.
Yet the Five Elders were blatantly telling him that revenge was impossible.
"Kong! Have you forgotten what you learned when you were a recruit? Personal thinking only obstructs the will of the army. As a Marine, you only need to focus your mind on executing orders!
It's true you are the Marine Fleet Admiral, but before us, you are just a soldier!"
Warcury followed closely, continuing to emphasize the basic principles of the Marines to him. To Kong, this was a very distant memory.
He hadn't heard this regulation restricting grassroots soldiers in a long time since becoming a high-ranking general. He never expected it to be emphasized on such an occasion today.
"Besides, hasn't the situation reached this point today because of the incompetence of you Marines?"
"If you Marines had captured Nereus earlier, nipping him in the bud when he was still weak, how could things have reached this point today?"
"Over these past ten-plus years, how many operations have you launched, big and small? Achieving absolutely nothing. Even with Rocks, it was only by mobilizing the power of the World Government that he was finally annihilated.
But Nereus? If we continue letting you target him, how many more casualties will we have to pay?"
Mars and Ju Peter chimed in one after another, finally shifting the blame back onto the Marines, believing it was the Marines' incompetence that led to today's situation.
Moreover, the more they thought about this logic, the smoother it felt. If they had killed Nereus earlier, none of this today would have happened.
At this moment, Kong was speechless. He didn't know how to refute this. This was clearly shooting the arrow first and drawing the target later. They were only saying such things because the opponent had already grown up.
He actually wanted to ask: if the World Government truly abolished the slave trade in a meaningful way, would Nereus still have become a wanted criminal?
It's just that he couldn't say these words. After all, only superiors can pass the buck downwards; subordinates have no way to blame the higher-ups.
"Kong, look on the bright side. We are also considering the future of the Marines. This way, you won't have to fight Nereus in the future.
That madman never holds back when facing Marines, does he?"
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you