"Difficulties?"
A cold laugh escaped Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the familiar yet unfamiliar Warrior God of Scientific Defense, his tone brimming with impatience toward the Navy.
"From kidnapping a Celestial Dragon to seizing Fish-Man Island, it has only been a few months! He has trampled upon the World Government's bottom line twice, utterly disrespectful."
"And the Navy has received immense support from our World Government, whether in funding or recruitment. They've been given such substantial backing, and now Kong speaks of difficulties?"
"A joke. I even want to ask Kong if he's grown too comfortable as Fleet Admiral. If he really can't handle it, then step down and let someone capable take over."
"Does he truly believe the Navy is led by him alone? Utterly senseless."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn was the most furious about Brian.
As mentioned before, the Celestial Dragon kidnapped earlier was his descendant. To Saint Saturn, as long as Brian lived for a single day, his family's honor could never be fully cleansed.
Only Brian's death, even being torn to pieces by the Jaygarcia family, could thoroughly wash away their family's disgrace.
And their Jaygarcia family's standing in Mary Geoise.
Need it be said? Ever since his descendant was kidnapped, the Jaygarcia family's authority and influence in Mary Geoise have plummeted.
"We allocate funds to the Navy and grant them supreme authority, not for them to sit idly by while the claws of the Rocks Pirates plant their flags across the world!"
"If they can't even handle a single Brian, how can we expect them to crush the Rocks Pirates head-on a year from now?"
"Remember, Beast Brian is merely one of the senior officers of the Rocks Pirates. Charlotte Linlin, Whitebeard, and Shiki are all top-tier experts no weaker than him."
It was once again Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, who voiced the doubt, reflecting the unified opinion of the Five Elders.
After the major incidents repeatedly stirred up by Brian and others, the World Government's higher-ups were already highly dissatisfied with the Navy's inaction.
The Five Elders' skepticism struck like a heavy hammer against the Navy's prestige, which would inevitably translate into numerous obstacles for the Navy moving forward—such as obtaining military funds, promotions in rank, and so on.
"Hah~"
"I'll handle the liaison with Kong. There's only half a year left before the previously determined purge of the Rocks Pirates. We can't afford further delays."
Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, stroked his long beard, sighed, and reluctantly spoke.
Having Saturn handle the liaison would be too troublesome. The old man himself has a fiery temper, and his words and actions inevitably lack restraint.
Better for me to do it. At least Kong won't be under too much pressure, and we can get things done properly first.
As for after the matter is settled—just see if I, Marcus Mars, will let you, Kong, off easy.
Sometimes, those seemingly kind people with smiling eyes might be the most scheming, like Saint Marcus Mars compared to Saint Jaygarcia Saturn————
The Warrior God of Agriculture, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, immediately followed up, "Precisely because of this, to avoid affecting the major military operation half a year from now, it is not suitable for us to deploy elite forces into the deep sea at this moment."
"The garrison Brian stationed on Fish-Man Island is a Mythical Zoan Griffin Beast Girl. Everyone is well aware of her strength—she is a genuine Admiral Candidate Level combatant."
"Sending forces below Admiral Level would be a suicide mission! This is a deliberate trap left by Brian!"
The Five Elders went back and forth, continuously discussing various scenarios for deploying troops to Fish-Man Island.
In the end, they reached a cruel yet helpless consensus: now was truly not the time to mobilize forces against Fish-Man Island. Deploying the Navy's main force would come at too great a cost and involve too high a risk.
It wasn't that the World Government lacked military strength—that would be a joke. With so many CP organizations, they certainly weren't incapable of fielding at least one Admiral Level combatant.
The main issue was that the World Government needed to address unrest across the entire world. Especially under the current severe circumstances, they required sufficient forces to maintain global stability.
Most importantly, they had to ensure the stability of Mary Geoise—this was the top priority.
Typically, when conducting military operations at sea, the World Government always relied on the Navy to take action.
But right now, the Navy couldn't spare too many troops, as they were also preparing for war. If the major battle half a year from now were delayed, who would take responsibility?
These old men, who had lived for centuries, were all shrewd individuals. Naturally, none of them would take the initiative to break the current deadlock.
In their minds, as long as something didn't affect Imu-sama's slumber, it was a minor issue—everything was under control.
"Since that's the case, let's decide accordingly: designate Fish-Man Island as a Red Restricted Zone!" The Warrior God of Finance made the final decision at the end of the meeting, his eyes flashing with cold killing intent.
"Tell Kong that if the Navy fails to completely eliminate Rocks half a year from now, Marine Headquarters will face the most severe consequences!"
"That clown Brian must be buried along with the Rocks Pirates half a year from now."
"Agreed. I'll endure it for another half a year. After that, I swear I'll have that Brian sliced into a thousand pieces!"
"And that Whitebeard, and Shiki... oh, and that Charlotte Linlin, especially that final one, Rocks D. Xebec—wipe them all out."
"Then it's decided. Notify the Navy."
"Agreed!"
""
Marine Headquarters, Marineford—As the news spread, while the World Government was holding its meeting, Marine Headquarters had already erupted into an uproar. Officers ran around spreading the word, and morale suffered a massive blow.
This commotion lasted for a long time; even the higher-ups couldn't control it immediately. It truly had a severe impact on morale.
Kong had no intention of suppressing it either. It was better to guide than to block; the soldiers needed to vent properly.
But when the highest directive from the Five Elders arrived, he couldn't hold back any longer—he completely lost his composure.
——
Inside the office, the current Navy Fleet Admiral, Kong, had a face ashen with anger. In his hand, he held the highest directive from the Five Elders, feeling as heavy as if he were gripping a piece of meteorite iron.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, are those old men putting pressure on us again?" Elite Vice Admiral Sengoku entered the office, his eyes filled with weariness.
He had just dealt with the uproar at headquarters, finally managing to stabilize the officers and soldiers, before coming to Fleet Admiral Kong's office.
Based on his many years of experience in the Navy, he knew all too well that the Five Elders would surely have corresponding instructions.
Accompanying Sengoku were three familiar faces: Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru. Whenever these four were at headquarters, they were usually together.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been called the Four Pillars of the contemporary Navy—though Tsuru was somewhat considered the filler in this elite group.
But Tsuru's strength was by no means to be underestimated. After all, decades later, she would be a top-tier expert capable of chasing Doflamingo across the world.