'A Celestial Dragon died?'
Rosse's words instantly stirred up a huge commotion in the Marine high-level meeting.
They had guessed this news would be explosive. But they hadn't expected it would be terrifying to this extent.
And not only was it a Celestial Dragon that died, it was also the head of a Celestial Dragon family line.
This kind of news, was it something they should be hearing?
Even Kuzan and Garp had a change of expression.
Even though they usually spoke disdainfully about the Celestial Dragons, they knew the seriousness of this matter.
The death of a Celestial Dragon family head was enough for the World Government to start a major war.
"Wait a moment...", Tsuru suddenly thought of something, her eyes filled with suspicion as she looked toward Rosse and Sakazuki.
The Celestial Dragon's death was already a confirmed fact.
But Rosse and Sakazuki's reaction was very problematic.
On this issue, Rosse should be standing united externally, not joining Sakazuki in expressing opposition.
Sakazuki's opposition was most likely directed by Rosse.
Which means, Rosse didn't want Fish-Man Island to be subjected to the Buster Call. Going further, Rosse didn't want revenge for Rosward.
"Lord Rosse, shouldn't this Buster Call be led by you?", Sengoku looked up at Rosse; the things Tsuru could think of, he could also.
Rosse's presence here was already very strange.
"The Queen Otohime of the Mermaid Kingdom is my wife, and most of the fish-men and merfolks on Fish-Man Island now are no longer citizens of Ryugu Kingdom, they all belong to the Mermaid Kingdom," Rosse said calmly, clearly this was an excuse he had long prepared, also an explanation Saturn had made to the Five Elders.
He couldn't participate in this matter and had to express opposition. On the surface, there were three reasons:
One, Fish-Man Island was his people. He couldn't lead troops to fight his own people, how could he lead then?
Two, Rosward's death had nothing to do with him, and this matter was the result of that fool's own actions. He refused to pay for a fool's mistake.
Three, Ryugu Kingdom was still a member nation. Lately, he had already been picking too many fights with member nations, and needed to establish a good image, convenient for the future development of the Employment Association.
Of course, these three were just surface-level reasons. The real core reason, was actually only one.
If they didn't open this precedent today, how could they let others kill Celestial Dragons in the future?
The Celestial Dragons held too many resources. It would be best to clean out a batch.
"So according to you, the Marine shouldn't carry out this Buster Call?", Sengoku looked at Rosse deeply, his gaze filled with probing intent.
He always felt that Rosse's intentions weren't so simple. But standing at his perspective, he still couldn't see what Rosse was really plotting.
"I don't mind saying this either, whoever wants to carry it out is standing against me," Rosse half-smiled, his gaze sweeping across Sengoku, Kuzan, Tsuru, Garp, and the others.
If he didn't drive these people away, how could he begin a grand celebration?
"By the way, in the Fish-Man Island incident, it wasn't just Rosward who died, three of Whitebeard's division commanders also died, including the 1st, 3rd, and 5th commanders. Only the 4th commander was spared by me, so he could bring back the broken corpses to deliver the message," Rosse added further.
Once he said this, Sengoku and the others' expressions became even worse.
"That'll enrage Whitebeard. He'll kill without hesitation," Sengoku said gravely.
Back when Garp was chasing Roger, Sengoku's job was to deal with Whitebeard, they had fought many times.
It's just that Whitebeard wasn't especially bloodthirsty in personality, and since he stayed in the New World, Sengoku had often turned a blind eye.
But as his opponent for over a decade, he knew very well what kind of man Whitebeard was.
The 1st and 3rd division commanders had been Whitebeard's brothers for decades.
The 5th division commander, Vista, was also a godson Whitebeard highly valued.
Now all of them had been killed by Rosse. Regardless of the reason, Whitebeard would definitely seek revenge.
"Killing indiscriminately? Our World Government doesn't plan to let him off either. Plotting in secret to kill a Celestial Dragon? He can wait to be killed by the Gods Knights," Rosse sneered coldly, and seemingly casually added in an angry tone, "Don't be afraid to hear this, this time the World Government deployed 3 members of the Gods Knights, at least 5 CP0, all to completely eradicate the Whitebeard Pirates. Even if they hide in member nations, they'll slaughter those nations clean as well."
At these words, Kuzan's expression tightened, Sengoku and Garp also showed changing expressions, their eyes flickering, thoughts unknown.
Rosse pretended not to see any of it. He had said all this intentionally.
If these people didn't spread the information, he wouldn't have a good excuse to stir up more trouble.
He wasn't expecting Kuzan and the others to do anything. As long as they found their own reasons and didn't participate in this Buster Call, that was enough.
Of course, if Kuzan and the others outright refused to participate, causing the Marine to shut down operations, then Rosse would have an even better excuse to remain at Marine Headquarters, refusing the Buster Call under the pretense of "reorganizing the Marine."
By that time, the World Government would have to mobilize the Gods Knights and CP to carry out the Buster Call, and who knows, Rosse might bury a few more of them at the seafloor.
And the person truly meant to connect with the pirate forces and deal a fatal blow to the extermination squad, would naturally be someone else.
"All right, let's vote. Those willing to participate in this Buster Call, raise your hands," Kong, seeing Rosse had nothing more to say, swept his gaze across the crowd below and began getting to the point.
Carrying out a Buster Call on Fish-Man Island was no simple matter.
Even though the island was already under Rosse's control, it was precisely because of that control that added uncertainty.
The Marine that supported Rosse naturally wouldn't go. And the Marine that didn't support Rosse but still participated in the Buster Call, they had to consider the issue of personal safety. Anyone who had made it to the Marine high command understood such things clearly.
So after Kong expressed his thoughts, the whole meeting room fell into silence.
Kuzan and Sengoku and the others not only thought Rosse might pull something secretly, they also didn't like carrying out the Buster Call in the first place, so of course they wouldn't raise their hands.
The rest of the Vice Admirals had even less desire to be cannon fodder. Even those who didn't like Rosse didn't want to go die.
"Since no one agrees, then I'll issue the order. This is the decision of the World Government. I have no choice," Kong showed a bitter smile. Though his face looked troubled, he had more or less expected this outcome.
Ever since Rosse supported Sakazuki and he himself was confirmed to become the Commander-In-Chief, he had essentially been half-side-lined in the Marine.
Sakazuki's faction didn't listen to him at all, and with Rosse standing right here, he couldn't even issue direct orders.
He did have a few direct subordinates, but for something this thankless, he couldn't choose them.
So the ones to suffer would be Sengoku and the others.
"Sengoku, Kuzan, Tsuru, Garp, you four will be in charge of this Buster Call," Kong named them directly.
"Aren't we one short?", Tsuru asked cautiously, usually a Buster Call was led by five Marine officers of Vice Admiral rank or above.
"I will personally lead the team," Kong's firm voice rang out. This time he planned to go in person..He was about to be promoted, and needed to show some achievement.
Also, if he didn't go, who knew what kind of mess Sengoku and the others might cause?
He wasn't afraid of Rosse targeting him, if Rosse truly didn't want the Buster Call to proceed, he would've contacted him in advance.
In this situation, this was already the best option.
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