Kaito felt that this incident was most likely inseparable from Imu.
When he left Mary Geoise back then, the aura of the blond Elder also vanished without warning—and very suddenly at that.
If this really was related to Imu, then Kaito truly wanted to see what exactly he was up to.
Kalifa's efficiency was always high. Before long, she had already notified the Vice Admirals still stationed at headquarters. They had received the summons and were heading to the conference room.
After hanging up the last Den Den Mushi, Kalifa looked up at Kaito.
"Boss, everyone has been notified!"
Kaito nodded.
"Kalifa, go back for now. Shalria is really upset over her father's death. You're close to her—keep her company."
Kalifa immediately agreed. After all this time spent together, she had indeed become friends with Shalria. With Shalria going through something like this, she was worried as well.
But the deaths of twenty Celestial Dragons at once was no small matter. With Kaito away, she really couldn't excuse herself.
Kaito knew this incident placed a heavy burden on Kalifa. From one perspective, twenty Celestial Dragons—heads of families, no less—dying at the same time… if word of this got out, the impact would rival that of the Marineford War.
With a swap, he sent Kalifa back, then instantly teleported himself into the conference room.
...
When he arrived, he found Sengoku already waiting.
Now serving as the Navy's Inspector General, Sengoku had plenty of free time. He often wandered around Navy HQ when idle. This time, he must have happened to be in the building.
The moment he saw Kaito, Sengoku quickly asked,
"Kaito, what happened?"
"Something happened in Mary Geoise. Twenty Celestial Dragons—heads of families—are dead."
"Nani?!"
Sengoku was stunned and hurriedly pressed further,
"Do we know who did it?"
"No. Fleet Admiral Kong reported it. He said those twenty Celestial Dragons died very suddenly. Their vivre cards didn't even have time to burn away before they were gone."
At that, Kaito remembered Sengoku's close ties with Kong, and added,
"Inspector General Sengoku, try contacting Fleet Admiral Kong. Ask him what the situation in Mary Geoise is right now."
Sengoku's face turned grim. He nodded, pulled out a Den Den Mushi, and called Kong.
But the Den Den Mushi rang for a long while without anyone picking up.
Sengoku's expression grew darker. Even if Kong himself wasn't around, guards or aides should have answered. It was almost impossible for no one to respond like this.
Kaito paused, then said,
"Put it away. Looks like something's happened on Kong's side too. This is serious."
When everyone had arrived in the conference room, Kaito explained the matter again—this time adding that Kong was now unresponsive.
The room erupted into murmurs.
Aokiji, cautious as ever, offered,
"Should we send someone to investigate first? This reeks of something strange."
Even Kizaru, who usually kept a detached, indifferent attitude, grew serious,
"Vegapunk's been silent for a while now too. This is already severe. How about I make a trip?"
Surprisingly, Akainu—normally the most aggressive—remained unusually quiet. His eyes never once left Kaito.
Ever since the Marineford War, he had become Kaito's staunch supporter, convinced that Kaito would always make the right call.
At that moment, Tsuru spoke up,
"Kaito, what do you plan to do?"
The moment she said this, every gaze in the room turned toward Kaito. They all knew—right now, Kaito was without question the backbone of the Navy. Whatever he said, they would follow.
Kaito swept his eyes across the room, then said in a deep voice,
"I've decided—we march on Mary Geoise!"
As soon as he said it, Akainu was the first to respond,
"I second that! Things have already reached the point where delay is impossible!"
Not just Akainu. The moment Kaito gave the order, the other Admirals echoed him without hesitation.
None of them spared a thought about whether deploying troops to Mary Geoise might anger the World Government.
Because of Kaito, the Navy was now more united than ever. Whether Dove faction, Hawk faction, or moderates, as long as it was Kaito's decision, they would enforce it without question.
A faint smile tugged at Kaito's lips. With a wave of his hand, he declared,
"Good. Notify the entire Navy—we depart immediately!"
...
The Red Line was eerily silent.
Countless figures in black cloaks stood guard at the edges. Among them loomed tall silhouettes clad in cloaks and masks.
The deaths of twenty Celestial Dragons had left the survivors deeply shaken. Other than the kimono-clad Elder, the remaining three Elders had no idea how it happened. They could only mobilize Mary Geoise's forces to guard the perimeter and prevent the situation from spiraling further.
At that moment, the four of them were seated in the grand hall, discussing the matter.
The kimono-wearing Elder held his katana silently. No one knew what was on his mind.
The other three wore grim expressions as they conversed. The flat-hat Elder was the most agitated.
"What the hell is going on here? Twenty Celestial Dragons just dropped dead without a sound? Who has that kind of audacity?"
"I already sent CP0 to investigate. But up till now, there's still no clue."
"Useless trash! And Kong? Why has he vanished too?"
"No idea. We haven't been able to reach him since that day."
"Could it have been him?"
"Impossible! Have you lost your mind? Kong isn't Uchiha Kaito. He's always been respectful toward the World Government."
"Then could it have been Uchiha Kaito?!"
"Unlikely. He did leave that day. And this incident happened only after he was gone."
"Damn it! So twenty Celestial Dragons just die like this? Do you realize how catastrophic this will look if it gets out?!"
"The information's already sealed. I just don't know how the Navy is reacting."
"Hmph! With Uchiha Kaito around, do you think the Navy still listens to us now?"
"Regardless, the Navy is still under the World Government. Should we call on them to help handle this?"
"Are you joking? That would be admitting we're incompetent!"
At that moment, the silent kimono Elder suddenly spoke.
"Enough. Imu-sama is already aware of this. He told us not to rush—he will personally take action when the time comes."
"Nani? Imu-sama will act personally?!"
The other three Elders were stunned.
Before they could even process it, a black-clad man ran in, panic-stricken, shouting,
"My Lords! The Navy is here!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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