The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned tense. It was as if the air itself had stopped moving, and a cold, oppressive presence began to spread. Beside them, Borsalino's smile widened, carrying a meaning that seemed to go deeper than words. Though none of the five elderly gazes were focused on him, he could feel the weight of their scrutiny. It was the weight of the World Government's unshakable 800-year rule—a presence so heavy that a mere glance could make a Vice Admiral's hands tremble.

"Do you gentlemen suspect I deliberately let Daren escape? Is that the doubt you cast upon me?" Kong's expression darkened immediately, and his eyes narrowed in response to the Five Elders' scrutiny.

Saint Saturn's voice was hoarse and cold as he spoke:

"Is that not the case, Kong?"

"Your words just now… were you reminding that brat Daren that his body was nearing its limit? Had you not warned him, with our combined strength..."

"—Were you planning to rely on the 'Immortal Body' to drain Daren's stamina, then launch a coordinated assault to capture him?"

Kong interrupted, his voice sharp:

"I don't believe someone as cunning as him would make such a foolish mistake."

Saint Saturn shook his head.

"It is indeed a risky gamble, but we have the absolute advantage."

Kong's response was a bitter laugh.

"Is that so? Open your eyes, Saint Saturn... This is Mary Geoise, the pinnacle of world power!"

"Yet now it's nearly reduced to ruins!"

"Doesn't that speak for itself?"

"Most importantly, what if Daren really dares to take that gamble?"

"What price would we pay? Hundreds of CP agents and countless Holy Land guards perishing? Forgive my bluntness, but given the combat abilities Rogers Daren has shown, if I hadn't used that rhetoric to force him back, he might very well have killed Saint Figarland Garling right under our noses!"

As he spoke the last sentence, Kong's breathing grew heavy, his anger clearly rising. But the Five Elders' reaction left him frozen in place. Silence... and cold laughter. In response to Kong's challenge, the Five Elders only sneered, not a word escaping their lips. But the disdain and arrogance in their eyes spoke volumes.

Kong understood instantly. As long as Rogers Daren could be eliminated, anyone—including the newly appointed leader of the God's Knights, Saint Figarland Garling—could be sacrificed. That was precisely why Garling had earlier rebuked the Five Elders with such anger and resentment. He had realized the same truth. Indeed, anyone discovering they were being used as a pawn would likely feel the same.

But...

"So, my lords, are you now seeking to hold me accountable?" Kong smiled, his gaze unwavering.

"Should you command it, I'm ready to submit my resignation to the government at any moment."

At these words, the Five Elders froze simultaneously. Noticing this detail, Borsalino's eyes behind his sunglasses gleamed with amusement. Saint Saturn's expression grew visibly stiff, his gaze flickering slightly. Kong resigning?

They exchanged a quick glance, seemingly communicating silently through their psychic link. Silence fell again.

"…We have no intention of holding you accountable, Kong."

After a long pause, Saint Warcury spoke slowly:

"You did indeed consider certain details we overlooked. Saint Garling is crucial to both the government and the Holy Land. Coupled with his role as the newly appointed commander of the God's Knights, we cannot afford any mishaps."

The Five Elders had conceded!

Borsalino's lips curved slightly.

"We have always placed full trust in your loyalty and competence toward the government."

The blond Saint Peter added:

"Had Garling been killed by Rogers Daren during the inauguration ceremony, it would indeed have dealt a devastating blow to the government's dignity and authority."

Kong sighed silently within.

But Your Excellencies, do you truly still cling to the notion that upon these seas... the World Government possesses any semblance of dignity left?

His peripheral vision caught sight of countless CP members and Holy Land Guardians in the distance.

Your Excellencies, do you see?

Even in the eyes of your loyal subordinates, the profound reverence of days past has faded far too much.

Reflecting on this, Kong pressed his lips together. Yet his heart held no triumphant pride over outmaneuvering the Five Elders—only a faint sense of loss.

Gradually, he began to understand.

Perhaps this was precisely that brat Daren's objective.

Through repeated actions—even knowing he could never kill the Five Elders, that any attack would be futile—he still resolutely came to "stir trouble."

His attacks might not have succeeded, but his actions were not in vain.

In truth, much like his overwhelming Dragon Claw, his actions were equally capable of "striking deep into the hearts of men."

He... sought to shatter the unassailable image of supreme authority the World Government had built over the past eight hundred years!

So what of the Five Elders?

So what of the World Government's supreme martial god?

So what of the commander of the God's Knights, hailed as the "strongest Celestial Dragon"?

So what of the World Government and its holy land, Mary Geoise?

Kong could almost see it: the majestic curtain of the World Government's eight-hundred-year reign had been torn open by Daren's sharp dragon claws.

And as time passed, as long as Daren remained alive upon these seas, the World Government's authority and image would continue to crumble!

When the entire world lost its reverence and awe for the Government and the Celestial Dragons, what direction would the world's situation then take?

The more Kong pondered this, the chill that ran down his spine grew stronger.

As a Fleet Admiral, and one of such advanced age, he understood better than anyone what kind of trash and swine the Celestial Dragons residing in their sacred sanctuary truly were.

And how much darkness and corruption lay hidden within the so-called Celestial Dragon regime.

Yet despite this, viewed from the broader perspective, the existence of the World Government and its Member Nations system had indeed reduced the outbreak of large-scale wars worldwide.

In a sense, the government's supreme authority suppressed the restless ambitions of the world's major powers, bringing a semblance of "peace" to the world.

But now, with Daren's ambitions rising, how long could this "peace" possibly last?

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