The day, after a night of indulgence, El returo the same pce with Moss, who was carrying another Celestial Dragon for the sed exge with the Wover. Just as yesterday, the CP0 agehe iations, with Admiral Kong providing security.

  Everythi smoothly; the Wover showed no immediate signs of breaking their agreement. This time, the ransom included one Logia fruit, one A Zoan, and five additional Devil Fruits. El was especially pleased with the Logia fruit offered, which hihat the Wover's reserves were indeed well-stocked with quality fruits.

  After ensuring the Celestial Dragon was escorted away by medical staff and CP agents, the CP0 agent in charge asked, "When's the exge?" Fleet Admiral Kong also perked up, attentive.

  "Three days from now... But you know what? Let's avoid causing more trouble here on Sabaody." El cast a quice at the isnd. As the guardian of pnt life, he didn't want to see the giant Yarukiman Mangrove, which had endured for tless years, damaged by their skirmishes.

  "We'll do it on Too Isnd."

  El had every reason to expect a fierce battle ime and wahe extra days to fully hone his new queror's Haki coating teique. He was certain his foes would be in for a nasty surprise, but precautions were still necessary.

  "Too Isnd…" The CP0 agent and Kong both frowned. "That's a bit far, isn't it?" The isnd was not close to either Marine Headquarters or the Holy Land of Mariejois, requiring at least four or five days' travel.

  "You'll manage," El replied with a calm smile. "The Wover has enough transport methods, so there's no need for excuses."

  He was sure they would use their flying specialists, and it was likely that the Holy Knights would finally intervene. After all, the Navy had already suffered a setback at his hands once; another defeat, especially of a high-ranking admiral, would shatter the Wover's authority and pluhe seas into chaos.

  In just a few days, news of the Navy's humiliation had sparked a ripple effect. The sea's situation was shifting as pirates grew bolder, spurred by the Navy's deing power. In this short span, pirate activity had surged dramatically, f Navy bases everywhere to scramble aedly call Marine Headquarters for reinforts.

  Despite its impressive scale and millions-strong force, the Navy had always been stretched thin across the vast os dotted with tless isnds. Even with their primary focus on Wover-affiliated nations aories, resources were spread too thin. Most bases had only minimal troops and were often pgued by inefficy. Corruption also drained manpower, as officials reported infted o the Wover.

  Iy, many bases relied on temporary recruits to pass iions, leaving them with as few as a third of their supposed bat-ready forces.

  With the seas "at peace for so long," the Wover began systematically cutting the Navy's budget, aiming to reduce its expenditures. As a result, the Navy, already financially strained, had even less funding allocated to its various branch bases. Unlike Marine Headquarters or the directly managed "G"-branch bases in the Grand Line, many regional bases around the Four Blues struggled with aging or even barely funal ships. Fet new ships—even repg outdated, worn-out artillery was often impossible. Most bases couldn't even affur training ammunition to keep their bat skills sharp.

  If the seas remaiable, this wasn't too much of an issue. But with the ret turmoil, bases everywhere were suddenly overwhelmed, struggling just to keep operations running and manage frequent aid requests. Manpower was severely g, and many bases were out of practice. The few remaining operational ships were hard-pressed to respond.

  After ret heavy losses of elite forces, the Navy's resources were stretched thin, leaving Fleet Admiral Hammons William in a state of stant stress. He not only had to allocate troops to fight and quell pirate activity, but also to handle post-battle responsibilities like pensation for the families of the wounded and fallen Navy personnel. Were it not for the urgent demand to prioritize funds for the Celestial Dragons, even Admiral Kong might have had to step in himself to put out fires across the seas.

  "Additionally, you may have the advantage in numbers, but for safety's sake, you only send one person." El crossed his arms and smiled, "If I detect even a hint of ara presenearby...the Celestial Dragons won't leave alive. And don't doubt my resolve!"

  "Absolutely not!"

  The CP0 agents and Steel Bone Kong's expressions shifted immediately, as they loudly rejected El's unreasonable demand. They didn't trust him any more tharusted them. Bringing only one person to face this dangerous oppo was a risk they weren't willing to take. They khis "Fallen Angel" was capable of anything, and he had already killed one admiral.

  "Fine, aside from the medical staff, you bring two people." El raised an eyebrow aured to the medics. "Even with masks on, I've memorized their faces and auras. You 't deceive me."

  "If there's a sira person, I'll execute the hostage immediately."

  "So that's all the ce you've got..." Kong replied with a scowl.

  "You're right," El sneered back. "I have little patience, and I 'hold grudges'. Anyone who crosses me only has oe—death!"

  He didn't o add any further threats; his chilling i was clear. Every agent, soldier, or officer ected to the manhunt against his family would not escape his vengeance.

  Each time the Intelligence Sally gave, he reviewed the list of those involved, every single name found on it, especially high-ranking officers, had been marked for retributioirement? A peaceful life? That was a delusion.

  "You—"

  Kong's expression darkened, fully aware of what El meant: the Fallen Angel's vengeance wouldn't end here; this was only the beginning. Even Ko a chill run through him. If they couldn't stop this creature soon, El would bring about eveer chaos.

  "El, the Wover won't agree to su unreasonable dition," the CP0 agent said firmly. "If you were to suddenly turn hostile, we would have little recourse to protect the Celestial Dragons."

  "How about this," El replied calmly, his gaze unwavering. "You bring yourself along as well. But no more."

  He could tell the CP0 officer was formidable, yet likely not much strohan the current Sengoku arp. Certainly no match for Linlin. He was fident they could ha.

  Bleam