"Hmph, how unsightly..."
Uchiha Madara gritted his teeth as he looked down at Akihara Kagura.
"..."
Senju Hashirama glanced at everyone on the battlefield and was speechless at Akihara Kagura's actions. He merely shook his head lightly: "I hope they are strong enough..."
This sentence had a double meaning.
He hoped that everyone present would be strong enough in the future and also hoped that these people could be strong enough to face their Suzaku Wooden Man now.
The situation on the battlefield was gradually becoming clear.
With the deaths of three of the Five Elders, the highest combat power of the World Government, the Pirate Emperors of the sea, and even the highest authorities of the World Government, could only barely hold on under the attack of the Suzaku Wooden Man...
Shanks swung his rapier, slashing toward the Suzaku Wooden Man, but instead, he was struck and sent flying by it, even impacting those around him in the process!
The remaining two of the Five Elders, transformed into monstrous bodies, struggled to resist. A sense of immense heaviness weighed on their hearts, and their expressions were notably grave.
"Sigh, we are no match for them..."
Kizaru sighed helplessly, his body dispersing into countless particles of light under the blade's glow. This was not the moment for him to fight desperately.
"This guy..."
Aokiji shook his head, raising his hand to form thick ice walls to block Susanoo's blade energy. He was the one most capable of putting up a defense in this battle.
"Shockwave!"
Sengoku raised his hand, unleashing a shockwave to disperse the weakened blade energy. The golden Buddha took a deep breath, feeling a bit powerless.
"Sengoku..."
A ghostly head suddenly spoke.
"Cover our retreat..."
The two remaining of the Five Elders decided to abandon this battle.
In this situation, they were now thinking of retreating. With three of the highest authorities of the World Government having perished, there couldn't be any more sacrifices!
If even these two died here, the World Government might very well collapse, especially considering they were the channels through which Lord Imu governed the world. Lord Imu needed the assistance of the Five Elders to manage this world!
Moreover...
The future might not be without methods to deal with the Konoha Pirates!
As long as they returned to Mary Geoise, they would immediately fully support the world's foremost scientist, Vegapunk, in his experiments, swiftly creating a weapon to deal with the Konoha Pirates!
However...
That could wait until they were safely back!
"Sengoku."
One of the Five Elders, an old man with a lower body like a spider's eight legs and an upper body resembling a bull's head, turned to give orders: "You and the others cover our retreat. Everyone should immediately withdraw from Sky Island, and you are to arrange the obstruction of their pursuit..."
"..."
The face of the golden Buddha showed some hesitation.
Could the Five Elders truly decide on their retreat? Wasn't this entirely dependent on the Konoha Pirates' attitude?
However...
The Five Elders didn't care about any of that!
The bodies of these two old men rapidly retreated, not concerned about the lives of the Navy, disregarding anything beyond their continued survival. As long as the World Government remained, the Navy Admiral or even the Navy Admiral Sengoku, could all be reestablished!
"Wait..."
Shanks hurried to stop them.
At least...
They couldn't retreat like this!
Shanks looked at the Suzaku Wooden Man close by and gazed into the distance toward Apayado, anxiety flashed in his heart!
These two old fellows didn't care about the lives of the Navy or the Heavenly Celestial Dragons in Apayado, but if they left like this, he could escape, but what about the Red Hair Pirates, his companions who were waiting in Apayado!
However...
For the two of the Five Elders to escape, they still needed Uchiha Madara's consent!
The Suzaku Wooden Man flapped its wings, its massive body rising into the air like a bird, chasing after the two Five Elders!
However...
At this crucial moment!
Countless lightning bolts gathered, forming a massive Thunder God, blocking the Suzaku Wooden Man's path, halting its pursuit of the Five Elders!
It was Akihara Kagura.
The intention to stop was very clear...
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had killed enough...
With Akihara Kagura's intervention, Sengoku saw the Suzaku Wooden Man halted by the Thunder God's Body and quickly comprehended their message!
The golden Buddha swiftly stepped forward, joining forces with the Admirals Aokiji and Kizaru, firmly blocking the Suzaku Wooden Man from attacking the Five Elders!
"..."
Shanks watched this scene with a heavy expression, biting his lip. Seeing this, he immediately wanted to seize the opportunity to leave, to call his companions for an immediate escape!
As for escape...
As a pirate, Shanks was long accustomed to it!
Yet, the moment Shanks fled, the Thunder God's Body willingly confronted the Suzaku Wooden Man, only to be sliced into countless thunderbolts and dissipated. Akihara Kagura was sent flying backward!
The Navy Admiral Sengoku, Admirals Aokiji, and Kizaru were also assailed by the Suzaku Wooden Man and sent flying away!
However, the Suzaku Wooden Man did not continue its attack on them but directly chased towards Red-haired Shanks, unleashing a sharp slash that cleaved down hard!
The connection between Angel Island and Apayado was severed!
Bang!
The towering Suzaku Wooden Man landed in front of Shanks!