Looking at the people on the ship who weren't the least bit intimidated and had no intention of avoiding battle, Kizaru shrugged helplessly:
"Ah, unless absolutely necessary, I don't really want to be here either. Fighting isn't the answer, nor is not fighting. What's most important..."
His voice was low: "Even if we defeat you, it won't change the outcome."
"Kizaru, don't speak so proudly."
Moriah's shadow flickered beneath his feet, "For you alone, dealing with us won't be so easy."
Dealing with an Admiral of this level certainly has its differences, but it's definitely not so overwhelming that there's no ability to resist.
In fact, to handle the combined forces of Lily and him, Moriah, forget about thinking in the short term.
"Oh~ I don't intend to start a fight casually either. In Three Phases, your words aside, the 'Sword Princess' is very important, isn't she? If a fight truly breaks out, will the second shot land at headquarters?"
Kizaru extended both hands in a gesture of surrender.
Lily said, "It's better to spend time chatting here than to withdraw the people from Red Harbor to avoid unnecessary casualties. The message has been relayed to you, whether you take action is your choice."
Kizaru didn't hesitate either, raising the black Radio Snail on his wrist, just about to speak when he thought of something, happily pulling out a miniature Radio Snail from his pocket.
"At my age, I originally thought I'd retire if I waited a little longer, but now I still have to do things myself, which is really... terrifying."
As the Radio Snail was connected, he directly instructed: "Moshi moshi, it's Kizaru, withdraw all forces from Red Harbor, get as far away as possible."
"Admiral Kizaru!"
Yamakaji, responsible for answering, didn't understand, "This is the Red Earth Continent, below Mary Geoise, if we suddenly withdraw like this..."
Facing a Pirate retreat, there's actually no problem, but the current location is wrong. Mary Geoise had already been attacked twice in a row, making those above displeased, now those damn Revolutionary Army are running around the Red Earth Continent with their abilities, obstructing logistical support.
If Red Harbor, right below, is also evacuated...
The punishment they'll face will certainly get heavier again.
"This is an order, I'll provide the explanation to Akainu later... But I believe even without explaining, he will understand, alright."
Kizaru finished speaking and hung up the phone, shrugging with a laugh:
"Ever since the calamity forcibly struck Mary Geoise, now everyone seems to think visiting here itself is such an amazing feat, it's really bothersome."
Saying this, he paused, then asked: "Is it really that powerful? This is the Red Earth Continent."
"Just wait and see, won't you?"
Lily glanced at the broadcasting Radio Snail aimed forward, "All of us are waiting, though I haven't seen it, I trust Sage's judgment, don't you trust your friend?"
His friend, of course, was Vegapunk.
"Your words are getting sharper, Sword Princess."
A light flashed on Kizaru's glasses, not looking at her, just turning his head towards Red Harbor, "Really frightening, how much longer?"
"Forty minutes, total duration is one hour."
Lily said, "This time is enough for the Navy to withdraw."
"What about the rest?"
"Sage will handle it."
"What exactly is your intention?"
"Doing business."
Lily said, "Whoever doesn't allow us to do business, we won't let them be stable. Anyone who obstructs Sage's plans won't have a good time either!"
...
"Connected, is it?"
O'hara, Royal Palace.
As the call connected, Sage chuckled, "Which old man is it this time?"
"Norton Sage."
A very unfamiliar voice came from the Radio Snail, not any of the Five Elders.
Upon hearing the voice, Sage paused, "Who are you?"
"New Saturn, Scientific Defense Martial God, Figarland·Garling, you may call me Saint Jalin." The voice from the other end of the Radio Snail was very steady.
Sage was taken aback: "Saturn? What happened to Saturn?"
"Naturally insufficient talent, willingly stepped down, so I took over."
The form of the Radio Snail configured by Figarland·Garling turned into a shape presenting crescents both above and below, "From today on, I'll be accompanying you."
"Hehe, really curious! Can you old immortals even step down? How do you step down? Go home to farm or be planted as fertilizer? I didn't expect in my era to see a change in the Five Elders."
Sage chuckled softly, "Figarland? Never heard of, a family of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon? I always thought the Five Elders weren't considered Heavenly Celestial Dragons, seemed I was mistaken, chosen from the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, huh. Among the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, there are elites, too weak ones can't take that position."
People are changeable, Heavenly Celestial Dragons naturally aren't exceptions, there are Celestial Yakshas who fall after descending from the heavens, and there are Heavenly Celestial Dragons who learn of the world's injustices to improve things, through environmental training, even Heavenly Celestial Dragons can become powerful.
So powerful Heavenly Celestial Dragons are not unexpected.
The only thing regrettable is Saturn.
That old man, to be frank, as a fellow member of the Sage family, he was quite appreciated, at least when it came to getting things done with sophistication.
According to what Vegapunk said, the conditions offered were stringent but indeed presented on the surface. If accepted, he would accomplish what was required by the conditions.
For example, the deal with Kuma, all directly negotiated demands, Kuma was told he would become a human weapon, the price being his daughter's illness cure, if stated, it would definitely be adhered to.