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Abona himself couldn't understand how Anos' voice reached his ears. It was clear that Anos was observing the situation from afar.
But now that events had escalated to this point, why couldn't he just take action and eliminate the opponent outright?
Not far away, Momonga dusted himself off and stood up, his gaze fixed seriously on Abona. He hadn't expected to be defeated during this mission.
The Marines aboard the warship were utterly stunned. No one could have imagined that the renowned Vice Admiral Momonga, a symbol of Marine strength, would suffer defeat in a small corner of the South Blue.
"It's truly shocking that people like you still exist in the South Blue," Momonga said, sheathing his blade. He took a few steps toward Abona, his expression severe.
"Attacking us unprovoked does the Marine Corps intend to declare war on the Tru Kingdom?" Zen interjected coldly, stealing Abona's line.
Momonga smirked disdainfully. "Hmph. I've never seen a kingdom so insignificant dare to challenge the Marines' authority. This is unprecedented."
He paused, then continued in a righteous tone, "I believe your Tru Kingdom possesses something dangerous enough to threaten the World Government and global security. Under the World Government's regulations, we have the right to investigate your nation."
Abona chuckled softly at these words, his demeanour unbothered. "You speak of World Government regulations, but our Tru Kingdom hasn't joined the World Government. As such, your so-called authority holds no weight here."
Momonga was momentarily speechless. No nation in the Grand Line or beyond dared to outright defy the World Government. Yet here was the Tru Kingdom, openly rejecting its authority.
"Do you believe the World Government will let this matter rest?" Momonga's tone grew sharper, and a chilling aura emanated from him. He could not allow a nation capable of threatening Marine power to exist.
"Vice Admiral Momonga," Abona said coolly, "do you truly believe you can act with impunity in the Tru Kingdom? Or that we lack the resolve to eliminate you? Do you think your fleet of ten Marine warships can enforce a Buster Call and escape unscathed?"
Before Momonga could respond, a booming voice echoed across the beach. Anos, seated in the palace hall several kilometres away, spoke with anger, his words carrying effortlessly to the scene.
Momonga instinctively looked around, startled. None of Abona's group seemed to have spoken, which left him deeply unsettled.
The only explanation was that someone even more powerful stood behind the Tru Kingdom.
"This isn't over," Momonga growled under his breath. Though furious, he turned and ascended back to his warship using Geppo (Moonwalk). Standing on the deck, he glared at Abona and his companions.
"Retreat!" he shouted, his voice laced with frustration.
The Marines obeyed without question. They could sense their Vice Admiral's anger and dared not provoke him further.
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Back on the warship, Momonga clenched his fists, gripping the railing so tightly it splintered beneath his hand.
Despite his rage, there was nothing he could do now. This mission had been a failure.
On the shore, Abona and his allies waited until the Marine warship disappeared over the horizon. This marked the Tru Kingdom's first confrontation with the Marines.
However, no one could predict what would come next whether more powerful forces from Marine Headquarters would be dispatched.
For now, the Marines were unlikely to commit a large-scale assault. The New World demanded their attention, a volatile powder keg ready to ignite.
Prioritizing their resources, the Marines were forced to overlook such "distant" threats in the South Blue.
Even with ten warships patrolling the region, not every Marine aboard was exceptionally powerful. A single individual of Admiral-level strength could obliterate the fleet with ease.
As Momonga returned to his ship, he grabbed the Den Den Mushi to report the encounter. Speaking to a superior, he relayed the humiliating events.
"Haha... Momonga, surely you're joking," came the sceptical reply. "Are you telling me there's someone in the South Blue capable of defeating you? Ridiculous!"
"You idiot!" Momonga roared, his temper flaring. "Do you think I'd make something like this up?"
Even among his own ranks, disbelief was understandable. Momonga himself had never imagined encountering someone in the South Blue who could overpower him.
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