Akainu intended to immediately eliminate these two unstable factors (Moria and Doflamingo) right at the scene.
However, Sengoku waved his hand and said: "Enough, Akainu. We can't blame them. The pressure from the Gold List's first rank is indeed too strong. If he really interferes in this war, most likely even we only have two choices: die on the battlefield or immediately flee. There's absolutely no room for negotiation."
There was one more thing Sengoku hadn't told everyone present: the fact that the Gorosei had actually been seriously injured by the Gold List's third rank, and even Imu didn't dare show himself.
The news about Imu not daring to appear wasn't written in intelligence reports, but with his intelligence, Sengoku could guess it himself. If his strength was equal to or stronger than the opponent, how could Imu not appear?
This only showed that the Gold List's third rank's strength had reached a level that made even Imu feel very fearful. If third rank was already that strong, then first rank...
Sengoku didn't dare say it. Once he said it, fighting spirit would waver. Never mind the Shichibukai—even on the Marine side, defectors would most likely appear.
Silence enveloped everyone there.
Especially the Shichibukai; they who originally intended to help the World Government fight pirates now began to waver again after witnessing the appearance of the figure suspected to be first rank.
They weren't loyal followers of the World Government; there was no point fighting to the death for them. If the situation worsened later, they would definitely choose to save themselves.
The pirate world changing rulers wouldn't affect them much. Even if they really couldn't survive here, with the merger of the Three Worlds, they could go to other worlds. With their strength, as long as their ambitions weren't too great, dominating one area to become a minor king wasn't a problem.
Aokiji suddenly spoke up: "Fleet Admiral, I remember the Gold List previously released a wanted order. As long as someone can find information about the Gold List's first rank, they'll get a reward..."
Sengoku's eyes immediately sparkled, he nodded: "I don't know if this counts as obtaining first rank information, but this is a good opportunity to verify this first rank's authenticity!"
Aokiji's words reminded Sengoku. Immediately, the group entered the Live Room and spread the information they obtained.
[Sengoku: "We have found an existence strongly suspected to be the Gold List's first rank in Sabaody. His purpose is unknown. He wears a black robe so his face isn't visible, but his strength is very extraordinary. In just one encounter, he succeeded in subduing Enel (50th rank) who just descended from the sky. His abilities are unknown, but he was seen able to produce a very large energy giant, and with one hand gesture, he can change the world's weather...]
[Whitebeard: "What? You found first rank's existence? Are you just trying to scare us because we're about to attack Mary Geoise? Or are you just trying to deceive the Gold List to get rewards?]
[Saitama: "First rank appeared? In Sabaody? Is he still there? I'll go there right away!]
[Sengoku: "...He said he'll still stay for a while. If you go now, you still have a chance to meet him.]
Sengoku held a grudge against this third rank. If not for this person seriously injuring the Gorosei, the Marine side wouldn't have suddenly lost so much peak combat power.
However, he couldn't say it openly; if Saitama himself didn't say it, Sengoku couldn't possibly leak such important information to Whitebeard's group.
After waiting about ten minutes, the Gold List finally gave a reaction.
[Successfully obtained information about the Gold List's first rank. Rewards will be given to the following personnel:]
[Sengoku]
[Gold List Reward: Invincible Golden Body (Consumable item; in invulnerable status for ten minutes, cannot be killed, and attack power increases 300%).]
[Garp]
[Gold List Reward: Hero Soul Lantern (Can absorb the souls of fallen heroes into the lantern to be purified, and can be summoned back as Heroic Spirits to fight with 80% of their original strength. Note: If a Heroic Spirit dies again, their soul will be completely annihilated. Use wisely).]
[Akainu]
[Gold List Reward: Golden Crow Holy Body (Possesses true sun fire, fire power increases 200%, and can transform into a Golden Crow bird).]
[Kizaru]
[Gold List Reward: Golden Light Clone Art (Can create countless light clones. Has no attack power, but cannot be distinguished from the real one. Where there is light, there is your shadow).]
[Aokiji]
[Gold List Reward: Space Freeze (Extreme ice power that can freeze space for three seconds. In frozen space, only thoughts can move, everything else stops. However, if the power difference is too great, the opponent can forcibly break free).]
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This series of Gold List rewards truly dazzled the eyes.
Not only Marine officers and Shichibukai, even Enel who was following that black-robed figure received rewards.
Golden light streams fell from the sky into each recipient's hands. The world instantly became chaotic. Everyone felt envious to the point of almost going crazy.
Extraordinary!
Just by finding first rank's traces and providing seemingly trivial information, they could get such mysterious rewards.
Everyone began to speculate with extraordinary shock.
What kind of figure actually is this first rank, that even the Gold List is so fearful of him?
Just to obtain information about him, the rewards given were so abundant.
Speculation arose that this first rank might be a figure equal to that mysterious Gold List.
At the same time, aboard the Moby Dick in the pirate fleet heading to Mary Geoise. Whitebeard and other high-ranking officers sat together in silence.
After a long while, Whitebeard sighed: "Unexpectedly at a time like this, that group got Gold List rewards again. Their combat power needs to be recalculated. This will be a very heavy war!"
Roger replied: "Why do I feel this Gold List deliberately wants to make the chaos even bigger? Is this first rank really that strong that even the Gold List is so wary?"
Shiki narrowed his eyes: "Quite possible. A figure that strong but never showed himself for years in the Three Worlds, that alone explains much."
Kaido snorted coldly: "What's there to fear! Even if they get rewards, those who must be killed still must be killed! I want to see how much longer they can hold out!"
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Sitting in a chair at the ship's deck edge, Kaiser stared at the undulating sea surface. He stroked Kuro's (the black cat's) smooth fur and murmured softly.
"Even for information that may not be true, you give rewards. This Gold List is truly interesting. Are you afraid the difference in peak combat power in this war is too great so you can't achieve your goal of 'sowing discord'... Issuing a wanted order just to find me, you really resort to any means huh..."
"Master!"
A shadowy figure appeared silently behind Kaiser. He was Fourth Division Commander Thatch, who should have already been dead.