At Marine Headquarters, a Den Den Mushi sat waiting. It rarely rang, but whenever it did, it heralded a call for destruction.
Today was one of those really unlucky days.
Ten warships, the largest in the Navy, were lined up along the shores of Marine Headquarters.
Two rows of elite Marines with many years of experience stood at attention from the entrance all the way to the harbor, saluting.
Rookie Marines were not allowed to participate in a Buster Call due to the risk of desertion. As if that formation weren't enough, five imposing men walked past the Marines toward the warships.
The chosen ones were:
Vice Admiral Strawberry.
A man who liked to keep his eyes closed, wearing a cap and sporting a long black beard that reached his abdomen.
Vice Admiral Yamakaji.
He enjoyed smoking a large cigar and always wore a smile.
Vice Admiral Doberman.
A stoic man with numerous X-shaped scars across his face.
Vice Admiral Onigumo.
He had long, unkempt hair, wore a Roman-style helmet, possessed a fierce face, and was a firm believer in Absolute Justice.
Lastly, Vice Admiral Momonga...
Who seemed to be the only one troubled by what they were about to do. Even so, he would carry it out because that was how a Buster Call worked, and that was how the Marines operated.
'We're truly hypocrites...' Momonga thought.
Some of them were indifferent to the coming massacre, while others wore determined expressions, ready to fulfill their mission. Only Momonga felt conflicted, yet he would still obey the order.
The five men boarded the warships and headed toward the Gates of Justice. Once they passed through, they would enter a current that would carry them to Enies Lobby much faster than ordinary sailing.
From there, reaching Water 7 wasn't difficult.
(Some time later)
"What's Momonga doing?!" Onigumo asked with a frown.
The other Vice Admirals noticed that Momonga's warship was moving unusually slowly compared to the others, forcing them to reduce their own speed.
Momonga was doing it on purpose, hoping Sengoku would somehow convince the Five Elders. However, his efforts were futile, as Sengoku hadn't even been able to contact them.
....
(Holy Land, Mary Geoise)
This place, regarded as sacred, was where the Celestial Dragons, also known as the World Nobles, resided.
It was said that the life of each of them was worth more than an entire kingdom. If one of them was provoked, they could even mobilize an Admiral to eliminate their enemies.
Among these false gods were five elders known as the Gorosei, the highest authority within the World Government—or at least, that was the common belief. In secret, they answered to Imu, the true sovereign who occupied the Empty Throne.
Each of them held the title of "Warrior God" (or minister) over a specific domain.
"Hey, Spandam activated the Buster Call," said Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
He was the Warrior God of Science and Defense.
He had a beard, a large scar near his eyebrow, and usually carried a cane.
"What an idiot. I knew it was a mistake to give him that power," commented Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of the Environment.
He was the tallest among them, with long hair and a prominent beard and mustache. He oversaw environmental matters and large-scale information control.
"Where? Enies Lobby?" asked Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice.
A bald old man with an enormous mustache and a scar on his forehead. He was responsible for matters concerning justice, law, and judgment.
"No, he did it in Water 7," replied Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, known as the Warrior God of Finance.
He was also bald, wore glasses, and carried the Shodai Kitetsu. He had the appearance of a Yakuza and was the only one who didn't wear a suit.
"It's a shame to lose Water 7, but at least we won't have to worry about the Revolutionary Army obtaining Pluton's blueprints," said the last elder.
He was Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture.
A tall blond man who looked relatively younger than the others and had a scar across his neck.
"And while we're at it, we'll get rid of that little nuisance called Allen Walker," Mars added.
"I would've liked to study that ship of his, but it can't be helped," Saturn said.
After those words, the five elders fell silent.
The Gorosei treated an incident destined to kill tens of thousands of innocent people as though it were barely worth discussing, and Allen as nothing more than a minor annoyance.
Nothing else could be expected from a group of soulless old men who allowed the World Nobles to treat ordinary people like toys and pets.
....
Some time later, and inevitably, the Buster Call reached Water 7.
The beautiful City of Water was about to be destroyed. Even so, both the Marines and the Vice Admirals wore resolute expressions.
The people of Water 7 looked into the distance at the enormous Marine warships. They were twice the size of ordinary ships and carried triple cannons on their bows. Even their cannonballs were far larger than normal ones.
They were weapons, not ships...
The people began to panic without understanding why, but it made sense. It was the equivalent of seeing tanks advancing into a city.
As the people began retreating from the harbor, a young man stood before eleven women. Among them, Hina and Tashigi wore grim expressions.
Allen hadn't spoken a single word of hatred toward the Marines. He hadn't tried to convince them to hate the uniform they wore. He had shown them a different perspective, one where they could witness with their own eyes the side of the Marines that usually remained hidden.
"It looks like Sengoku couldn't stop this after all," Allen smiled. "Well, he's just another servant of the World Government."
Robin was still slightly nervous, but Nami and Nojiko, standing beside her, encouraged her with reassuring smiles.
"You all stay here," Allen ordered.
"Wait, we're coming too!" Uta exclaimed with a serious look.
"That's right!" Mikita shouted enthusiastically, eager to help Allen.
"Not this time. It's not that you can't fight Vice Admirals..." Allen laughed before putting on a mocking smile. "But this... this is my fight."
Allen walked to the edge of the rocky shore and crouched down, placing his hand on the water.
"This is a declaration. Not against them, but against those old bastards! Not just because they're my enemies, but because of everything they've done... including making my sister cry!" Allen's gaze sharpened.
"...!" Robin's eyes widened.
"ICE AGE!"
A freezing current spread as fast as lightning. It reached the warships, which were violently shaken before coming to an abrupt halt.
Many Marines lost their footing and fell, while the Vice Admirals, all of whom possessed Observation Haki, immediately went on high alert as they witnessed what had caused it.
The sea, which moments earlier had been filled with rough waves beneath the distant storm clouds, was now frozen solid from the shores of Water 7 to far beyond the horizon.
"Impossible!" Doberman exclaimed.
"Why is Aokiji stopping us?!" Onigumo shouted.
"This... this can't be Aokiji!" Momonga said as a bead of sweat ran down his cheek.
In this world, there were only two people who possessed the powers of the Hie Hie Fruit.
One was Admiral Aokiji.
The other was...
Momonga refused to believe that possibility. Even though Allen could copy abilities, he had never matched the original owners. Even when he used Galaxy Impact or the Gura Gura power, they had never reached the level of Whitebeard or Garp.
A voice rode the wind and reached Momonga's ears.
"Momonga... so we finally meet."
The Vice Admiral looked into the distance. He recognized that voice.
How could he forget it when it had only recently been used to scold him?
Roughly a mile away, a figure appeared.
It was a young man with hair as white as the ice beneath his feet. His silver eyes carried both charm and danger, while the confident, carefree smile on his face was visible even from that distance.
Completing the image, a black cape fluttered behind him, contrasting with his white hair, while a sword rested at his waist, drawing everyone's attention.
"Allen Walker!" Momonga shouted fiercely.
He was here!
Not only had the white-haired devil not fled...
He had chosen to face them!
This was a Buster Call!
Ten warships!
Five Vice Admirals!
Despite all that, Allen Walker shamelessly stood before them!
"Fire!" Doberman shouted. "The Buster Call cannot be stopped!"
"Everyone, fire!" Strawberry yelled.
"Fire!" Onigumo roared.
"Fire," Yamakaji ordered.
"Fire..." Momonga said.
The elite lived up to their name. The Marines didn't hesitate. The massive cannons aboard the warships turned toward Allen and fired.
Twenty cannonballs shot through the air.
The projectiles fired by these ships were much larger and far more destructive than ordinary cannonballs.
They struck the place where Allen stood with the force of lightning, shattering the ice beneath him.
The barrage didn't stop. The Marines participating in the Buster Call were like machines, reloading and firing again and again without pause until ordered otherwise.
As for ammunition, there was no shortage. Each warship carried thousands of shells.
The rain of death continued pouring down upon Allen, who was no longer visible, hidden behind the smoke and flames rising into the sky.
"There's only one thing I'd like to know," Allen said calmly from within the explosions, his voice heard only by the Vice Admirals. "Don't you feel even a shred of remorse for trying to kill everyone in Water 7?"
The Vice Admirals wore grim expressions.
It was obvious that the bombardment was useless.
None of them answered Allen's question. They hadn't come to talk. Their mission had to be completed at any cost.
So they ordered the barrage to cease.
When the smoke cleared, Allen was standing in midair above the shattered ice without a single scratch.
"You don't have to answer," Allen said before his eyes flashed with disgust. "Just come, you Celestial Dragons' dogs!"
The Vice Admirals leaped from the ships and rushed forward, leaving blurs in their wake. Every one of them possessed Haki. Every one of them had mastered Rokushiki. Every one of them was a powerful Marine veteran.
And every one of them was facing a brat who, only a few months ago, had been nobody.
The first to reach Allen was Doberman, who drew his sword.
Allen blocked the attack with his arm.
Doberman swung twice more, but after realizing it was useless, he coated his blade with Haki, turning it jet black, and attacked once again.
For an instant, the world stood still...
"You know, I don't hate the Marines. But there are people within them who leave me completely indifferent..." Allen extended his hand and caught the sword blade barehanded.
Doberman's pupils shrank.
Allen smiled, tightened his grip, and shattered the sword. Meanwhile, his other fist clenched, became coated in Haki, and turned jet black, but that wasn't all—a red aura enveloped his fist.
Without hesitation, he struck.
Unlike Rob Lucci, Doberman managed to react, raising his Haki-coated arm in front of himself.
But Allen's punch carried overwhelming strength and even stronger Haki.
It shattered Doberman's arm, pierced through his Haki, and devastated everything in its path, inflicting severe internal injuries.
Doberman vomited blood before being launched backward.
He crashed into a warship, smashing through its hull and bursting out the other side.
"Doberman!" Onigumo shouted.
Momonga felt a chill run down his spine.
Was that Advanced Conqueror's Haki?
No...
The man calmed himself.
It was Armament Haki.
However, those capable of using it like that were people on the level of Garp or Aokiji.
"What? You're not coming?" Allen mocked, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. "Then I'll come to you!"
Momonga tried to warn them.
"Everyone, be careful! Allen Walker has become even stronger!"
Onigumo summoned his multiple hair-made arms, each wielding a sword.
"Vice Admiral, have you ever been punched at the speed of light?" Allen asked.
By the time Onigumo's Observation Haki detected Allen's fist...
It was already an inch from his face.
"Dam—"
The punch was unavoidable.
The bones in Onigumo's face shattered into pieces, and he was launched away so quickly that the elite Marines didn't even realize what had happened until he crashed into a warship.
"Onigumo!" Yamakaji shouted.
Before he could move, Allen appeared beside him.
His fist was infused with the power of the Gura Gura Fruit.
"Smoking while facing the World King is pretty disrespectful, don't you think?" Allen mocked before his punch slammed into Vice Admiral Yamakaji's side.
The air fractured as space itself distorted.
Everything began to tremble. The warships' hulls cracked. Their masts snapped. The soldiers were thrown off their feet by the shockwave.
Momonga and Strawberry stared in horror at the destruction of the Buster Call caused by a single attack from Allen. Then they realized something terrifying.
That Gura Gura attack...
Was on the same level as Whitebeard's!
Yamakaji, with his white eyes, fell to the ground.
...
Several miles away from the battlefield, another ship had become stranded.
It belonged to Doll and Gion.
The two women had tried to arrive in time, but it had been impossible. And when they learned about the Buster Call, they couldn't help but curse whoever had been responsible.
"Damn it! Why did Aokiji freeze the sea?!" Doll cursed as she smashed the ice trapping their ship.
"I don't think it was Aokiji..." Gion said worriedly as she also shattered the ice to continue toward Water 7. "He should be at Headquarters, preparing for the war against Whitebeard. Even old Garp was summoned."
"Then who did it?!" Doll shouted.
Her words suddenly stopped.
Her expression turned to disbelief.
"It can't be..."
At that moment, a deafening explosion echoed through the area, and everything shook.
The two women exchanged glances before abandoning the ship and running across the frozen sea toward the battle.
But when they arrived...
They were completely stunned.
Allen was holding Momonga by the throat while stepping on Strawberry's head.
"Momonga-san!" Gion exclaimed as she drew her sword.
"Let them go, Allen Walker!" Doll shouted, ready to fight.
"Gion... Doll..." Momonga said, blood spilling from his mouth as he gripped Allen's arm with the last of his strength. "Run! This man... HE'S ALREADY AT THE LEVEL OF THE PIRATE KING!"
Gion and Doll's eyes widened in disbelief.
Allen smiled at them as invisible pressure poured from his body.
"I'm sorry, ladies, but in my name and under my authority, no one will destroy Water 7," Allen declared as he released his Conqueror's Haki.
The entire sky turned crimson.
The clouds were swept away.
Black lightning streaked across the heavens.
The elite Marines participating in the Buster Call couldn't endure it and collapsed unconscious.
Even Gion and Doll, who were far stronger than the others, staggered backward and nearly fell to their knees.
"Impossible!" Doll gasped.
"No way..." Gion said with difficulty.
"Nothing is impossible for someone like me," Allen smiled with a hint of charm.
Physical: Level 852 (1,617,000,000)
Observation Haki: Level 1210 (1,210,000,000)
Armament Haki: Level 2210 (2,210,000,000)
Conqueror's Haki: Level 3000 (3,000,000,000)
After investing six billion of his twelve billion into his own strength, Allen had truly become a monster on the level of Roger, Whitebeard, and Garp in their prime.
Of course, there were, and had been, beings in that world who surpassed even that level.
But to ordinary people...
Allen had already reached the summit of the world.
====
A/N: I just realized that the message of this arc is, "If you want to defeat the corrupt government, use the power of money." XD
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