"Madara, how many days can you fight now?"
The moment those words were spoken, the deck of the aerospace carrier fell into dead silence.
Shiki's expression turned odd, for he too had heard the joke of the "one-day General."
In fact, it was rather famous across the entire "General circle."
But Shiki felt it was no insult—it was praise.
After all, for a man from another world to reach General level was already astonishing.
But Uchiha Madara himself did not think so.
This was an insult! This was contempt!
His face darkened, fists clenched until they crackled faintly, scarlet eyes brimming with murderous light.
[BOOM!!!]
All of a sudden, a torrent of chakra flames burst violently from Madara's body.
The flight deck beneath his feet, made of high-strength alloy steel, was forced open with visible cracks under the impact of that chakra.
"KAI! DO!"
Madara ground his teeth and roared: "Why don't you try me right now!"
Those crimson eyes locked coldly on the colossal figure stepping off the transport ship.
Though Kaido stood a full five meters taller than him, Madara's aura was in no way lesser.
His stance declared openly: if you want to fight, I'll see it through to the end!
Uchiha Madara might fall in battle, but he would never cower or shrink away!
Yet on the other side, Kaido only laughed heartily at Madara's glare.
"Worororo~~"
"What's this about? I was only saying hello!"
"That day when you passed out, it was me who carried you back to the ship. I thought we were already friends!"
Madara said nothing, his gaze still fixed like steel on Kaido as the man strode closer, while the blaze of chakra around him only grew fiercer.
The next instant—
Senju Hashirama slammed a hand down hard on Uchiha Madara's shoulder, forcing his body still.
"Madara, calm yourself!"
"Hmph~"
Across from him, Kaido tilted the corner of his mouth, watching Madara with a mocking half-smile.
But suddenly his expression changed drastically, for behind him burst forth an aura of terrifying might.
"Kaido, you're getting too arrogant. Uchiha Madara is one of us!"
Kaido turned his head—and there stood Edward Newgate, gripping Murakumogiri, his glare fierce as a tiger's.
"Whitebeard, this has nothing to do with you, does it?" Kaido asked in irritation.
"It certainly does. Madara is a friend both Garp and I acknowledge. If you trouble him further, don't blame me for being rude!"
Newgate's warning was delivered in a cold voice.
Over these past days, Uchiha Madara had been living on Sphinx Island—Newgate's kingdom.
He had trained in taijutsu and Haki under Garp, and often sparred and exchanged words with Newgate, speaking as well of their pasts.
With time, this had formed a strong bond of friendship.
Yet Newgate's intervention brought Madara little joy.
In fact, he somewhat disliked the feeling of being "shielded" by another.
"Kaido brat, this is my flagship. You'd best not cause any trouble here."
At that moment, Shiki suddenly spoke, warning Kaido.
"Hmph!"
Seeing both Whitebeard and the Golden Lion opposing him, Kaido's face darkened. He turned away, saying no more.
Only then did the tense atmosphere return to normal.
Shiki's gaze shifted to Bullet.
"By the way, why did the Army send you here? Where's Sakazuki? Where's Crocodile?"
"What's that supposed to mean? Isn't my presence enough?" Bullet frowned.
"Of course it's not enough. In the world of Falmart, intelligence says there are eleven main gods. Look at us—how many do we have now?"
Shiki's expression all but said, Are you an idiot? Then he turned his eyes to Kuzan. "And you Navy lot—didn't you gain another Admiral? Why didn't he come?"
"Issho only agreed to stay behind on Starfish. We thought that was for the best. After all, Starfish really does need a few Generals stationed there year-round."
Kuzan chuckled, then raised his hand warmly toward Senju Hashirama.
"Yo, we meet again."
Hashirama answered with a broad smile. "It's been so long since we last met."
"All right, enough. Let's head inside—I'll fill you in on more detailed intelligence while we're at it!"
Shiki waved his hand impatiently. As he turned, he muttered under his breath: "Seven against eleven… no idea if it'll work. And the issue of the 'Gate' still isn't solved…"
This time, he was the commander-in-chief. If they lost, it would be far too humiliating!
...
At the mouth of the River Styx in the Underworld of Falmart.
One after another, Nether-ships with sails marked by the emblem of the "Five-Circle Cross" surged forward like endless shoals of fish, flooding into this new Underworld.
Now, as more and more forces poured in on both sides, the battlefield spread rapidly.
From above, one would see that the Underworld stretching a radius of 500 km along both banks of the Styx had already become a hellscape—rivers of blood flowing, corpses strewn in every direction.
The clamor of slaughter, wails, and roars thundered up into the clouds.
All of this—
Was seen clearly by Emroy from within her temple above the mortal clouds, through the glowing screen before her.
Her divine offices encompassed "Darkness," "Death," and "War."
Thus, compared to the other Main Gods, she could step into and peer into the Underworld with far greater ease.
She had begun observing the situation only after sensing Hardy's sudden disappearance.
For that reason, she hadn't seen Hardy's clash with Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo.
Yet she did not rush immediately to support.
Hardy's inexplicable disappearance filled her with unease.
"How could this be? Hardy… where is she?"
Standing below the dais, Rory Mercury stared at the scenes on the glowing screen, her face full of shock.
"I don't know. But one thing is certain—the Underworld no longer holds her presence."
Emroy spoke gravely.
"Never would I have thought that the World Government still had the strength to launch a full-scale invasion of the Underworld. This is troublesome…"
For she was no longer sure whether the "Gate" could truly stop the Underworld from being overrun.
Among them, those capable of "opening" and "closing" the Gate were few.
Besides Hardy, there was herself and Flare.
For they three were the Primordial Gods, divinities birthed directly by the will of the world—
Darkness, Light, and the Underworld.
The other Main Gods had all ascended step by step: from mortal, to demigod, to Main God, under their guidance.
"Rory, notify the cult below at once. Have them prepare for battle. The World Government will not stop with the Underworld!"
Emroy turned away from the brutal scenes on the glowing screen.
Fury burning in her eyes, she gazed far toward the direction of Alnus Hill.
"This World Government is far too overbearing!"
"They have no intention of cooperating with us gods. Since that's the case, we must teach them a lesson!"
"When their main force comes through, I'll shut the 'Gate' and take my time digesting them!"
Rory Mercury nodded, then asked, "What about the Underworld?"
"This…"
Emroy hesitated, then waved her hand. "I'll look into it. You go on ahead!"
At the same time, she thought to herself: I'll talk with Flare later. If the two of us go together, no matter what accidents occur, we should be able to handle them.
"Yes!"
Seeing this, Rory Mercury had no choice but to turn and leave.
Yet the unease in her heart only grew stronger.
...
Alnus Hill.
By order of the High Command, all shinobi squads on outside missions had returned to this auxiliary corps encampment.
Now, Yamanaka Inoichi, Uchiha Tekka, Kurama Unkai, Yūhi Shinku, and many others stood assembled—
Alongside Colonel Bradley and the officers of the Auxiliary Corps.
They were lined up on both sides of the "Ginza Gate," waiting for someone's arrival.
Though thousands strong, the entire field was silent.
Until heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed from within the "Gate."
Soon, a towering figure was the first to emerge into the dazzling sunlight.
"The weather isn't bad. Feels to me like this world is welcoming our conquest!"
It was Shiki, draped in a blue "Justice" coat.
"Hurry up and move forward. It's cramped back here!"
Edward Newgate's disgruntled voice rumbled from behind Shiki.
"Yes, yes, but could you at least show some respect? This time I'm the commander-in-chief!"
Shiki muttered resentfully.
"You command the ones behind you. What's that got to do with this old man?"
Newgate brushed past, snapping back with disdain.
One figure after another stepped out.
The faces of the Auxiliary Corps soldiers and the shinobi of Umigakure lit up with growing excitement.
Seven full general-level powers, gathered together in the world of Falmart!
It was now undeniable to everyone present: the World Government was dead serious.
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