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The Pinnacle of the Red Line. Mary Geoise.
A city in the clouds. Pristine, ethereal, a dream carved from white stone and mist.
This was the seat of the World Government, the home of the Celestial Dragons, the nexus of absolute power and military might.
But today, the dreamlike atmosphere was shattered by the harsh reality of war.
The immaculate streets echoed with the rhythmic stomp of boots. Squadrons of soldiers, both Marine and Army, marched in tight formation, their eyes sharp, scanning every shadow. They were the iron wall standing between the world's "gods" and the chaos below.
In the center of the Holy Land, within the opulent Grand Council Chamber, the apex predators of the World Government had assembled.
The Five Elders.
Commander-in-Chief Kong.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
The Three Admirals.
It was a lineup that spelled doom for anyone foolish enough to challenge it. If the Golden Lion dared to show his face, escape would be impossible. No one on the seas could survive this encirclement.
If Shiki hadn't been the first pirate in eight hundred years to openly declare war on them—to broadcast his intent to the entire world—they never would have gathered such a force for a single man.
But they had to. They had to prove that anyone who stood against the World Government would be crushed without mercy.
In the brightly lit hall, the generals and admirals stood stone-faced, awaiting orders.
All eyes were fixed on a massive screen projected by a video snail.
On it, the Miracle Island, Merveille, tore itself from the ocean, leaving a gaping wound in the sea as it began its ascent.
Shiki was coming. And he was bringing an entire island with him.
At that moment, across the globe, every screen connected to the World Economic Journal's signal displayed the same terrifying image.
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"Gentlemen," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said, his hands clasped under his chin, his expression dark. "As expected, this broadcast is the work of Morgans and the Thunder God Pirates. Their goal is to humiliate us publicly."
There had been rebels before, rats scurrying in the sewers. But this? A brazen, open challenge? It was unprecedented. If they didn't break this rising tide of piracy here and now, their authority would crumble. The people would lose faith.
Shiki had to die.
"Fine..." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro cut in, his eyes cold as glacial ice.
"...If they want a show, let's give them one. Turn on the Navy's cameras. We won't hide. We will execute the Golden Lion in full view of the world. Absolute power is the only rebuttal that matters."
A swift, brutal execution. A display of suppression so overwhelming that the chaos of the last two months would be silenced in an instant.
Sengoku sat below them, his brow furrowed in deep concern. "I fear… it won't just be Shiki. The probability of the Thunder Emperor intervening is extremely high. Kaido vanished from his territory a month ago. And the Revolutionaries have been spotted moving in the shadows of several nations."
"We cannot ignore the possibility of a unified assault."
If it were just Shiki, they would lose some soldiers, maybe a few buildings. Two or three top-tier fighters could hold him. But if Arthur and Kaido joined the fray? The cost would be catastrophic.
The problem was the defense distribution. The top brass of the World Government Army were all tied up protecting the Celestial Dragons. More than half of the Marine Vice Admirals had been deployed for the same purpose.
Those cowardly parasites… almost every single family demanded at least a Vice Admiral for personal protection. If they didn't get it, they threw tantrums that even the Five Elders couldn't suppress. And to make matters worse, the entirety of Cipher Pol Zero—the government's strongest shield—had been recalled to shadow guard the nobles.
If all those forces were on the front lines, crushing Shiki would be child's play.
But because of the Celestial Dragons, Mary Geoise was fighting with one hand tied behind its back. They might actually have to rebuild the city after this.
"Bunch of parasites," Akainu spat, not bothering to lower his voice. He glared at the Elders, uncaring of their status.
"Watch your tone, Sakazuki!" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter snapped. "You are a mere Admiral. You do not have the right to speak so freely here!"
"Have you forgotten your place?" another Elder hissed. "You are just a dog of the World Government."
"Getting walked all over by pirates… have you forgotten whose side you're on?" Akainu sneered, but he fell silent.
He would obey orders, provided they didn't violate his Absolute Justice. But the Celestial Dragons? They did not represent Justice.
"ENOUGH," Kong interjected, crossing his massive arms. "Strengthen the aerial defenses. At Shiki's speed, he will be here in days. A great battle is unavoidable."
The suffocating tension in the room eased slightly, punctuated only by the loud crunch-crunch of Garp destroying a bag of donuts in the corner.
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Three days later.
High noon in one hemisphere, midnight in the other.
The world stopped.
Anyone near a video screen dropped what they were doing. Waking from sleep, pausing their meals, stopping their work.
Pirates, merchants, civilians, kings, underworld brokers—everyone was watching.
The floating island of Merveille had bypassed Marineford. Its trajectory was locked. Target: Mary Geoise.
Civilians prayed for the Government's victory. Merchants prayed for a quick end to the chaos. Pirates prayed for Shiki to put on the greatest show in history.
Wherever they were, whoever they were, the tension was universal.
Madness, worry, fanaticism, excitement… a cocktail of emotions gripped the seas.
The suffocating pressure of the impending clash grew heavier by the second. In Mary Geoise, a hundred thousand soldiers gripped their weapons, sweat stinging their eyes, necks craning upward, waiting for the first sign of the enemy.
On the screens, the colossal island approached, carrying a momentum that seemed capable of crushing the world.
Shiki stood at the highest peak of Merveille. He looked deranged, radiant, a demon god ready to devour the heavens. His eyes were blood-red, burning with a hunger for destruction.
And then…
The clouds tore open.
A massive shadow fell over the Holy Land, blotting out the sun, plunging the city of gods into darkness.
"HE'S HERE!"
"HE'S FINALLY HERE!"
"THE WAR HAS BEGUN!"
From the slums of the Blues to the high towers of Mary Geoise, the world held its breath.
"JIEAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The Golden Lion's maniacal laughter thundered from the heavens, echoing across the entire sea.
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