New World, Merveille.
Several islands floated high in the sky, thousands of meters above the sea, aligned like a chain in the clouds. This had once been the territory of Shiki.
After Roger's death and Shiki's imprisonment, the New World was divided among the remaining powers. Big Mom had traded with Sakazuki to fill in the territorial gaps, taking eight of these floating islands. The others housed Marine branches.
However, the Marines had the Red Line at their back. Reinforcements arrived too quickly. Shiki had only managed to seize two islands before their forces came, forcing him to retreat.
Now, looking at the ten islands suspended in the air, his eyes narrowed.
"Almost there," he muttered.
Merveille had long been altered by his accelerated cultivation experiments. The place was devoid of human life. The land was crammed with massive beasts fighting one another in bloody chaos. The island's ecosystem was already ruined. No more resources could be harvested. Even his research team, including Dr. Indigo, had been dealt with.
Time was running out for him and he no longer dreamed of ruling the world. All he wanted now was to plunge it into a war so terrifying that the memory would never fade.
He raised his right hand, and the ground of Merveille began to split a hundred meters below the surface, breaking into ten colossal fragments that rose into the air. The sudden collapse sent numerous huge beasts tumbling from the crowded surface into the sea far below.
Ignoring them, he waved again. The ten fragments, each teeming with beasts, drifted toward the ten floating islands. The creatures crashed down onto the islands, their starving eyes quickly locking onto the people living there.
The strong fighters of those islands had already been eliminated by Shiki. What remained were weak pirates, marine soldiers, and civilians who became prey for the ravenous monsters.
A cruel smile spread across his lips. "Eat. Eat to your fill. When you're done, let this land be drowned in disaster."
But before that, there was still one more thing to do.
* * *
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The setting sun was blood red, its color unsettling.
Bzz! Bzz! Bzz!
"Alert! Alert! Target is the Golden Lion!"
"All warships at the port are under his control!"
"Tend to the wounded!"
"Evacuate the port!"
High above the headquarters floated a ship bearing Shiki's flag. Below it, several Marine warships floated awkwardly, soldiers tumbling from their decks into the sea.
Kong burst out from the fortress, leaping to its highest point. Zephyr and Morris also rushed over from the academy. The rest were vice admirals, eyes fixed on the sky, ready for anything.
Gathered together, the officers furrowed their brows as Kong spoke in a deep voice, "That damned Shiki. He knows how to pick his moment."
In the air, at several hundred meters, Shiki's ship was little more than a speck. The few in the base capable of reaching him instantly were away. Those present were all masters of close combat, stationed here for defense. By the time they got up there, he could easily escape.
Kong's fists turned pitch-black with dense Armament Haki, the energy swirling like a storm. He aimed upward and unleashed them like twin black arrows toward the sky.
Zephyr glanced at the warships hovering over the port and said, "We should focus on bringing these ships down first. All at once."
Morris murmured, "Such a troublesome ability."
Then in a flash, he vanished. One by one, the vice admirals charged toward the port.
From a thousand meters above, Shiki watched their movements and sneered. "This is only the beginning."
His Conqueror's Haki rolled out with his voice, covering the entire headquarters. His body rose higher into the air and the blades that formed his legs swung down, sending two golden slashes shaped like arrowheads to meet Kong's attack.
Boom!
The collision exploded in a blast of wind and mist that spread across the sky. With another flick of his hand, the floating warships started to dive, plummeting toward Marineford's fortress. Without waiting to see the result, he turned, guiding his ship toward the Four Blues.
Far higher above, dozens of island fragments floated, following his vessel in the same direction. After he had released the beasts to hunt on those islands, they had devoured every resident. It had been many days since they last ate…
* * *
Marineford, Port.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The diving warships were caught mid-fall by the many arriving vice admirals, who forced the bows down and landed them on solid ground. Even so, buildings were crushed, and a small part of the port was destroyed.
Some ships still had soldiers aboard. They crashed down, their fates uncertain.
"Get the wounded treated! Quickly!"
Carrying a giant warship to the port, Zephyr set it into the sea with a splash that sent waves rolling over the docks.
Another boom followed as Morris hurled a warship into the water. "Couldn't you have just stayed a legend? Damn pirate."
Zephyr's face was grim. "Shiki just attacked Big Mom's territory not long ago. Now he's here at Marine Headquarters. I doubt this is just for show. After years of preparation, he's finally ready to take revenge on the world."
"No matter what, we need to prepare for war." Morris replied with a frown, "Let's head to the fleet admiral's office."
* * *
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Kong sat at the head of the table. Zephyr, Moris, and several veteran vice admirals were gathered. On the desk were three Den Den Mushi, linked to Sakazuki, Sengoku, and Tsuru.
There was no line for Garp. His head wasn't suited for strategic analysis. He'd be assigned tasks when the time came.
Once the report on damages was given, Kong spoke, "Let's hear everyone's thoughts."
Morris shook his head. "It doesn't make sense. If Shiki wants revenge, why make enemies on both sides? Big Mom is hunting him across the seas."
Tsuru's calm voice came from the snail on the left, "Did he leave any message?"
Kong crossed his arms. "Only that this is just the beginning."
Sengoku's voice came from the center, "He's after revenge, that much is clear. But his target… that's harder to pin down."
Kong tapped the table. "That's the problem. We don't know who's next."
From the right, Sakazuki's voice cut in, "Which direction did he head?"
Kong paused, then said thoughtfully, "Toward the Four Blues."
Tsuru's voice followed, "I see."
"That does fit his personality," Sengoku added.
Sakazuki's voice was firm. "I'll go to the East Blue. Evacuate the residents of Loguetown just in case."
* * *
South Blue, The Sweep Fleet.
On his warship, Sakazuki ended the call. He gave a brief order to Bullet and Enel, then summoned a massive magma eagle. Leaping onto its back, he flew into the sky.
The creature's wings and tail spouted searing heat and molten rock. The blazing shape cut through the heavens like a meteor, heading straight for the entrance of Reverse Mountain in the East Blue.
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Hey guys, I posted a new novel. Its a fanfic of Jujutsu Kaisen. Mc is reborn in Zenin clan and becomes Toji's brother. This novel is a bit different as Mc has family and friends and cares about them. But as a Zenin he's still very ruthless and level headed. Anyway, check it out if it interests you.
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