Following the man's gaze, atop the summit of the Red Line, a vast open space outside Mary Geoise was heavily fortified with troops.
From the aerial view on screen, dense clusters of Marine soldiers stood like an indistinguishable swarm of ants across the Red Line's peak.
Their faces taut with vigilance and awareness.
At the outermost perimeter, numerous Cannons had been deployed.
Even along the sheer cliff faces, metallic gun barrels of various designs gleamed ominously.
At Mary Geoise's entrance the Five Elders stood upon a crimson monolith, their fervent eyes fixed on the churning sea of clouds beyond.
This critical position was personally guarded by them.
Encircling the Five Elders were the Marine's primary combat forces:
Commander in chief Kong, Fleet Admiral Akainu, the three Admirals Kizaru, Fujitora, and Ryokugyu, along with Sengoku and Garp.
These figures were strategically positioned—neither clustered nor overly dispersed—maintaining optimal tactical spacing.
Sixteen Vice Admirals divided into four squads guarded key locations, directing their subordinates for the impending battle against the Revolutionary Army.
Zooming further out, the crimson earth bore rows of Vegapunk's latest-model Pacifistas.
No longer resembling Kuma, these new units had brown skin, white hair, black wings, flaming backs and star-shaped pupils—some emitting beams from their palms, others wielding swords capable of using advanced swordmanship.
Their bodies were indestructible, immune even to artillery fire.
Each of the Seraphim possessed formidable strength, any single one rivaling a Warlord's combat prowess.
"My god!"
"Is this the World Government's true might?"
"These troops on the Red Line wear not just wearing Marine uniforms, but also distinctive attire from Enies Lobby and Impel Down!"
"Must be nearly 200,000 peoples!"
In the plaza, a man gasped audibly, visibly shaken by the screen's display.
"Not just that—look! There are soldiers from other nations too! Their armies seem conscripted for this war!"
"This will dwarf the scale of Marineford war!"
"I wonder how Bob's Revolutionary Army plans to attack the World Government!"
Spectators fixated on the screen while feverishly debating the situation.
To them, Mary Geoise represented the World Government's final stronghold.
Such impregnable defenses would challenge even Bob's forces to gain footing here.
Because the World Government would stake everything on this decisive battle.
...
Meanwhile, at Mary Geoise's periphery on the Red Line...
Unaware—or indifferent—to global sentiments, the World Government's forces maintained razor-sharp focus on the swirling white clouds encircling the ten-thousand-meter summit.
"Commander Kong!"
"Is broadcasting this worldwide truly wise?" Vice Admiral Tsuru stood among the officers in a relatively safe position, looking at Kong as she asked,
"During the last Summit War, the World Government's reputation was completely ruined!"
"This battle is our only chance to turn the tables. With the live broadcast, everything depends on this!"
Kong's expression was tense as he stroked his goatee, speaking in a low voice.
There was no doubt—this battle against the Revolutionary Army would either end in success or utter failure.
If successful, the Revolutionary Army would be completely eradicated after this day.
The World Government would display overwhelming strength in the global broadcast, reclaiming everything lost in a single battle.
But if they failed, Mary Geoise—along with the Celestial Dragons taking refuge within—would be slaughtered.
The World Government's headquarters would be overturned, and even a worldwide broadcast wouldn't be enough to salvage the situation.
Because the World Government itself would be overthrown.
"Hah..."
"Bob... should be arriving soon."
Not far from Kong, Akainu exhaled a wisp of hot breath through gritted teeth.
His entire body was coiled tight, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
As the Fleet Admiral who had personally experienced Bob's terrifying strength, Akainu harbored not only deep hatred but also fear towards him.
The massive scar across his abdomen was the clearest proof of what Bob had done to him.
"Reports from the special unit!"
"The Revolutionary Army is already advancing towards the Red Line!"
"Now... it's about time."
At the entrance of Mary Geoise, Ethanbaron V Nusjuro, one of the Five Elders, spoke with a grim expression.
The CP0 agents scouting the Revolutionary Army's movements at the outermost perimeter maintained constant contact via Den Den Mushi.
Not long ago, they had reported the situation beyond the Red Line—a massive fleet was now closing in on them.
"It's not just the Revolutionary Army coming!"
"Those damned pirates have shown up again!"
Shepherd Ju Peter shot a glance at Akainu, his voice thick with anger.
"Imu-sama will not fail!"
"No matter how many come, we will annihilate them all here today!"
Jaygarcia Saturn's eyes flashed with determination, his tone turning reverent as he spoke Imu's name.
"Imu-sama... will surely prevail!"
Ethanbaron V Nusjuro gazed at the churning sea of clouds and declared firmly.
Ever since his Shodai Kitetsu had been shattered by Bob during the Summit War, he had not wielded another sword.
Now, the summit of the Red Line had fallen into complete silence.
Whether the heavily armed soldiers, the World Government's elite forces, or even the Five Elders themselves—after their brief exchange, none spoke another word.
All watched their surroundings intently.
The atmosphere was solemn to the extreme.
At the outermost edge, a Marine soldier in uniform scanned the surroundings through binoculars, sweat dripping down his face.
Then—
His unmoving gaze suddenly locked onto a single point.
Through the circular lenses, he saw it—the once-calm sea of clouds now violently surging, as though something within was about to break free and charge forth.