Refined.
Easygoing.
And beautiful.
In an instant, everyone was captivated.
Though she wasn't a goddess they knew well, Dongfang Huaizhu's charm left a deep impression. This was the grace of an Eastern woman.
Dragon rose and laughed. "Thank you for coming, Goddess Huaizhu. Would you like to rest first—or look around?"
Huaizhu turned and glanced at Shirahoshi.
The latter stepped forward. "How is Fish-Man Island now?"
Koala answered happily, "Reporting to the Goddess Shirahoshi: Fish-Man Island has moved from the seabed to the surface, and everyone is living very happily."
Hearing that her homeland was safe, Shirahoshi let out a long breath of relief.
She had no idea how striking she looked. Once upon a time, her body had been enormous—larger even than giants. Now she was the size of a normal human. Her exquisite figure made even Koala, a fellow woman, want to cry with envy.
She could use a little of that kind of soft fullness herself.
Boa Hancock asked next, "What about the people of Amazon Lily? Has the World Government attacked them?"
"That hasn't happened," said Belo Betty, red-clad and grim. "Ever since God descended and turned those marines into dogs of the Faith, the World Government has been limited to sowing discord and stirring up petty trouble."
But at the mention of the World Government, Betty's face darkened further.
Some countries had abandoned the Grand Line. The World Government disguised agents of religion and assassinated many key national officials. If the Eternal Faith's people hadn't discovered it early, there would have been a disaster.
Because of this, Dragon wanted to gather the power of Devil Fruits, summon the goddesses, and destroy the World Government in one stroke—wipe them from history and free the world.
For eight hundred years, they had ruled like butchers.
Betty's homeland had been crushed beneath the Celestial Dragons' heel. Thinking back to the beginning, her expression grew sorrowful.
"At present," she went on, "our Faith controls the Four Seas and the New World in the second half of the Grand Line. A total of 172 countries have joined us!"
Any country recognized by the World Government could attend the Reverie. But if a nation couldn't pay the Heavenly Tribute, it would not be recognized. More than 200 such countries existed across the world—an appalling number.
Those nations had fallen under pirate control or merely struggled to live under greater powers. So it was in the North Blue, where the Vinsmoke family ruled brutally; even pirates paid high taxes. The people had no lives worth the name.
What angered Belo Betty most was that the Vinsmoke patriarch had no humanity at all. He used lineage factors to create cyborg soldiers for war. They were reduced to slaves mining ore. Only a girl named Reiju had any kindness; she now worked within the Faith, atoning for her brothers and father.
So don't imagine the Eternal Faith is "terrible." Understand God's mercy—He saves all beings.
As for those cyborgs, they had no feelings, only orders. They could only be assigned what tasks they were capable of—serving the public, for example. Their lifespans were short, but their combat power was terrifying—far beyond mortals—and they felt no pain.
The three—Dongfang Huaizhu, Shirahoshi, and Hancock—exchanged a look and said in unison, "Then let's destroy the Navy first…"
Since the Navy was the primary fighting force, once it was eradicated and the tasks completed, they could enjoy themselves as they pleased.
Marine Headquarters
As the Eternal Faith rose, marines left the organization one after another.
The reason was simple.
The Navy had long claimed to be the embodiment of justice. And yet—how many foul deeds had they done in secret?
Some upright men resigned on the spot—nearly driving Akainu to madness. Not only mid-level personnel: rank-and-file marines returned to their hometowns in droves.
And the Navy couldn't stop it. Once the last fig leaf was torn away, there was nothing to hide behind.
"What do we do now?" someone muttered. "Our troops are thin as it is. The East Blue has fallen too…"
Akainu (Sakazuki) hung up the Den Den Mushi, his face stormy.
He had become the Fleet Admiral of his dreams.
And had no one under him.
The reserve admiral Fujitora had been sweet-talked away; he now served as envoy guardian of the South Blue. Momousagi (Gion) had gone directly to the West Blue. A Fleet Admiral with not even one general—what a farce!
Kong (Steel Bone) rubbed his temples helplessly. It was truly a thorny mess.
If he had a choice, he would have retired. But he knew too many secrets. The executioners would not permit it.
In fact, he thought the Eternal Faith sounded good—especially their promotional reels: everyone with a field, everyone with work; no oppression, no killing; a joyful, beautiful life. Real freedom, not the false freedom of before.
"Report to the Fleet Admiral," a soldier panted, "news from the Red Line—three holy lights have descended over the East Blue. It seems someone has summoned the goddesses who once ascended to heaven!"
"What?" Akainu shot to his feet, the blood leaving his face. "Are you sure you didn't misread it?"
Kong fixed the soldier with a stare.
The man's mouth twisted. How could he lie about such a thing? That would be suicide. The sky-lights pierced heaven and earth, blindingly bright. Anyone not a fool could see such brilliance wasn't man-made.
If the East Blue weren't not yet fully under control, they wouldn't even have learned of it.
"This is bad," someone murmured. "They're going to launch a general assault."
"What's there to fear…" Akainu bared his teeth in a grin. "If I die by God's hand, I'll die loyal to justice."
He strode out.
Five minutes later, the news had reached the whole world.
The two goddesses who had served God once before had returned at Dragon's summons. Clones they might be, but they represented the will of God.
The final battle in this world was about to begin.
Garp sat in the North Blue headquarters. Hearing his son's words, he sighed. "Go on, then. This old man's more suited to growing flowers and fishing."
They were all familiar faces. He couldn't turn around and strike them. If his son was capable, let him handle it. Beating up grandsons was more fun anyway.
The Straw Hat Pirates were currently in the North Blue. After Luffy's father had blasted aside countless bosses and canceled the pirate era, Luffy had drifted for a while in aimlessness—then rallied his spirit and decided to become an adventurer.
He had promptly been nabbed by his grandpa.
Not just him—the rest of the crew had been dragged here too.
After ending the call, Garp tugged the cloth from Luffy's mouth and said, "Kid, I won't stop you from adventuring. But what comes next will decide the fate of the world. It's not something folks like you or me can join."
Nami jolted and blurted, "They're launching a general attack, aren't they?"
Robin turned to the vice admiral as well.
The old man rubbed his face. "Dragon summoned three goddesses. Even if they're only clones, ordinary people can't resist them."
The world was about to be unified.
They wanted to adventure, to find their own joy. Garp didn't oppose that. But in a tide like this, not joining meant death. So trapping them now was to protect them.
"I don't care about attacks," Luffy shouted. "I just want to be the King of Adventure!"
Thwack.
A fist bonked down on his head.
He didn't even see it coming; his eyes spun.
"Can't even use the three Haki," Garp snorted. "And you want to be a king? Go play in the mud."
This was the age of divine arts—users whose magic and abilities outstripped Devil Fruits and crushed Haki. A kid relying only on a Devil Fruit to bumble through—could he really lock arms with such predators?
A single fart from them would blow him away.
The Straw Hats had been here ten days. Aside from Zoro, who'd grasped a touch of Armament Haki, the others had made no progress. Asked to join the Faith, none would. Since the captain refused, the rest were too embarrassed to join on their own.
But watching a janitor outstrip you… that was hard to swallow.
Most of them were now begging Luffy to join.
Red Line — Twin Cape
Crocus had moved elsewhere. The lighthouse stood abandoned.
Three goddesses hovered in the sky, gazing at the mountain that split the world. They smiled in unison.
Dongfang Huaizhu: "I didn't expect such a sight. Truly, every world has its own customs. No wonder God asked me to come down and look around. It's fascinating…"
Her own world was beautiful, yes—
but it had nothing like this.
She had never imagined a world made of islands, the sea vast and boundless, and this Red Line dividing everything in two.
Shirahoshi smiled sweetly; praise for her home made her heart light.
"Well then," Hancock said, "let's break this Red Line. Which of you will do it?"
In raw strength, Dongfang Huaizhu was the strongest. In attributes, Shirahoshi was water, Huaizhu fire, and Hancock relied on physical skills and her strange petrification. Of the three, she had the least means to deal with such a colossal range of mountains.
"Let me do it," Shirahoshi whispered. "I haven't shown my strength yet."
Ever since serving God, the mermaid's confidence had doubled.
"Just don't overdo it, sister," Hancock said dryly.
"I know."
Shirahoshi reached into the air and drew forth a trident. From below, the endless sea surged into the weapon. A dark-blue sphere blossomed at the trident's tip.
"Go—Tide Fury!"
Her clear voice rang out. The weapon flashed blue, and the sky itself turned dark navy as the light swept forth.