As Uranus exerted its final energy, pouring it all in, it still couldn't leave the sea's surface.
"What's going on? Why won't Uranus move? It still hasn't left the sea surface!" The control personnel inside panicked.
"Sea Kings… so many Sea Kings!"
Only those outside could see it: dozens of colossal Sea Kings, each the size of mountains, clamping down on the Uranus with their jaws. Those that couldn't find a place to bite simply held onto the others, chaining themselves together. With their massive bodies, the Sea Kings prevented the Uranus from ascending into the sky.
Meanwhile, the destructive beams fired by Uranus struck the planet's interior, causing severe impacts to the entire globe.
The earth shook continuously, spreading outwards from their location as the epicenter.
On Lodestar, both Roy and Imu sensed something and sharply looked towards the direction of Wano.
Because of the two monsters fighting here, Shanks and the others initially thought the earthquake was caused by their battle.
"This earthquake... it's not normal. Is it coming from Wano? Has Uranus activated again?" Roy clearly sensed something was wrong. The tremors were causing Lodestar to move.
It wasn't just the island shaking up and down; there was a plate movement, like a mudslide.
Lodestar was moving in a certain direction. The entire continental plate was shifting. They could clearly feel the water level dropping.
"The planet... is wounded," Imu said.
"It seems the world is welcoming its third change," Roy laughed.
"Mu will redefine the world's order, restoring the world once more," Imu said.
"The world doesn't need an immortal demon. You should leave this place, return to where you belong, or die," Roy said.
"Ignorant ant. Mu was summoned by the will of the world. This world needs Mu's power," Imu said.
"Ridiculous. After summoning you, everyone regretted it. You've only clung to one poor kingdom, clinging to the scraps of faith that remain. Otherwise, the world would've forgotten you long ago.
"What they worship is the Sun God Nika, not a devil like you. Although you are also Nika, you are a destroyer," Roy sneered.
Imu had no regard for humanity in her heart; she had never regarded humans as anything more than tools. Fifteen hundred years ago, when the world was destroyed and the Ancient Clan nearly annihilated, the few surviving ancient races understood the threat she posed.
Imu had always been erasing traces of her existence, only preserving those who believed in her.
Only powerful and ancient nation like Elbaf had long known about Imu's threat.
Humans are easily brainwashed. Imu still needed people to serve her, so the leaders of the twenty countries became her finest servants.
Unfortunately, by Queen Lily's time, the Queen of Alabasta discovered the truth and began helping Joy Boy oppose Imu.
Besides humans, other races faced Imu's oppression and were forced to rebel against her.
"I will redefine the order. The world will continue to recover under my rule," Imu said.
"No need. Your rule won't be necessary anymore," Roy slashed at her.
Clang!
Imu raised her hand to block his slash and opened her mouth to spew flames at him.
Roy took a step back. Black clouds transformed into a shield in front of him.
The sea was turbulent. Sanji had already turned all the ingredients in the fridge into food, and Luffy was gradually recovering.
"Oi, Luffy, you're not done yet? That green-haired idiot outside can't hold out much longer," Sanji muttered as he wiped his hands with a rag, lit a cigarette, and exhaled.
Crunch crunch. Swallowing the last piece of roasted meat, bones and all, Luffy finally recovered.
"Shishi, I'm all good now, Sanji. We can't keep Zoro waiting," Luffy jumped up.
"Yeah. Let's go. That moss-head's about to get himself killed," Sanji said.
"He won't. Zoro is strong," Luffy transformed into his Gear Fifth Nika form.
The two walked out of the Thousand Sunny. On the shore, Zoro was fighting three guards, fighting one against three, and being pushed back. He had to buy time for the other two.
"Is that damn cook not done yet? That bastard isn't slacking off inside, is he?" Zoro, besieged by three, was struggling to hold on, gradually becoming exhausted.
The three also understood they needed to kill Luffy. Luffy was Nika. Killing him would remove the threat to Imu.
"Get out of my way!"
One guard pushed Zoro back. The three exchanged glances.
"I'll hold him off. You two go in and kill Straw Hat," said a man crackling with red lightning.
"Leave it to you."
"Let's go kill Nika."
The two turned and rushed towards the Thousand Sunny.
"Don't even think about it!"
Zoro charged towards the two.
Crackle!
Lightning flashed. The other man instantly appeared in front of him. Red lightning struck Zoro's blade, conducting through the metal and enveloping Zoro's entire body.
"Damn it!"
Zoro gritted his teeth, Conqueror's Haki erupting from his body and repelling the opponent.
"Ittoryu: Great Dragon Twister!"
A green, spiraling slash, like serrated fangs, turned into a tornado heading for the other two.
Facing the overwhelming slash, the two chose to dodge. It was infused with Conqueror's Haki; they couldn't block it.
BOOM!
It was as if a huge chunk of the island was bitten off, turning to dust under the slash.
"An opening!"
Red lightning flashed. The man with the sword had instantly appeared behind Zoro. At this distance, Zoro was exhausted enough that even if his mind reacted, his body couldn't keep up.
"Damn it!"
Zoro turned his head, realizing it was too late.
Swish!
Just as the opponent's blade was about to descend, a hand stretched out from the Thousand Sunny and grabbed the man's clothes.
Zoro immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"What?!"
The man was startled. Before he could react, he was pulled away.
"Finally made it in time," Zoro sighed in relief.
Luffy, on the ship, pulled the man over, raised his other fist, which instantly swelled to Gear Third size.
POW!
The man was sent flying by Luffy's powerful punch, his body bouncing on the ground dozens of times like rubber.
When he got up, stars spun around his head. It was utterly absurd, yet very real.
"Nika!!"
Seeing Luffy's form, the other two's expressions changed drastically. They charged at Luffy like madmen.
Seeing them charge, Sanji leaped out, kicking one away. Luffy met the other. The one Luffy had just punched was now faced by Zoro.
"Three against one just now. Now I have backup too. Onigiri!" Zoro roared, striking back.