Chapter 501: Signs
On the morning the World Conference officially opened, while the various kings were still enjoying the delicious breakfast prepared by chefs in the dining hall, the Five Elders had already gathered early in their conference room for a preliminary meeting.
"Pangaea Castle has been completely sealed. The God's Knights have deployed considerable forces. From now on, not even a bird will escape from Mariejois."
Saint Mars's voice was cold.
Since they'd made the decision to use violent methods if necessary to make all member nation kings follow the Government's actions, there should be no more hesitation!
"Excellent!"
Saint Nusjuro nodded with satisfaction. "At such a critical moment, the entire world must naturally unite!"
"Next is the matter of Eve," Saint Ju Peter said calmly. "The explosives have been planted. We only need to give the order to completely sever that great tree!"
Fish-Man Island was located in the deep sea where no one could reach it?
Fine. Since they wanted to stay at the ocean floor, let them enjoy true seafloor life!
Since they'd already decided to declare war, there was no need to continue pretending!
After completely tearing off the mask, they'd start by pulling the rug out from under Fish-Man Island!
Mariejois was located directly above Fish-Man Island. That meant the Sunlight Tree Eve, which transmitted sunlight to the seafloor and brought light and warmth to Fish-Man Island, emerged from the ground at Mariejois and extended into the sky above.
Over the past 800 years, throughout this long history, the top of this great tree had once been the Celestial Dragons' totem, the dwelling place of the monster called the Sky King.
But now, of course, that place was completely empty. Because the Sky King had long ago ceased to belong to the Celestial Dragons.
Since it no longer held any meaning for the World Government and was vital to Fish-Man Island, nothing was more suitable than this tree for serving as a declaration of war.
The Five Elders would plunge Fish-Man Island into complete darkness and cold!
Even if the Fish-Men could survive at the ocean floor, they surely couldn't endure eternal darkness and freezing temperatures!
Let this Sunlight Tree be the first smoke signal of war!
From here on, it would be a fight to the death!
"By the way, how's Caesar's progress?"
"Progress is excellent. Everyone has undergone preliminary transformation. We just need to wait for them to fully develop!"
"Perfect! Then, prepare for the opening ceremony! It's time to mobilize the entire world!"
The World Conference was about to begin.
At the same moment, beneath Mariejois, in the Sea of Clouds midway up the Red Line, Brett had already flown here with his two companions.
"Now it's up to you, Mr. Tanaka!" Brett said.
"Leave it entirely to me, Lord Brett!"
Mr. Tanaka nodded heavily, then activated his ability.
Brett took him and Gion and plunged headfirst into the Red Line.
"What an interesting ability!"
As they moved upward through the earth, Miss Gion looked around with some surprise.
But naturally she couldn't see anything. Before her was only pitch darkness.
"It's not that impressive."
Mr. Tanaka was quite modest. "What's truly impressive is Lord Brett. I have no way to determine direction at times like this."
Indeed, it was Brett guiding the way as they moved upward.
Gion turned her head to glance at Brett.
This man's Observation Haki truly was extraordinary.
Although the Red Line was very tall, at Brett's speed, it didn't take long to reach a position near the top. Above them was Mariejois.
The three of them emerged from underground.
This was a dim space. What they could see were groups of people in tattered clothing pushing massive wheel mechanisms.
The wheels drove gears that kept the ceiling moving forward continuously.
Gion pressed her lips together.
Brett led the two of them downward again, then forward stealthily.
"What was that?" Mr. Tanaka was curious about the scene they'd just witnessed.
"Mariejois has a road that automatically moves forward. But it seems the technology level isn't as high as one might imagine."
Brett said flatly.
Miss Gion had already clenched her fists.
This wasn't the first time she'd learned of this, but she'd never felt such shame as she did now.
But what meaning did shame have now?
If she truly wanted to do something for those people, she needed to make it so the World Government could no longer do as it pleased!
Miss Gion's resolve became even firmer!
Today, she would make the Navy part ways with the World Government!
Brett's lips curved slightly.
Only after abandoning subjective positions could one see the full picture of reality.
Or perhaps this could be called the intensity of a fan turning into a hater?
In any case, next he should find Tokikake and consolidate their intelligence.
While Brett began searching for him, up above in Pangaea Castle, kings from around the world had already entered the spacious conference hall and taken their seats one after another.
The World Conference had officially opened.
"Ooh, quite the scene!"
Outside the closed conference room doors, Navy Headquarters' three Admirals sat in position.
Although they couldn't see inside, their exceptional Observation Haki was enough for these monsters to understand everything happening within.
Ryokugyu was laughing as he exclaimed, "So many important figures gathered together. First time I've felt the weight of what's on my shoulders."
"What we're bearing is the world, you know."
Kizaru said with a smile.
"The world..."
Ryokugyu lay limply across the table. "That really is heavy."
Behind the doors, the kings from around the world had gradually quieted down, because five men had ascended the main platform.
Five old men dressed in black suits and wearing cloaks.
"The Five Elders?"
King Riku said in surprise. "All five appeared together? That's never happened before, has it?"
"There's also never been a situation before where all member nation kings were summoned together."
King Cobra, a friend he'd met at the last World Conference, frowned. "Looks like something earth-shattering really is about to happen."
King Riku sighed.
What terrible luck.
The Five Elders stood below the main platform. All the assembled kings gradually fell silent.
After a brief pause, Saint Mars stepped forward.
He took a deep breath. "Everyone. The world has reached its most dangerous moment. We are standing at the edge of a cliff!"
At that same moment.
Somewhere in Mariejois.
Brett emerged from underground with his two companions.
Looking at the figure in the distance leading Navy soldiers on patrol,
"Found him."