"Are you afraid?" Adrian's lips curved into a confident arc, his deep eyes sweeping over everyone. He half-jokingly declared, "Then remember this feeling well, because it will make all of you stronger."
"Alright, let's go and talk to the World Government... head on!"
At the same time, hundreds of World Government warships had completed their second assembly, positioned more than ten nautical miles from Dressrosa. The sheer number of ships was a terrifying sight, casting a dark shadow over the sea. Each warship was manned by at least 200 soldiers, bringing the total force to a staggering 50,000. While the quality of these soldiers was not on par with the elite marines from the Summit War, their presence still underscored the World Government's profound concern.
On a colossal battleship flying with the banner of Marine flag, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru sat side by side. Less than half a month had passed since the Summit War, and the three Marine Admirals had been brought together once more. Their faces held expressions of clear displeasure, as if they had been forced into this situation.
"My, my, it seems our little friend Adrian sure can't take it easy," Kizaru said, his voice as lazy as ever behind a new pair of gold-rimmed sunglasses. "He's managed to make the World Government dispatch so many warships. The scale probably matches the Summit War, don't you think?"
"Hmph, a mere Doflamingo is worthy of all three Marine Admirals?" Akainu bellowed, his face a grim mask. "Those five old geezers in Pangaea Castle must have gone senile. How is this supposed to save face for the Marines?"
He had been in the New World, chasing after the Blackbeard Pirates, intent on using their heads to honor Sengoku's spirit. But just as he was closing in, Commander-in-Chief Kong suddenly sent an urgent notification. Adrian had seized Doflamingo's kingdom of Dressrosa, and the three Admirals were ordered to join the World Government's Grand Fleet. Akainu was infuriated. Dealing with Whitebeard was one thing, but a measly Warlord of the Sea? Was he really worth all three Admirals? The World Government was clearly not taking the Marines' top combat power seriously.
"Presumably, they lack the necessary confidence to face that man," Aokiji said calmly. "Multi-fruit ability—those few words are enough to make people feel intimidated." His sharp gaze pierced the sky, locking onto the young figure on the shore, surrounded by powerful allies.
"However, I heard that Doflamingo's true identity is actually... a Celestial Dragon," Kizaru said, shrugging his shoulders as if sharing a juicy piece of gossip.
Akainu and Aokiji's pupils immediately constricted. So that was it. That's why the World Government had dispatched such a massive fleet. That piece of trash was a Celestial Dragon.
Though it seemed the World Government still had some scruples, as they hadn't launched a direct attack. Instead, they sent a small boat ahead.
"Mr. Adrian, I have been ordered by the Five Elders, the highest authority in the World Government, to give you a final pre-war ultimatum."
A CPO member, wearing a strange mask, took out a special transponder snail and dialed it. Soon, the voice of one of the Five Elders echoed from it.
"Adrian, if you are willing to return the Kingdom of Dressrosa to Doflamingo now, our World Government will not hold you accountable for your previous actions, and we will allow you to continue to enjoy the privileges of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Huh?!" Adrian asked, a curious expression on his face as if he'd just heard something interesting. "So my Seven Warlords of the Sea title hasn't been stripped yet?"
"Not yet," a Five Elder's voice replied flatly.
"Hahahaha, Sengoku, Sengoku," Adrian burst out laughing, a sympathetic glance sweeping over the warships flying the Marine flag. "I really should let you see this ridiculous and sad scene with your own eyes."
He muttered to himself, "The honor of the Marines, which you dedicated your life to defending, is ultimately not as valuable to the World Government as a man with multiple devil fruit abilities. This world is so cruel it makes you want to laugh."
Adrian finally understood why, in the original story, Akainu was treated like a dog by the Five Elders. In front of the World Government, the Marines truly had no power at all. It was no wonder those five old men would say such a contemptuous thing as, "You Marines are just the facade of the World Government."
"Adrian, stop with the useless nonsense. We are all waiting for your reply," a Five Elder snapped, his voice filled with extreme displeasure.
"I wonder if you've made a mistake?" Adrian shook his head. "Dressrosa didn't belong to Doflamingo in the first place. I simply acted to expel that trash from this country at the request of the former royal family, the Riku family."
"Hmph, we don't care about those old accounts. If you don't want to be annihilated, I advise you to be more aware of current affairs," another Five Elder arrogantly snorted.
"So you're all just old hypocrites," Adrian couldn't help but swear, before getting straight to the point. "If that's the case, there's no need for us to continue talking. You want to fight? Fine, I'll see this through to the end!"
With that, he turned and ignored the CPO member behind him.
"You bastard, you dare to ignore my warning!"
"Don't think that just because you have some strength, you can act so presumptuously in front of us..."
"It's better for young people not to show their sharpness too much..."
"Hey, you old geezers, my captain has already left. What are you still chattering about?" Bullet's figure had appeared in front of the CPO member. With a smirk, he crushed the transponder snail in his hand, then kicked the agent into the sea without giving him a chance to fight back.
There was no need for a messenger. The World Government knew Adrian's attitude. The massive fleet began its slow advance, and a barrage of intense artillery fire began to pound the coast.
"Shirahoshi, do you remember telling me that you can hear conversations coming from the depths of the ocean?" Adrian asked, his voice gentle as he stood before Shirahoshi.
She nodded blankly, her attention drifting to the giant fleet. "Lord Adrian, can we really handle so many bad guys?" she asked anxiously.
"If Shirahoshi is willing to help, no matter how many bad guys come, as long as they are in the sea, they won't be our opponents," Adrian said, his eyes burning with intensity. "In today's battle, we are all just supporting characters. You are the true protagonist."
"Me?!" Shirahoshi looked shocked, her head drooping in frustration. "But I don't know how to fight..."
"You don't need to fight yourself, Shirahoshi. The voices you hear are your own superweapons," Adrian said, gently stroking her hair. "Because your true identity is the one who has the power to rule the entire ocean—Poseidon!"