New World, Forrosa Kingdom.
Dense clusters of Marines' battleships surrounded this island-sized nation. A large number of slaves from special races were being deployed onto the island, preparing for the upcoming event.
On a hundred-meter-long battleship, the five highest authorities in the world sat in a lavishly decorated room, watching a projection of the island's interior via Den Den Mushi.
Purururu purururu purururu...
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang. One of them answered it, and sounds of burning flames and wailing came from the other end.
"S-Sir... the Holy Land has been invaded!"
The moment the voice came through, the room fell dead silent. The Den Den Mushi's receiver was crushed, the shock knocking the small creature unconscious.
Immediately after, a near-infinite, frantic spirit erupted within the room, clashing against the surrounding wooden ship planks. The fierce assault was like boiling water, causing creaks and groans.
"How could such a lapse occur!"
"The distance is too great, we can't return in time to reinforce!"
"We cannot let the intruders disturb that Lord's slumber!"
Dense discussions passed between the five highest authorities in the world. After a brief deliberation, an old man carrying a sword proposed:
"...Use that!"
The discussion ceased instantly. Silence spread, and it was a long time before a voice sounded.
"The energy is only enough to send one person. Who will go?"
In their long years of governance, the five had long since reached an unprecedented tacit understanding. They looked at each other wordlessly, finally fixing their gaze on an old man leaning on a cane.
"I will go."
Among the five, the one responsible for military affairs and weapon development, the Science and Defense Warrior God, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, opened his slender eyes.
"We leave it to you!"
The other four stood at Saturn's four cardinal directions, simultaneously raising their palms towards him.
Instantly, the sea shook, the sky shattered, purple lightning rose up, and the light of stars crossed worlds to descend from the heavens.
The moment the blue flames and lightning intertwined, they plummeted into the burning Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
Having released the numerous slaves and continuing to cause chaos in the Holy Land, Sakura and Tiger's eyes flashed with red light. They turned around sharply.
At the center of Mary Geoise's commercial district, the ground was branded with a mysterious pentagram. Ominous flames scorched the skyline. An unprecedented, terrifying aura permeated the summit of the world.
The erupting energy tore the earth, cracks continuously spreading. A squirming, shadowy substance like black mud took shape within the flowing lightning.
Six spider limbs tempered with fiery patterns supported a massive body. Black flame clouds cascaded down its back. A pair of sharp ox horns displayed utmost majesty.
The casually planted cane collided with the ground, raising a circle of shockwaves, demonstrating the power of the Mythical Zoan-type, Gyuki.
The highest authority in the world had arrived here!
"M-Monster!"
An unconscious murmur escaped Fisher Tiger's lips. The next instant, a mysterious force pierced through the flames and sent Tiger flying.
The six spider limbs alternately tapping on the ground, pushing Saturn through the flames and lightning until he stood before the two.
"The Witch, Haruno Sakura! Guilty of the great sins of touching history, defying the Holy Land, and destroying the world!"
"Indeed, letting you escape from Ohara was a mistake. But it's not too late to correct it now!"
Terrifying pressure clashed with Sakura's Observation Haki. Iridescent light gushed and flowed from the point where the two spirits tangled.
As peculiar energy accompanied by dazzling phantom light spread, blotting out the sky and sweeping forth magnificently.
Sakura felt her whole body shudder. Then, an indescribable regret surged from the depths of her soul.
Innumerable energies scattered in the void converged upon her, instantly enveloping her soul. On her face, silver patterns faintly emerged.
Having crossed vast stretches of time and witnessed everything about the present world, that deeply ingrained remorse erupted violently.
"Oh? The one who came isn't the guy on the Empty Throne? Has he run out of energy and fallen into slumber?"
She hoisted her sword and axe. Her Devil Fruit's Ability operated smoothly. A feather mantle, half frost and half flame, draped over the girl's body, adding a demonic feel to her.
Hearing the girl's words, Saturn's breath hitched. His expression darkened, his pressure already transforming into killing intent.
He gripped his cane tightly. The Gyuki's potent poison was fully activated, erupting like a dirty bomb.
However, just as it was about to splash before Sakura, it was abruptly frozen by frost and burned to ashes by blazing flames.
"Frost, flames, monstrous strength... So it's you guys after all!"
Saturn took a deep breath, bent his body, and his entire form transformed into a giant spider. Two ferocious ox horns rose, emitting an ominous black light.
Without waiting for Sakura to react, he shot forward explosively.
On the ground, Fisher Tiger, who should have been knocked out, suddenly opened his eyes. Wielding his long sword, he executed a sliding tackle, slicing underneath Saturn.
Squelch!
The six-meter-tall colossal Gyuki was gutted by the sharp blade. Blood was churned by the brutal sword light, splattering across the ground.
"Hah, Celestial Dragon!"
Fisher Tiger, having climbed to his feet, spat towards the distant massive corpse.
"Dodge it!"
The crimson fish-man turned his head. A face filled with concern was lunging towards him, pushing him down onto the ground.
"???"
Fisher Tiger was bewildered.
But from the blind spot he couldn't perceive or react to, the mysterious force stabbed forth again, carrying the Gyuki's incurable venom, piercing through the girl's body.
"Sakura!!!"
The heart-wrenching scene unfolded before Fisher Tiger's eyes, causing blood vessels to bulge in his pupils.
He watched as the young woman, who could have become a bridge between two races, fell powerlessly. Hope was extinguished bit by bit right before him.
"Hmph, opposing the World Government warrants exactly this!"
The giant spider climbed up from the ground. The slashed abdomen and internal organs rapidly regenerated under the flow of blue flames. The bruises from the impact vanished in an instant. Even the clothes stained with blood returned to their original state.
The massive beast's body stood tall once more. The wooden cane held in both hands once again resonated with a hellish aura that shook one to the core.
"You deserve to die! You deserve to die!"
The powerful Fish-man trembled all over, his teeth and whiskers bristling. His formidable muscles bulged, the inhuman strength of his race ready to be unleashed.
"Stop, that was just an illusion. Don't waste time with him!"
A voice came from the corpse that should have been lying pierced through the chest on the ground. It turned into a shattered wooden stump.
Amid the overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, Fisher Tiger felt someone steady his leg, step out from behind him-
and move forward.
It's Sakura!
"No-!"
Instinctively reaching out to grab her, Fisher Tiger opened his mouth to speak, but then he saw those emerald-green eyes and her confident smile.
"Leave it to me!"
"You go guide the slaves to escape to the sea. I'll handle this!"
One hand pressed against Tiger. Flying Thunder God Technique: Guiding Thunder pushed him through Space-Time to the other side.
Sakura raised her head, her eyes clear and unclouded, meeting the sinister pupils before her. The girl crushed the dark lightning underfoot without hesitation.
'Forward!'
An unyielding soul roared. A fierce Conqueror's Haki, intense enough to melt the raging flames, ran rampant!
"Merely remnants of traitors! What more do you think you can do now!!!"
The giant spider monster raised its sharp foreclaws. The venom-coated claw tips stabbed out violently. The vicious ability of the Gyuki bloomed at his fingertips.
In this world where countless ambitious men seek domination, there are still those who resist. Countless people still muster the courage to struggle and live in this cruel world.
If she retreated here, all those visions, all those ordinary and tiny wishes would be trampled.
'Now that I am no longer ordinary, holding power in my hands, what should I leave for this world?'
'A brutal pirate legend? A myth of a merciful savior?'
'No, neither!'
"It's just that I heard hearts yearning for freedom crying out, that's all!"
That small figure was instantly swallowed by an overwhelming, intangible barrage of piercing strikes.
And then, an earth-shattering roar spread.
Boom!!!