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Chapter 119 War Machine
In the center of the testing ground, Rhett knelt on one knee. His beastly left arm was broken abruptly, and blood dripped down his molten hair.
Garp's Seraph's fist stopped three inches in front of him, overloaded steam emanating from its joints, and its mechanical pupils flashed red.
"Tsk, almost..."
Leiter spat out a mouthful of blood, but his eyes sparkled with excitement. "This thing... is powerful!"
On the other hand, Enel's situation is not much better.
His golden scepter was covered in frost, and his right leg was frostbitten by Kuzan Seraph's absolute zero, so he walked with a limp.
He glared at the now-defunct Kuzan Seraph with gritted teeth, muttering, "Damn you frozen b*****d... I'll definitely roast you into steam next time!"
Rogge stood on the observation deck and pressed the communicator. His voice was calm and authoritative: "Test terminated. Performance met standards."
Enel's face was filled with resentment: "Boss, did you do this on purpose? You must have known about this kind of monster for a long time!"
Lei Te's fists crackled, and he was full of heroic spirit: "Hehe, this is called sparring! But... are they really weapons? They are already ridiculously powerful!"
Rogge glanced at the two of them and said, "This is truly pushing the limits. If you can't even handle this, how are you going to survive in the New World?"
With that, he turned and left the testing ground.
"Let's go, there are more important things over at Vegapunk."
Led by Vegapunk, Rogge and others came to an extremely confidential area.
"Boom—"
A huge silver ark was rising slowly, emitting a strong mechanical luster, and countless mechanical arms were busy working around it.
The hull of the ship glowed like liquid metal, dozens of modified laser turrets were arranged on the deck, and dazzling electric light was dancing in the energy core. The entire battleship exuded a suffocating sense of oppression!
A holographic image of Vegapunk appeared, his tone full of pride: "The new Ark of Proverbs, built using Wapol alloy and 'Munch-Munch Fruit' technology, has an upgraded energy system that can be powered by 'Thunder Fruit'."
Enel was limping at first, but the moment he saw the battleship, he froze in place as if struck by lightning.
"This…this is…"
The next second——
"Swish!"
He turned into a flash of lightning and teleported to the front of the Ark, put his hands on the hull, and his eyes were bigger than golden apples!
"Ah ...!!!"
He suddenly let out a strange cry, and his entire body trembled wildly as if he had been electrocuted (even though he was the electricity). "This feeling... This feeling is amazing!!!"
His Observation Haki clearly sensed that the entire battleship's energy system resonated perfectly with his lightning, as if it were an extension of his body!
"Ha ha ha ha!!"
Enel jumped around on the deck like a child with a new toy, even lying down and rolling around, saying, "This is the car a god should ride!"
Leiter came over, clutching his injured arm, a rare expression of appreciation on his face. "Finally, it looks like a futuristic weapon."
"Let me ask you, how many people can you bring to jump right in front of the enemy and start fighting?"
"Regular staffing is 3,000, and the maximum capacity is 5,000!"
Rogge nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, this is the Marine flagship of the new era."
His fingertips gently brushed across the Ark's cold armor, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "Our own unique battleship!"
"The World Government... is confidential for now."
Vegapunk's hologram flickered a few times. "As a reminder, the Seraph's energy core can only sustain continuous combat for 48 hours."
Rogge turned and headed for the exit: "That's enough."
"But you won't be needed right now...stay and guard Future Island. Your safety is also important."
Enel was still lying on the deck of the Ark, caressing the turret like a pervert, muttering: "Mine...all mine..."
Leiter flexed his regenerated arm, his gaze still fixed on the inoperative Garp Seraph, a wild grin spreading across his lips: "Next time... I'll definitely crush you!"
The war machine of the new era has quietly taken shape.
Naval Headquarters - 新Marineford
In the Marshal's office, Sakazuki stood in front of the French window, his crimson coat of justice swaying slightly behind him.
Outside the window, Marine soldiers are carrying out patrol and training tasks in an orderly manner.
Rogge pushed the door open and walked in, his black combat boots making a steady sound on the floor.
"Uncle."
Rogge stood still, his expression calm yet sharp. "The final model of the Ark of Proverbs is ready, and the Seraph test weapon has met the standards."
"But it's not enough."
Rogge walked over to him, also looking out the window. "The Marines can suppress the Pirates now, but they are still controlled by the World Government."
Sakazuki took a puff of his cigar, smoke curling upwards as his eyes burned like flames. "The headquarters' Finance Committee has been completely liquidated, and the current budget is still insufficient to support G-5's comprehensive cleanup of New World."
"Those Celestial Dragons...will only strangle us with Celestial Gold."
Rogge sneered: "So, we must have our own 'golden bloodline'."
There was a knock on the office door, and the messenger respectfully reported: "Marshal, the new Admiral 'Fujitora' Yixiao has arrived at headquarters!"
Sakazuki nodded: "Let him in."
A moment later, Fujitora, wearing a purple coat, walked in slowly, his blind eyes slightly lowered, and a staff knife in his hand.
His voice was calm and gentle: "Although I may be blind, my heart is committed to justice."
Rogge looked him over and said calmly, "I heard you advocate 'righteous justice'?"
Fujitora smiled faintly. "Justice without humanity is the same as tyranny."
Sakazuki snorted, but didn't argue.
Rogge suddenly spoke up: "You may retain your ideals. But the Marine's iron rule of 'absolute justice' cannot be wavered."
Fujitora was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I've seen too many Marines harm civilians in the name of 'justice'... but now, you are truly protecting the weak."
He raised his head. Though unable to see, he seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. "As long as no innocent people are harmed, I am willing to follow Marine's lead."
Rogge and Sakazuki exchanged glances, the former's lips curled slightly: "Very good."
The office door was pushed open again, and a tall man with a wild face strode in—the new Vice Admiral-Aramaki!
He grinned, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm: "Marshal! Admiral! Aramaki requests to join the Rogge Admiral!"
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow. "Reason?"
Aramaki didn't hesitate: "Because Rogge Admiral's 'absolute justice' is the true way of the Marine!"
His voice was powerful: "Pirates are pirates. Sympathy will only bring more tragedy!"
"Only iron-blooded suppression can end this chaotic era!"
Rogge raised his lips slightly: "Okay."
After Fujitora and Aramaki left, the heavy wooden door of the office closed automatically, and the built-in soundproof seastone device quietly started up, completely isolating the room from the outside world.
Rogge walked to the holographic projection table and lightly tapped his fingertips. A three-dimensional star map unfolded in the air, and several coordinates on it flashed with dazzling red light.
"I've noticed this problem a long time ago."
His voice was low and calm. "We can appropriate Sky Island's golden land, but those financial resources..."
"...can't hold out for long."
Sakazuki's cigar flickered in the dim room, and the lava lines on his neck were faintly visible.
He suddenly crushed the cigar into the bronze ashtray, sparks flying everywhere.
"Are you going to touch Gilder Tezzolo?"
Rogge sneered and tapped his fingers three times on the podium, each tap seeming to strike at the fragile barrier of wealth of the World Government.
"He controls the world's largest black gold empire - Gran Tezoro."
"Twenty percent of the world's Berry is in his hands, a mobile city of gold."
"Through the underworld of money laundering, the slave trade, and arms smuggling, he's able to work both legal and criminal ends. He uses the power of money to freely manipulate Celestial Dragons, even mobilizing the power of the World Government."
"What's even more deadly is—"
Rogge suddenly zoomed in on a surveillance video clip showing a CP0 agent speaking with Tezoromi. "He's secretly managing the Celestial Dragons' money laundering operations for 'Sky Gold'."
Sakazuki's pupils suddenly contracted.
Rogge raised his head slowly. "If we take control of Tezulo, all the constraints on Absolute Justice, including its armaments, finances, and diplomacy, will be easily overcome."
Sakazuki was silent for a long time, smoke swirling in the light and shadow.
"The World Government may not allow Marine to take action."
Rogge stood up. "I'll go there myself."
Sakazuki laughed and slammed his fist on the table: "You kid, you're even more ruthless than I was back then!"
Lava dripped from his fingers, burning the ground with scorch marks. "Go, let that dirty gold..."
"Reborn in the crucible of absolute justice!"