At this time, on the coast of City J.
Three full days had passed since the first trial ended. The second round of trials would soon arrive. The coastal area here had been completely taken over by the military that came from headquarters, coordinated by the Hero Association.
Because many powerful figures from various places began appearing, there were even monsters from the Monster Association hiding among them.
Metal Bat stood in front of the tower window, he frowned and said: "Are we really not going to drag those bastards out? Isn't this the perfect time to sweep them all clean?"
Bang shook his head and said flatly: "Currently the true face of the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower hasn't been fully revealed before us, but mass deaths have already occurred. From thousands who entered, only hundreds survived. This death rate is too terrifying. Any party will only send people to investigate, won't send their actual elites. If we move now, it won't only trigger panic, but will also only trigger the enemy's vigilance. No need to do that."
Tatsumaki nodded. Just as she was about to say something, suddenly she sensed something and turned toward the distant coastline.
Visible on the northwest coastline, a ship's mast suddenly appeared, followed by a giant ship sailing rapidly. On that ship, flew a flag with a unique pattern.
On the ship's deck, two people stood side by side. Their large red cloaks fluttered in the strong wind. They were staring with full interest toward the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower that towered piercing the sky in the distance.
"Is this the trial tower made by the Gold List's First Place, truly amazing... tsk tsk tsk~" Kizaru protruded his lips and made a clicking sound.
Akainu said without expression: "You want to go in and see it?"
Kizaru immediately waved his hand repeatedly: "I'm just talking, I'm not too interested in that."
He had quite significant trauma regarding the Gold List's First Place. The severed arm now was living proof. He even suspected that the giant demon that appeared on the battlefield and swallowed the Gorosei was the Gold List's Second Place—that black cat taking action.
Because he had once witnessed the terror of that black cat, which was no different from an ancient monster. Conversely, the Gold List's First Place was always silent without sound, having a mysterious aura as if not caring about worldly affairs.
"Who knows if inside that trial tower there's something that can restore your severed arm?" The corner of Aokiji's lips slightly lifted, he teased Kizaru. "Moreover, the rewards given by the Gold List can even perform resurrection. This Sacred Ruins Trial Tower is so miraculous, restoring one arm shouldn't be difficult, right?"
The corner of Kizaru's mouth twitched, he still shook his head: "This old man isn't interested in that tower, there's no use you persuading me."
For him, life was far more important than one arm. With such a high death rate in the trial tower, he wouldn't easily take risks. Being an observer was already good enough.
This time, the World Council dispatched two Chairmen simultaneously, Kizaru and Aokiji, to escort a group of selected personnel into the tower trial. Besides obtaining information, the purpose was also to establish relations with other major worlds.
Currently the World Council had already begun to stabilize. They felt urgent to communicate with the other two world parties. Vegapunk, as an important Chairman in the World Council and also the main brain, proposed establishing diplomatic relations with others so the chaotic One Piece world could develop rapidly.
With the appearance of the Gold List plus the Sacred Ruins Trial Tower, strong fighters appearing in the three worlds were increasingly numerous. Ambitious people were countless. The chaos in the three worlds would ultimately end in mutual invasion; that was the great trend. Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy was the key to victory.
Additionally, if there was someone who successfully returned carrying rewards from inside the tower, they would definitely become targets, thus requiring escort.
"Chairman Aokiji!" A bearded man in a red officer's uniform stepped forward and saluted. "We're already approaching the coastal harbor. The opposing party has issued instructions to stop the ship. Should we stop?"
Aokiji and Kizaru's gazes focused on City J's harbor. Visible were rows of soldiers standing neatly in the harbor with dozens of warships surrounding it. Their cannon barrels were aimed here, appearing as if facing a great enemy.
Aokiji said flatly: "Don't pay attention, sail directly there!"
"Yes sir!" The bearded officer nodded, then turned and shouted loudly: "Full speed! Enter the harbor!"
That warship split the waves and sailed rapidly toward the harbor.
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At City J's harbor, a middle-aged man in a white Marine uniform saw that their side had already given signals but the opposing party didn't care at all. His face instantly became sour. Just as he was about to give the signal to attack, a voice was heard from behind him: "Let them pass!"
The middle-aged man turned and saw an old man with hands behind his back. He frowned and was just about to reprimand, but suddenly he remembered something. Cold sweat poured down his body: "Mr. Bang!"
Bang nodded, walked to the man's side while staring at the rapidly sailing warship. He said flatly: "You won't be able to stop these people. Prepare to welcome them."
After saying so, he turned and left.
The middle-aged man respectfully saw him off, then turned back taking binoculars to observe carefully. Finally, a surprised expression appeared on his face.
"That's them... Strongest List... Aokiji and Kizaru!"
People who made it onto the two major lists were only few in number, and now almost everyone knew them. Especially the Strongest List; each of them was a fighter standing at the world's peak. Currently their data had been mandated by the Hero Association to be memorized by all important officials in every city district.
The warship entered the harbor without any obstacles and docked smoothly at the dock's edge. Aokiji raised his hand slightly, a blue light extended to the shore's edge, forming an ice bridge in the shape of stairs. People on the warship descended one by one.
"The direct arrival of two Admirals from the One Piece world truly makes our place shine..."
At the shore's edge, led by Bang, S-Class heroes like Metal Bat, Genos, Zombieman, and Child Emperor came together to welcome.
The soldiers around appeared tense, their palms sweating. These were top-level fighters who made it into the top 50 of the Strongest List—a ranking far higher than Blast who was once rank one in the Hero Association. It was impossible for them not to be tense.
Kizaru chuckled: "Hehe, that's all in the past. Now we are Chairmen of the World Council. I think you already know the purpose of our arrival this time."
They didn't really care much about these S-Class heroes; the power level of the One Punch Man world (aside from certain exceptions) was actually not too high. What they truly were wary of was only the Gold List's Third Place, Saitama. Everyone had seen Saitama's power on the previous battlefield; blowing Imu away with one punch and capturing him. That power was truly terrifying.
The people present here were all those who failed to make the Strongest List. The only one who made the list didn't come here, this made them both slightly displeased, though not shown.
"We understand." Bang also chuckled. "Currently there's still a bit of time before the second round of trials begins. Everyone, please follow me."