"Run! It's the Beasts! It's a monster from the Rocks Pirates!"
A one-eyed pirate with a scarred face screamed in terror. He had seen that black flag from afar in the New World—it was a symbol of death.
As soon as these words were spoken, all the surrounding pirates instantly paled and fled frantically toward the port.
Some even abandoned the mermaids they had painstakingly captured and looted, leaving them on the ground without a second thought.
In that moment, survival was all that mattered; who could still think about mermaids?
Meanwhile, at the Ryugu Palace in the heart of Fish-Man Island, the once resplendent palace now resembled a blood-soaked cage.
King Aegir, a monarch with the massive stature of a Sea God, gripped his trident tightly, veins bulging on his arms.
He, too, had sensed those two enormous crimson beams of light. The power contained within them far exceeded anything he could have imagined.
These were turbulent times for Fish-Man Island, and Aegir had long been unable to hold on.
If not for the faint glimmer of hope and desire still barely sustaining him, he would have collapsed long ago.
Now, all he prayed for was that this would not bring even worse news.
"Hurry! Go and investigate! What is that thing!?" Aegir roared.
Prince Neptune, the young heir to the throne, stood by the window, his face filled with horror.
He saw clearly the source of the two beams—a menacing submarine warship that resembled a deep-sea overlord.
"Father! Look at that ship's flag!"
Neptune's voice trembled uncontrollably.
Aegir rushed forward and looked up. Under the focus of the crimson light, the black flag was illuminated with stark clarity, as if silently roaring at all of Fish-Man Island.
"The Rocks Pirates?!"
"Beast Brian?!"
Aegir's pupils contracted sharply, and his trident emitted a sharp metallic scraping sound.
He understood the weight of that name.
A top executive of the Rocks Pirates, a figure on the same level as Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom.
For this man to descend upon Fish-Man Island in such an open, arrogant manner could never be for peace.
This was clearly a declaration of war!!!
A declaration of war against their Fish-Man Island!!!
"What a madman, truly worthy of being the legendary Beast."
"However... our Fish-Man Island may finally be saved."
A storm of emotions raged within Aegir's heart.
Brian's arrival had become his final lifeline.
As mentioned before, he had sworn allegiance to the Rocks Pirates. It was he who had led Fish-Man Island to submit to them.
Although his own incompetence had led to the island's current predicament, regardless, Beast Brian's arrival meant the Rocks Pirates had not abandoned Fish-Man Island.
At the same moment Brian descended upon Fish-Man Island, his actions sent shockwaves rippling across the world.
As the crucial gateway connecting to the New World, the waters around Fish-Man Island were a key surveillance area for the World Government's intelligence agencies.
When those two crimson beams of light lit up, on the nearest secret reconnaissance ship of the World Government, the intelligence officer nearly screamed as he relayed the information back to the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The highest seat of power in the World Government—the meeting of the Five Elders—was interrupted.
"Beast Brian actually dares to appear publicly again, and in such an utterly arrogant manner!"
"This is a provocation against our World Government. Unforgivable, absolutely unforgivable!"
Saint Saturn, one of the Five Elders, abruptly stood up, his eyes blazing with fury.
Among the Five Elders, none held a greater grudge against Brian than Saint Saturn.
The previous major incident involving the kidnapping of a Celestial Dragon involved his descendant. Brian's earlier actions were practically no different from defecating right on Saint Saturn's head.
Although the Celestial Dragon was later traded back, they were essentially ruined.
What decent Celestial Dragon could endure being tortured by pirates for such a long period?!
To force a dignified God of the World to perform like a circus monkey—this was simply unprecedented.
Because of this, Saint Saturn's entire family, from top to bottom, became a laughingstock in Mary Geoise, a status that persists to this day.
Saint Saturn wished he could tear Brian's flesh from his bones and drink his blood.
Hearing Saint Saturn's words, the intelligence officer quickly reported.
"Reporting, sir! Brian's actions are extremely high-profile. Current intelligence indicates he has anchored near Fish-Man Island. He has not directly entered yet, but is instead sweeping the entire island with massive beams of light."
"According to the analysis of the advisory council, it is highly likely he intends to reclaim control of Fish-Man Island! The Rocks Pirates aim to use this opportunity to establish a strategic transit point in the Grand Line!"
Hearing this, the expressions of the Five Elders shifted slightly. The long-bearded Elder spoke in a grave tone.
"Fish-Man Island is the legendary location of the Ancient Weapon Poseidon, and it is also the crucial link connecting the two sea routes!"
"If it falls into the hands of the Rocks Pirates, the Navy's supply lines and troop movements will face a fatal threat!"
"The ambition of the Rocks Pirates is no longer confined to the New World."
"Especially Rocks D. Xebec. That man has long desired to challenge our World Government."
"Notify Marine Headquarters immediately! Highest alert! Simultaneously, closely monitor the movements of the Rocks Pirates in the New World."
"If Beast Brian is making a move, the Rocks Pirates might react subsequently. We must be prepared."
"I agree. That man Rocks is far too capricious."
"Worth following up. I concur."
The motion was passed unanimously by all Five Elders. Ever since the incident with the Celestial Dragon in the New World, they had wanted to take military action against the Rocks Pirates.
They had given the Navy a year to prepare. Now, only a few months have passed, and trouble has erupted again.
The five of them were also deeply annoyed. The New World was truly a place of constant turmoil, and always major turmoil at that.
Following the order from the Five Elders, the information was immediately relayed to Marine Headquarters.
At this moment, the atmosphere in Marineford was already tense to the extreme.
Fleet Admiral Kong's stern face was etched with gravity and anxiety.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, that guy Brian really doesn't know how to stay quiet, does he? Making such a dazzling entrance the moment he appears, as if he's afraid the whole world won't notice him."
Vice Admiral Garp lounged lazily in his chair, munching loudly on the rice crackers he had scavenged from Kong's office, teasing his superior.
"Marshal! Please allow me to lead the main fleet to Fish-Man Island immediately! This vile pirate is openly trampling on the Navy's justice!"
Sengoku, known as the Wise General, suddenly stood up and reported loudly to Kong.
His expression was currently very grim. Hearing Brian's name was almost like flipping a switch for Sengoku's stress response.
It had been quite some time since the naval battle where the Navy suffered massive losses, yet Sengoku still hadn't managed to emerge from the shadow of that event.
Now, he had very noticeable dark circles under his eyes, and his entire person appeared quite haggard and exhausted.
This was understandable—he hadn't had a proper night's sleep in a long while.
Every night, shortly after falling asleep, Brian would come to "humiliate" him in his dreams. Sengoku was nearly driven mad by it.
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