Somewhere over the vast expanse of the New World's seas, ten thousand meters above the surface, white clouds drifted lazily through the sky. The icy wind howled, carrying with it the faint metallic tang of ozone. Two massive vessels—Gods Breath, its crimson hull shaped like a leviathan goldfish, and the sleek Interstellar Ark—hovered in concealment within the cloud cover. Their stealth systems ensured no prying eyes from the sea below could detect their presence.
On the Interstellar Ark's deck, a small army stood ready. Sephiroth, flanked by the Boa Sisters, Kozuki Hiyori, and Yamato, commanded a battalion of fifty WM-2 type robots. This assault on the Gorosei was too critical to leave anything to chance. Sephiroth had brought only those he deemed indispensable: the five powerful women at his side and the tireless, obedient machines. Leaks were unacceptable, and unnecessary complications were to be avoided at all costs.
Sephiroth leaned against the Ark's railing, his eyes closed as he processed the information relayed by his Bat Clone. A faint murmur escaped his lips. "What kind of monsters are we dealing with here?" He turned his head slightly, addressing Marigold. "Those five old men down there have nasty tempers. Let's give them a taste of their own medicine—show them why the flowers bloom red."
Marigold, standing a short distance away, nodded sharply. "Understood."
She immediately synced with Gods Breath through her brainwaves, issuing the command to target the large tourist sailboat below. Her hands moved swiftly, sparking with energy. Raising her right hand above her head, she unleashed a blinding blue-white bolt of lightning into the clouds above. The sky darkened instantly, and jagged forks of electricity spread like serpents through the stormy expanse.
Inside a cabin of the tourist sailboat, Satan Saint stared at the pool of blood staining the floor. The crushed remains of a bat lay scattered, their crimson fragments mingling with the liquid. He frowned, a creeping sense of unease settling in his chest. Moments ago, after he'd blown off Sephiroth's head, a bat had fallen to the ground, and the headless body had dissolved into blood. The scene was bizarre, unsettling—enough to leave even him momentarily disoriented.
Suddenly, the calm sea surface erupted into chaos. A massive whirlpool formed, swallowing the sailboat whole. Above, the sky churned with dark clouds, thunder rumbling like the growl of a beast. The Gorosei activated their Observation Haki simultaneously, their gazes piercing through the deck and locking onto the sky ten thousand meters above.
Then, it happened. A colossal pillar of water shot skyward from the whirlpool, lifting the entire sailboat into the air. Almost immediately, a blinding lightning bolt—easily a hundred meters thick—slammed down from the clouds, aiming directly for the vessel. If it struck, the sailboat would be obliterated, leaving the Gorosei without a foothold.
"Retreat! Now!" Satan Saint barked, his voice sharp with urgency.
He activated his ability, conjuring a magic circle at his feet that enveloped the other four Gorosei. In the next instant, the lightning struck. The sailboat exploded into fragments, reduced to charred splinters that burned fiercely as they scattered in the aftermath of the water column's impact.
Back on the Interstellar Ark, Sephiroth rested his right hand on the hilt of his butcher knife, a faint 'eh?' escaping his lips. "They escaped?"
He expanded his Observation Haki to its maximum range, scanning for life signatures within a twenty-kilometer radius. Nothing. Frustrated, he ordered Marigold to don the Ark's sensing helmet and widen the search to several hundred kilometers. Still, the Gorosei remained elusive.
Sephiroth rubbed his chin thoughtfully, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Heh! These old guys really have some tricks... We'll see about that!"
"Sephiroth, the Gorosei have vanished. What's our next move?" Hancock frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"Let them run," Sephiroth sneered, his voice cold and sharp. "The tide favors me now. The moment they dare step into the light, I'll make sure they have no ground left to bury their bones." Though the ambush on the Gorosei had failed, his resolve burned fiercer than ever.
Guided by Stussy's intel, Sephiroth moved swiftly, striking at locations where CP agents might surface. One by one, he eliminated them, chipping away at the Gorosei's dwindling forces.
Night draped Marineford in a cloak of silver. The moon hung high, its light mingling with faint starlight. At Marine Headquarters, Sephiroth pushed open the wooden door marked 'Marshal Office.' Inside, Rosinante stood before Sengoku, delivering his report.
"Sephiroth," Sengoku greeted, his gaze flickering to the swords at the young man's waist. "What brings you here at this hour?"
"I have urgent matters to discuss," Sephiroth replied, his tone clipped. He glanced at Rosinante, who nodded politely and turned to leave.
"Could you cast a silent barrier?" Sephiroth added. "This is confidential. Thank you." Rosinante didn't question the request.
Activating the Calm-Calm Fruit, Rosinante created a soundproof domain within the room. With a final nod, he stepped out, closing the door behind him.
"Speak," Sengoku said, lifting his teacup. He took a sip, his expression calm. The Umbrella Corporation's support had filled the funding gap, and supplies were pouring into Marineford. Reconstruction was progressing smoothly, and it showed in Sengoku's relaxed demeanor.
"The Gorosei are still alive," Sephiroth stated bluntly. "I tried to assassinate them, but they escaped. Now they've gone underground."
Sengoku choked on his tea, spitting it across the mountain of documents on his desk. "You—! You actually—!" He wiped his mouth hastily, his eyes wide as he stared at Sephiroth. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but words failed him.
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, his expression grave. "Have the Gorosei contacted you?"
"Not since the Marineford War ended," Sengoku admitted, still reeling. "I haven't heard a word from them."
Sephiroth nodded slightly, confirming Sengoku's honesty with his Observation Haki. "They're being cautious," he murmured.
"Do you even realize what you've done?" Sengoku demanded, his voice rising. "You attacked the Celestial Dragons! Are you expecting the Marine to send an Admiral to arrest you?"
Sephiroth's lips curled into a cold smile. "Sengoku, don't forget—we're tied together now. Those five old men are nothing but rats hiding in filth. The moment they show themselves, I'll slaughter them. Or are you still loyal to the Celestial Dragons?"
Sengoku muttered under his breath, his frustration palpable. Why hadn't those damned Gorosei perished with Mary Geoise? Finally, he exhaled sharply and asked, "What's your plan?"
"Have Marine intelligence monitor the royal families of member nations. If the Gorosei want to regain power, they'll need those governments' support."
"Fine," Sengoku agreed reluctantly. "I'll relay the orders."
"Good." Sephiroth paused, then added, "I also need to take Tyrant Kuma."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow, surprised. "What do you need him for?"
The Marineford air grew thick as Sengoku's disapproval hung between them. "To restore his memory and personality?" The Fleet Admiral's voice carried the weight of finality. "I won't allow it. A mindless Kuma serves us better—he's become the perfect weapon."
Sephiroth's laughter cut through the tension like a blade. He ran a hand through silver hair, amusement dancing in mako-blue eyes. "Petty, Sengoku? Really?" The chuckle faded into something sharper. "Vegapunk's already rendering your precious weapon obsolete."
Sengoku's fingers tightened around his teacup. The porcelain cracked. "Explain." A single word, edged with command.
"Seraphim." Sephiroth let the name hang like a promise. Across the desk, he saw the exact moment understanding dawned—the slight widening of golden eyes, the barely perceptible intake of breath. After all, Vegapunk already has a new weapon plan that can replace Tyrant Kuma. Something far more dangerous. Something that wouldn't hesitate.