Since I accepted the invitation, I will not run.
The moment I stepped onto this island, life and death no longer mattered.
"I can't flee. If I, the Godfather, run away in front of all these people, I'll never have another chance to rise above them."
"The results of my divination show that my chances of dying are extremely low. There's no need to escape."
"This is my opportunity to join the God King's ranks♪. It's a hundred times better than serving under a Yonko♪!"
"Amitabha. If I do not enter hell, who will?"
The pirate captains forcefully suppressed the fear screaming within their instincts.
As they stared at the figure standing beneath the center of everyone's attention, their hearts filled with overwhelming reverence and admiration.
This man had set sail around the same time as them.
Yet in only a few short years, Shirogai had established the prestige of the [God King], suppressing the Yonko and shaking the [World Government] itself.
His name had spread across the entire world.
Meanwhile, these arrogant Supernovas, pirates who never respected even the Yonko and looked down on nearly everyone since leaving their hometowns, had crossed thousands of miles because of a single invitation from him.
Now they stood before him with lowered heads.
Not a single one of them felt unwilling.
In fact, many of them were unwilling to admit it aloud, but their hearts were already overwhelmed by excitement and pride.
Receiving a personal invitation from the [God King] was an honor beyond imagination for any pirate.
Shirogai's legend had shown these ambitious pirates a path even greater than becoming Pirate King.
The God King stood unmatched.
One King shook the world.
Before his throne, all others were insignificant.
...
"Everyone."
The [God King] slowly spoke while scanning the gathered Supernovas with a faint smile.
"I invited all of you here today for one reason only."
It's coming.
The true purpose was finally being revealed.
Swoosh...
Huff...
The breathing of the pirate captains suddenly became heavier.
Their pupils narrowed while ambition burned fiercely within their eyes as they stared at the man stirring chaos throughout the world.
"..."
"..."
This was the same [God King] who had shattered the balance of the world during the [Marineford War].
What kind of terrifying event was he planning now by gathering so many dangerous pirates together?
"..."
Capone Bege's cigar trembled slightly as seriousness flashed across his eyes.
"..."
Apoo did not even dare breathe loudly.
His long arms tightened into fists while his piano-like teeth chattered nervously.
"..."
Hawkins maintained his cold expression while gripping his sword with one hand.
Only the drop of sweat sliding from his nose exposed the tension in his heart.
"..."
Urouge still wore his usual smile.
But the corners of his mouth twitched slightly while his eyes remained fixed on the ground.
"..."
Far above the island, a certain intelligence broker hiding inside an airship stared intensely at the Den Den Mushi before him while his heartbeat echoed loudly through the cabin.
"..."
"..."
Then the God King smiled lightly.
"Follow me, and destroy Mary Geoise."
His voice was calm.
Yet those words carried overwhelming Haoshoku Haki that allowed no rejection.
"..."
The entire island went silent.
The crashing waves disappeared.
The cries of seabirds vanished.
Even breathing itself seemed to stop.
Everyone froze.
Their minds blanked completely as one thought exploded within them.
War was coming.
The island remained silent for several long seconds.
Even the usually fearless pirates were stunned speechless.
Then...
BOOM!!!
An airship hidden high above suddenly exploded.
Bang!
"Hahahahaha!!!"
A figure with crimson hedgehog-like hair crashed down from the sky while laughing wildly.
The impact shattered the street apart and left behind a massive crater.
"Let's do it!!!!"
Amidst the rising dust, Eustass Kid raised his head with a crazed grin covering his face as he stared directly at Shirogai.
"God King Shirogai! The Kid Pirates are willing to destroy Mary Geoise alongside you!"
Kid looked at Shirogai like he was staring at a madman determined to overturn the world itself.
At the same time, his eyes burned with admiration.
"God King! As expected of the God King! I thought you invited us here simply to expand your forces, but I never imagined you wanted to accomplish something this insane!"
Kid's body trembled violently.
Metal fragments floated uncontrollably around him as excitement consumed his expression.
"Destroying Mary Geoise... even the Pirate King never accomplished something like that!"
"If we truly succeed, our names will surpass even the Pirate King's legend!"
"Destroy Mary Geoise..."
Urouge repeated the words stiffly.
Then he repeated them again.
"Destroy Mary Geoise..."
With every repetition, the excitement in his smile intensified until his entire face looked almost demonic.
"Amitabha."
Urouge pressed one palm against his chest like a devout monk.
Yet the veins bulging from his hand revealed his terrifying killing intent.
"I am willing to follow the God King and destroy Mary Geoise."
As he spoke, compassion and madness coexisted within his eyes.
"The more I travel this world, the more I understand something."
"All suffering and chaos exist because hell itself sits atop Mary Geoise."
Urouge closed his eyes gently.
"If I do not enter hell, who will? That place should have disappeared long ago."
Inside Capone Bege's castle space...
"He's insane! God King Shirogai is completely insane!"
Vito and Gotti stared toward Bege in horror as he silently sat in the main seat lost in thought.
"Godfather, you can't agree to this!"
The two men hurried to his side anxiously.
"These people are lunatics! This isn't something we should get involved in!"
"No matter how strong the God King is, he cannot defeat the [World Government]!"
"The Celestial Dragons have hidden behind the [World Government] for centuries. Nobody knows how many monsters they have under their control. Not to mention the Marines alone are powerful enough to wipe out every pirate here except Shirogai himself!"
Gotti's voice trembled.
"He's actually planning to lead pirates in an assault on Mary Geoise. That's pure insanity!"
"Exactly, Godfather! The moment we attack Mary Geoise, we'll become the world's most wanted criminals! This means becoming enemies of the entire world!"
"...So what you're saying is..."
Capone Bege slowly puffed on his cigar while his expression darkened slightly.
"Among all these pirates, we're the biggest cowards?"
"The crew most terrified of the [World Government] and those worthless [Celestial Dragons]?"
Capone Bege spoke calmly.
"Did you forget what I specialize in?"
"Assassinating the rulers of this world."
"What's so surprising about this?"
"Crazy... Godfather, you've gone crazy too..."
Vito muttered blankly.
"Relax, Vito."
Capone Bege lightly patted his shoulder while calmly smoking his cigar.
Wearing his sharp black-and-white striped suit, he looked composed and elegant.
Then he spoke confidently.
"The strongest power in this world is standing on our side."