Woo, woo, woo...
The massive Pilgrim Island floated high in the sky, rapidly passing the towering cliffs of the Red Line as it continued ascending at an astonishing speed.
The entire island resembled a legendary land from myths and fairy tales.
No, it had already become a true floating island.
"It's... it's rising into the heavens..."
The people living on the island stared blankly at the rushing clouds surrounding them.
When the island they had called home for decades trembled violently before separating from the sea and ascending into the sky, the shock and panic in their hearts had already reached their limit.
Now, only confusion and numb disbelief remained.
"Where exactly are we going? Are we still going back home to eat?"
Pilgrim Island was not the only thing floating through the sky. Vast sections of the deep blue ocean hovered around it as well.
Pirate ships carrying countless Jolly Rogers drifted atop those floating seas.
"Report! We are approaching the airspace above the Red Line and the Holy Land, Mary Geoise!"
All the invited Supernovas had already returned to their respective ships, standing by with their crews.
On the Victoria Punk, the flagship of the Kid Pirates, tension filled the air.
"Check the cannons again! Make sure the ammunition is loaded and ready!"
"The cannons are fully operational! Shells are stocked!"
"Boys! This battle will become a legend recorded in history!"
Eustass Kid stepped aggressively onto the giant skull at the bow of his ship, his eyes blazing with excitement.
"When we fire, move faster than anyone else! The first cannon shell that strikes that damned Mary Geoise must come from the Kid Pirates!"
"YES!!!"
The pirates roared in unison, waving their weapons wildly.
After rallying his crew, Kid lifted his gaze toward the lone figure standing atop the highest mountain of Pilgrim Island.
That cold and isolated silhouette stood at the forefront of the floating seas like a ruler overlooking the world itself.
Kid's expression slowly turned reverent.
"This is what true power looks like. No one in this world is worthy of standing beside him."
Massacre Soldier Killer adjusted his mask slightly.
"He still hasn't officially joined Straw Hat Luffy's crew. Looks like he's deliberately separating himself from them."
"Hmph. Straw Hat and the others aren't qualified to stand beside him."
Kid sneered dismissively, his eyes filled with fanatic admiration as he stared at the distant figure.
"He is the God King."
"As expected of Shirogai..."
Kid grinned fiercely.
"Making an island this massive fly through the sky while dragging entire sections of the ocean with it... that's power beyond imagination."
Killer's voice turned thoughtful.
"This is the power of the Float Float Fruit once wielded by the Golden Lion, Shiki, the legendary pirate from the same era as the Pirate King and Whitebeard."
Kid scoffed.
"I know about Shiki. An old relic who lost to the Marines. Nothing special."
Killer slowly shook his head.
"The terrifying part isn't Shiki. It's the fact that even his Devil Fruit ability ended up in Shirogai's hands."
His tone grew heavier.
"I honestly can't imagine how many Devil Fruit powers Shirogai possesses now."
Kid laughed.
"He probably has every ability worth having."
A dangerous gleam flashed through his eyes.
"I really want to see it someday..."
"See what?"
Kid's grin widened.
"The full power of a God King fighting without restraint."
Killer fell silent for a few seconds before speaking quietly.
"I'm afraid no one in this world can force him to that point."
Whoosh!
Violent winds screamed past the island, yet an invisible force shielded everyone from the pressure and turbulence.
Even at such terrifying altitudes, nobody felt discomfort.
Then suddenly...
Boom!!!
The island burst through the thick clouds.
Under the radiant sunlight, Pilgrim Island emerged completely above the Red Line.
"We've arrived..."
"The Holy Land, Mary Geoise."
Pilgrim Island had never imagined that one day it would truly arrive at the place it was named after.
Likewise, the people living there had never imagined they would witness the legendary Holy Land with their own eyes.
"Heavens... this really is Mary Geoise..."
"The kingdom above the clouds..."
The residents stared blankly at the magnificent city spread across the Red Line below them.
Luxurious buildings, sacred palaces, and noble estates stretched endlessly into the distance.
"Is this real...?"
A middle-aged man collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"I actually made it here..."
"The Holy Land... Mary Geoise..."
Another resident immediately knelt and began bowing repeatedly toward the city below.
"Thank the heavens for allowing me to witness this sacred land! If I could live here, I would die without regrets!"
"Mary Geoise!"
"The Holy Land!"
More and more people dropped to their knees.
For generations, they had been taught the same truths.
The Celestial Dragons were the highest beings in the world.
Their orders could never be disobeyed.
Mary Geoise was the greatest place in existence.
This obedience had long been carved into their instincts.
Shirogai stood silently atop the mountain peak, his gaze fixed on the luxurious city below.
"Look carefully."
His calm voice echoed across the wind.
"This is Mary Geoise, a land ruled by nobles who spread war across the world while never experiencing war themselves."
Crackle!!!
Lightning suddenly flashed beside him.
A silver figure materialized instantly.
Marine Admiral Cero.
The two stood side by side, silently observing the Holy Land in the distance.
After a long pause, Cero finally spoke.
"So it still came to this."
His silver eyes remained fixed on Mary Geoise.
"In the end, war is never the outcome. It's simply part of the process."
Shirogai remained expressionless.
"Hatred without consequences never disappears."
"The flames of war are necessary."
Cero glanced behind him at the countless kneeling civilians and sighed quietly.
"Pathetic."
"Pitiful."
"They've been broken so thoroughly that they worship the chains binding them."
After speaking, he turned back toward Mary Geoise.
The city looked peaceful.
Beautiful.
Untouchable.
Cero suddenly laughed mockingly.
"Funny, isn't it?"
"The people who start wars across the world know absolutely nothing about war itself."
Shirogai's eyes remained cold.
"The Celestial Dragons have spent centuries spreading conflict, suffering, and death across the seas."
"Yet the land they live on has never once been touched by war."
His voice remained calm, but an invisible pressure spread across the air.
"That ends today."
Cero's lips slowly curled upward into a cruel smile.
"Once the flames begin, everyone burns equally."
His silver eyes gleamed sharply.
"Even the Celestial Dragons."
Shirogai looked down upon the Holy Land silently.
Then he spoke one final sentence.
"Let them finally understand what war truly means."