In an instant, the seemingly solid and unmoving castle underwent a shocking transformation.
As if it had come alive, it rapidly reshaped itself into a giant war snail.
Its massive body gave off a chilling aura, ready to crush anything that dared block its path.
"Pass my order to all clone soldiers—within three months, I want every wave in the South Blue dyed the red of the Divine Kingdom!"
Judge's voice was loud and majestic, echoing throughout the castle.
Reiju leaned gracefully beside the porthole, the corner of her mouth lifting into a charming smile.
Her fingertip lightly traced Ron's portrait in the newspaper, and a complicated emotion flashed through her eyes.
"What a terrifying man~ But…"
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly raised her high-heeled foot and crushed the newspaper that had fallen to the floor.
Her gaze turned sharp and cold.
"Compared to being a pirate's companion, wouldn't it be far more profitable to become the blade of the king of the world?"
Yonji scratched his head and asked in confusion, "So we're going to blow away those weaklings in the South Blue now?"
"Wrong!"
Judge shouted, his cloak snapping fiercely in the sea wind like a fluttering battle flag.
His eyes blazed as he looked at the children before him and declared solemnly,
"We are going to part the world down the middle!"
The moment they heard their father's words, all of his children straightened at the same time.
Their postures were firm and unyielding, and the heels of their steel boots struck together, bursting with a neat, resounding shower of sparks, as though declaring their resolve and power to the world.
When night fell and darkness covered the sea, Germa's war snail fleet quietly crossed the mysterious Reverse Mountain.
Bright moonlight poured over those enormous war machines, illuminating the freshly painted Divine Kingdom emblems at the tops of every castle.
That emblem, forged from Germa's advanced technological metal and the blood-red battle flag symbolizing war and glory, was like the fang of a new era.
It shone with a cold, dazzling light, foreshadowing a shocking transformation that was about to sweep across the entire world.
...
Wano.
Sunlight fell upon ancient buildings and bustling crowds.
The people gathered like a rising tide in every corner of the streets and alleys, their eyes all fixed on the towering walls and the waterfall cascading down like the Milky Way falling from the heavens.
In those countless eyes was hope and expectation for the future.
In that instant, every hope gathered into a blazing light.
The decision to open the country was like a massive stone suddenly thrown into a lake that had once been still as a mirror, instantly stirring up layer upon layer of surging waves.
The entire nation trembled because of it.
"Are we truly going to break the barrier that has stood for centuries?"
An old man with white hair slowly leaned on his weathered cane.
His voice trembled faintly, carrying both worry over the unknown changes ahead and an anticipation he could not hide.
His weather-beaten face was covered in the traces of time, every wrinkle seeming to tell a story from the past.
"Yes, old man!"
A vigorous young man waved his strong arm with excitement, his eyes shining with firm light as he shouted,
"We're going to let Wano see the light of day again! We're going to bring a new dawn to this land and free it from the old shackles!"
His words were like stirring war drums, striking the hearts of everyone present.
At that tense yet hopeful moment, three mysterious figures suddenly appeared in the sky.
It was the Divine Kingdom's island-moving unit, arriving in grand formation.
They wore spotless silver-white uniforms, their neat attire showing professionalism and authority.
On each of their cloaks was carefully embroidered the emblem representing the Divine Kingdom's noble status, shining brightly under the sun.
Even more amazing was the fact that each of them stood upon a floating stone slab radiating strange light, hovering steadily in midair.
Those slabs were the exclusive equipment of three Float-Float Fruit ability users, whom Ron had obtained after great effort from the powerful Golden Lion.
Ron stood tall at the top of the castle tower, the biting sea wind whipping his ink-black cloak until it snapped loudly in the air.
His deep gaze pierced through the clouds and looked down upon everything below.
The plan he had prepared for so long was finally about to be carried out.
He turned slightly toward Marco, the loyal and reliable companion beside him, and said calmly,
"It's time."
Marco nodded solemnly.
Brilliant blue flames instantly ignited around his body, dancing and leaping beside him like lively spirits, making him appear even more heroic.
"Leave it to me," he replied with full confidence.
With that, he spread his wings and soared into the broad sky.
In midair, he quickly issued clear and precise orders to the three Float-Float Fruit ability users.
"Team One, head to the eastern coast. Secure the foundation firmly and make sure nothing goes wrong.
"Team Two, hold the western coast. Stabilize the crust with everything you have. No mistakes.
"Team Three, come with me to the southern coast. Make full preparations and be ready to lift at any moment!"
The three Float-Float Fruit ability users moved at once, quickly hovering in the sky in a neat triangular formation.
Their expressions were focused and serious.
They slowly stretched out their hands and pressed them toward the enormous solid wall at the same time.
The instant their powers activated, the surrounding air seemed to be filled with tremendous energy, releasing a strained hum as though groaning under the pressure.
Their cloaks whipped upward against gravity under the force of their power, like battle flags in a storm.
Tiny beads of blood gradually seeped from their hairlines, proof that they were pushing their abilities with all their strength.
"Ugh… it's heavier than I expected!"
The ability user on the eastern side gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead as large drops of sweat rolled down his cheeks.
He could feel the enormous resistance coming from the giant wall.
In particular, the Seastone veins buried within it were stubbornly resisting his power, making every step brutally difficult.
However, the ability user on the western side was completely different.
He grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, and let out a hearty laugh.
"Now that's more like it! I've lifted Marine fortresses before!"
As he spoke, he actually stepped directly onto the air, and spiderweb-like spatial cracks spread beneath his feet, displaying extraordinary power and confidence.
The blazing blue flames around Marco suddenly surged, as if ignited by passion, and transformed into a pair of enormous, magnificent wings.
The roaring flames of regeneration, carrying vast power and boundless vitality, quickly enveloped the three of them.