Because at that moment, the cloaks of every Marine officer were soaked through with cold sweat, their backs already drenched.
Their hearts were filled with the same fear and helplessness.
"This humiliation today… will be washed away with blood someday!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku forced those words out through clenched teeth, his voice filled with grief, rage, and determination.
But the only response he received was the rolling thunderclouds left behind as Pluton sailed away, their low rumble like the roar of the god of death.
And the main cannon that remained locked onto Marine Headquarters hung over them like the Sword of Damocles, radiating the threat of death and sending chills through everyone's bones.
...
Beneath the vast sky.
When the dreamlike emerald coastline of the Eternal Divine Kingdom slowly appeared at the distant horizon like an exquisite painting unfurling, the nine enormous dragons, each one majestic enough to have flown out of ancient legend, raised their heads at the same time and let out long roars that shook the clouds.
The dragon cries were like rolling thunder and surging tsunamis, carrying endless power and authority as they spread wildly in every direction.
That grand, earth-shaking roar actually transformed into brilliant golden sound waves, sweeping lightly across the vast land like living ribbons.
The capital, Eternal Throne, the city that carried endless glory and faith, was awakened instantly by that sacred power.
Every bell tower in the city seemed to come alive. Without anyone touching them, they began ringing on their own.
Clear, melodious bells intertwined with the fierce, surging dragon cries, echoing one another as they formed a solemn and sacred hymn that lingered above the city for a long time.
"A nation blessed by God! Welcome home, my lord!"
With that cry from the depths of the soul, millions of citizens surged into the streets like a tide and knelt in perfect unison.
Their faces were filled with fanaticism and devotion, and their eyes burned with blazing light—their endless reverence and love for their king.
At that moment, colorful petals poured down from the sky like a rain of flowers, drifting into the world like a brilliant dream.
Every petal seemed to carry a blessing from the gods as it landed softly on people's shoulders and hair, decorating the entire city into something poetic and beautiful.
Looking out, Divine Kingdom flags flew on every street, their bright colors whipping wildly in the fierce wind. Their sharp snaps seemed to tell the glorious history and immortal legends of this nation.
Tall, straight-backed formations of soldiers stood solemnly on both sides of the roads.
With grave expressions, they pressed fists to their chests and gave the highest military salute, offering their deepest respect to their ruler.
Even the innocent children, influenced by the adults around them, carefully copied their movements and prostrated themselves on the ground, their young faces full of seriousness and focus.
Amid that boiling scene, Ron stood proudly at Pluton's bow.
A wide black robe draped over him, whipping fiercely in the violent wind stirred up by the nine dragons, snapping like a black banner flying in the storm.
Pluton's enormous shadow slowly covered the entire capital like a moving mountain, as though the sky itself had lowered, creating a feeling that was both oppressive and awe-inspiring.
Yet the citizens' eyes remained fixed firmly on Ron.
Their gazes held only fanatical worship.
In their hearts, Ron was their guardian god, the supreme existence who could bring them eternal peace.
"My people."
Ron's low, magnetic voice spread clearly to every corner of the nation through Pluton's advanced amplification system.
Every word seemed to carry an invisible power, making hearts tremble and souls submit.
He slowly opened his arms like a king who ruled the world, displaying unmatched confidence and grandeur.
At the same time, Pluton's main cannon lit up with a gentle, mysterious blue glow.
The light was like stars in the deep night sky, beautiful and mesmerizing, yet it also seemed to be quietly awaiting its master's command, ready at any moment to unleash the power to destroy heaven and earth.
"From this day forward," his voice suddenly rose, ringing through the clouds like a great bell, while Pluton's energy core answered with a resonant roar, as though the entire universe were trembling with it.
"No one will dare covet our freedom! Whether it is the tyranny of the World Government or the ambitions of the Celestial Dragons—"
At this point, he suddenly clenched his fist.
Blinding lightning burst from his palm, like furious silver serpents winding through the air and releasing a terrifying aura.
"They will all be crushed before this power!"
His declaration was firm and powerful, like an oath.
It echoed beside everyone's ears and branded itself deep into their hearts.
Beneath the sky, the cheers of the people exploded like an avalanche and a tsunami, surging with mountain-crushing force.
The sound seemed as if it could shake heaven and earth, every syllable carrying the passion they had suppressed for so long and the joy of liberation.
"Eternal Divine Kingdom!"
"Eternal Divine Kingdom!"
"Eternal Divine Kingdom!"
"..."
In the crowd, people threw colorful flowers and brilliant streamers with almost feverish excitement.
The flowers danced wildly in the air like bright butterflies, while the streamers fluttered with the wind like living silk.
Many elderly people, weathered by years of hardship, slowly knelt to the ground.
Their bodies trembled faintly, and large tears rolled from their cloudy eyes.
Those were tears of sorrow and release mixed together.
Their thoughts drifted helplessly back to the distant past.
They remembered the suffering endured by their ancestors, who had been ruthlessly enslaved by the Celestial Dragons—the lightless days, the crushing labor, the endless humiliation.
They remembered their loved ones who had died bravely under the World Government's cruel oppression, fighting for freedom and dignity.
Those vivid lives had vanished into the long river of history, leaving behind only deep pain and endless longing.
Just as that wave of emotion reached its peak, Pluton's massive hull, like a moving mountain, began to descend slowly.
Carrying a solemn and mysterious presence, it lowered itself with perfect precision toward the giant dock built specifically for it.
The dock was enormous beyond belief. It had clearly been carefully designed and constructed, every detail showing how much importance had been placed on this giant warship.
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