At that moment, Saint Peter quietly stepped back, gathering power in silence. Suddenly, a massive five-pointed magic circle formed above his head.
The instant it appeared, fierce winds surged outward, and streaks of purple lightning burst from within the circle.
Marco's expression darkened immediately. He had not expected Saint Peter to summon reinforcements so quickly.
This was exactly what made the World Government so troublesome. That spatial magic circle allowed them to continuously bring in support. Before long, seven figures descended from it.
At the front stood an elderly man with crescent-shaped hair and beard, wearing sunglasses. He glanced around calmly and spoke.
"Is this Egghead Island?"
Saint Peter's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "I didn't expect it to be you, Saint Garling."
The newcomer was none other than Saint Figarland Garling, Commander of the God's Knights.
Garling nodded faintly, his tone steady. "Time was short. I gathered the nearest members as quickly as possible."
Saint Peter scanned the group before him, then said in a low voice, "That will be enough."
Around them, tension rippled through the battlefield.
"The World Government sent more reinforcements again!"
"Who are those people? They look incredibly strong!"
"Damn it, they can just summon people like this at any time!"
The pirates' expressions turned grim.
Even Kaido, locked in battle with Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, glanced over with a serious look. "The God's Knights… the elite force made entirely of Celestial Dragons?"
Big Mom let out a low, ferocious laugh, but her eyes carried a rare hint of caution. "Ma ma ma… they all look like trouble."
For the first time, she felt the sheer weight of the World Government's true strength.
Gorosei, God's Knights… compared to any enemy they had faced before, this was on an entirely different level.
Even as one of the Four Emperors, she could feel the situation slipping beyond her control.
Marco's gaze turned cold as he activated his scan.
Saint Figarland Garling, estimated strength: peak Admiral level, approaching Emperor level.
Saint Figarland Gorumbasaint, estimated strength: low Emperor level.
Saint Donquixote KuzanParamecia type, Chill-Chill Fruit, estimated strength: Yonko Commander level.
Saint Marcus Duran Dutertre, Paramecia type, Paper-Paper Fruit, estimated strength: high commander level.
Naronar Crimi, Paramecia type, Sniper Fruit, estimated strength: Yonko Commander level.
Topman Cecilia, Paramecia type, Balloon-Balloon Fruit, estimated strength: Yonko Commander level.
Saint Jaygarcia Heim, Logia type, Dust-Dust Fruit, estimated strength: high commander level.
Marco's expression grew even colder.
Seven of them. Two at Admiral to Emperor level, five at Yonko Commander level.
This lineup was absurd.
Saint Peter spoke again, his voice sharp. "Saint Garling, we will deal with the Phoenix together. The rest of you, go support the Marines. They seem to be struggling."
Garling nodded slightly, then looked toward Marco.
"So this is the one who killed Saint Mars. Hard to believe."
He turned and gave his command. "All of you, assist the Marines."
"Yes, Commander."
The God's Knights dispersed immediately, moving to reinforce the battlefield.
Marco's eyes remained fixed on Garling.
So this was Shanks' father, and the commander of the God's Knights. If things followed the future he knew, this man would eventually become one of the Gorosei.
And now, with Saint Mars dead, that path seemed even clearer.
Saint Peter's voice turned more serious. "Be careful. His Haki is extremely powerful. Our immortality means nothing against him."
Garling showed no surprise. "Naturally. Anyone capable of killing Saint Mars would possess that level of Haki."
Still, deep down, he felt a trace of satisfaction.
Saint Mars's death had created an opening.
Though he already possessed immortality as a member of the God's Knights, true eternal life, the kind granted to the Gorosei, was reserved for only a select few.
Now, a seat was vacant.
And he was the most qualified to claim it.
At that moment, a mechanical voice echoed in Marco's mind.
New enemy detected.
Defeat the God's Knights Commander. Reward, 10000 attribute points.
Defeat a God's Knights member. Reward, 7000 attribute points.
Marco raised an eyebrow slightly and opened his system panel.
The mission had changed.
Mission: Protect Vegapunk, the world's greatest scientist. Reward, 10000 attribute points.
Additional objectives:
Defeat a Gorosei, reward 10000 attribute points per target.
Defeat the God's Knights Commander, reward 10000 attribute points.
Defeat a God's Knights member, reward 7000 attribute points.
Defeat a Marine Admiral, reward 8000 attribute points.
Defeat a Marine Vice Admiral, reward 500 attribute points.
With the arrival of the God's Knights, the system had immediately updated.
At the same time, the pressure on the Marines eased significantly.
The God's Knights quickly engaged the strongest fighters of the Three Emperors Alliance.
But almost immediately, a shocking realization spread among them.
"These guys… they have immortality too!"
After knocking his opponent back, Sak stared in disbelief as the enemy stood up unharmed.
"Damn it…"
King's expression darkened as he faced the same problem.
Katakuri's gaze sharpened, his tone low and steady. "So even the God's Knights possess immortality. This won't be easy."
He recalled what Marco had said before.
To break immortality, one had to concentrate Conqueror's Haki into a single point and strike.
The question was…
Could he do it?
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