As Fang Huo's Raigō took shape, the CP Agents and the Judicial Knights on Enies Lobby quickly sensed a terrifying, heart-stopping crisis.
"What's happening to the weather?"
"How can such extreme weather appear in Enies Lobby's waters?!"
"Something's wrong! This weather is off!"
The Chief Justice of Enies Lobby, the captain of the Law Hounds, the CP9 commander, and the five Marine Headquarters colonels stationed on the island all stared gravely at the apocalyptic thunderstorm.
While they debated whether to report to the World Government and Marine Headquarters, a Flying Battleship emerged from the thick clouds.
In an instant, every eye on Enies Lobby shrank in horror!!
A Flying Battleship?
The Rocks Pirates?
"No good—it's the Rocks Pirates! Sound the alarm!!"
The Chief Judge's face turned ashen. Two or three years earlier, Rocks had blasted open the Gate of Justice to escape, and the memory still cast a shadow over their hearts.
"Notify Mary Geoise at once!!"
The CP9 commander hastily produced a silver transponder snail, his hands trembling.
"Call Marineford immediately!!"
The five colonels were drenched in cold sweat. Who could have imagined that the Rocks Pirates, hunted jointly by the World Government and Marine Headquarters, would dare enter the Government's core waters.
"Hahaha, I smell the scent of terrified souls!"
"Life or Death!!"
Charlotte Linlin rode forth on Thunder Cloud Zeus, erupting with Conqueror's Haki and unleashing her Soul Incantation upon the judicial corps, Law Hounds, CP Agents, and Marines!
She had just poured most of her stored soul energy into the Golden Pillar, Golden Bell, and Golden Castle.
"No—Soul Queen Charlotte Linlin's incantation!"
"Stay calm! Don't give in to fear!"
"We are Marines of justice—no retreat, no terror!!"
Watching pale soul energy rise from countless terrified soldiers, the colonels roared in fury.
But reality was cruel.
Even their own souls began to leak away.
They swore they would not falter, yet their hearts had been shattered by the Rocks Pirates' sudden assault.
They were mere colonels—what hope did they have against Rocks, who had slain Admirals?
"Fang Huo, let me reap some life-force first; then I'll have enough soul power to turn our golden world into a darling Homies realm!"
Charlotte Linlin harvested the life-span of the fearful; the more terrified the victim, the more soul energy surged out.
Some timid wretches lost fifty years at once and dropped dead on the spot.
Even elite warriors, fighting their dread, lost years or decades of life.
"Vile ability!"
Maron muttered in envy; he too coveted such a supreme Devil Fruit power.
Alas, he had yet to find a fruit that suited him.
Fang Huo likewise released Conqueror's Haki, sweeping his hand to send a swarm of Blood Shadow Bats to reap lives.
"I want eternal youth as well!"
Long Bread murmured, sprouting bat wings from his back and fangs in his mouth as he dived to drink blood.
Fang Huo released his two CP0 vampire thralls to gather blood energy on their own.
"Watch if you like, but I won't let you hog all the glory!"
Rocks drew his blade and charged the Gate of Justice.
Last time he had merely broken it open to escape; now he intended to shatter it completely, showing Imu and the World Government the pinnacle of his might.
"Sorry, first mate, but I think our bounties could use a boost!"
"The Chief Judge and the CP commander are ours!"
"Stussy, don't forget to snap our photos!"
Babel, Sanbel, and Kiel Bastard all scrambled for heads and glory.
"This is a fortress with ten or twenty thousand troops!"
Fūgetsu Kisaburō stayed out of the slaughter, watching with Newgate from the deck.
"This really is madness."
Newgate had little appetite for striking such a vital World Government stronghold.
After this, the Government and Marine Headquarters would ramp their hunt for the Rocks Pirates to a whole new level.
He still dreamed of sailing around the world and had no wish to be hounded day and night by CP Agents and Marines.
Yet Rocks had already stormed Holy Land Mary Geoise and killed an Admiral;
razing Enies Lobby seemed merely "gilding the lily," one more crime on the list.
"If you're not joining the fun, then I will!"
Maron had fused with his Sky Island three-yard bird, gaining a second pair of wings.
Besides flight, he could now spew flames with the bird's Flame Dial.
He had also acquired a rare Laser Dial that could project a blazing sword of light over a dozen meters long.
To keep his bounty from hitting rock bottom, he needed some real feats—
and the top brass of Enies Lobby were perfect stepping-stones!
Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise and Marine Headquarters, urgent distress calls from Enies Lobby were received.
Neither the Gorosei nor the Fleet Admiral had imagined that the Rocks Pirates, unseen for half a year, would reappear and immediately assault one of the Government's three key installations!
It was outright defiance!
A piercing alarm blared across Marineford.
Under urgent orders from the Fleet Admiral, Admiral Iron Hand and Admiral Copper Skin led a host of Vice Admirals and more than half the fleet, racing toward Enies Lobby via the Triangle Current.
In Mary Geoise, by command of the Gorosei, the God's Knights mobilized at once!
Though the Celestial Dragons scarcely cared for the "servant" strongholds of Enies Lobby, Marineford, or Impel Down,
Judicial War God Topman Warcury would not stand by while a pirate crew destroyed the island that symbolized law and judgment—
a cornerstone of the World Government's prestige, vital for stabilizing the allied nations and maintaining world order.
"No permanent Warp Gate on Enies Lobby—another trip to make!"
Shepherd Ten Somaz Saint grumbled.
For generations, the Holy Knights had never installed Warp Gates at the Government's three strongholds.
Neither Enies Lobby, Impel Down, nor Marineford had one—
a minor oversight, perhaps.
Yet as lofty Celestial Dragons, they cared little for the fate of mere "lower-world" military bases.
"Hmph! So you've finally shown yourself again, Gu Yue Fang Huo!"
Figarland Garling strode at the head of the column, claiming the center spot.
With the greatest strength, he would prove his worth to Lord Imu—
the post of Commander of the Gods Knights would be his!