Mary Geoise, Inside the Palace.
The private chambers of the Garbatia family.
The walls were constructed entirely of emerald jade, inlaid with sapphires. It was said the design was inspired by the palace of Fish-Man Island.
Currently, Saint Garbatia and "Saint Epthelm" had changed into fresh clothes. Since they were safely within the Celestial Dragon district, they had removed their airtight helmets.
Garbatia's head was wrapped in thick bandages. He already looked like a pig, and with two streams of snot hanging from his nose, the sight was utterly ridiculous.
Grimm, disguised as Epthelm, raised a goblet filled a third with red wine.
"Saint Garbatia… it is truly a shame about your father. But now… you are the head of the family!"
"Ah… I owe my life to you, my friend!"
Only a few hours had passed since his father died, yet he had already recovered his composure. There was barely a trace of sadness on his face. That was just how Celestial Dragons were—even family meant nothing.
A flash of hatred crossed his eyes. "That damned invader! When I catch him, I'll make him my slave and torture him to death!"
Watching him rage, Grimm smiled and took a sip of the world-class wine. He usually drank beer, but wine wasn't bad either.
"In times of trouble, we must help each other, right?"
"Of course! Of course, my friend! You absolutely must attend my father's funeral!"
"Naturally. Pleasure doing business with you."
Even though he was wearing someone else's face, the smile Grimm wore was something the real Epthelm would never make. But these fools would never notice the difference.
---
Meanwhile, in the Chambers of the Five Elders.
"Report! The wounded have been moved to the infirmary. Saint Mjusgard and Saint Commandia were caught in the blast. They were beyond saving when found. If there are no complications… they are deceased."
"Save the details for later!"
The Elder with the mustache roared, cutting the agent off. Veins were popping on his forehead. "I want to know where Grimm and that Kel'Thuzad are RIGHT NOW!"
They were all furious. Two of their strongest warriors were dead, and the whole world had watched it happen.
Lord Imu was enraged.
There was no way to cover this up.
"I-I'm sorry…"
The agent trembled. The curly-haired Elder slammed his fist on the table, making it shake violently.
"I don't want apologies! I want to know where those two maniacs are!"
"Deploy every force we have! Search every inch! They are the highest priority targets!" The Elder holding the sword released a terrifying killing intent. His eyes were cold and bloodthirsty.
"R-Report! Vice Admiral Tsuru has already moved most of the forces back to Marineford. She said the battle there is still ongoing, so…"
CRASH!
The curly-haired Elder couldn't take it anymore and smashed the table to pieces. "The Navy is getting out of hand! They dare ignore our orders?!"
---
Marineford Headquarters.
"Lion's Might: Earth Roll!"
Under Shiki's control, countless debris from Marineford rose into the sky, forming the head of a massive lion, which crashed down toward Kong.
Kong clenched his fists tightly and roared, charging straight into the attack.
The impact shook the heavens. No one else could even stand near their battlefield.
"Cough!"
Shiki was blasted back hundreds of meters. He used his power to float and stabilize himself, but blood trickled from his mouth.
Kong wasn't faring much better; he was embedded deep into the street, coughing up blood as well.
Kaido and his group were still clashing with the Admiral candidates.
Plank and Yasuo fought side by side against Sengoku, the battle raging endlessly.
As for the grunts… nearly half the Marine soldiers had already fallen due to the initial monster invasion. Bodies littered the ground. The Golden Lion Pirates had suffered far fewer losses.
The battle seemed evenly matched.
Then…
On the high platform in the center of the square, a woman stood up slowly. She wore a Marine cloak over a brilliant red dress, thigh-high high-heeled boots, and held a massive staff over two meters tall. Her hair was a flaxen curl.
She took two steps forward.
In front of her, eight hundred soldiers wearing red suits turned as one and dropped to one knee, facing her.
"The Scarlet Crusade… MOVE OUT!"
Whitemane slammed the base of her staff onto the ground. The entire island of Marineford shuddered.
"LONG LIVE THE SCARLET CRUSADE!"
"LONG LIVE THE SCARLET CRUSADE!"
Eight hundred voices roared as one, shaking the very air.
Every single fighter on the battlefield froze and looked over.
"Scarlet Crusade? Some kind of Marine special unit?" Shiki parried a strike from Kong and glanced over, a bad feeling rising in his chest.
Kizaru pulled back from his fight with King, drawing out his words. "Oh my Things are getting serious Monsters are coming out to play So scary You guys better run away~"
"What is that, Kizaru?" King asked in a calm tone.
"The Scarlet Crusade… a bunch of lunatics. Absolute fanatics. Just like that person over there…"
Before Kizaru finished, Whitemane's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"ALL MARINES RETREAT! SCARLET CRUSADE… CHARGE!!!"
Instantly, the eight hundred red-clad soldiers rushed forward like madmen, straight into the densest part of the pirate forces. The regular Marines immediately began falling back.
"Kill them!"
"Are they insane? Eight hundred men charging us? We still have nearly twenty thousand here!"
The pirates focused all their fire on the incoming red wave. Bullets and cannon fire rained down.
BANG!
SWISH!
The soldiers didn't even flinch. They didn't try to dodge. But when the bullets hit them…
A shimmering golden barrier appeared around their bodies, deflecting every projectile harmlessly!
Scarlet Barrier: Grants Power Word: Shield to all allies within range!
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