In another vast expanse of the New World, over three hundred Navy warships bearing the seagull flag cut through the waves, sailing at full speed in battle formation toward Hachinosu Island.
On the flagship, Fleet Admiral Kong stood solemnly at the bow, flanked by Admirals "Zhu Yan" and "Qiongqi." Behind them, a group of Marine Headquarters vice admirals wore grave expressions.
Yet, amid this tense atmosphere, a discordant voice shattered the silence.
"Report!!"
A communications officer, his face deathly pale, stumbled out of the cabin in a panic.
"Fleet Admiral Kong! The Headquarters has issued a highest-level emergency alert! The Rocks Pirates fleet... has been spotted above the Red Line and is approaching Mary Geoise!!"
Silence.
Time seemed to freeze.
Kong's expression stiffened.
The Rocks Pirates... weren't waiting for them at Hachinosu Island?
Instead, they had already reached the Holy Land Mary Geoise?!
"What?!"
Kong whirled around, snatching the Den Den Mushi and nearly roaring:
"Repeat that!"
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came the panicked voice of the Headquarters communications officer:
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral! Five minutes ago, unidentified flying objects were observed above the Red Line! Confirmed to be the Rocks Pirates fleet! Thirty ships! They... they are flying toward Mary Geoise!!"
"How is that possible?! How did they..."
Kong's words cut off abruptly.
Because he suddenly thought of two people.
Golden Lion Shiki—a user of the Float-Float Fruit, capable of making objects levitate and fly.
Raiver Sky—a user of the Space-Space Fruit, able to manipulate force and space.
With these two working together, it was indeed possible to make an entire fleet take to the air.
"Damn it... We've been tricked..."
Rocks' target was never to defend Hachinosu Island.
He had planned this from the very beginning.
Using Hachinosu Island as bait to lure the main Marine force, then striking straight at the heart, attacking the lightly defended Mary Geoise!
"All forces—!!!"
Kong roared with every ounce of his strength:
"Immediately change course! Target Mary Geoise, full speed ahead—!!!"
The order was given, and the entire massive fleet veered sharply.
"Hard to port! Full speed turn!"
"Notify all ships! Change of objective! Target Mary Geoise!"
"Full power! At all costs! Now!"
Shouts, commands, and steam whistles mingled into chaos.
Over three hundred warships carved immense white arcs across the sea.
But Kong's heart sank to the depths.
It was too late.
From their current position to Mary Geoise, even at full speed, it would take at least three hours.
And Rocks' fleet had already reached the skies above the Red Line.
"Notify Headquarters! Notify the Holy Land! All remaining forces must immediately engage in defense! Hold them off at all costs!"
Kong's face was ashen as he yelled into the Den Den Mushi.
The Marine Headquarters was now depleted of combat strength, and Mary Geoise must not fall!
Not only was it the central hub of the World Government, but it was also the dwelling place of all the Celestial Dragons. The slightest mishap would have unimaginable consequences!
That utter madman Rocks actually dared to directly attack the Holy Land! This went far beyond mere provocation!
With the current defensive forces of the Holy Land itself, plus the small number of remaining Marines, it would be impossible to withstand a full-scale assault by the Rocks Pirates.
Moreover... within their ranks, there exist monsters like Raiver Sky and Whitebeard, who possess large-scale destructive abilities!
Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit could trigger tsunamis and tear the earth apart with a single punch.
Raiver Sky's spatial abilities were even more unpredictable, capable of directly destroying defenses from the inside.
Letting them charge into Mary Geoise would be no different than releasing a pack of starving tigers into a sheep pen.
In an instant, that pure white city symbolizing the world's highest authority could be reduced to scorched earth drenched in blood and fire!
"Full speed! Faster!"
Kong stared into the distance, his eyes bloodshot.
All he hoped for now was that the defensive forces in Mary Geoise could hold out a little longer.
...
Holy Land Mariejois, Pangaea Castle, Hall of Power.
The Five Elders, having received the emergency alert from Marine Headquarters, all turned ashen-faced.
The Rocks Pirates' fleet had actually appeared above the Red Line and was rapidly approaching Mary Geoise?!
"How did they do it?! How could thirty massive warships silently fly over the Red Line?!"
Saint Marcus Mars's voice carried an incredulous fury.
"Don't forget, Golden Lion Shiki's Float-Float Fruit has the ability to make objects levitate and fly. And that Raiver Sky can even manipulate force and space."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter reminded grimly:
"Most likely... they never took the sea route at all, but flew directly here from Hachinosu Island.
Otherwise, the Marine fleet sent to suppress them would never have failed to detect them."
"Now is not the time to investigate how they did it!"
Saint Topman Warcury slammed the table and stood up, his voice icy:
"Immediately assemble all defensive forces that can be mobilized in the Holy Land—the Guard Army, CP units, all members of the God's Knights!
At any cost, we must intercept them before they land. We cannot allow a single pirate to set foot inside the city!"
"At the same time, urgently order all Marines heading to Hachinosu Island to return at full speed!
Withdraw all remaining forces from Marine Headquarters, contact Army Headquarters, and mobilize every unit that can reach Mary Geoise in the shortest possible time!"
Unbelievable! Rocks has actually gone this far in madness and audacity!
Invading Mary Geoise is no longer mere pirate behavior—this is a direct challenge to the very foundation of the World Government's rule!
If they succeed, if the Celestial Dragons are massacred in large numbers, if Mary Geoise is plundered...
Then the World Government's authority will be utterly destroyed, and the eight-hundred-year ruling order will completely collapse.
They must be stopped.
At any cost.
"It seems... relying solely on the forces below may no longer be enough to prevent this disaster."
Holding the First Generation Ghost Cutter, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro slowly rose to his feet.
The other four also stood up gradually upon hearing this.
"Let us go and meet those... pirates who don't know their place."
As the words fell, five figures radiated immense Haki and strode out in unison.
The Five Elders, the highest authority of the World Government.
All are Zoan Type, Mythical Zoan users, fully awakened, masters of all three types of Haki, and possess the four special shared abilities granted by Imu.
Infinite Regeneration: Even when sustaining fatal injuries, they can recover completely in an extremely short time, rendering them nearly immortal.
Abyssal Magic Circle: Under specific conditions, it allows for instantaneous teleportation regardless of distance, enabling rapid mutual reinforcement among the five.
Telepathy: Mental communication among the five.
Longevity: Possessing an exceptionally long lifespan.
Saint Topman Warcury, Fengxi Form (Giant Wild Boar)
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nu
sjuro, Horse Bone Form (Wraith of a Warhorse Consumed by Flames)
Saint Marcus Mars, Itsumade Form (Human Face, Bird Wings, Snake Body)
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, Ushi-oni Form (Bull Head, Spider Body)
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, Sandworm Form (Giant Burrowing Worm)