Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early morning, at the Neo Marines Headquarters.
Ain and Binz stood at the front of the formation, with tens of thousands of high-spirited Neo Marine soldiers behind them. After a period of recuperation, their injuries had fully healed. Every face was solemn, hands behind their backs, standing spear-straight.
"Master!" Ain took a step forward, her voice ringing out. "The entire Neo Marines are assembled and ready. Please review the troops!"
"Mm." Zephyr looked at the vibrant young faces below and grinned, though his eyes grew slightly moist. Just a few days ago, he thought he would lose these lovely students forever. Now, seeing them full of life was a blessing.
The only pity was the mechanical arm that had accompanied him for some time; it had been forcibly torn off during the fight with Akainu and was nowhere to be found. It had likely tumbled into the sea. Regardless, the Neo Marines had their own scientific division, and Zephyr had commissioned a more sophisticated mechanical arm—one with even greater lethality, perfect for dealing with the "swine" in the heavens.
"Very well!" Zephyr took a deep breath, his piercing gaze sweeping over every young face. "As you all know, Curtain Call have declared war on the World Government. As allies, the Neo Marines will respond in full, joining this war to end eight hundred years of tyranny!"
"This time, we are no longer the ones being hunted. we are taking the initiative! We will make those high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons pay for their crimes!"
"Make them pay!" Ain and Binz led the shout, followed by the soldiers in a tidal wave of sound: "For Justice! For Freedom! Follow Master Zephyr! Follow Curtain Call!"
Zephyr nodded in satisfaction and pointed toward the fleet anchored in the distance. "All hands, board the ships! Depart immediately! Once we rendezvous with Curtain Call, we march on the Red Line!"
Almost simultaneously, at Dawn Island.
This island, once used for tea parties, had long since become the political centre of the New World. The harbour was now packed with warships, with the flags of the Finalizers fluttering everywhere. In the central plaza, all executives were gathered.
At the very front stood seven figures with terrifying auras, all clad in black cloaks, lined up before the high platform.
In the dead centre was the heroic female swordsman with a high ponytail, Vice Captain, "Wind Erosion" Shimotsuki Kuina!
To the far left, the blind master swordsman with closed eyes, "Starfall" Issho! Next to him, the man with the bear-eared hat, massive as a mountain, "Thunderfall" Bartholomew Kuma! Beside him, the Fish-man with savage tusks and broad shoulders, "Earth Rumble" Jack!
To the far right, the three-metre-tall cool guy with hands in his pockets, "Aokiji" Kuzan! Next to him, the eight-winged archangel in silver-white armour, "Holy Descent" Angewomon! Beside her, the pineapple-headed man with dead-fish eyes who commanded absolute respect, "Phoenix" Marco!
Scattered around were many others, some long-famous and others newly rising: Nojiko, Smoker... and later additions like Shiliew of the Rain, Trafalgar Law, Zoro, Sanji, and other officers.
On the central high platform, under the focus of countless gazes and the snapping of cloaks in the wind, the handsome black-haired youth stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze indifferent.
As the first ray of dawn rose from the horizon, Shane scanned the crowd and finally spoke: "Everyone."
Just two words caused the noisy plaza to fall instantly silent.
"Time flies. Looking back, two years ago when we set out from the East Blue, we had only one small boat, a few people, and a dog." Shane smiled, looking toward the East Blue. "Back then, on the execution platform in Loguetown, after killing Onigumo, I declared publicly that I would overthrow the old era and drag those who call themselves gods down from the clouds!"
"Aside from my crew, I doubt anyone believed my 'mad ramblings.' No one believed we could shake the rule of the World Government."
The executives below shared knowing smiles. The original members who had followed Shane from the start were particularly moved.
"But we did it." Shane grinned. "From the East Blue to the Grand Line, from Paradise to the New World, we defeated one powerful foe after another and crushed every encirclement. We grew into an enemy that can look down upon Marine Headquarters and make the World Government tremble!"
His voice rose: "And now, the final battle is before us! No matter how high the walls of Mary Geoise are, they cannot stop the torrent of the era! No matter how long the Celestial Dragons have ruled, it is time for it to end!"
"ROAR!!!" The crowd erupted in deafening cheers that nearly shook the sky apart.
"Next, we will split into three paths," Shane signaled for silence. "The first path is the main force. You will follow me in a frontal assault on Mary Geoise!"
"The second path will be led by Kuzan as Commander-in-Chief. Your task is to deal with the Marine Headquarters blocking the way and intercept any reinforcements!"
"The third path will be led by Marco. You will head to Paradise to coordinate with our allies, including the Revolutionary Army led by Dragon, to attack Marineford from the other side and plug every gap!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every face. "This will be a war for the history books. For many of you, it may be your last and most dangerous battle. I ask one last time: does anyone wish to withdraw?"
Not a single person moved. Instead, everyone stood straighter, their eyes burning with a fiercer battle intent.
"Very well!" Shane nodded with approval. He suddenly drew the long sword from his back, pointing the blade toward the heavens, and roared: "Then—everyone, follow me to war! Pierce through Mary Geoise! Overthrow the World Government!!!"
"Pierce through Mary Geoise! Overthrow the World Government!!!"
A roar from thousands of people, even more violent than before, surged into the clouds! Countless seagulls scattered in fear, and the clouds themselves were dispersed by the sheer momentum.
Amidst this soul-stirring wave of sound, over a hundred ceremonial cannons fired into the sky at the harbour. On the decks, sailors nimbly pulled up lines and raised sails. Gunners checked every heavy cannon to ensure peak condition.
"Weigh anchor!" "Hoist sails!" "Advance!"
Amidst the overlapping commands, over a hundred massive warships sailed out of the harbour in an orderly fashion, cutting white wakes into the azure sea. Banners blotted out the sun as they sailed majestically toward the Red Line!
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
"Report! Curtain Call's fleet has moved out in force and left Dawn Island!" "Emergency! Multiple Revolutionary Army fleets have been spotted rapidly gathering at the Sabaody Archipelago!" "Latest news! The Neo Marine fleet is merging with the Finalizers. The enemy forces from the New World alone exceed 100,000 men!"
Urgent telegrams flew into the command room like snowflakes. Staff officers scrambled to organize the intelligence, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Kong sat behind the head desk, his face grim, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Fleet Admiral!" a staff officer reported, face pale. "According to the latest intel, the main fleet led by Shane personally has been advancing at full speed since yesterday. They are expected to arrive at the base of the Red Line by tomorrow evening!"
"Tomorrow evening..." Kong murmured. The pressure was immense. Even though the Marines had been frantically pulling personnel from every branch since last week, their fighting strength was still stretched thin.
"The Marine forces currently deployed for the defense of the Holy Land have increased to 60,000, while only 20,000 remain at Headquarters," another officer added, swallowing hard. "Despite this, Mary Geoise keeps demanding more troops and requires that you and Admiral Borsalino be present."
"Understandable," Kong said coldly. "The Holy Land is naturally more important. Send another 20,000 troops over. Borsalino, you lead the team and depart immediately. I will follow shortly. Although it only takes half a day to get to Mary Geoise from here, we must leave a buffer. It's time to move."
"Understood." Kizaru, who had been leaning against the sofa staring silently out the window, finally snapped back and nodded.
Send another 20,000? The two staff officers froze, thinking Kong had misheard. "Fleet Admiral, we only have twenty—"
"I am not deaf. I mean send them all!" Kong interrupted fiercely. "Trying to protect both will result in losing both. The Holy Land cannot fall. We must abandon Marineford!"
Times had changed. The current Marines could not compare to their peak, when they could gather 100,000 elites at a moment's notice. He was a Marine at heart and had feelings for Marineford; if the strength were still at its peak—if Akainu and Ryokugyu were alive, if Aokiji, Garp, and Zephyr hadn't left—how could he give it up so easily? It was a humiliation, but he was forced into it!
"Yes, Fleet Admiral. We will notify them." The two officers left with sorrowful expressions.
"Not just the lower soldiers, but the morale of the mid-to-high-level staff and officers is very low," Kizaru stared out the window for a long while before slowly rising, looking fixedly at Kong. "Since it has come to this... Fleet Admiral, do you think we will win?"
"We will win," Kong replied without hesitation. "In terms of numbers, we may be at a disadvantage, but don't forget: the World Government has stood for eight hundred years because it has a final trump card! That person cannot leave the Holy Land for certain reasons, but Shane is arrogant enough to attack it directly. Hmph..."
Kong stood up and walked to the window, sneering toward the Red Line. "Marine casualties may be high, but that doesn't matter. As long as we hold out until that person acts—until Shane is dealt with—the final victory will belong to the World Government! To the Marines!"
Is that so? Kizaru remained silent. He wanted to be as optimistic as Kong and believe in that mysterious person. But for some reason—perhaps because he had fought that man too many times, or because he had witnessed that person's avatar fall into the sea—Kizaru felt a deep sense of unease. A bad premonition... Surely it wouldn't go that far?
Holy Land, Mary Geoise
Inside the Room of Flowers, Imu stood quietly by the window, a deep gaze seemingly piercing through the layers of mist to the far distance. Three of the Five Elders knelt respectfully on the floor.
"Great One," Saint Topman Warcury said softly, "Marine Headquarters has followed our orders and moved out in full to guard the Holy Land. However, given their strength, they may still find it difficult to withstand the rebels' assault."
"It matters not," Imu spoke indifferently, the genderless voice echoing like a hollow valley. "The Marines are merely consumables. I never expected much from them. I only need these mortals to delay for a moment."
Delay for a moment? The three Elders exchanged a quick look, realizing something.
"Do you mean...?" Warcury tested cautiously.
"Indeed." Imu turned slowly, ripple-like pupils fixing on the three Elders. "Since I have summoned you, my seclusion has not been in vain. The progress of the 'chessboard' is faster than I anticipated. By tomorrow night, my 'World' will be complete."
As expected! The three Elders were overjoyed.
"According to Marine reports, Curtain Call's fleet should arrive around tomorrow evening. That leaves at most two hours until nightfall..." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said.
Only two hours! With all the Marines, the Five Elders, the newly developed war machines, and the rebuilt Holy Knights... it was enough! With the natural fortress of the Red Line, holding off the rebel fleet for two hours would be no problem at all!
"Withdraw. Make the deployments. Do not disappoint me again."
"Yes, Great One!" The three Elders left without daring to raise their heads.
Once the Room of Flowers returned to silence, Imu turned back and gazed quietly at the bounty poster hanging on the wall—the one for "Shane," with a bounty of 7.3 billion Berries.
"By tomorrow night, I shall step out of the Holy Land with unprecedented power. At that time, all resistors shall be completely erased." Imu spoke softly. "You are indeed strong. And since you dare to come of your own accord, you have likely grown even stronger than last time..."
"But it matters not. I shall show you how vast the gap between us truly is. And who exactly is the only God in this world."