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[email protected]/Heroicverse
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The delivery arrived at the Marine G-5 Base—a notorious outpost in the New World known for its brutality—not via a diplomatic vessel, but by a simple, unmanned scout boat drifting on the current. When Vice Admiral Vergo (acting under his dual cover) ordered the crate opened, the stench was so potent it caused the surrounding soldiers to gag.
Inside, buried beneath layers of rotting offal and fermented fish guts, lay the shredded remains of the World Government's golden invitation. The official seal of the Five Elders was smeared with grime, rendered unrecognizable.
The message was not written in ink, but in the sheer audacity of the act: Fish-Man Island no longer fears the gods of the Red Line.
When the news reached Pangaea Castle, the atmosphere was no longer cold and calculating; it was explosive.
"Preposterous! Utterly preposterous!" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn slammed his cane into the marble floor, the impact cracking the stone. "A king of a mere underwater grotto dares to insult the dignity of the World Government in such a primitive fashion?"
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's hand gripped the hilt of his Shodai Kitetsu so tightly his knuckles turned white. "It is not Neptune who did this. Neptune is a coward who trembles at his own shadow. This is the hand of Auguro. He has stripped away Neptune's hesitation and replaced it with his own arrogance."
"The plan backfired," Saint Shepherd Jū Peter admitted, his voice tight with suppressed rage. "We intended to sow discord. Instead, we have consolidated their alliance. By forcing Neptune to choose, we have turned a 'subordinate state' into a 'fanatical loyalist.'"
The Five Elders stood in the center of the Room of Power, the silence between them heavy with the realization that their psychological grip on the world's monarchs was slipping. For 800 years, an invitation to the Reverie was seen as the ultimate grace. To have it returned in a box of filth was a declaration of war that surpassed mere territory—it was an assault on their divinity.
"We cannot let this stand," Marcus Mars spoke up, his eyes narrow. "If other Affiliated Nations see that a kingdom can insult us and still thrive under the protection of the Holy Spirit Empire, the entire structure of the Heavenly Tribute will collapse. We must make an example of Fish-Man Island."
"And how?" Nusjuro countered. "To attack them now is to engage the Holy Spirit Empire in a total war for which we are still preparing. Auguro is waiting for us to overextend."
While the World Government fumed, Auguro was not resting on his laurels. He had moved from his palace in Water Seven to the actual site of the migration project—the massive elevator systems and bubble-tethering arrays being constructed near the G-7 naval routes.
The sea was teeming with activity. Hundreds of thousands of Fish-Men and Merfolk were assisting the Empire's engineers. It was a marvel of labor and technology; the Fish-Men provided the underwater strength, while the Holy Spirit Empire provided the steel, the logistical planning, and the sheer political will.
Auguro stood on the deck of his flagship, the Imperial Sovereign. Beside him stood Prince Fukaboshi, who had traveled to the surface to personally oversee the transition and to further distance himself from his father's earlier blunder.
"The World Government will not take the 'fish guts' incident lightly, Emperor," Fukaboshi said, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "My father was... expressive, once he realized the trap. But I fear for the civilians once the move is complete. On the surface, we are targets."
Auguro looked at the young prince. "Do you know why the World Government has ruled for 800 years, Fukaboshi?"
Fukaboshi hesitated. "Their military power? The Ancient Weapons they might possess?"
"No," Auguro replied, his voice carried by the sea breeze. "It is because they convinced the world that there is no alternative. They made the sea believe that without them, there is only chaos. My Empire is the alternative. I am not just moving your island; I am moving the world's perspective."
He pointed to a massive structure rising from the waves—a fortress-hub that would serve as the new "Gateway" for Fish-Man Island.
"Once your people are settled, I will establish a permanent garrison of the Holy Spirit Army here. Any Marine ship that enters these waters without my seal will be treated as a pirate vessel. Any Tenryuubito 'hunting party' that approaches will be sunk before they see the shore."
Fukaboshi felt a shiver of awe. This wasn't just protection; it was a total redrawing of the world's borders.
As the Holy Spirit Empire's influence expanded, other players were watching from the periphery. On a hidden island in the Grand Line, Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, stared at a series of reports.
"Fish-Man Island has officially rejected the Reverie," Sabo remarked, leaning against a stone pillar. "That's a first in history. Auguro is doing in months what we've been trying to do for decades—he's dismantling the Government's prestige."
Dragon remained silent for a long time, his tattooed face grim. "Auguro is not a liberator, Sabo. He is an Emperor. He is replacing one sun with another. The World Government is a tyrant of the past; Auguro is a tyrant of the future."
"But he's helping the Fish-Men," Sabo pointed out. "He's giving them the surface."
"At the cost of their absolute autonomy," Dragon replied. "Look at Neptune. He tried to have a foot in both worlds, and Auguro nearly cut his legs off. There is no middle ground with a man like that. Soon, the world will have to choose: the decaying order of the Five Elders, or the iron peace of the Holy Spirit Empire."
Back on the Imperial Sovereign, Auguro turned to his chief of staff. "How is the progress on the 'Sea King's' training?"
The staff officer bowed. "Princess Shirahoshi is being carefully guided. Her emotional control is improving, though she remains frightened of her own power. However, with the Holy Spirit Empire's psychologists and the royal guards working together, we believe she will be able to summon the Sea Kings on command within the next few months."
Auguro nodded. Poseidon was the ultimate deterrent. Once the Fish-Men were on the surface and the Princess was under his direct supervision, the World Government's navy would become obsolete. What use were battleships against monsters that could swallow islands?
"Tell Neptune to stop hiding in his palace," Auguro commanded.
Thinking for a moment, Tsuru finally spoke, "Sengoku, you take the Three Admirals and meet the enemy. I will command, and Garp will be responsible for guarding the execution platform!"
Sengoku's brow twitched. He instantly guessed Tsuru's intention. Since they couldn't guarantee Garp wouldn't hold back, they might as well let him be the final line of defense. At least the old coot wouldn't commit the treasonous act of directly releasing Ace.
"Garp, are you sure you can handle this?" Sengoku asked coldly, though he was also warning his old comrade.
Garp nodded grimly.
"I have no problem!"
"Then, let the war begin!"
Sengoku's Giant Buddha form once again unfolded, his figure instantly ballooning dozens of meters tall.
"Buddha's Shockwave!"
Sengoku's attack was aimed directly at Whitebeard. At this point, there was no longer any place for tactics. Whichever side's high-tier combatants could stand until the end would be the ultimate winner!
"Gurararara! Finally losing your patience, Sengoku!"
Whitebeard didn't hesitate at all. His right fist glowed white, and he swung it out across the air.
CRACK! CRACK!
The air fractured and spread out like a spiderweb toward Sengoku.
BOOM!
The two attacks met, immediately causing a tremendous explosion. The entirety of Marineford trembled slightly under the force of the impact.
Sengoku took a mighty stride, landing in the harbor. He had to keep Whitebeard from setting foot on Marineford's land! Otherwise, Marineford's defenses wouldn't be able to withstand his power!
On the other side, the Three Admirals were met head-on by the three members of the Roger Pirates.
"Yasakani Sacred Jewel!"
Kizaru once again opened with an AOE attack to say hello. The result was obvious: Bullet waved his hand, and the other two used their weapons, easily deflecting the light pellets that struck at them.
"The dregs of a past era should have been reduced to ash in Impel Down!"
Akainu stood in front of Bullet, his gigantic magma fist heading straight for Bullet's head!
"Dark Dog!" (Meigou)
Bullet saw this and broke into a cold, dismissive sneer.
"Heh! What a boring move!"
Bullet extended his right fist, meeting Akainu's Dark Dog head-on! A dense layer of Armament Haki instantly dyed his right arm a purplish-black.
CRASH!
The magma fist instantly shattered. Akainu's face changed abruptly. If he hadn't realized something was wrong at the last moment and dissipated his main body into its elemental state, this single punch would have severely injured his right arm!
"Too slow!"
Bullet's body flashed; his speed was no less than the Soru (Shave) technique. His right fist slammed viciously toward Akainu's abdomen!
"Damn it!"
Akainu's face twisted in alarm. He focused Armament Haki onto his forearms, blocking Bullet's punch.
THWACK!
Akainu's body was instantly blasted away, slamming heavily into the wall behind him.
"Hahaha!" Bullet mocked mercilessly.
"The Marines truly are regressing! The new Admirals are so weak!"
"Listen up, kid! It's not enough to have a good Devil Fruit to dominate the seas! This ocean is not that simple!"
At the same time, Kizaru and Aokiji were completely tied down by Rayleigh and Gaban, respectively!
"Yata no Kagami!" (Eight-foot Mirror)
Kizaru tried to use his light travel ability to create distance, but as soon as he transformed into a beam of light, Rayleigh's sword instantly cut the beam, forcing him back into his physical form!
Aokiji released his Ice Age, attempting to trap Gaban. Gaban swung his battle-axe fiercely, and the outpouring Armament Haki shredded the creeping ice into fragments, preventing it from getting even a meter close to him!
While the Admirals were not exactly losing, it was nearly impossible for Kizaru and Aokiji to achieve a victory!
Against their opponents' perfected Armament Haki, the Admirals' Devil Fruit abilities struggled to inflict effective damage. Conversely, if they were hit, even a slight mistake could result in a severe injury.
Hearing Bullet's words at this moment, Aokiji and Kizaru's hearts stirred. They had heard similar words from one other person: the former Marine Admiral and Head Instructor, Zephyr!
Back when they attended the Marine Elite Training Camp, Zephyr repeatedly warned them that Haki and physical combat were the foundation of power; over-relying on Devil Fruit abilities was a dead end!
Unfortunately, as top-tier Logia Devil Fruit users, the three Admirals didn't pay much attention to Zephyr's teachings. Especially after achieving the rank of Admiral and dominating the seas with their Fruit powers, they had become even more lax in their training of physical combat and Haki.
Unexpectedly, today, the boomerang of history had finally struck them!
Facing the Roger Pirates—a group of powerhouses who had honed their Haki and physical combat to the absolute extreme—the Three Admirals suddenly realized that when their Devil Fruit abilities lost their previously overwhelming effect, they couldn't find an effective way to suppress their opponents!
"Truly worthy of being called the Demon Heir! What a nuisance!" Aokiji and Kizaru looked troubled. Due to his relative youth, Bullet's current strength was actually slightly superior to Rayleigh and Gaban!
And remember, he hadn't even used his Devil Fruit power yet!
"Dog Bite Crimson Lotus!" (Inugami Guren)
Just then, a gigantic magma dog head flew out of the collapsed wall, fiercely biting toward Bullet.
"Tch!" Bullet twisted his head, contemptuously saying, "Still haven't learned your lesson! Well, I won't hold back either!"
The next second, terrifying Armament Haki enveloped Bullet's entire body, turning him purple.
Demon Form!
His speed and power received a massive boost, making him look like a demon from hell!
"Demon Emperor Fist!"
Bullet laughed wildly, unleashing dozens of fist shadows instantly. The terrifying Armament Haki formed a wave that slammed into the magma dog head.
RUMBLE...
The magma dog's head was struck by a hail of punches, instantly deforming. The next second, the magma dog head completely exploded in the air.
"Dammit!"
Akainu roared, raising both hands to his chest and summoning a massive amount of magma.
"Die!"
Akainu forcefully thrust his hands forward. The giant magma mass, like a small mountain, roared toward Bullet, accompanied by thick black smoke.
"Tsk! A man who won't listen!"
Bullet crossed his arms over his chest, arrogantly stating, "Since you are so proud of your Devil Fruit ability, I'll show you how a true Devil Fruit ability is used!"
The moment Bullet's words fell, the ground began to heave violently. Countless soil, rocks, and even the metal plates from the defensive wall surged toward Bullet.
"Gasha Gasha no Mi (Clank-Clank Fruit) - Mid-Sized Bullet Form!"
In the original timeline, this move was performed by combining with his pirate ship, the Grus. Since he hadn't acquired the ship yet, he used the surrounding environment.
All kinds of rubble and scrap material flowed onto Bullet, constantly covering and shaping him.
Finally, a gigantic armored giant appeared before everyone.
"Want to play with fire? I'll help you out!"
Bullet burst into a maniacal laugh. The armored giant's right arm was instantly covered with a layer of Armament Haki, which was ferociously slammed toward the magma!
This move shocked everyone present! To be able to cover the surface of such a massive giant with Armament Haki—just how much Armament Haki did this Bullet possess!