Meanwhile.
The Chamber of Authority at the Holy Land Mary Geise.
As that voice sounded, the Five Elders knelt on one knee in submission, deliberately lightening even their breathing.
An almost solidified aura of authority filled the air.
Before the vacant throne, a huge figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
Its footsteps were silent, yet seemed to tread on the echoes of history.
Imu, the supreme ruler of the World Government, the true occupant of the Empty Throne, had arrived in person.
He sat upon the Empty Throne.
This throne, which was said to belong to no one, had its owner.
Imu's enormous body was shrouded in a loose white robe, his face hidden in shadow.
Only a pair of eyes, seeming to see through the river of time, glowed with a cold, eternal light in the darkness.
Imu spoke calmly. "Saturn."
The Science Defense Warrior God, Jaygarcia Saturn, trembled almost imperceptibly and lowered his head even further. "Imu-sama, please command me."
Imu's voice sounded. "Mu... I want to try it."
Saturn raised his head and opened his mouth, looking somewhat flustered.
He certainly knew what "it" referred to.
It was the ultimate power hidden deep within Mary Geise, which only Imu-sama had the authority to use. One of the legendary Ancient Weapons, Uranus.
"I-Imu-sama! You mean Uranus?"
Saturn wanted to be certain.
The other four Five Elders could not help but exchange glances, their shock barely concealed.
Throughout history, among the Ancient Weapons, the whereabouts of Poseidon and Pluton had been unknown. But Uranus had always been in Imu-sama's possession. It was the most important weapon for maintaining the rule of the gods.
But precisely because of this, they understood even more the meaning of its use and the terrifying price it entailed.
Uranus was meant to end that great war.
Imu said, "Is there a problem?"
"But, Imu-sama!"
Saturn forced himself to remain calm. "Activating Uranus requires a terrifying energy source. For centuries, it was rarely used precisely because suitable fuel was hard to find."
Imu said, "And what of that research project under your supervision? Have the energy sources not already been delivered?"
The one who had delivered the energy sources was none other than the genius scientist, inventor, head of the Marines' Special Science Corps, Brain-Brain Fruit user, and the man with the world's greatest mind.
Vegapunk!
Many years ago, Vegapunk's research had required enormous funding.
Only the World Government could provide such massive sums.
The Celestial Dragons had amassed immense wealth through the Heavenly Tribute.
Thus, the World Government had bought Vegapunk's services for his research.
The Mother Flame was a key subject.
Saturn braced himself and said, "Although Vegapunk's research is nearing completion and the theory of the Mother Flame has been verified, what he has sent so far is only an initial prototype. The energy output is extremely unstable, and the conversion efficiency is far from perfect."
"If we use this to power Uranus, we may not be able to unleash its absolute erasure-level power."
Saturn spoke faster and faster. Cold sweat had already soaked the back of his robe.
As the Science Defense Warrior God, the Mother Flame project under Vegapunk's research had always been under his direct supervision.
That thing, hailed as having nearly limitless energy potential, did represent a possibility for the future.
As a scientist himself, Saturn was also amazed.
But the current Mother Flame was more like an unstable bomb than a perfect energy source.
It had not yet been tested.
"Even if it is not the full power of Uranus, it is still a weapon-level force."
Imu said coldly. "How can mere human strength resist it?"
Weapon level!
These four words echoed in the minds of the Five Elders. They understood the meaning of this term very well.
Indeed, as Imu-sama had said, Emperor-level strong fighters like Whitebeard and Kaido were already seen as monsters by the world. One man could stand against an entire country.
But weapon level was a different concept entirely.
It was power sufficient to completely erase a large kingdom from the map, to alter the terrain, to trigger natural disasters. Its destructive force surpassed the limits of what an individual could achieve.
It was a true strategic deterrent.
It was the embodiment of divine punishment.
Even in past history, there had been very few individual monsters who could achieve or even approach a weapon-level rating.
In eras past, among the more memorable names, only one stood out: Rocks D. Xebec, the man who had nearly subjugated the world.
The man who had gathered legendary pirates like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Kaido, and Big Mom under his command.
And after Rocks's death, the Giant King, Harald, who had been personally granted a special mark by Imu-sama.
The Giant King, with his immortal body, had also reached that level.
Imu-sama's will could not be opposed. Especially now, when Nika, that forbidden symbol, had reappeared and was showing such terrifying potential.
Eliminating Nika took priority over everything else.
But...
Saturn's throat moved. As the responsible official who had to speak at this moment, he braced himself and made a final attempt.
"Imu-sama, please reconsider!"
Saturn pressed his forehead to the cold floor. "On the Impel Down battlefield, besides Straw Hat's crew, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, and the escaped prisoners, there are also the full elite forces of Marine Headquarters!"
The three Admirals, Hero Garp, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and tens of thousands of ranked officers and elite soldiers.
If the force of Uranus was unleashed over that area, it would be the greatest loss the Marines had suffered since their founding. It might even cripple the entire Marine system.
Of course, Saturn felt no pity for the Marines.
In his eyes, those ant-like beings were just a decent collection of hired hands.
They were a valuable asset for maintaining the order that the World Government needed.
But the moment his words fell, he felt a cold gaze, like something solid, land on him.
Saturn immediately fell silent. A chill shot up his spine to his head.
The second time!
Saturn understood.
In Imu-sama's eyes, the Marines, the Cipher Pol agencies, and even the God's Knights themselves were merely tools and consumables for maintaining his rule.
Over eight hundred years, Imu had witnessed the rise and fall of countless powers. So-called elites were nothing more than foam before eternal time and absolute power.
Even the Five Elders themselves could be replaced!
Saturn had never been so panicked. No, there was no need to panic!
He was, after all, loyal to Imu-sama. As long as he did nothing against the principles, he would likely be fine.
Wait... The image of a huge machine involuntarily flashed through his mind.
That matter... should be fine.
No one would know.
Saturn comforted himself in his heart.
If a tool broke, you could forge another one. If a consumable ran out, you could replenish it.
Just like the giants back then.
Back then, Imu-sama had intended to build the giant race into a powerful force rivaling Marine Headquarters.
The Five Elders had also believed it was a strong force that could slowly be assimilated and co-opted. Given time, it could become the sharpest blade in the Celestial Dragons' hands.
But what had Imu-sama decided?
Remembering that sealed history, Saturn felt only dread in the depths of his heart.
He dared not say another word.
The Environment Warrior God, Marcus Mars; the Legal Warrior God, Topman Warcury; the Agricultural Warrior God, Shepherd Ju Peter; and the Financial Warrior God, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, all kept their eyes down and their mouths shut, maintaining absolute silence.
At this moment, any extra word could bring disaster.
But Saturn had no choice. The matter of the Mother Flame was his responsibility as Science Defense Warrior God. He silently cursed his colleagues.
"I understand. I will go and retrieve the Mother Flame prototype."
"Imu-sama, which sea area should disappear from the map?"
"Impel Down. The entire area."
Imu's voice pronounced a death sentence on that sea area.
...
Not long after.
Over the Impel Down hell, an indescribable thrumming came from the highest reaches of the sky.
This battlefield seemed to be in someone's sights.
The strong fighters with powerful Observation Haki could all feel the pressure emanating from the air.
The sky seemed to be squeezed by some enormous object.
Almost simultaneously, all the top fighters on the battlefield stopped moving and looked up in horror.
"Is this a weapon?"
Whitebeard tightened his grip on his naginata, Murakumogiri. For the first time, an expression of extreme gravity appeared on his face.
Having experienced the God Valley campaign, he had a vague but profound memory of this kind of off-spec power.
Even the combined attack of so many at the top was not as terrifying as this.
This was not something human strength could achieve. It even surpassed the known limits of the strongest Devil Fruit abilities.
This was truly a natural disaster. That could only mean one of the legendary Ancient Weapons.
As an Emperor, he was not completely unfamiliar with such information.
"Jihahaha! It seems the World Government could not hold back after all. They have to come down personally to do some cleaning?"
Golden Lion Shiki hovered in midair. His unruly face was also covered with dark clouds as he looked at Sengoku. "This kind of thing has happened more than a few times, has it not? Does it feel familiar? When you Marines execute a Buster Call, this is exactly what you do."
Golden Lion had also experienced the God Valley incident. He had seen a lot.
Ohara back then.
Enies Lobby not long ago.
So many had been killed.
These were all acts of annihilation. The Marines' so-called justice was just a way to find a comfortable excuse for their slaughter.
But this was far more troublesome than a Buster Call.
Earlier, they had only been clashing with Marine Headquarters. Though difficult, top strong fighters like Golden Lion still had a chance to fight and break through.
If the World Government used that kind of thing, the nature of the situation would be completely different.
"An Ancient Weapon? Definitely dangerous."
Luffy landed on a large piece of floating ice. He looked up at the pitch-black sky, where something seemed to be brewing. His body instinctively sent out warnings.
He was no stranger to the Ancient Weapons.
In the Alabasta royal tomb, in front of the Poneglyph, Robin had interpreted the location of the Ancient Weapon Pluton. Later studies had also covered the three Ancient Weapons, including Pluton.
And Poseidon. And Uranus.
"So this is a precursor to a weapon's power?"
Luffy could not help but look toward Nika. It seemed this was the big trouble she had mentioned.
The phenomena in the sky grew more obvious.
It was not cloud cover gathering. Rather, the presence of that area of sky itself was continuously increasing. It was as if an invisible, giant cannon was slowly adjusting its aim, targeting the tiny sea below.
The battlefield fell into eerie silence.
Everyone who could make it to Impel Down was a strong fighter. Their perception of danger was keener than ordinary people's.
"What is that?" Diamond Jozu was shocked.
He felt that even diamonds could not stand such an attack.
They would turn to fragments.
"Is this one of the World Government's methods?"
Marco, with his undying flames, clenched his fists. He was very worried about Pops's condition.
"An Ancient Weapon. Absolutely correct. This is exactly what I have been looking for!"
Crocodile stared at the sky above. The fanaticism on his face remained.
What he sought was Pluton, known as the most evil battleship in shipbuilding history, with the power to destroy an island with a single cannon blast.
This felt even more terrifying.
This was true power capable of controlling the world!
Both pirates and Marines were ashen-faced before this apocalyptic sight.
Even the so-called Marine elites turned pale at this moment. Their hands holding their guns trembled.
Many of them had, as enforcers of Buster Calls, witnessed the sight of a fleet's salvo turning an island into a sea of flames.
But now, they had fallen from the position of enforcer to the position of the enforced. The helplessness and despair of facing absolute destructive force instantly crushed many people's psychological defenses.
Even the Vice Admirals.
Onigumo, Doberman, Strawberry, and others were all grim-faced, cold sweat seeping from their brows.
They could feel that the lockdown power was not something at their level could withstand.
Before this force, the so-called Rokushiki and their finely honed Haki seemed utterly insignificant.
But they, the Marines, were still here!
They had not yet boarded their ships!
"Damn it!"
On the ice, Sengoku clenched his teeth. His fists cracked. The massive golden Buddha below could be seen trembling faintly.
Not from fear, but from anger.
What was the World Government doing?!
The Marines, as a violent organization under the World Government, had worked diligently for years to maintain the facade of justice and order. But to target even the Marines, was that not going too far?
There had been no communication with him, the Fleet Admiral at all.
Did the World Government plan to declare this an unpredictable natural disaster afterward?
It was an insult.
"Damn it. Who gave the order?"
Akainu stood where he was. Magma still dripped from his severed arm.
Were they trying to wipe out the Marines as well?
Absolute justice?
Spare no cost to eliminate evil?
These were the words he had said to Luffy earlier.
But when the cost included himself and countless comrades, even he could not bring himself to say them again.
A bullet only hurts when it hits you.
Aokiji's brow furrowed deeply.
Kizaru also no longer had his usual casual demeanor.
Without any agreement, both pirates and Marines temporarily stopped fighting each other before the impending doom hanging over their heads.
This was the instinct to survive.
"Hey, Sengoku!"
Whitebeard's resonant voice broke the dead silence. He withdrew his gaze from the sky and looked at Sengoku, whose expression was grim. "Let us join forces."
Sengoku's head snapped toward him.
"Just this once."
Whitebeard grinned. "We can continue our fight later. I will be ready whenever. But right now, I do not want my sons to die here. If you want your soldiers to be buried here too, I have no objection. Gurararara!"
He offered no mercy in his mockery.
But it was also reality.
Once that energy fell, Impel Down and its surrounding sea area would cease to exist. Only a very small number of the very strongest monsters would survive.
Sengoku did not answer. He neither refused nor accepted.
"Garp."
Sengoku looked at a figure not far away. "Come help. I need you."
"Ah. I know what to do."
Standing on a nearby ice floe, also looking up at the sky, Garp pulled off the "Justice" coat from his back and casually tossed it onto the ice.
No words were needed.
The three Marine Admirals simultaneously erupted in their strongest presences, locking the sky.
"Prepare to withstand the impact!"
Sengoku roared. Golden Buddhist light shot into the sky.
"Gurararara! Boys, watch out for the tsunami on the Moby Dick too!"
Whitebeard laughed. The power of the Gura Gura no Mi condensed a milky white orb on his naginata.
"Interesting. Very interesting!"
Golden Lion grinned maliciously. He crossed his twin swords. The sword energy and the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi stirred the wind and clouds.
So this was how it ended.
How unpredictable life was.
Who could have imagined that one day the Marines and the pirates would cooperate?
"But if we do not cooperate, we will die."
Luffy shook his arm. A hint of gloom appeared in his eyes.
His body was on the edge of constant recovery and breakdown.
The fatigue and pain from the battle were still mounting.
He had also fought throughout the whole battle!
And his opponents were all high-quality. Even a Mythical Zoan was running out of steam.
But now, the war drums within him beat even more intensely.
"Gear Fifth!"
He let out a low shout.
The white steam and the rubber elasticity surged once more.
"Straw Hat Boy? That technique of yours that compresses energy, can you still use it?!"
Ivankov shouted from not far away, his eyes wide. "How far will you expand? Can your body withstand it?!"
"I do not know!"
Luffy grinned, showing his white teeth. "But if I do not do this, even if it is just a little short, everyone will be finished."
A slight difference could lead to a huge error.
Every bit of extra strength helped.
A red light flickered in Luffy's eyes.
It was coming!
Hum!
Without any warning, a pure white light beam of indescribable brilliance and terror fell straight down from the center of the vortex in that pitch-black sky.
The moment it descended, heaven and earth lost their color.
Sound was stripped away. Color was erased. Only that pillar of pure white connecting heaven and sea remained.
The diameter of the light beam was visibly larger than the entire Impel Down!
Before this apocalyptic sight, a person seemed as small as a speck of dust.
"So strong!"
Sengoku, Garp, Whitebeard, Golden Lion, the three Admirals... almost every top strong fighter had the same alert ringing in their minds.
"This form?"
Luffy's pupils contracted sharply. This scene instantly reminded him of the lightning Enel had released in his final Raijin form on Skypiea.
But this white light beam was millions of times more terrifying than Enel's lightning, both in scale and energy level.
This was a true judgment from god.
***
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