Ancient Weapon · Uranus!
Although in the anime there has never been any definitive information proving that the weapon Imu used to destroy the Kingdom of Lulusia was Uranus…
Vegapunk personally apologized to the world during his broadcast, admitting that the energy he developed to benefit mankind had instead become the catalyst that activated an Ancient Weapon.
With Vegapunk's level of intelligence, Red was confident his judgment wouldn't be wrong.
What's more—
Even if the weapon Imu controls isn't Uranus, it is without question a terrifying device capable of dimensional suppression against the entire pirate world!
If such a weapon remains in the hands of the World Government, and one day they suddenly decide to fire it at places like the Goa Kingdom, Shimotsuki Village, or Cocoyasi Village… it would be an absolutely fatal blow to the Straw Hat crew!
That was why Red had long ago marked Uranus as a target to be seized—or destroyed.
He just hadn't expected the opportunity to come so coincidentally, with Luffy and the others stumbling straight into the Chamber of Flowers.
It even made Red wonder if today's almanac had "Suitable for: Invading Mary Geoise" written on it.
It could be said that although many unexpected things happened tonight, everything still somehow fell perfectly into place.
Red's original plan was to bring the Straw Hat crew and the Supernovas to Mary Geoise to rescue slaves and loot supplies, Devil Fruits, and other treasures.
But what he hadn't expected…
Was that the defenses of the World Government's most dangerous and most sacred land—Holy Land · Mary Geoise—were truly as pathetic as depicted in the anime.
The main force of the God's Knights had also gone to the Sabaody Archipelago due to the kidnapping of Saint Charlos, leaving them unable to return to the Holy Land anytime soon.
These coincidences became the key reasons their operation tonight proceeded so smoothly.
Logically speaking, Mary Geoise had been attacked more than once in the past eight hundred years, yet the World Government had never seriously considered strengthening its defenses—not even installing the most basic anti-air system.
It was honestly absurd.
For a moment, a strange thought even crossed Red's mind…
Perhaps the ruling class composed of the Five Elders and Imu didn't actually care that much about protecting the Celestial Dragons.
Maybe the Celestial Dragons were merely a convenient façade—an excuse to rule and control the world.
From what was shown in the anime, the Five Elders, like the Celestial Dragons, referred to ordinary humans and living beings as "mortals."
But unlike the Celestial Dragons—
Who thought that way due to extreme indulgence and sheer stupidity—
The Five Elders truly, from the depths of their hearts, regarded all other beings as inferior existences, worshipping themselves as gods.
Even if the Five Elders weren't beings who had lived since eight hundred years ago, they were undoubtedly people with detailed knowledge of that era's history.
They couldn't possibly be ignorant of the truth that "history is written by the victors."
And yet, despite knowing that, they still held such an attitude.
Was it eight centuries of absolute rule that had twisted their mindset?
Or was there some deeper secret hidden beneath it all?
Lost in thought, Red continued to lead Luffy and the others through the Chamber of Flowers, rapidly searching the area while pondering these questions.
The total area of Pangaea Castle was no smaller than a massive city—one could even say it surpassed many famous islands on the seas.
And as the living quarters of Imu, the King of the World, this place resembled a room meant for giants.
Its sheer scale made it hard to believe they were still inside a building.
Trying to find something whose appearance was unknown—and whose existence wasn't even confirmed—was no different from searching for a needle in the sea.
Still, the slave rescue had gone extremely smoothly, and they'd already looted Devil Fruits, gold, silver, and jewels to the point of excess. This trip to Mary Geoise was already nearing its end.
If they could find clues about Uranus, that would be ideal.
And even if they couldn't—
Using Imu, the final boss of the pirate world, as the finale to this operation didn't seem like a bad outcome either.
…
…
"An Ancient Weapon · Uranus controller…"
"Red, are you sure something like that would be in this room?! According to you, it would probably be a massive mechanical device, similar to the Going Merry's power system…"
"But although this room is enormous, it doesn't look like it could house something like that."
After hearing Red's explanation of Uranus, Robin immediately fell into deep thought and began analyzing the situation.
"Mm…"
Red nodded heavily.
Before transmigrating, he'd only seen the moment Lulusia was destroyed in the anime—right when Imu appeared in the Chamber of Flowers.
Combined with the fact that Imu had monitored Poseidon · Shirahoshi, Luffy, and Vivi from this very place, Red had subconsciously assumed there would be clues to Uranus here.
Besides, at this point in time, Vegapunk's infinite energy source—the Mother Flame—had yet to be invented. Whether Uranus was even in Mary Geoise remained unknown.
A flash of realization crossed his mind, and Red looked up.
"Robin's right. I got too excited."
"But since we're already here, let's continue searching according to the original plan."
"Even if we can't find clues related to Uranus, we can at least learn more about Pangaea Castle's layout."
"After all… the one who lives here is the ultimate enemy of every one of us!"
"While Imu isn't here, we might be able to uncover information that works in our favor."
"Yeah!"
Red's words were instantly met with agreement. Luffy and the others nodded firmly, then each used their own methods to search swiftly through the forest-like Chamber of Flowers.
…
…
Meanwhile, in the castle district.
"Hurry! Everyone, move faster!"
"Don't worry about the bomb collars around your necks—someone will help remove those restraints soon!"
"All of you line up and prepare for evacuation immediately!"
On a wide, open plaza—
Capone, transformed into a massive castle, and Usopp, transformed into a gigantic warehouse, sat back-to-back, towering at opposite ends of the square.
Slaves poured in from all directions around them.
Many were still bound by the Celestial Dragons' restraints and shackles, their faces filled with panic—but also barely contained joy—as they hurried toward the two bizarre structures.
Chopper, in his martial artist form, and Franky moved constantly through the crowd, directing and organizing the lines to ensure everything progressed smoothly.
The remaining Supernovas were stationed around the perimeter, fending off guards and bodyguards sent by the Celestial Dragons.
This operation could be described as a complete victory for the Straw Hat Pirates and the Supernova Pirate Alliance!
At this moment, every one of them was filled with excitement.
"Chopper, Franky, I'm leaving the rest to you!"
Seeing the rescue operation nearing completion, Sanji shouted to his companions, then leapt into the air, flying toward the direction where endless radiance bloomed.
As time passed, the eastern horizon had already been dyed a faint gold.
The first light of dawn pierced the silence of the night, bringing fragile illumination to the world.
At this moment, the world began to awaken.
Yet none of it affected the battle raging between Zoro and Emilagon.
Near the edge of the Red Line—
A ferocious giant dragon wrapped in blood-red demonic aura and a golden-armored angel continuously circled in the sky, crashing into each other again and again.
Each collision sent terrifying shockwaves roaring outward in all directions.
Jet-black lightning danced wildly through the sky, as if tearing space itself apart, ripping through the thick clouds.
"Hm?!"
Suddenly, both Zoro and Emilagon frowned.
The angel and the dragon glanced at each other, then pushed their locked blades apart and retreated in tacit understanding.
At that moment, a black streak shot in from the distant sky, stopping abruptly near the battlefield's edge.
The newcomer was none other than Sanji, who had noticed the battle drifting farther and farther away and rushed over.
Although Mary Geoise was visible from the air no matter where you looked—
Considering Zoro's god-tier sense of directionlessness, the uneasy Sanji still chose to leave the liberation effort and come provide backup (and guide Zoro back afterward).
Emilagon watched the sudden arrival warily, cold sweat seeping beneath her armor.
She had to admit—
She'd underestimated this swordsman who seemed to possess a Mythical Zoan ability.
After he transformed into a dragon using his "Devil Fruit ability," the two of them had clashed countless times, evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand.
But if he received reinforcements now, her defeat would be inevitable.
Damn it!
This should have been her home turf—so why was the enemy the one getting backup first?!
Yet just as Emilagon tightened her grip on the holy sword, preparing to retreat, the newcomer didn't immediately join the fight. Instead, he stopped beside the dragon and began talking.
…
…
"Huh?! What are you doing here?!"
"This opponent's a woman—you won't be much help!"
Zoro, whose battle had been interrupted, looked at Sanji in surprise. The dragon's fanged maw opened and closed casually, his words striking straight at Sanji's weak point.
"Bastard!"
Sanji felt like an arrow had pierced his heart, but he still grit his teeth and snapped back:
"What am I doing here?!"
"I'm obviously here to drag your ultimate, peerless, hopelessly directionless ass back!"
"Didn't I say it on the public channel? The slave liberation's basically finished—we're preparing to withdraw!"
As he spoke, Sanji glanced at Zoro and Emilagon again, his tone turning mocking.
"And you're still dawdling here?!"
"Are you trying to make everyone else risk their lives waiting for you?!"
"You bastard!!!"
A sharp gleam flashed through the dragon's massive eyes.
The next second, Zoro focused all his attention on Emilagon.
In an instant—
His enormous wings beat violently, whipping up a raging storm that churned the entire sky.
"Damn it! I don't need you to remind me!!!"
A vast demonic aura erupted from Zoro's body, forming two additional dragon head phantoms beside his own—creating the silhouette of a three-headed evil dragon.
The phantom dragon eyes glowed with eerie crimson light, locking firmly onto Emilagon in the distance.
A chilling presence drove away the sunlight that had illuminated the battlefield, and blood-red black mist once again engulfed the sky.
Endless Conqueror's Haki surged forth, wrapping around every blade.
Emilagon: ???
What was going on?!
Why did his aura explode like this after just a few words with that blond man?!
What exactly was their relationship?!
Emilagon couldn't figure it out.
But in that instant, Zoro's momentum had already fully condensed.
A low, murderous voice rumbled from the dragon's maw:
"Demonic Aura · Dragon Blade Style · Boundless · Black Dragon Tornado!!!"
Boom!!!
The sinister dragon flapped its wings, spinning at extreme speed in place.
In the blink of an eye, the world seemed to darken, as if an apocalyptic filter had been cast over everything!
Terrifying energy surged outward with Zoro's rotation, forming a massive black tornado that enveloped both Zoro and Emilagon, rapidly contracting with Emilagon at its center.
Slash!
Without warning, a blood-red cut appeared across Emilagon's shoulder.
The speed was so extreme that, if not for the spraying blood, she might not have even realized she'd been struck!
"What?!"
Her expression changed instantly. She realized that within the violent storm lurked countless lethal slashes.
"Holy Light · Sanctuary!!!"
She raised her golden holy sword and activated a defensive skill.
A brilliant radiance burst forth, forming a spherical barrier around her.
The next moment, an endless storm of slashes crashed into the holy barrier, sending violent tremors through the air.
In the end, however, every slash was stopped outside the holy light.
"Hah! It's useless!"
"A mere mortal—no matter how powerful your Devil Fruit—can never stand on equal footing with a god!"
Emilagon sneered in contempt, mocking Zoro's painstakingly built attack for failing to damage her defense in the slightest.
But then—
A calm male voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"God?! You think you qualify?!"
"!!!"
Emilagon's pupils shrank.
She beat her six wings at once, spinning around instantly.
What entered her vision were a pair of crimson eyes.
At some point, Zoro had already transformed into a half-dragon, half-human form—with three heads and six arms.
He spoke softly from one of his heads:
"If gods were all as weak as you…"
"Then I'd storm heaven itself and save the souls that wandered there by mistake."
Huff—
Zoro exhaled heavily.
Several streams of icy, death-laden white mist burst from his mouth.
He muttered in a low voice:
"Demonic Aura · Nine Sword Style · Asura · Dragon Breath · Descending God!!!"
Flash!!!
A completely unremarkable beam of light flickered briefly across the sky.
The clouds continued to drift. The wind continued to howl.
It was as if nothing had happened.
But—
BOOM!!!
A thunderous roar suddenly erupted behind Emilagon.
On the Red Line—the very symbol of the world's summit—a colossal chasm split open, like a long scar carved across a god's face.
"No… this can't be…"
Facing Zoro, Emilagon's voice turned hollow with despair.
The instant her words fell, the holy light barrier shattered, dissolving into starlight scattered by the storm.
The sacred aura around her rapidly faded. Her angelic wings disintegrated into lonely white feathers that drifted downward.
Then, a thin line of blood appeared at her waist.
The next moment, Emilagon—possessing top-tier commander-level strength—was cleaved cleanly in two midair.
Through her split body, one could clearly see—
A three-sword-style swordsman, long blades swinging, his body shrouded in blood-dark demonic aura—
Roronoa Zoro!!!
(End of Chapter)