"You actually declared war on the World Government! You're asking for your own death!"
This person, seemingly a member of CP, roared with shock and fury upon hearing Mio's words.
"You're the one asking for your own death!"
A hoarse voice rang out as Rengar appeared behind the man in a flash, his eyes gleaming with an icy coldness.
"What?" The man's face faltered, unprepared for Rengar's sudden appearance. Without hesitation, he flapped his wings, coated in Armament Haki, and slashed toward Rengar's neck like razor-sharp blades.
"You don't even deserve to be my prey," Rengar muttered in a low growl. His hands were instantly bathed in Armament Haki, and with a sudden grab, he blocked the sharp wings.
Whoosh—
A chilling frost spread instantly from Rengar's palms, freezing the man solid in an instant.
With a single punch, Rengar shattered the ice sculpture into fragments before returning silently to the ship.
Mio said calmly, "Six, do it."
"Hiss…"
Beside Mio, Six flicked his snake tongue. At that moment, the power of the Float-Float Fruit awakened.
Hummm—
The immense power caused the ships on the sea to rise rapidly, hovering in mid-air. Alongside the Golden Ark, they soared upward toward the top of the Red Earth Continent—
—toward Mary Geoise, the headquarters of the World Government, towering above the clouds as the very symbol of absolute authority.
As the fleet ascended, excitement gleamed in the eyes of countless pirates.
With a roar, Kaido leapt from one of the ships, transforming into a colossal dragon. He flew in front of the Golden Ark, grinning at Mio.
"Black Crow, I recognize you! I didn't expect you'd actually have the guts to declare war on the World Government! Hahaha! This time, I'm going to fight until I go mad!"
"Whatever. Just don't get in my way," Mio replied calmly.
"Don't look down on me! I've always wanted to fight the World Government," Kaido snorted. His dragon eyes gleamed with savage excitement as he turned toward Mary Geoise. "Besides, I want to know… is that guy still alive?"
"Rocks?" Mio smiled faintly.
"Yes," Kaido nodded. His dragon face grew grim. "That guy was only arrested, never publicly executed. I don't know if he's dead or alive, but with his abilities, he wouldn't die easily. If he's still alive… I want to fight him myself!"
Roaring, Kaido's massive dragon form coiled through the sky, rising alongside the fleet, all heading toward Mary Geoise.
Meanwhile, atop the Red Earth Continent, the news of the Black Crows' arrival had already spread.
Tens of thousands of soldiers and CP agents gathered in defense.
The Five Elders stood at the front.
"Black Crow… do you have a death wish?" One of the elders' voices was icy, tinged with disbelief. The very audacity stunned them.
"Old man, stop wasting your breath," Mio said calmly, seated cross-legged on the bow of the Golden Ark. His voice was steady, his eyes sharp. "Now that I'm here, do you think I'm afraid of death?"
"No need for more words! Let's fight!"
From the ships behind, the pirates roared in excitement. Their fear of the World Government was real, but their blood boiled hotter than their terror.
Not everyone had the chance to raise their banners against the rulers of the world.
And if they succeeded…
They would become the ones who toppled the World Government.
"Black Crow, your ambitions are as vast and dangerous as Rocks's," said Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, stepping forward with a grim expression. "But just like Rocks, you are destined to be defeated by the World Government!"
BOOM—
An overwhelming aura exploded from Kong. Though aged, his strength was terrifying. Once a Marine Admiral, now Commander-in-Chief, Kong had fought through the bloody Rocks era and stood as one of the strongest figures in the Government.
He stripped off his coat, his muscles tightening, his fighting spirit blazing.
"Rocks is just a failure," Mio sneered, standing and flashing a grin. "I will succeed."
"The World Government has ruled this world for 800 years, sitting on the throne for 800 years. But your reign ends here. It's time for a new king to ascend."
He raised his hand.
"Everyone, give the Five Elders and their lapdogs a welcome gift!"
"Hahahaha, I've been waiting for this!"
"Men, FIRE!!"
BOOM—
Cannon fire erupted from every ship. The roar of Pluto weapons shook the heavens as a rain of artillery descended on Mary Geoise.
"Hmph!"
One of the Five Elders, clutching the First Generation Kitetsu, drew his blade with a sharp hiss. His pupils glowed blood red as murderous aura erupted around him.
"Slash!!"
A blood-red arc of sword energy split the skies, colliding with the incoming bombardment.
BOOM!!
The explosion rocked the floating ships, scattering clouds in all directions.
The Elder's expression turned cold. "Kill them all!"
"How shameless," Yashan sneered, stepping forward. In an instant, he appeared before the elder. With no wasted movement, he clenched his Haki-coated fist and punched.
"SLASH!"
The elder swung again, his sword energy sharper than steel, carrying deadly intent. He was a master swordsman—top-tier.
But—
BOOM!!
Yashan's fist crashed into the slash, shattering it instantly.
The elder's eyes widened in disbelief as his blade met Yashan's punch.
CRASH—
The force sent him flying like a cannonball, demolishing buildings before crashing into the ground. Blood spilled from his lips.
"Such terrifying power…" he muttered, clutching his chest. He had barely survived the blow.
Mio's Observation Haki spread wide. He stepped forward beside Yashan, eyes cold as he swept the battlefield.
"Where's Im? Why hasn't he appeared yet?"
"You even know of Lord Im?!" another elder's face darkened. Im's existence was the Government's deepest secret.
And yet…
Their gazes all turned in one direction.
There, a figure stood—mysterious, regal, as though they had always been there.
Dressed in the finest Celestial Dragon robes, veiled in silk, the figure exuded both elegance and dread.
At once, both the Five Elders and Kong lowered their heads, bowing deeply.
"Lord Im."
"You're finally here," Im said softly, ignoring them all. Her veiled face turned only toward Mio.
"You anticipated this?" Mio asked coldly.
Im lifted a delicate hand. Flower petals seemed to dance faintly from her fingers as she spoke in a calm, almost wistful tone.
"I've been watching you. You give me a very… special feeling. Like the D clan that lurks in the shadows. But unlike them, who can only destroy, you seem destined to rule this world."
"So?" Mio asked softly, eyes locked on hers.
Beneath the veil, Im's red lips curved faintly.
"A long time ago, I grew… bored."
"Eternity is nothing but endless boredom. For eight hundred years, I've ruled this world, but no one has ever succeeded in overthrowing the World Government."
"Rocks surprised me… but he was still too weak."
"I hope you're not."
With those words, Im took a step forward, standing opposite Mio.
"If you wish to start a war, then the World Government will accept it. Just don't disappoint me."
At that moment—
Im's body erupted in golden light, dazzling and blinding.
And across Mary Geoise, countless terrifying auras awakened all at once.