Alucard, in the form of the Celestial Dragon Saint Aptheim, continued to talk with Saint Mjosgard. He learned a lot about the history of the Celestial Dragons, but from Saint Mjosgard's mouth, he still didn't know the identities of the two Devil Fruit users he had fought.
It seemed that even among the Celestial Dragons, there were secrets and differences in status. However, even the lowest-ranking Celestial Dragon held immense power that was beyond the imagination of normal people, so much so that the Gorosei sometimes had to back down.
Pap!
Alucard snapped his fingers, and a bodyguard came in. He asked calmly, ignoring the bodyguard's frightened expression, "What is the situation at Marine Headquarters right now?"
Although the bodyguard was confused as to why a Celestial Dragon would care about the war, he still answered honestly, "My lord, the latest news is that the Golden Lion Pirates are on the verge of collapse under the Marines' fierce attack. The only one left who poses a threat is the Golden Lion, Shiki, himself."
"Hmm... Can you bring up a broadcast?" Alucard asked again.
"Yes, of course." The bodyguard looked strangely at "Saint Aptheim" out of the corner of his eye before quickly leaving.
"My friend, why would you ask a commoner? We noble Celestial Dragons don't need to ask questions. We just do it," Saint Mjosgard said, clearing up Alucard's confusion.
So that was why the bodyguard had looked at him so strangely; it was because he had "asked" a question.
In the minds of everyone here, including the Celestial Dragons themselves, a Celestial Dragon didn't need to "ask" for anything. They did whatever they wanted. Words like "asking for someone's opinion" didn't exist in their vocabulary.
I want to do it, so I will.
After his confusion was cleared up, Alucard couldn't help but chuckle. I see. That's what a Celestial Dragon is. They're rotten to the core, that's for sure, but isn't this the life most people in the world dream of?
Two minutes later, the bodyguard came back with a rather large silver Den Den Mushi. He bowed and said, "My lord, this is a visual Den Den Mushi connected to Marineford. You should be able to see the situation on the battlefield with it."
"Ah... you can leave after you turn it on," Alucard said flatly. The bodyguard nodded, placed the visual Den Den Mushi on the table between the two Celestial Dragons, pressed the play button, and quickly left.
This time, he didn't show any signs of confusion. Alucard inwardly sneered. Celestial Dragons... they're truly beyond saving. No, everyone here is beyond saving.
The video broadcast began. Although it was unknown if the Den Den Mushi that Shiki had set up in the Sabaody Archipelago was still broadcasting, this one was connected to the Marines' own Den Den Mushi, so they could clearly see the situation on the battlefield.
....
At the same time, in the Sabaody Archipelago, only two of the original screens were still broadcasting. Everyone was staring intently at the screens, but many were also very concerned about the situation in Mariejois, especially after Shiki's last words and the look of worry on Sengoku's face.
What about the battle between Alucard and the World Government?
But for now, most people's attention was on Shiki. A giant lion head, dozens of meters high, collided with Kong's fist, Borsalino's light, Kuzan's ice, Sakazuki's magma, and Momousagi's sword.
Rayleigh frowned deeply. He was confused. If Shiki wanted to leave, he could have, even if it took some effort. But even though defeat was certain, he still didn't retreat at all, clashing with all the forces of Marine Headquarters. He would do this even if it meant his death in the next second.
"What are you trying to do, Shiki...?" Rayleigh said to himself, his eyebrows furrowed.
Sengoku didn't join the battle against Shiki. He was in charge of commanding the entire field. After ordering his subordinates to take defensive measures, he glanced at Tsuru out of the corner of his eye. "What's the situation with the Government?"
Tsuru's expression was grim. She said slowly, "It seems two of the fighters who were stronger than an Admiral were taken out by Alucard. The western part of the royal palace is heavily damaged. Although the foundation wasn't touched, Alucard has disappeared. There's a high chance he got away."
"How could this happen...?" Sengoku gritted his teeth in silent rage.
Tsuru forced herself to calm down and said in a deep voice, "We should focus on Shiki for now."
On the battlefield, Borsalino moved at lightning speed, weaving through the giant lion heads. When he was very close to Shiki and realized he couldn't dodge, he unleashed his ultimate move. In an instant, a bright light appeared in the sky.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Shiki's blood-soaked face showed a crazed smile. He controlled the last lion head to block the attack. "You brat!!!" Even though it was only the last lion head, it still had an incredible amount of power, blocking Borsalino's ultimate move.
"How scary~ Golden Lion..." Borsalino, who was finally forced back, sincerely lamented.
"What are you standing around for?! Attack!" Suddenly, a roar came from below Shiki, followed by an eruption of hot magma. And from above, Kuzan, who had used the icebergs he created to rise to a height equal to Shiki's, had filled the sky with ice spikes.
"Still as hot-blooded as ever, Sakazuki..." After saying that, Kuzan's eyes narrowed, and his lazy demeanor completely disappeared. "Ice Age!"
With attacks coming from both above and below, Shiki controlled the surrounding dirt and rocks to rise and block both attacks. In the front, Kong punched the lion head that had just knocked Borsalino away, shattering it. He came charging out from within, shouting, "You're finished, Shiki!"
When Shiki saw Kong's Haki-covered fist coming at him with a force that could split mountains and tear the earth, he didn't retreat. Instead, he charged forward, ignoring Sakazuki's and Kuzan's attacks.
In an instant, countless faces flashed through his mind. His battles with Roger and Whitebeard in his youth. The Battle of Edd War with Roger in his later years. The scene of him cutting off his own legs to escape from Impel Down. The scene of him and Alucard planning this battle together.
At the same time, one of the two screens on the Sabaody Archipelago turned to static and stopped broadcasting. The visual Den Den Mushi was destroyed. Only one was left, but it was this last one that broadcasted Shiki's final cry.
"THE ONE PIECE... IS REAL!!!"
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