The colossal figures of the two behemoths were broadcast to every corner of the world through video Den Den Mushi.
Anyone who witnessed the scene was left speechless by their sheer scale.
"So big… so dark!"
"What a terrifying giant!"
"What is that? Is that a ship? It's unbelievably huge!"
"That must be Noah… the legendary Ark of Salvation!"
"Haha, what are we even afraid of? The entire island of Tuperilby Saintia is already floating on the sea!"
...
South Sea, Stanalia Island, a mechanical island.
The entire landmass was constructed from interlocking machines and mechanical structures.
At the coastline stood two figures, one old and one young, facing a massive mechanical display screen.
The screen was divided into multiple sections, each showing live footage from the video Den Den Mushi scattered across Brown Square.
"Grandpa Gutai, is that Uranus?" the little boy asked, eyes shining as he pointed at the gigantic figure displayed on the screen.
The old man adjusted his thick glasses, his gaze fixed on the image.
"Yes. That is Uranus. The most terrifying existence in this world."
"Are the people down there in danger?" the boy asked again.
The old man raised his mechanical leg slightly and shook his head.
"Not just Crusimia. The entire world will be affected the moment it appears."
He turned to the boy with a weary expression.
"Why didn't you leave with the evacuation ship earlier?"
The boy tapped his chest confidently.
"Didn't I stay to take care of you?"
"You can't move easily and you can't see well. If no one is here, it would be dangerous."
"And besides… that's the Ion Pirates' ship. They're pirates, and we're civilians. Who knows what might happen…"
The old man looked at him silently, then let out a long sigh.
"Alas…"
"It's my fault. I was too stubborn to abandon the legacy of my ancestors…"
The boy immediately cut him off.
"Grandpa Gutai, who cares about Uranus or whatever king it is? This is Stanalia Island. We have some of the best mechanical manufacturing capabilities in the world. Even if sea levels rise, we won't be affected."
The old man glanced around the island slowly.
The boy was not his biological grandson.
He had been rescued from the mouth of a sea beast during a fishing trip years ago.
Stanalia Island itself had been built by the Gutai family over generations.
More importantly, nine hundred years ago, their ancestors had participated in the creation of the ancient weapons Uranus and Pluton.
They were the only surviving bloodline among all those involved in that forbidden creation.
Even Vegapunk, once known as the world's greatest scientist, had once sought knowledge from them.
After being taken in, the boy had developed a deep fascination with Stanalia's machinery.
His natural talent for engineering made the old man feel as though he had finally found an heir worthy of passing everything on to.
Over the years, they had truly become like grandfather and grandson.
The boy was kind-hearted and refused to leave the old man alone.
When the Ion Pirates' evacuation ship arrived, he had chosen to stay behind.
Now, hearing his words, the old man sighed again in self-mockery.
"It is my stubbornness that has dragged you into this."
He looked toward the horizon.
The orange sunset was fading into twilight. Stray beams of light scattered across the sea like broken glass.
Seagulls still skimmed the water, diving for fish just as they always had.
Life continued as if nothing had changed.
But this peace might never return after today.
The old man tightened his grip on the purple crystal in his hand, his expression turning serious.
Hopefully… those blueprints will be enough.
...
East Blue, Foosha Village.
The entire island floating above the sea was supported by thick layers of island clouds, gently swaying with the ocean currents.
Life in Foosha Village continued as usual, seemingly untouched by the chaos of the outside world.
Inside Makino's bar, Dadan's group sat together with the villagers, watching the global battlefield unfold through the video Den Den Mushi.
Dadan was in tears.
"Wuwuwu… Sabo is finally safe!"
Her group immediately rushed to comfort her.
"Boss, Sabo, Ace, and Luffy are all doing fine."
"Wuwuwu! Those three brats only know how to make me worry!" Dadan sniffled loudly.
Around them, the villagers were far less emotional and instead discussed the war itself.
"Go, Peach Garden! Go, Rolan!"
"Do we even need to cheer? The World Government has already lost."
"Exactly. As expected of people from the East Blue."
"Rolan is incredible!"
"Damn the World Government!"
Rolan already held immense prestige in Foosha Village, and with the Ion Pirates lifting entire islands into the sky, the people here no longer feared the rising sea levels.
They already had a safe refuge.
Makino watched the figure on the screen with a gentle expression, her hand resting lightly on her lower abdomen as a soft maternal smile appeared on her face.
"My little one… please bless your father to return safely, and bless your brother Rolan to win."
Nearby, the village chief sat in silence with five or six empty bottles in front of him.
His gaze remained fixed on San Juan Wolf suspended in the sky on the screen, his expression growing increasingly grave.
Although Foosha Village was far from the Grand Line, it was still one of the outermost points of the world.
And this old man understood far more about the world's hidden truths than most.
He knew of the three ancient weapons.
He had read the historical records concerning Uranus and its devastating power.
Something like that could erase the entire One Piece world in an instant.
So when he saw San Juan Wolf, he suspected it might be tied to that very ancient weapon.
He chose not to say anything.
Revealing it would only cause panic.
So he could only pray silently for Peach Garden.
...
Just like Foosha Village, nearly every inhabited island across the One Piece world had been lifted above the sea over the past months by the Ion Pirates.
Because of this, Peach Garden's reputation had reached an unprecedented height.
Even islands that were once aligned with the World Government had begun to shift their stance.
The entire world was now filled with praise for Peach Garden.
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle core, Moon-Worship Altar.
Normally, no one other than Imu would ever set foot here.
But at this moment, two figures stood facing each other in the forbidden chamber.
A cold voice echoed through the space.
"Rolan, you really think a few insects can stop Uranus?"
"Even if you block the immediate attack, the preset program will not stop. Not even Joy Boy could interrupt it."