The massive tremor caused by the explosion threw the entire Holy Land into chaos. The ground shook as if struck by an earthquake, each step feeling like walking on soft dough, making it hard to maintain balance.
Atop the central government building, the nerve center of the World Government, a long-mustached Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) grabbed onto the table to steady himself and picked up a Den Den Mushi, shouting angrily, "What just happened?!"
"A thousand apologies! We don't have exact information yet. But the tremors came from underground beneath the Holy Land, so it shouldn't be a natural earthquake!"
After a brief pause, CP0 Chief Bald Zero took the receiver on the other end of the line and scanned a document. "We've found the cause!"
"Speak!" The Gorōsei demanded.
"Yes, sir!" Bald Zero twitched slightly, his eyes filled with shock as he quickly read aloud: "Byrnndi World hid himself in a sealed chamber made entirely of Seastone. From within it, using the power of the Moa Moa no Mi, he fired a cannon across 30 kilometers, directly striking the outer shell of the Red Line."
"What the hell was Rowen doing?! Is he just there to eat and do nothing?!" One of the Gorōsei roared in fury. Letting the enemy actually hit the Red Line was absolutely not why they had endorsed Rowen's promotion to Commander-in-Chief.
"In fact… Redfield infiltrated deep into Marine lines alone, and Commander-in-Chief Rowen engaged him personally. Just moments ago, it was confirmed that he killed Patrick Redfield. However… it appears both sides were severely wounded, and Rowen has no strength left to assist the frontlines."
"Hisss...!" Hearing this, the Gorōsei collectively froze. They exchanged looks of disbelief before solemnly asking, "He killed Patrick Redfield... in a one-on-one fight?"
No one knew "Patrick Redfield" better than they. During their tenure, anyone who had etched themselves into the minds of the Gorōsei was a titan of the seas. Patrick Redfield had left an unforgettable impression, so strong that even Whitebeard couldn't overshadow it. When Red was finally captured, the entire council had felt a wave of relief.
Rowen actually managed to kill that monster?! That was a man who could face ten thousand enemies alone and still walk away unscathed. Unlike Rowen's Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Fruit), whose speed dominated land, sea, and sky, Red's power was pure physical combat and swordsmanship, with perhaps a short-range mind-reading ability akin to an enhanced Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
That's what made Red so terrifying, he had honed simple abilities to their absolute peak!
To this, Bald Zero nodded seriously. "Yes. One-on-one."
Rowen's battle record had become more astonishing with each fight, more dazzling, more terrifying. Even Bald Zero, who believed he could perform similarly under the same circumstances, had to admit the pressure was immense.
But Rowen had done it. Whether through sheer will, undying tenacity, or overwhelming skill, that was still his true strength.
Hearing this, the Gorōsei calmed down. "I see… If he could kill Patrick Redfield, then it's understandable that he can't reinforce the main battlefield right now."
If Rowen had killed Red without breaking a sweat, they'd be even more alarmed. This was a world ruled by strength, and if Rowen were that powerful, he could easily dictate the entire sea; even Imu wouldn't say anything.
After a moment of thought, they asked again, "Who's currently at the frontline?"
"Admiral Kizaru, along with Vice Admirals Momonga, Chaton, Quinn Dante, and several other Marine HQ Vice Admirals. They've already crushed most of the pirates at the front; only Byrnndi World remains, still desperately resisting."
BOOM!
Just then, another violent tremor shook the world. "Holy Land" Mary Geoise, no one slept this night. The streets were filled with families fleeing in panic, dragging their children along as they escaped in chaos. At a time like this, hiding indoors was clearly irrational. If the buildings collapsed, death would be certain.
"The second cannon shot just landed! That damn Kizaru, still slacking off?!" The long-mustached Gorōsei had flames of fury flickering in his eyes as he growled.
"We can't let this continue. At this level of power, even the Red Line won't be able to hold out! By the authority of the Gorōsei, relay my order..."
"Blow up the ship!"
"Blow up the ship?" Aboard the massive World Battleship, Vice Admiral Momonga was stunned when he heard Rowen's voice.
"That's right!" Coincidentally, Rowen gave the exact same order at that moment.
"I'm sure you've already tried everything, including the cannon chamber. That entire sealed room is made of Seastone. I don't believe World would leave a weak point under the floor, so destroying the chamber in a short time is impossible."
"That's true..." Vice Admiral Momonga glanced at the torn skin on his palm and the jagged, cracked edge of his beloved sword, frowning deeply. "But how are we supposed to blow up a ship this big?"
From its appearance alone, one might mistake it for a small island. The World Battleship had taken thirty years to build with the help of World's former subordinates. A colossal vessel, painstakingly constructed over decades, rivaling even Gran Tesoro (Golden City) in size.
Let alone the thick layer of rock and soil that covered it, an entire natural ecosystem had developed onboard. Ordinary explosives, even Dyna Stones, wouldn't be enough unless used in great quantities. And it wasn't just about damaging it; it had to be sunk, which was on a completely different level of difficulty.
Unless...
"Um… can't we wait a little longer?" Kizaru, leaning nearby, tilted his head with a helpless smile. "World only retreated into the sealed room after I beat him half to death. He shouldn't have much energy left to fire another shot."
BOOM!!
Before he could finish, another cannonball was launched. World's voice echoed from the loudspeakers, filled with madness even in its weakness: "No one gets in my way! Not even the Red Line!"
"This lunatic… is he trying to blast open a passage through the Red Line?" Dante, standing atop the sealed chamber, frowned deeply. Boring through the Red Line? A bold and insane idea.
That landmass was composed of over 90% dense red rock, its thickness unimaginable. Most nations didn't have the strength to expand their borders; many cities were just built on the natural terrain. But now, with the custom artillery that World had built… Dante couldn't help but twitch at the thought. Given the situation, it seemed very likely he was right!
Back on Rowen's side, through the Den Den Mushi, another blast tore through the air. A massive shadow shot across the sky and smashed into the Red Line again. Watching the hard red rock crumble, the cliffside now gouged out like a massive island-sized crater, Rowen spoke in a chillingly calm tone: "Did you say something just now?"
Kizaru replied, "No, nothing at all. Leave it to me." (I've got to save some of my pride too!)
"Then begin immediately... Vice Admiral Momonga!"
"Yes, sir!"
"You have three minutes to evacuate. In three minutes... Kizaru!"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you!"
"Sink that damn thing!"
Three minutes to evacuate tens of thousands of troops? Sink this entire gigantic warship? The two men exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes.
But there was no choice. A higher rank crushes all in the military. In a war operation, only the Gorōsei outranked the Commander-in-Chief; even Fleet Admiral Akainu couldn't override it.
"Man... I miss the days when Tsuru was Commander-in-Chief. At least she would've given us five minutes…"
"Hmm? Are you even listening, Vice Admiral Momonga?"
"Apologies, Admiral Kizaru. I don't have time to chat right now."
Turning sharply, Vice Admiral Momonga leapt into the air and shouted, "Everyone, evacuate! You have three minutes to clear out; anyone left behind will face military court!"
(End of Chapter)
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