This novel is finished, and I have posted all the advanced chapters on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
When Rob Lucci considered the Pacifista carrying out such a brazen act of defiance, only two possibilities came to mind.
The first: it was an order from the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars).
Their authority was definitely sufficient. But why would they do such a thing?
There was absolutely no reason for doing this! At least, Rob Lucci couldn't think of one.
The second: it was an order from Vegapunk. Whether he had the authority to control the Pacifista was debatable, but the reason… The more Rob Lucci thought about it, the more terrifying it became.
"Run!" Rob Lucci shoved Kalifa forward and shouted, "Go! Find the Gorōsei and inform them of the situation here!"
Kalifa wasn't foolish. Shocked, she looked at him. "Could it be…?!"
"Exactly!"
Rob Lucci threw off his mask and ripped away the obstructive white flag cloak of the government cross. "Vegapunk has betrayed us. This order must be his doing."
"And you?" Kalifa frowned. "What are you going to do?"
"I am going to stop them."
Rob Lucci's shoulder and back muscles bulged fiercely, yellow fur and spotted patterns appearing on his skin as he activated Half-Beast Form.
"I am still a member of CP0, so…"
Thud!
At that moment, Rob Lucci ejected forward, a black streak racing toward Kuma. His claws, hardened with Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), tore through the void and struck with tremendous force.
"Those who offend the Holy Land shall be killed without mercy!"
Dark justice… but justice nonetheless.
It is because there is a boundary that there is the drive to uphold it.
Boom!
Explosions lit up the sky as chaos erupted in Holy Land. People ran in panic while soldiers tried to resist. Orrick sat calmly in the center of a courtyard garden, sipping tea, watching the explosions, screams, and roars echoing from the city.
"This is the world I want. If you won't give it to me, I'll take it myself!"
Bang!
Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted at the edge of the city. A towering, muscular figure kicked a rogue Pacifista to pieces and roared toward the sky.
"I am here, and I will not let you act recklessly!"
Hearing the deep, commanding roar, the scattered garrison forces regained their morale instantly.
"Chief Commander Kong is over there, attack!"
"Everyone, charge with me! We need to regroup with the Chief Commander!"
The voice echoed across the city. Orrick, of course, heard it.
"Hmph… worthy of the man called Steel Bone. But thankfully, I didn't rely too much on these robots. Achieving the goal is enough… now, the real show begins."
Hot Breath!
As Kong summoned his forces to counterattack, a massive torrent descended from the sky, engulfing entire city blocks in a scorching wave of breath.
"What is…?!"
Kong's pupils constricted, disbelief on his face as he looked up.
Roar!!!
A dominating, ferocious cyan phantom beast spiraled through the sky. In the moonlit night, its massive body twisted and emerged from the clouds.
"If Soryu (Azure Dragon) can do it, why can't I?"
"Isn't it just cutting off the opponent's escape route? I can do that too!"
"Damn it!"
Listening to Kaido's arrogant words, Kong's anger surged. He stomped the ground, launching himself into the air.
"As expected… even if he's clever this time, Kaido is still Kaido."
Orrick watched Kaido and Kong clash without surprise. Slowly, he took out his mask and placed it over his face.
"Alright… can't keep them waiting too long. Otherwise, it would seem I lack sincerity…"
With that, Orrick stepped lightly. Ripples spread through the void like a tangible liquid, swallowing him completely.
Meanwhile, Imu opened his eyes, and a faint, inscrutable smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Finally taking action? That brat…"
…
"The bastard Kaido dares to attack Holy Land!"
At the emergency assembly, the long-mustached Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) glared angrily out the window.
The aftershocks from the battle occasionally struck, instantly destroying large buildings. This fight, much like the one between the Marines and Gold Lion twenty years ago, would result in massive losses for Holy Land, regardless of who prevailed.
"There's no time to worry about saving face… do you think Kong can handle Kaido?"
"Stopping him temporarily isn't a problem, but…"
He didn't finish the thought. Yet everyone knew, for Kong to surpass Kaido was sheer fantasy.
Even if Rowen had taken a limb, Kaido was still the duel-strongest of the Hundred Beasts!
From veteran peaks like Whitebeard to rising stars like Red Hair, all respected him as duel-strongest. Kaido's strength was not to be underestimated.
"Ah… if only Rowen were here…"
Suddenly, the Gorōsei sighed.
In the past, what he disliked most was Rowen's blatant disregard for rules, but now, comparing the options, he realized Rowen was the only person they could trust.
No matter what, the name "Thunder God" had been forged through one incredible victory after another, recognized by the world as the newly crowned "strongest in the world."
The others offered no comment. Over-reliance on Rowen wasn't necessarily a good thing.
After all, Rowen was no longer a pawn anyone could manipulate…
"Report! Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), all Pacifista deployed to the garrison have rebelled today and are slaughtering the civilians of Holy Land!"
With the announcement, Kalifa entered the hall.
"Hmph! By the time you came to report, it was already too late!"
The Mediterranean Gorōsei's face darkened with fury, causing a pang in Kalifa's heart.
Just how unwelcome was CP0 now?
Like a child without a mother, they were barely noticed!
"Yes… my deepest apologies!"
Suppressing her bitterness, Kalifa inhaled deeply and continued: "Furthermore, we discovered that PX-0 has also joined the rebellion. According to Commander Rob Lucci's deduction, this incident is certainly connected to Vegapunk."
"PX-0?!"
The Gorōsei's faces turned pale with shock.
PX-0, the prototype Pacifista, was originally the cyborg "Tyrant" Kuma, modified into the first-generation machine. All subsequent Pacifista models were upgraded versions based on him!
After the Celestial Dragons' assassination attempt, Kuma's behavior in G-10 was deemed betrayal. Vegapunk then reengineered him, erasing his personality and throwing him into the slave camps to suffer.
His appearance not only confirmed Vegapunk's involvement but also raised a dire question…
"Who can stop him?" The long-mustached Gorōsei asked coldly.
Kuma's strength was unquestionable. Even those weaker than Rowen, Admiral-level fighters, would struggle against him, especially with his Devil Fruit ability.
Now, with only Kong stationed in Holy Land, there were plenty of Marine Vice Admirals around, but none could match Kuma…
"We have to try, even if it seems impossible. We cannot let him run rampant!"
"Kalifa, right?"
The long-mustached Gorōsei looked at her. "Take this token and notify every manor in Holy Land. Tell them to send out their strongest warriors."
"Yes!"
Kalifa took the token respectfully, frowning. "But, Gorōsei, many of them have always used their status to evade government orders. Perhaps…"
"Don't worry. Just go."
The Gorōsei waved dismissively. "I'm notifying their household guards, not them personally."
"You don't really think all the strong ones in Holy Land just roam free among the households, do you?"
Kalifa's mind went cold. "I understand."
Wealth is hidden among the people here, not just money, but other valuables as well.
Kalifa suddenly realized why Holy Land had remained orderly for eight hundred years… anyone attempting chaos would likely disappear along with their entire household.
Shortly after Kalifa left, a knock came at the door.
"Report! Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), urgent situation!"
"What now?"
The Mediterranean Gorōsei, annoyed, opened the door. "Didn't I say urgent matters should be reported immediately, without following procedure? Can you not understand, "
He froze at the figure before him, eyes widening.
"Impossible… how are you here?!"
"Why shouldn't I be here?"
The visitor chuckled lightly, lifting a hand to trace across the Gorōsei's neck.
"Besides, since the Gorōsei are about to be wiped out here, such a major matter deserves a proper report first."
The noble head soared into the air, a jet of blood erupting from the neck.
Standing amid the torrential blood, Orrick's gloves remained spotless, a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"After all, once you're dead, you won't hear anything anymore."
Thud… gū lū lū!
The head rolled into the room. The remaining three stared in terror.
"Orrick!!"
(End of Chapter)