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Chapter 759 - The Three Great Weapons

If anything stood out most in Mariejois, it wasn't the rows of opulent buildings or the scattered pavilions and towers. It was the palace—resplendent in gold and towering with grandeur—that left the deepest impression. Even from the sea, it could be seen rising above the clouds.

And now, that unforgettable structure had become a pile of ruins. The devastated remnants barely hinted at its former splendor, and shattered fragments strewn across the ground were the only traces of its luxurious past.

Unfortunately, all of it had become fleeting smoke.

"Damn that wretch!" snarled the Five Elder Stars member with the flat hat. His bloodshot eyes looked ready to spit fire. His robe was scorched and tattered, his sleeves burned off, and one of his pant legs was missing—he had none of his former poise.

The other Elders didn't look much better. The fact that they had been imprisoned for an entire month was an utter disgrace for people of their status.

When the guards briefed them on what had transpired over the past month, their faces grew even darker.

"To dare act so arrogantly before us—unforgivable!" The Elder with the birthmark on his head clenched his fist, and with a bang, the rock in his hand crumbled into dust.

"Looks like she knew we were planning to act against her," the long-haired Elder said as he stepped forward. "Her intuition is sharper than expected. Or perhaps... she had been anticipating this day all along."

"If that's the case, then she's been preparing to be our enemy from the start," said the blonde Elder. "She's just chosen this moment to strike."

"So what? Before absolute power, all else is illusion. She struck without even understanding the force we rely on," the bald Elder holding a long blade said coldly. "She's just digging her own grave."

The flat-hatted Elder narrowed his eyes. "Wait. Are you suggesting... that? You'd better think carefully. That power is something even we can't control. It was only sealed away by sheer luck. If it's released again, things might spiral out of control."

"If it was sealed once, it can be sealed again," the scarred Elder replied coldly. "Now is exactly the time for that power to reappear. It seems the world has forgotten the fear we once commanded."

The long-haired Elder stood from the couch, his gaze sharpening. "It's time for the world to remember who truly rules it!"

At the same time, shocking news erupted across the Grand Line like a bomb dropping from the sky.

One of the legendary Ancient Weapons—Uranus—had appeared in the New World, along the path leading to Raftel.

This news spread like wildfire, causing a huge uproar throughout the Grand Line. People in towns and cities buzzed with excitement, discussing the weapon known as "Uranus"—it became the hot topic everywhere.

According to legend, the three Ancient Weapons held the power to destroy the world. Even the World Government had long coveted them, dispatching fleets to find them. But due to extremely limited clues, those efforts always ended in failure.

Still, that hadn't dampened the enthusiasm of the Grand Line's denizens. In fact, more pirates were now stirring—famous captains and lowly thugs alike—gearing up to enter the New World, hoping to claim this terrifying weapon for themselves.

At the Revolutionary Army's base—

"Releasing this kind of news at such a chaotic time," Dragon said as he tossed the newspaper onto the table with a snort, "What a cunning and devious scheme."

Sabo blinked. "Chief, you're saying the 'Uranus' story is fake?"

"Not necessarily," Dragon shook his head. "It could be true, it could be false. But at this point, whether 'Uranus' truly exists no longer matters."

"It doesn't matter?" Klar asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Exactly," Dragon stood from his chair and walked to the window, gazing out at the dark, cloud-filled sky. "Doesn't it strike you as odd? The New World isn't a place just anyone can enter, let alone sail freely. If someone discovered 'Uranus,' why not keep it secret? Why announce it so publicly?"

Sabo quickly caught on. "You mean someone is manipulating things behind the scenes?"

Dragon's face grew solemn. "Yes. But I can't figure out what their motive is. What are they trying to achieve?"

"Maybe they want all the contenders for 'Uranus' to fight each other?" Klar suggested.

"That's possible," Dragon stroked his chin in thought. "But I don't believe it's that simple. There has to be more going on."

"Then why would people still go for it if it's clearly a trap? Isn't that just walking into the lion's den?" Klar asked.

Dragon snorted. "Greed makes people reckless. Even if they suspect it's fake, they'll still chase it. And this is a legendary weapon said to hold unimaginable power."

Sabo asked, "So should we still go?"

"Of course. Why not?" Dragon replied. "Yes, there's risk—but there's also opportunity." He looked out at the ominous clouds brewing on the horizon, his tone meaningful. "Looks like the storm is coming."

Meanwhile, in the palace on Albion Island—

"Master, all instructions have been passed down. Everything is progressing according to your original plan," Monet reported respectfully.

"What about the Revolutionary Army?" Kaguya asked, sipping tea on the sofa.

"They haven't made a move yet, but according to our intel, their supply shipments—especially food, fresh water, and ammunition—have increased several times over," Monet said.

"Looks like Dragon is getting restless," Kaguya smirked.

Flipping through a small notebook, Monet continued, "As for the Navy, Sengoku has retired and become an inspector. The new Fleet Admiral is the former Admiral Aokiji."

"Any movement from them recently?" Kaguya asked thoughtfully.

"The Navy Headquarters has been transferring many fleets and personnel from regional branches. It's likely their target is also 'Uranus,'" Monet replied softly.

"Excellent." Kaguya stood, a glimmer in her eyes. "The trap is set. Now it's just a matter of catching them inside."

Just then, a shadow flitted past the door.

Monet noticed the disappearing figure and let her gaze follow it. A subtle smile crept onto her lips.

..

As night fell and the lanterns began to glow, the evening sunlight slowly faded into the horizon. The brilliant hues of the sky gradually dimmed, and a cool breeze stirred, bringing a trace of relief to the hot summer air.

Hancock paced back and forth along the palace corridor, her beautiful face clouded with worry. She looked troubled and uneasy. Reaching the end of the corridor, she turned and walked back, lips pursed, absentmindedly plucking the petals off a small flower.

"Miss Hancock, what are you doing out here, pacing like that? You're making me dizzy just watching."

A familiar voice called out. Hancock turned around instinctively, hiding the flower behind her back. Looking up, she saw the delicate features of Monet.

Hancock cleared her throat and turned away, speaking awkwardly, "Nothing, I was just... taking a walk."

"Just a walk?" Monet approached, smiling. "Is that really all?"

Seeing Monet's teasing expression, Hancock's cheeks flushed. She flicked her hair and lifted her chin with a huff. "I said it's nothing. If you don't need anything, I'm leaving."

She turned to go, but Monet's next words stopped her in her tracks.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're worried about the Master, aren't you?"

"Of course not!" Hancock spun around and snapped, "She did something so awful to me—how could I possibly forgive her?!"

"You're really not very honest, are you? But if that's true, then why did you come here? And…" Monet grinned knowingly, "why are you wandering so close to the Master's bedroom?"

"That's my business—not yours!" Hancock shouted, clearly flustered.

Monet chuckled inwardly at Hancock's flustered expression but remained calm on the surface. "Don't misunderstand. I'm not teasing you. But maybe… did you get the wrong idea about something before?"

"Wrong idea?" Hancock blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Monet said, "You once said the Master bought you when you were still a slave. That's true, isn't it?"

"Yes, that's right!" Hancock said, biting her lip. "If not for that time—"

Monet stepped closer and smiled gently. "Not only that, but at the time, the Master also did terrible things to you—including branding you with an iron mark, right?"

Hancock clenched her lips tightly. "I still remember the pain clearly. That kind of suffering isn't something you can just forget!"

"Then let me ask—was it the Master who branded you personally?" Monet said.

"No," Hancock shook her head. "It was some other vile person."

Monet smiled. "Then how can you be sure it was the Master's doing?"

"It had to be her!" Hancock said stubbornly.

"But did you see it with your own eyes?" Monet asked again.

Hancock hesitated. She hadn't actually witnessed it herself.

Monet said softly, "What if the one who hurt you… wasn't the Master at all?"

Hancock was stunned.

Meanwhile, Kaguya was lounging lazily on a sofa, flipping through a book in boredom.

Suddenly, she closed the book and glanced toward the shadows beneath the lamp. "Since you're already here, you might as well come out."

From the doorway stepped a tall, stunningly beautiful woman. Her legs strode gracefully into view, her ample chest swaying gently with each step. She stopped a short distance away and said, "I knew you'd be here."

Kaguya smiled and placed her book on the table. "Long time no see, Robin."

Robin hadn't been seen for a while.

She looked even more stunning than when Kaguya last saw her—her skin fairer, her curves more defined, exuding an alluring, mature charm.

Robin stepped forward with a blank expression. "Do you still remember me?"

"Of course," Kaguya replied. "It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Thanks to you—very well," Robin said coldly. As soon as the words left her mouth, she crossed her arms, her eyes sharp. "Fleur de Bloom!"

Suddenly, countless petal-formed arms sprouted from the sofas around Kaguya, each gripping a dagger pointed directly at her throat!

Kaguya remained expressionless, glancing calmly at Robin in the distance. "Is this your greeting?"

Robin bit her lip, furious. "After everything that happened, you still pretend to be clueless?"

"Pretend?" Kaguya raised a brow. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You don't know?" Robin growled. "Then just die! Sixty-fold Fleur!"

With a low command, the petal arms lunged forward, daggers aiming for Kaguya's heart.

"Don't get ahead of yourself."

Kaguya lifted her hand and unleashed an invisible force from her palm.

Bang bang bang—!

A flurry of impacts echoed as the petal arms were instantly shattered, scattering into a storm of petals. Robin was blasted back by the shockwave, crashing heavily into the wall with a thud.

She cried out in pain. As she lay dazed, a pair of pale feet approached. Looking up, Robin saw Kaguya towering above her.

"Mercy to an enemy is cruelty to oneself," Kaguya said coldly, grabbing Robin by the throat. "I never show mercy to my enemies—even if it's someone I used to know. I'll give you one chance to explain."

"Explain?" Robin gasped, her face flushed. "Don't you know what you've done?"

"What I've done?" Kaguya's brows furrowed.

"Yes!" Robin growled, gritting her teeth. "It was you—you killed them all!"

Kaguya's expression shifted.

From Robin's accusation, she finally pieced together what had happened.

Years ago, the remaining survivors of Ohara, who had been hiding around the world, were hunted down by the World Government. Under a ruthless purge, nearly all of Ohara's citizens were massacred. Not just the librarians and scholars—but even Robin's mother was slain.

And leading the charge… was supposedly Kaguya.

Kaguya's brow arched. "You're saying I killed them?"

"Still trying to deny it?" Robin shouted, her face flushed with rage.

"You really overestimate yourself, Robin," Kaguya said, her voice cold and mocking. "Do you think I'd need to personally hunt them down if I really wanted them dead?"

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