The black and red Conqueror's Haki, having already enveloped the Five Elders and the God Knights led by Garling, did not stop there.
Instead, it expanded at an astonishing speed, radiating outward in all directions with Orion at its epicenter.
In an instant, the entire city of Marie Geoise was blanketed by the Conqueror's Haki.
The young Marshal of the Navy Headquarters stood at the center of this pure vortex of energy, his Marshal coat fluttering fiercely in the shockwaves. His innate, unbridled aura of dominance was on full display.
Dominant!
Overbearing!
Invincible!
This was the visual impact Orion brought to everyone present at that moment.
Standing behind Orion were Gion, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan.
Though they were all middle-aged, seeing the figure of their young Marshal in front of them seemed to transport them back to their youthful, reckless days. Long-dormant passion quietly ignited and burned within them.
Especially Sakazuki. He didn't expect Orion to immediately clash head-on with the Five Elders and the God Knights led by Garling upon their first meeting, let alone deliver such a stirring, domineering declaration.
"You are not qualified to negotiate with me from a position of strength or status."
Ever since becoming an Admiral, he had endured countless reprimands and criticisms from the Five Elders. If he had been scolded for not putting in enough effort or dedication in his work, it would have been one thing.
But every time he was reprimanded, it wasn't because of any failure in his duties. Even though he harbored a thousand grievances in his heart, he had no choice but to suppress his anger.
After all, in the eyes of the world, he was one of the three Admirals, the Marine strongest forces. But to the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons residing in the Holy Land, he was no different than a dog.
Many times, he had wanted to confront the Five Elders directly, just as Orion was doing now.
Of course, the Five Elders were the highest authority of the World Government, with the right to reprimand and punish him. Their status and position were undeniable. But even so, they should have shown him the most basic respect.
After all, he was still a Navy Admiral. The reality was that over the years, he had never received any respect in the Holy Land. Even a snot-nosed, useless Celestial Dragon, relying on their privileges, would boss him around and even curse at him!
But— All of that was now in the past.
Now, he was a Navy Admiral under the command of Fleet Admiral Orion! The dignity he had lost in the past, he would reclaim it all!
With this thought, an unprecedented fire ignited in Sakazuki eyes. He stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Orion, taking his place at Orion right side. As a surge of scorching energy rose, the power of his Magma-Magma Fruit activated.
Borsalino also stepped forward at this moment, standing beside Sakazuki, his radiant light bursting forth in a dazzling display.
"Tsk tsk, are we going to fight first before negotiating?"
Seeing Sakazuki and Borsalino step forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Orion, Kuzan, who had also been awakened by Orion sudden display of domineering strength and reignited his lost sense of burning justice, was not to be outdone.
He adjusted his glasses and decisively stepped forward to stand beside Gion on Orion left side.
In the next moment, his unique Ice-Ice Fruit ability was quietly unleashed. With a crisp sound, the ground beneath his feet instantly froze, and the ice spread out in all directions at an astonishing speed.
In the blink of an eye, everything within a hundred meters—buildings, squares, grass, and trees—was frozen solid.
As the ground froze, dark clouds suddenly rolled in the sky above, and countless sparks began to flash within the churning clouds, spreading like wildfire to cover the entire Pangaea City.
Above, the Meteor Volcano was ready to erupt, while below, the Ice Age had descended. The ice and fire from the Marine Headquarters had thus descended upon the Holy Land without warning.
No one expected the three Admirals to unleash their Devil Fruit abilities without hesitation and stand firmly with Orion.
Shamrock and the others, who were responsible for welcoming Orion group, were visibly shaken. They wanted to react, but under the oppressive force of Orion Conqueror's Haki, even drawing their swords or assuming a combat stance felt like an immense struggle.
Compared to Shamrock and the others, who were relatively new, the five members of the God Knights who had participated in the God Valley Incident stood behind them with slightly more ease.
However, they still dared not make any sudden moves.
Though they could still move, they felt as if an invisible pair of eyes were watching them, giving them the illusion that any slight movement would make them the first to be taken down.
Facing the overwhelmingly domineering Orion and the historic unity of the three Admirals, the Five Elders and Garling naturally refused to back down. Garling, withstanding the pressure of Orion Conqueror's Haki, took a bold step forward, drawing his sword and pointing it directly at Orion, who stood in the center.
He said in a deep voice. "Orion, what are you trying to do? We came to welcome you, yet you assume a combat stance. Do you really think we fear you?"
"Welcome?" Orion sneered coldly. "You've put on such a grand display just to test my strength and gain leverage for the upcoming negotiations. I'm merely satisfying your curiosity!"
After a brief pause, Orion glanced around and said in a firm voice.
"So, how do you find our attitude? Are you satisfied?"
Before Garling could respond, Nusjuro suddenly stepped forward, holding his katana and looking down at the three Admirals. He barked sharply.
"Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, are you really going to follow Orion all the way to the end?"
"SHUT UP!"
Sakazuki, furious that the Five Elders still maintained their condescending attitude even at this moment, raised his head sharply. Years of pent-up resentment exploded at this moment.
"I know what you're thinking! In your outdated mindset, you believe we could never remain steadfast in following Fleet Admiral Orion!"
"To be honest, I have been very dissatisfied with the various orders and policies you five have issued over the years. However, due to your status and position, I could only endure it because you are the highest authorities of the World Government, my superiors. Obeying orders is the duty of a soldier!"
"But all of that is now in the past!"
"Now, you have no right to dictate to me based on your status and position!"
"From this moment on, Sakazuki will only bow to Fleet Admiral Orion!"
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