Dressrosa.
This nation, once a kingdom of love and passion, underwent a tremendous change over the past year.
Captain John, one of the Seven Monarchs who had carved up the New World, chose it as his headquarters.
The former ruler, King Riku, abdicated, and Captain John became the nation's new king. A pirate now ruled this former World Government affiliate nation.
Truthfully, Captain John was not a tyrannical ruler.
He wasn't particularly interested in massacres or atrocities.
But he did have one single flaw.
He was very greedy.
Although the people no longer had to pay the Heavenly Tribute (Tenryūkin), the taxes they had to pay Captain John were by no means less than the tribute.
Life was certainly much harder than before.
But thankfully, they could still just about get by.
Especially after learning about the disastrous state of the sea lanes ruled by Roa, the people of Dressrosa felt immensely fortunate that Captain John was their ruler.
Though his taxes were heavy, to ensure people could pay them on time, he was absolutely ruthless when clearing out the pirates in this area.
At this moment, on the high, raised plateau in the center of the city,
This was the Royal Plateau, the location of the Dressrosa Royal palace.
Inside the palace,
Captain John put down the Transponder Snail and poured himself a bottle of wine sitting nearby.
Everyone had ultimately been persuaded by Roa.
They wouldn't have to fight the main forces of the World Government. The only slight danger would be if the Holy Knights remaining at Mariejois were called back when the attack happened.
But even so, as Roa said, they didn't need to ascend Mariejois itself; they just needed to cause some destruction.
Honestly, it was quite safe.
However, if that was the plan, expecting Roa and the others to fight the World Government to a standstill was highly unlikely.
And yet, they would still have to completely sever ties with the World Government, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.
What a pity.
That brat Roa is not so easily fooled.
"You are Captain John, correct."
An indifferent female voice suddenly sounded.
The wine bottle in John's hand was accidentally crushed into powder.
Captain John's pupils constricted violently. He looked up in disbelief at the adjacent window sill.
A woman was sitting there.
She wore a black cloak, a mask, and had heterochromia!
When did she appear?
He hadn't sensed her at all!
Wait!
The muscles in Captain John's face suddenly twitched.
This woman's appearance!
It was somewhat similar to the Celestial Dragon expert Roa had described, the one who suddenly appeared at the end of Roger's execution!
No way!!
Why is that monster looking for me?
She was a super-powerhouse that even Roa and Shiki the Golden Lion admitted they couldn't defeat!
What is going on!
"Wait!"
He still didn't understand the situation at all, but Captain John instinctively raised his hand. "I'm with Wang Zhi! We're on the same side!"
No matter how he thought about it, this person's intentions were hostile!
A monster that even Roa and Shiki couldn't match was naturally not someone he could confront. Captain John knew this better than anyone!
Then.
Before his words had even finished, Captain John felt the woman before him suddenly change!
Her aura, eyes, and demeanor were all completely transformed.
Most crucially, a pair of black wings unfurled behind her, and a long, slender tail extended from her lower back!
This form was like a demon descending from mythology!
"The same side? You and Imu?"
An emotionless, apathetic voice sounded. Captain John didn't even register what happened before the long, slender tail behind the woman pierced directly through his heart like an arrow.
"Utterly ridiculous."
Ugh!
Captain John only managed to spit out a mouthful of blood, the light rapidly fading from his eyes.
Is this it? Am I killed just like that?
That hateful Roa!
If that stinking brat hadn't insisted on stirring up this incident, how could I have run into this bad luck!
This is so frustrating—
The woman casually withdrew her tail from Captain John's chest. At the same time, a streak of black flame suddenly erupted from her raised right palm.
"But this time, you are fortunate. Imu shall make a contract with you. Refusal is not permitted!"
"Devil's Contract!"
"..."
Captain John, slumped on the ground and completely immobile, suddenly widened his eyes.
A five-pointed star magical array abruptly appeared beneath his feet.
A moment later,
Captain John sat collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. His hand instinctively covered his chest, and he looked up at the slender figure before him with only unbelievable terror.
It healed!
The wound from having his heart pierced actually healed?
How is this possible?
What did this person do to me!
"Although it comes at the cost of a portion of your lifespan, in exchange, Imu has bestowed upon you true immortality. You may now kneel and thank Imu for this grace."
Immortality?
Captain John's features twisted.
Does that mean the immortality of the Holy Knights and even the Five Elders was granted by this woman?
Who exactly is she?
"Imu told you to show gratitude." The woman's eyes moved slightly.
Immediately after,
"Waaaaah!"
Black aura suddenly surged from Captain John's body. An unspeakable, terrifying pain instantly caused his entire body to tremble.
"What did, what did you do to me?"
"You foolish stray dog, do you still not realize who your master is?"
The only emotion in the woman's voice was a condescending arrogance. "Imu says, kneel."
Captain John knelt.
I'll die!
Captain John realized one thing: his life and death were now controlled by this woman. She could take his life with a single thought.
Captain John did not want to die.
Especially after that near-death experience just now.
No matter how staunch a person is, experiencing the fear of death once will inevitably change them somewhat.
Not to mention, Captain John was never an unwavering man to begin with.
"It seems you finally understand."
The woman nodded gently. "Now tell me, what exactly are you planning?"
Hearing that, only one thought remained in Captain John's mind.
Roa, you brat are finally going to be in trouble.
But you can't blame me, right?
I can't possibly sacrifice my own life for the ambitions of you people, can I?
"So this time, we're going to attack Mariejois directly?"
Teach's voice was full of anticipation. "Zehahahahaha! Truly worthy of the Boss! In the eight hundred years since the World Government was founded, nothing like this has ever happened, right?"
Actually, it has. The Captain (Rocks) caused chaos in Mariejois once.
"But, Boss,"
Dylan's voice betrayed worry. "Is it too early to attack Mariejois now? The Holy Knights and the Five Elders all have the ability to teleport. There's no possibility of them being drawn away and unable to support each other."
"Even if we attack Mariejois by surprise, they will support it in an instant!"
"That's why I've called everyone along,"
Roa said with a smile. "Besides, we're only going to cause some damage."
The World Government is truly annoying. If they weren't sufficiently beaten and hurt this time, a whole heap of inexplicable conspiracies would surely follow.
He needed to make that arrogant old thing Imu understand that his side didn't just have the power to threaten the World Government by destroying affiliate nations, but truly possessed the power to blast their main base!
That way, they might behave themselves.
Isn't there a saying?
Strike one fierce blow to prevent a hundred minor ones.
He had to make the World Government truly weigh the consequences of taking action.
Moreover, the weapon Imu possesses should currently be buried somewhere in Mariejois due to a lack of energy, shouldn't it?
If so, maybe they could take this opportunity to destroy it directly!
Gathering everyone to launch various attacks from an altitude of tens or even hundreds of thousands of meters and then running—even Imu would be helpless, wouldn't she?
"At that time, a fleet will approach the location where the Hunting Tournament is being held,"
Roa said gleefully. "And the moment the battle starts there, we will begin ours simultaneously."
When the World Government commits all its forces, believing victory is assured, they'll be hit with a big surprise!
"It's still too dangerous,"
King said seriously. "Boss, if you absolutely must proceed with this operation, please take us with you."
"Exactly!"
Loki burst out laughing directly. "Attacking Mariejois! I've wanted to do that for ages! Rocks was killed by them! It's long past time to avenge him!"
"Don't talk nonsense,"
Roa said flatly. "I said there won't be any frontal combat. Furthermore, even if a fight broke out, it's not a battlefield you have the ability to participate in."
If a real fight broke out, the enemies would be Holy Knights at the very least. Facing their immortality, these subordinates weren't up to the task.
They would only become a liability.
"However,"
Roa rubbed his chin. "You're right, safety first."
There is no perfect plan in the world.
No matter how flawless, something can still go wrong in the most overlooked place.
After all, the essence of this world is a shambolic mess.
"In that case, Toki,"
Roa turned to the woman standing silently beside his throne. "You will come with me."
Only Roa and his executives knew about Kozuki Toki's ability.
That is to say, as long as the power of the Time-Time Fruit is activated, everything will be fine.
Dylan and the others couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
With this woman accompanying him, there would indeed be no problem.
Toki paused slightly, then nodded gently.
Regardless, the World Government had already begun to move.
In the North Blue, a certain country was selected at lightning speed. Nearby Marine bases immediately dispatched warships to surround the entire nation.
Meanwhile, at Mariejois, Celestial Dragons eager to participate in this grand tournament had already descended to the Blue Sea and set sail.
Of course, this was just the surface.
In secret, Stussy was constantly reporting the World Government's true movements to Roa.
Garp and Zephyr had quietly set out on a small ship with the Marine elite. The lowest rank was Rear Admiral; there wasn't a single person who could be called a mere soldier.
Simultaneously, at Mariejois, the executives of CP0 were nearly all deployed. They were accompanied by several Holy Knights, escorting entire ships filled with various treasures.
Furthermore, news of the Celestial Dragons holding a large-scale event in the North Blue began to spread rapidly through the New World's underworld, with many rumors circulating about this event.
In short, the ambush circle the World Government was preparing in that North Blue nation was rapidly taking shape.
Therefore,
"Then it's time for us to move out too." Roa raised the corner of his mouth.
He found it amusing to think that the World Government's elaborate efforts would all be in vain.
Thus, Roa and his old partners also began to act.
Roa brought Toki to Egghead Island to wait. Soon after, Shiki arrived, piloting an island, and Wang Zhi was already on the island.
"You brat,"
Shiki glanced at Roa with displeasure and snorted. "Is it mating season? You brought a woman!"
Roa's arm, draped around Toki's slender waist, did not loosen. He just smiled. "There won't be any frontal fighting, so just consider it a vacation."
"A vacation? Ha, Roa, you brat,"
Wang Zhi couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Only you would consider attacking Mariejois a vacation!"
Roa shrugged. "It's just for fun, isn't it? Let's go, time to pick up the next person."
So, the floating island set off again.
This time, the destination was another isolated island not far from Egghead Island.
Another man was waiting here.
After bringing this man onto the island, Shiki couldn't help but sigh. "I'm amazed you managed to bring this guy over, Roa."
"Even Rocks failed. I never thought there would be a day when we'd actually fight alongside you, Harald!" Wang Zhi also looked up at the behemoth before them with emotion.
"Hmph!"
Harald, who had just boarded the island, snorted, clutching his greatsword. "So, what's next?"
He ultimately couldn't resist Roa's threat.
Joining the World Government would certainly bring recognition and development to Elbaf, but refusing Roa would mean Elbaf's immediate destruction.
"Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough."
Roa just smiled, not intending to be explicit.
Otherwise, whether Harald would go along with them to attack Mariejois was truly uncertain.
Shiki raised an eyebrow.
He remembered Roa saying that this operation would make them all more united.
Does "them" include Harald?
What a despicable brat.
"Hmph!"
Harald gave a dissatisfied grunt in response to Roa's vagueness.
After Harald came Brother Kaido and Redfield, who arrived together.
Then came Silver Axe.
Following that was Aunt Linlin.
Completely as expected, the moment Charlotte Linlin saw Harald, she swarmed over like a fly attracted to filth.
"Mamamama! Harald! I've been wanting to meet you! I am—"
"I know who you are! Charlotte Linlin, I'll never forget what you did on Elbaf! Now, get lost!"
Harald, already in a foul mood due to Roa's coercion, didn't hide his disgust at all.
"Uh—" Charlotte Linlin gave an awkward laugh.
Then she instantly glared at Roa.
Roa just shrugged. You can't blame me. I successfully introduced you.
"Alright, let's go. Only Uncle John is left."
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