The agreed-upon location with Captain John was a deserted island midway between the Whole Cake Island sea territory and Dressrosa.
The reason for not picking him up directly at Dressrosa was, of course, the concern about revealing their movements; Dressrosa was too close to the New Marine Headquarters.
The plan was to catch the World Government off guard, launch a destructive strike on Mary Geoise, and immediately retreat. If their movements were exposed, allowing the World Government to prepare, they wouldn't just waste a trip; they might also suffer a retaliatory attack. That would be infuriating.
Therefore, except for Roa, who was aboard the ship on Cannonball Island, everyone else left their respective territories and found an uninhabited location to board the Floating Island.
Though a bit troublesome, extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures.
No one wanted to be harassed by the World Government, so they bore the inconvenience.
Fortunately, after picking up Charlotte Linlin, they were already close to the island arranged with Captain John.
The Floating Island sped forward at high altitude.
On the edge of the island, Roa sat leisurely on the cliff face, childishly swinging his legs. The island cut through the cloud layer, and the cool mist brushed past Roa's feet.
"Haha! Toki, look, I'm washing my feet in the clouds!"
Roa's face was full of mirth, every muscle in his face seeming to sketch a smile.
He naturally loved to smile, but his expression now was particularly innocent.
Kozuki Toki stood behind him, the exquisite beauty of her face unmarred by emotion.
Sometimes, she truly felt that Roa was just a child who would never grow up.
Of course, she didn't mean that Roa was innocent or cute.
Rather, like children who find satisfaction in torturing and killing every insect they catch, Roa's heart was filled with a similar, almost instinctual, desire for destruction.
However, unlike ordinary children, Roa's playground was the entire world. The ants he gleefully poured boiling water into their nests were people, and the beautiful butterflies he caught and turned into specimens were she herself.
Did Roa hate anyone?
Probably not.
Even toward his greatest enemy, Imu, Roa held no genuine hatred; he merely wanted to defeat the figure and take their place. In fact, he even harbored a peculiar feeling of disappointment toward Imu, believing Imu was too soft on the world.
Did Roa specifically want to kill anyone?
It seemed not.
Having shared a bed for so long, Toki had reached a conclusion that even she found unbelievable:
Roa actually disliked killing.
He had said more than once that humans are the most valuable resource.
Truly like a child, he only wanted to frolic, to torment the world for his own amusement.
And yet, he possessed the power to do it.
Even Imu, the one who destroyed everything, was better than Roa.
Toki dared not imagine what the world would become if Roa conquered it.
Who, then, could possibly stop him?
Ugh!
Toki's face suddenly paled.
The moment she entertained the thought, her heart began to twist, and the intense feeling of fear almost suffocated her.
"You brat, you're quite relaxed, aren't you?"
Accompanied by heavy footsteps, Kaido walked over, drinking sake. "After picking up John, are we going straight to Mary Geoise?"
"As long as nothing goes wrong, there shouldn't be a fight, right?" Roa was nonchalant.
Throwing a few islands and dozens of meteors from an altitude of tens of kilometers and then running—even if Imu could block it, how could that figure possibly give chase?
Even Imu's true body probably couldn't catch them.
If necessary, they could just go higher.
A space-based weapon wasn't out of the question.
Wait, come to think of it, in a world where anyone who can fly can rush into space, Uncle Shiki's Float-Float Fruit really does seem overpowered.
"Tch."
Kaido seemed quite annoyed by this and snorted. "Is there any need to be this scared? The fact that the World Government has to recruit Wang Zhi and even Harald to fight us proves that their strength isn't as great as we imagine."
Roa merely smiled.
Big Brother Kaido was still too young.
According to Joy Boy's message, while Imu's strength might not equal his own, they were definitely a super monster who had surpassed the limits of humanity.
And eight hundred years had passed since then. Unless Imu had purely been wasting time all those years, Roa highly doubted they hadn't surpassed Joy Boy.
The last time, merely an attached form demonstrated power surpassing top-tier Great Pirates; the true body's strength could only be greater.
Now was not the time to clash with Imu.
A mere warning was enough.
But then again, Imu likely couldn't reveal themselves to outsiders for some reason.
Otherwise, how did Sabo manage to escape alive after seeing Imu?
Imu had gravely wounded Sabo with a single blow, and Sabo at that time was at least Admiral-level, wasn't he?
Seeing that Roa didn't even bother to answer, Kaido snorted again.
Just then, the Floating Island began to descend.
The behemoth churned the clouds in the sky, plummeting with a crushing momentum.
As the clouds dispersed, the island below was revealed.
On the edge of the island, Captain John stood quietly.
Holding a bottle of wine, he simply gazed up.
He gazed up at the island descending from the heavens.
"Yo! Uncle John!"
When the island reached a certain altitude, John could see Roa sitting on the edge of the island, waving and smiling.
"We're here to pick you up!"
Behind Roa, figures appeared one after another.
Kaido, Gaban, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, Shiki, Linlin, and the mountainous figure of Harald.
"What are you standing around for?"
Golden Lion Shiki, with a cigar dangling from his mouth, snorted. "Are you going to make everyone wait for you?"
Captain John drank the last mouthful of wine. Though usually obsessed with his drink, he tossed the still half-full bottle into the sea ahead of him.
Then, the man wiped the remaining liquor from the corner of his mouth and shot straight up.
He pushed off the air. In just a few aerial steps, he landed on the edge of the island.
"Now, everyone is here!"
Wang Zhi smiled at the arrival of his friend.
"Mama-mama!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily. "Let's get this done quickly! This old hag is waiting to have a celebration feast!"
As she said this, she casually glanced at Harald beside her.
Everyone knew what the "feast" she spoke of was really about.
"So, what exactly are we doing? Can you tell us now?"
Harald, completely oblivious to Charlotte Linlin's gaze, asked impatiently.
"Well,"
Roa raised his lips, "It's nothing much. We're just going on a little trip to Mary Geoise."
"What?"
Harald's face changed drastically. "You want to attack Mary Geoise?"
Is he joking!
Are these guys insane?
That was the World Government's lair and the gathering place of the Celestial Dragons!
If they did this, regardless of what happened to these pirates, his presence there would mean that Elbaf was directly declaring war on the World Government!
Facing Harald's shock, Roa simply smiled. "Not you all. We are."
"You bastards!!"
Harald was furious, gritting his teeth.
He never imagined that this bastard Roa would be so reckless!
If this happened, Elbaf and the World Government would have no room left for negotiation!
"Gahahaha! It's too late for anything now, Harald!"
Golden Lion found Harald's panicked reaction hilarious. He was so self-righteous when he refused that bastard Rocks before, wasn't he?
Roa wasn't going to humor him.
"Everyone's here now! All that's left is for this old man to go grab a few more islands!"
"Wro-ro-ro-ro! Even if we can't have a full fight, giving the World Government a deep lesson is good enough!"
"Mama-mama! What are we waiting for!"
On the coast of the Floating Island, laughter erupted among the group.
But.
"Hmm?"
Roa turned his head, surprised. Did someone not laugh?
In that instant, Roa's gaze froze.
"No way?"
He blinked, looking at Captain John, who had somehow positioned himself at the back of the group. "Uncle John, are you drawing graffiti? That pattern isn't very auspicious."
The laughing crowd heard Roa's words and instinctively turned their heads almost simultaneously.
They saw John raising his right hand toward the ground in front of him.
A pentagram pattern had already formed on the ground.
Captain John turned back, giving the group an eerie smile.
"I'm truly sorry, but you said everyone was here, didn't you?"
Crackle!
Dense black smoke suddenly surged from the magic circle.
Simultaneously, massive dark lightning bolts shot out in all directions.
Roa didn't hesitate, a pair of horns suddenly sprouting from his forehead.
The ground where the magic circle lay instantly shattered—
It should have shattered.
Because a figure had emerged from the magic circle.
It was a slender, tall figure.
In their hand, they held a demon trident, large bat wings spread behind them, and a long tail extended from their lower back, writhing in the air.
"Do you like the surprise?"
A cold female voice rang out.
Golden Lion, Gaban, and Kaido, who had fought with the figure before, simultaneously turned pale.
"You must be joking! That woman—"
The cigar fell from Shiki's mouth.
"This is going to be trouble."
Gaban's lips twitched slightly.
Roa had said he was only here to show support and intimidate, that there wouldn't be a fight.
Roa, you liar!
"John! You bastard betrayed us!"
Kaido immediately glared at Captain John, then even grabbed Wang Zhi's shoulder. "You bastard! You're in on this with him, aren't you!"
"I have no idea what's going on!"
Wang Zhi was genuinely bewildered. He looked at Captain John in disbelief. "John, what the hell are you doing! Have you been colluding with the World Government behind our backs!"
Even if you were, you should have at least informed me!
Now you've made Silver Axe and me look like fools!
The expression on Silver Axe beside him was indeed awkward. The sudden turn of events had left him completely nonplussed.
"It's a long story."
Facing his former allies, Captain John merely shrugged helplessly and sighed. "In short, I didn't have a choice either."
"Is this the Celestial Dragon woman you spoke of?"
Charlotte Linlin stared intently at the emotionless Imu. "What is there to fear? She's only one person, and there are so many of us—"
The magic circle beneath Imu's feet instantly expanded several times over.
Roa immediately activated his ability to cause an earthquake in an attempt to halt the unfolding situation.
However, Imu's dark Haki directly covered the entire island, preventing the earthquake from having the effect Roa intended.
Then, figures materialized one after another from the magic circle.
Many were old acquaintances.
The Five Elders, Figarland Garling, the young Shepherd Sommers
The Five Elders and the Holy Knight Order!
"Uh..."
Charlotte Linlin suddenly fell silent.
And it wasn't over!
On the sea below, a ship encased in a bubble suddenly broke through the water.
Figures shot up from the ship, slamming onto the Floating Island in the sky a few seconds later.
They were Hero Garp and Admiral Zephyr leading the Marine elite forces, as well as some senior officials of CP0 in white uniforms.
However, Garp and Zephyr, the mainstays of the Marines, were standing behind a white-haired old man.
"Ho ho ho, this old man can still contribute a bit to Justice."
The old man, Fleet Admiral Kong of the World Government, said with a laugh.
"Surrender now! Scum!"
Zephyr's voice was sharp. "This time, you have nowhere to run!"
The power the World Government was able to muster was truly staggering!
Was this truly their all-out effort?
Regardless, eliminating this scum would be a great thing for the world.
Silver Axe couldn't help but swallow.
This is getting a bit too exaggerated!
Roa couldn't help but look at Toki beside him. He reached out and held the woman's hand.
Thank goodness he brought her along!
Otherwise, he might truly have been defeated today!
He was tricked!
John had actually chosen to betray them.
There was no reason for it. Would joining the World Government give him higher status?
The fact that he could open the teleportation circle meant that Imu had already endowed him with power.
That meant his life and death were controlled by Imu!
Was he forced? Could something like this even be forced?
Damn you, Imu! If you had this ability, why didn't you use it earlier!
You made me completely overlook this possibility!
Regardless, they were in deep trouble now.
"What is there to fear!"
Kaido roared. "We fought them in Loguetown before!"
The forces of the World Government haven't increased much since Loguetown!
This time, while Rayleigh wasn't helping, they had the much stronger Harald!
Plus Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Linlin!
What was there to be afraid of?
Roa's lips twitched.
The reason they achieved what they did last time was because he took out the Five Elders first.
This time, Imu appeared early, and he didn't even have enough Black Aura for replenishment.
It's definitely time to run.
It was at this moment.
"Harald,"
Imu, who had remained silent, looked up at the giant king with the stiff face. "You chose the pirates. Do you wish Elbaf to become an enemy of the Government?"
Oh no!
Roa's head snapped around.
But, could he threaten Harald again now?
The fear is—
"I was forced!"
Harald sighed. "That bastard Roa said that if I chose to help you, he would destroy Elbaf. You know his abilities; he has that power."
Hearing this, even in this dire situation, Charlotte Linlin couldn't help but glance down at Roa.
This is the guy you said you had a good relationship with?
The Five Elders' expressions were also strange.
They had puzzled over how Roa managed to secure Harald's support.
It was that simple?
"I see. So, you can be threatened with your country? Imu understands."
Imu nodded lightly.
"Do not dodge, do not resist. Otherwise, Imu will destroy Elbaf as well."
Imu raised their right hand. "If Roa can do it, the Government is certainly capable."
Harald's body suddenly froze.
The World Government is using this tactic too?
But the World Government truly possessed that kind of power!
Roa's lips twitched.
Yes, this is exactly what I was afraid of!
Imu, that bastard, was copying his signature move!
And Harald, you spineless fool! Are you going to submit every time someone threatens you?
Can't you have a shred of backbone?
"Demon Contract."
A pentagram pattern appeared in Imu's hand.
The pentagram flew out and landed at Harald's feet.
"Hey! Harald! Think of Loki!"
Roa quickly tried to mind-game Harald. "If you don't resist, I won't let that boy off!"
Harald subconsciously looked at Roa.
Loki!
"He won't have the chance. Everyone will die here."
Imu said faintly. "If you do nothing as Imu commands, Elbaf will join the World Government, and your son will be safe."
It was over.
Roa sighed wistfully.
Harald finally stood motionless.
That was exactly what he had longed for.
So, what was Imu going to do to him?
Imu nodded in satisfaction. "The contract is complete. Then,"
"Black Transformation and Domination!"
The ground beneath Harald's feet instantly seemed to turn into quicksand. Half of his body sank right in.
Then, to everyone's shocked gaze, the giant magic circle suddenly flipped, burying Harald's upper half into the ground—or perhaps, sending it to another dimension.
"W-what is that?"
Even a knowledgeable man like Golden Lion Shiki gasped in amazement.
Wang Zhi was completely dumbfounded.
Because in the next instant, Harald stood up.
"Joy! Joy! Unprecedented joy! Hahahaha!"
He let out a strange, wild laugh.
Harald's already ridiculously massive body swelled by more than half again, turning him into a super monster over a hundred meters tall!
It wasn't just his size that changed!
A pair of enormous bat wings sprouted from Harald's back, and sharp teeth grew in his mouth.
The massive greatsword in his hand turned black and grew to completely match his size.
"What country, what family, what comrades! Nothing can restrain me anymore!"
Even his personality did a complete 180-degree turn.
"Do you know what you must do next?"
Imu asked faintly.
"Of course!"
The demon Harald nodded without hesitation. "Of course, I must obey your commands!"
"..."
Golden Lion's pupils contracted.
Something like this is possible?
What exactly is this woman's ability?
That's Harald!
Not only him, but even Garp and Zephyr, who were on the same side, were staring dumbfounded.
What is the true identity of this woman?
It wasn't over yet.
At this point, Imu looked at Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Charlotte Linlin. "Unlike the four of them (Roa, Kaido, Gaban, Shiki), your deaths are not absolute. So, what is your answer?"
Silence.
But the silence lasted only for an instant.
"I choose to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, of course!"
Wang Zhi did not hesitate, shouting with a wide smile. "If Roa hadn't threatened me, this misunderstanding would never have happened! I've always wanted to cooperate with the World Government!"
At the same time, he leaped across, urgently joining the opposite side, then turned back to glare at Roa and the others. "I am irreconcilably opposed to the evil pirates!"
"Me too!"
Silver Axe quickly followed suit.
And so, the absolute crisis descended.
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