The entire sea was shaken!
Taverns, gambling dens, naval bases... everywhere was discussing this unprecedented prison break incident.
People were horrified to discover that the power structure of the New World was undergoing earth-shattering changes.
[A new combat ceiling has been born!]
Above the Yonko and Admirals, a completely new realm was officially confirmed: Above Yonko!
The strong at this level have broken conventional understanding, possessing:
Multiple Devil Fruit abilities!
Destructive power surpassing Admirals!
Terrifying combat strength to challenge nations alone!
....
In the chamber of power of Mary Geoise,
Golden sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting mottled shadows on the polished marble floor.
Five high-backed chairs carved with the World Government emblem were arranged in a semicircle, where five elderly men in exquisite suits sat in silence, the air seemingly solidified into substance.
Thud!
A battle report still smelling of fresh ink slipped from the trembling fingers of the blond Five Elder, making a harsh sound in the silent hall.
The parchment scroll slowly unfurled, revealing a sketch of Charlotte Linlin wreaking havoc in Impel Down - the Black Dragon form, the Great Buddha Form, and Zeus created by the Soul-Soul Fruit, with four Admiral-level combatants surrounding her in attacking stances.
Mars removed his gold-rimmed glasses, repeatedly wiping the lenses with a silk handkerchief.
This usually most dignified old man's fingers were actually trembling slightly.
Nusjuro holding the Shodai Kitetsu beside him stared fixedly at the Buddha's light surrounding Linlin in the sketch - a characteristic that should have belonged to Sengoku.
"Three Devil Fruits..." Warcury's hoarse voice broke the dead silence, his withered fingers tracing the words "suspected to be Ron's work" on the report, "This has already exceeded the scope of our control."
Saturn slowly picked up his blue-and-white porcelain teacup, the tea's surface reflecting his sinister face,
Just as the other four waited for him to express his opinion.
Bang!
The precious porcelain suddenly shattered in his hand, scalding tea splashing onto the hand-woven Persian carpet.
The veins on Saturn's wrinkled hand bulged.
"Contact Vegapunk immediately!" his low voice suppressed overwhelming rage, blood dripping from between his fingers onto the battle report, staining the words "Above Yonko" crimson.
"The second-generation Green Blood plan must enter the final stage ahead of schedule!"
Ju Peter looked up sharply.
"But the test subjects aren't stable enough, last time's rampage incident..."
"Then use death row prisoners!" Saturn overturned the coffee table before him, the crystal fruit plate shattering into countless fragments on the ground.
"I want to see finished products capable of opposing Three-Devil Fruit Users as soon as possible!"
The Den Den Mushi in the corner of the hall suddenly opened its eyes, projecting an image of Vegapunk's laboratory,
"I heard all of your conversation." Vegapunk said without turning his head, his voice somewhat distorted through the electronic device.
"But let me remind you, the second-generation Green Blood's Potion energy consumption is thirty times that of the first generation..."
"We dont care!" Ju peter slammed the table and stood up, the floor-to-ceiling window behind him reflecting his distorted face.
"If we let the Whitebeard Pirates continue developing like this, Mary Geoise will be the next to fall!"
Vegapunk nodded indifferently, as he only needed to focus on his research anyway.
After the call ended, the bronze doors of the hall suddenly echoed with knocking.
Ju peter furrowed his brow.
"Enter!"
A CP0 agent stumbled in, half of his mask shattered.
"R-report! We just received word that the Revolutionary Army has simultaneously attacked the grain warehouses of seven affiliated nations!"
Saturn's pupils abruptly contracted.
"Hmph! Do they truly think the Marines have no one left? Notify Sengoku to take immediate action against these parasites!"
"Yes!"
...
Onigashima.
Kaido's massive frame stood at the cliff's edge, the newspaper in his hand flapping violently in the wind.
His crimson dragon eyes were fixed intently on the front-page headline, the joints of his fingers gripping the paper cracking under the strain.
"Linlin... a Three-Devil Fruit User?" His low voice rumbled like distant thunder, his expression shifting unpredictably.
The photo of Big Mom transformed into a black dragon was particularly glaring, especially the dragon claw enveloped in Buddha light energy—that should have been the ability belonging to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
Crunch!
The gourd was crushed into pieces, strong liquor trickling down his arm.
Kaido's temples throbbed violently, images from decades ago flashing through his mind—of him and Linlin in the Rocks Pirates.
The promise back then, the gap now...
Buru buru buru
The ringing of the Den Den Mushi shattered the tense atmosphere.
Kaido answered with a dark expression, and the Den Den Mushi immediately morphed into Big Mom's signature maniacal laughing face.
"MAMAMAMA! Kaido, seen the news?" Big Mom's voice shook the Den Den Mushi, "I can totally crush you now!"
Kaido's dragon whiskers twitched without any wind, suppressing his rage as he said.
"Linlin, since when did you learn to boast?"
"Don't believe me?" Big Mom's voice suddenly lowered, carrying a dangerous edge, "Once I finish digesting the 'gifts' I brought back from Impel Down... next time we meet, I'll show you what it means to be truly 'above the Yonko'!"
Click!
The Den Den Mushi was crushed unconscious by Kaido.
His heavy breaths condensed into white mist in the air, a violent aura erupting from him!
Crack, crack—the rock beneath his feet emitted sounds as spiderweb-like fissures crazily spread in all directions!
"Boss..." King emerged from the shadows, his gaze flickering uncertainly beneath his mask, "We need to reassess our relationship with the Whitebeard Pirates."
Queen, cigar in mouth, added, "The key is Ron! If we can get our hands on him..."
"Shut up!" Kaido roared, shaking the entire Onigashima.
He took a deep breath, dangerous glints flashing in his dragon eyes, "Prepare a ship."
The Calamities exchanged glances.
Jack cautiously asked, "Are we going to prepare for war?"
"Prepare for war?" Kaido grinned, baring his stark white fangs, "We're going to the Eternal Kingdom!"
He turned and strode toward the castle, his black cloak billowing behind him.
"In thirteen days, it's the Devil Fruit trade conference... especially those Enchanted Fruits..." His voice carried a ruthless determination.
"Not a single one is to be missed!"