"The Navy... actually possesses such power?"
In the dark recesses of the Underworld, an emperor wearing a golden mask suddenly crushed his armrest, sending embedded gems scattering across the floor.
His originally imposing figure now trembled slightly; beneath the golden mask, his eyes flickered with a mix of terror and fury.
He stared intently at the newspaper photo of the Marine officer releasing a dark vortex from his palm.
The image seemed to possess a morbid magnetism, making it impossible for him to look away.
In the photo, the Marine officer appeared stern and cold, his eyes revealing a chilling ruthlessness that struck fear into the heart.
In his palm, a black vortex slowly rotated, as if ready to devour the world itself.
The emperor's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, as though something was lodged in his throat, rendering him speechless.
"The Dark-Dark Fruit..."
....
On a pirate ship in the New World, a captain with a mohawk slammed the newspaper onto the ship's wheel.
"All hands, go to ground!" he roared at his crew, his voice filled with unprecedented panic.
The nervous energy infected the air instantly, making every crew member sense the impending crisis.
"All plundering plans are suspended!" The captain's usual arrogance and domineering sneer had completely vanished.
The pirate flag on the mast was roughly lowered, hastily replaced by the disguised flag of a merchant guild.
The ship swiftly changed course, speeding toward an unknown direction and leaving only a white wake that slowly dissipated on the water's surface.
Within just half a day, an eerie tranquility descended upon the seas of the New World.
In the past, these waters were synonymous with noise and conflict, with pirate crews running rampant and slave-catching vessels frequently passing through.
But now, those once-bold ships had collectively vanished, as if they had never existed.
Even the most brazen slave-catching crews had toned down their activities, carefully hiding their tracks, terrified that the slightest misstep would bring about their doom.
At the edge of the Red Line cliffs, a few News Coos tilted their heads in confusion, curiously observing the empty sea route.
They had never seen such a quiet scene before.
In the past, this area was always bustling with activity; now, only a deathly silence remained.
....
Marine Headquarters
In the office of the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the headline of the newspaper in his hand warmed by the morning light.
He gazed quietly out the window, while on the large screen behind him, combat footage played on a loop.
The footage showed ten Marines simultaneously injecting the potion.
The video was deliberately slowed down, making the green patterns flowing beneath their skin clearly visible.
As the potion took effect, the green patterns writhed, gradually emerging on the surface.
Their bodies began to transform—muscles growing more robust, their eyes turning increasingly fierce.
"The results are even better than expected..." Sengoku stroked his beard, a flicker of satisfaction and pride in his eyes.
"Finally, we can bring some peace to the seas."
Although using the Super Green Blood Potion would shorten the Marines' lifespans, some sacrifices were unavoidable.
If they waited until they were already on the battlefield to use the potion, it would be too late.
At the same time, Sengoku mentally noted to urge Vegapunk to minimize the side effects.
Otherwise, continuing to use it like this would be no different from digging their own graves.
....
On the other side of the Red Line lies the New World, a paradise for pirates where battles are as common as daily meals.
Grosa Island is one such place.
On ordinary days, this island might have a peaceful side, but at this moment, it was shrouded by an approaching storm.
The harbor before dawn was enveloped in a thin mist, suddenly pierced by the searchlights of Marine warships cutting through the darkness like sharp blades.
On the deck, soldiers stood in neat rows, their expressions serious and focused, each silently checking their equipment.
Their tense faces and concentrated gazes conveyed a palpable sense of suppressed anxiety.
"Intelligence confirmed—the target is the 'Blood Blade Pirates,'" Vice Admiral Hawkes' voice was low and forceful, echoing in the quiet atmosphere.
He gripped his sword tightly.
"All hands, be on alert! The enemy may be a Logia Devil Fruit ability user!"
Hawkes' gaze was cold and stern as he scanned the surrounding soldiers.
However, when the Marines landed in full force, the sight before them made them gasp in shock.
The entire island seemed to have turned into a sea of flames, with raging fires devouring every inch of land.
On the streets, the cries of civilians rose and fell, their desperate pleas sounding especially mournful against the roar of the fire. Buildings crumbled one after another, the rumbling sounds unceasing.
Dust and thick smoke intertwined, creating a chaotic hellscape.
And at the center of the town, a blinding golden light ran rampant.
The light was so intense it was impossible to look at directly.
Golden rays shot out wildly in all directions like lasers.
Each beam contained immense energy, instantly melting the ground wherever it passed, leaving deep, molten trenches in its wake.
Deafening explosions roared, and dazzling flames illuminated the night sky, dyeing the dark heavens a fiery red.
"Laser Cannons! Hahaha, fire, fire, fire!!!"
The maniacal laughter was particularly grating amid the explosions.
Countless light bullets poured down like a torrential downpour, their speed dizzying.
In an instant, half the street was flattened, the once-bustling buildings reduced to nothing.
Before the Marine soldiers could even react, the vanguard was vaporized by the intense heat.
Their screams vanished instantly in the blaze, leaving only plumes of rising steam.
As the smoke gradually cleared, a man cloaked in a pirate coat hovered mid-air, his entire body radiating a blinding golden light as if he were the core of the sun itself.
"The Glint-glint Fruit?!"
Hawkes' pupils contracted sharply, his face revealing an expression of utter disbelief.
"This can't be!"
"Oh? Finally, someone who can put up a fight? Perfect timing to test my newly acquired abilities!"
The battle erupted in an instant.
The pirate captain's speed far exceeded expectations.
In a flash, his figure vanished.
The next moment, amidst a shimmer of golden light, three Marine Captains had already been pierced through the chest by Light Speed Kicks.
The tremendous force sent their bodies flying backward like ragdolls, crashing heavily to the ground as blood gushed from their wounds.
Vice Admiral Hawkes roared furiously as he charged forward, his body coated in Armament Haki.
"Soru!"
His speed was so fast that he instantly disappeared from his original position, swinging his iron fist with annihilating momentum toward the pirate captain.
"Too bad... you're too slow!"