Chapter 5
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Countless Celestial Dragons learned that one of their own had been beheaded on Sabaody Archipelago. Fury erupted like a volcano.
They demanded the immediate annihilation of everyone on Sabaody—to uphold the absolute authority of the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.
In the grand hall of the Empty Throne… The mysterious Imu had been disturbed.
The Five Elders knelt before Imu and reported the situation.
Upon hearing it, Imu's rage was palpable. A terrifying, suffocating pressure exploded outward.
The Five Elders were crushed under the weight, faces pressed to the floor, cold sweat pouring down.
"Imu-sama, please calm your anger!"
"We have already ordered Marine Headquarters to mobilize full force to exterminate this man." "And anyone who supports 'Tian Chen the Great Emperor' will be wiped out completely!"
The Five Elders knew there was no room for hesitation or mercy.
Killing a Celestial Dragon. Establishing the Giant Empire on Sabaody.
Both were direct provocations against the authority of the World Nobles… And a threat to Imu's absolute dominion over the world.
They had to root it out with thunderous, merciless force!
Imu's icy gaze fell upon the prostrated Five Elders.
"Have you uncovered more information about this man?"
"We… deeply apologize." "Our intelligence archives contain no record of this individual whatsoever…" "However, we can now confirm with certainty: Tian Chen and his army appeared out of nowhere. They are not from this world."
The Five Elders answered with extreme caution.
"Hmph. So he possesses some extraordinary means." "But by establishing the Giant Empire, he has declared war on me. He must be erased—quickly."
Killing intent flared in Imu's eyes. Tian Chen's actions had clearly touched a forbidden nerve.
"I give you only one night. Eliminate Tian Chen and his army." "Fail, and the entire Sabaody Archipelago will be erased from the map."
"Yes, Imu-sama!"
The Five Elders bowed even lower, hearts filled with dread. It was clear: Imu was genuinely threatened by the existence of the Giant Empire.
After leaving the Empty Throne hall, the Five Elders immediately relayed the new orders to Kong (Steel Bone Kong).
Kong received the directive and froze for a moment. He hurriedly contacted Fleet Admiral Sengoku at Marine Headquarters.
Sengoku was in the middle of a meeting when he received the urgent call. He stepped out to take it.
When he returned to the conference room, his face was dark, etched with fury and dissatisfaction.
"What's the situation?" "Did the higher-ups add even more excessive demands?" Garp raised an eyebrow, watching Sengoku.
"Exactly." "They still want us to wipe out everything related to the Giant Empire—but now they've given us only until dawn." "They've even pre-authorized the use of a Buster Call. We're permitted to carry out indiscriminate extermination on Sabaody Archipelago." "And if Marine Headquarters fails to complete the mission tonight… the World Government will personally intervene."
Sengoku's voice was grave.
The faces of Garp, Tsuru, and the others immediately turned ugly. They all understood what "personal intervention" implied. It would be something far beyond a Buster Call—something capable of absolute, genocidal destruction.
Borsalino (Kizaru), Kuzan (Aokiji), and Sakazuki (Akainu) also pieced it together. Disbelief flickered across their faces.
The entire Sabaody Archipelago?!
But Akainu's expression quickly shifted to disdain. He wanted to see for himself— Just how strong was this self-proclaimed "Tian Chen the Great Emperor"? Strong enough to make the World Government doubt whether the Marines could wipe out his empire in a single night?
Momousagi (Peach Rabbit) also understood the implications. Her mind was in turmoil, distracted. She silently vowed: No matter what, she could not allow that kind of horror to happen on Sabaody. She would stop it—by any means necessary.
The conference room fell into heavy silence.
Then Sengoku suddenly issued the order.
"Assemble all forces of Marine Headquarters! Surround Sabaody Archipelago with maximum speed. We must eliminate the Giant Empire and capture Tian Chen the Great Emperor before dawn!"
The three Admirals, countless Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and officers sprang into action.
In just half an hour, over 200 warships and more than 300,000 troops were mobilized. A massive, unstoppable fleet set sail toward Sabaody.
Less than another half hour later… The entire archipelago was completely encircled.
The countless residents on the islands stared at the dense wall of Marine warships blanketing the horizon. The sheer scale was terrifying.
Even a standard Buster Call only deployed ten ships. But this time… hundreds?!
If each warship carried even a thousand soldiers… That meant over 200,000 Marines—maybe more—were here to attack Sabaody.
The thought sent chills down everyone's spines. Hair standing on end.
Even Silvers Rayleigh, a man who had seen it all, felt his confidence waver. Regret gnawed at him. He should have taken Shakky and fled earlier.
With the Marines deploying a force like this… They were clearly prepared for the worst: total annihilation of Sabaody Archipelago.
"It's over. This is huge trouble!"
"How will Tian Chen the Great Emperor handle this crisis?"
"The barrier is indestructible, sure… but can it really withstand a bombardment from hundreds of warships?"
"Hmph. The Marines really are nothing but the Celestial Dragons' lapdogs!"
"They've brought this kind of force—even if we surrender and don't resist, they'll probably slaughter us anyway!"
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