The Final Battle (I)

There are no longer any naval or World Government ships at sea, and many naval and government bases have long been abandoned ruins.

Whether it's Imu or the existing high-ranking officials in the government and navy, they all know very well that they cannot interfere with anything at sea... They can only watch helplessly as everything deteriorates and the world becomes more and more 'rotten'.

This is clearly a One Piece world, an era of civilization formed around the Mother Sea... but before the God Slayer appeared, no one would have imagined that the so-called final battle would actually take place on land.

That is, the Red Line.

Mary Geoise.

In recent years, the World Government has not paid attention to matters at sea. Instead, they have been developing the uninhabited areas on the Red Line because they have recruited more and more survivor organizations and powerful members. Mary Geoise alone cannot accommodate these people, not to mention that the Navy and the Revolutionary Army have now been 'incorporated' into the organization.

Even though the world has been turned upside down, and the Hell Pirates and God Slayer seem invincible, justice still prevails... There are still people who resist this 'evil force' that tries to control and change the world.

Therefore, after the Hell Pirates completely destroyed the entire sea and erased all traces of human civilization, another six months passed... Finally, under Morgans's public announcement, a massive war that could change the course of the world arrived one day!

On the Red Line, the World Government's forces are on high alert.

They guarded the land above the sea, creating a solemn atmosphere.

They are humanity's last hope.

Besides them, those who are still alive at sea, even if they haven't joined the Hell Pirates, can no longer be called 'normal people' in their eyes. Their minds and hearts are twisted to the extreme... to the point that they only know destruction and killing.

All of this was the work of the God Slayer, and his intentional transformation of the world.

Otherwise, after annihilating almost all the island nations at sea, the God Slayer could have launched an attack on Mary Geoise instead of waiting another six months... This event, which has dragged on for so long, has only made the world's atmosphere more chaotic to an irreversible degree.

"If only I could have stopped Garp back then."

Above the Red Line, before the massive, dark army that stretched like a tidal wave, the aged Sengoku gazed at the distant, vast sea, a gentle breeze blowing through him. Holding a bag of senbei (rice crackers), he sighed to the crane beside him.

Both of them were still wearing the cloaks symbolizing the Navy's justice.

However, after so much time, they are quite old now.

Their abilities have all weakened considerably as their physical functions have deteriorated.

But we still have to participate in this Final Battle, because there's no escaping it... If the World Government fails, the others won't even have the right to survive.

There was no other choice.

"What's the use... With his personality, even if he told you, you couldn't stop him... If you had gone with him, you wouldn't be here now." Tsuru tucked a Fuza of white hair behind her ear, sat cross-legged on the ground, and then her gaze swept over the familiar faces nearby: Aokiji, Kizaru, Momousagi, Monkey D. Dragon, Revolutionary Army cadre Emporio Ivankov, Belo Betty, and the newly appointed 'Marine Admirals' Fujitora and Green Bull... But standing at the very front of these people were the two Five Elders, Saint Nasujuro and Saint Peter.

And directly behind the massive army, atop the city of Mary Geoise, stood a black dot.

That person... was none other than Imu, the true leader of the Celestial Dragons and the master of the Empty Throne.

Many things have come to light and are no longer secrets. In order to deal with the God Slayer and gain a chance of survival, all secrecy has vanished.

Even the navy as a system no longer exists. Now these people have only one common name: 'Community of Shared Future for Mankind,' which is a new form of 'World Government,' signifying and symbolizing 'dawn.'

Crane withdrew her gaze and said softly, "Five hundred thousand people...that's the total number of our entire army. On the other hand, the Hell Pirates probably have more than a million. Whether it's the lowest-ranking individual combat strength, or the core strength and top-notch manpower...they are no weaker than us. The divine power that the God Slayer has collected over the years, and after being blessed...it's unimaginable how many Devil Fruit users he has under his command."

"Don't be so pessimistic... The battle hasn't even started yet, and it's not certain who will win or lose."

Sengoku smiled and waved his hand.

"Old man... At our age, we're just dead. It's a shame to let these young people die in vain..." Tsuru glanced calmly at Sengoku and continued, "You and I both know about what happened back then. If he wanted to, Mary Geoise would be gone... That kind of person isn't what we understand as 'things'... Failure was inevitable. You know that... I know that, everyone knows that... It's just that we're unwilling to accept it."

Her words caused the smiling Sengoku to lose his composure.

"He seems... to have no regard for death or the lives of others. If I had known that the person who controls the world is this kind of person, even though I would become a Marine, I would never have agreed to let Steel Bone take over as Fleet Admiral." Sengoku said meaningfully.

He was referring to Imu.

Because a great battle was imminent, Imu on the rear city wall was swaying gracefully, surrounded by butterflies.

"The Celestial Dragons' technology program came to an abrupt end with Vegapunk's death... They betrayed everyone, they were too arrogant... They thought they had victory in the bag, sacrificing others to buy time, but they never imagined how terrifying the enemy was."

"I didn't expect this great battle to come so quickly... Sigh, can't this old man just rest in peace?"

Even the land of giants Elbaf, was not spared...

The Sengoku expressed its feelings.

"He... perhaps he thinks he won't die... after all, he's lived for so long," Crane said calmly.

The one who spoke was Imu.

The current situation is not that they are obeying the commands and orders of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, but rather that they are forced to 'stand' on the same side due to the need for survival.

When the Hell Pirates began to corrupt the world with the 'will' of God Slayer, and when those Celestial Dragons who wanted to hide and escape were eliminated one by one, it already meant that the Celestial Dragons had fallen from their 'pedestal'.

"Can't die?"

"Don't worry... he's going to die anyway, based on what you and I know about God Slayer."

Sengoku smiled.

It might be impossible for an ordinary person to kill Imu, but if it were God Slayer, they might have a hundred ways to kill Imu, this 'strange life state' that has survived for hundreds of years.

"They're here!"

At this moment, Nasujiro Sei, who was standing at the very front, suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

Countless gazes looked down at the sea, and at the horizon, it seemed as if a layer of dark clouds was shrouding it, stretching towards the Red Line.

Those were... countless One Piece ships, sailing against the wind and waves.

"Little Crane".

Suddenly, Sengoku shouted.

The crane looked over.

"Can you promise me something?"

"Cannot!"

The crane responded calmly.

He already knew what Sengoku was going to say.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Sengoku scratched his head and laughed, "Even if it makes you angry, I'll still say it."

"Don't die before me... After all, the one who goes first doesn't have to suffer the pain of losing a close friend."

"I don't want to suffer this kind of emotional torment at the end."

With unwavering focus, he watched the approaching One Piece army, thinking, "I won't let you succeed."