A Provocation? Are You Worthy?
"From now on, if the World Government or the Navy dares to secretly spy on, plot, scheme against, or attack and persecute any member of the Uchiha Clan, our clan will no longer tolerate it. If you want to play with fire, we will personally overturn the order upon which you depend and teach the entire Navy a thorough lesson."
These words were not a negotiation, not a bargaining agreement; they were a blatant declaration of power, a crushing final warning.
Akainu erupted several feet high around Akainu, its crimson Kakkō illuminating half the coastline. He roared back, "This is a blatant provocation against the authority of the World Government! This is a declaration of war against the entire Navy!"
"Declare war?" Madara raised an eyebrow slightly, the sarcasm on his lips deepening. "You are not worthy of me, Madara Uchiha, declaring war. I am merely stating the facts, nothing more."
His tone abruptly shifted, the murderous glint in his eyes slowly fading, replaced once more by a pure martial artist's obsession and deep regret.
"Originally, I had no intention of interfering in the conflicts of this sea. My only reason for coming here is to meet the legend who can rival Hashirama Senju — Monkey D. Garp."
"After arriving here, I thought there was no one in the world who could fight me on equal terms. I thought this vast ocean would give me a surprise, allowing me to experience another exhilarating peak duel. Unfortunately..."
Ban slowly shook his head, his gaze sweeping once more over the desolate coastline, the disappointment in his eyes clearly visible.
"Today, in this place, there is no one worthy of my attention. The only opponent I have been waiting for has not come."
Upon hearing this, all the naval personnel on the coast fell silent.
Tens of thousands of marines lined up, two top Admiral were in command, and a group of veteran Vice Admiral admirals were guarding them. This terrifying lineup, capable of quelling the turmoil in the Four Blues and intimidating Emperor Level pirates, was reduced to insignificant ants in the eyes of this young powerhouse, not even worthy of his attention.
The Vice Admiral ' embarrassment intensified, the Admiral ' expressions grew increasingly solemn, and the soldiers' breathing became more rapid.
Everyone was overwhelmed by the extreme difference in strength and the overwhelming aura, unable to lift their heads.
Ban still stood quietly on the deck of the warship, the sea breeze ruffling his black hair, the young man's figure exuding unparalleled aloofness.
He neither withdrew his troops nor started a war; he simply waited quietly.
He was waiting. Waiting for the only naval hero who could ignite his fighting spirit to come to the appointment.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in New Marineford, the entire headquarters was in a state of extreme panic and frantic activity.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was restless, issuing urgent orders again and again. The entire headquarters frantically searched for Garp, who was hiding away and doing nothing. Everyone knew that the only one who could stabilize the deadlock in Sabaody and contend with this terrifying extraterrestrial powerhouse was that legendary naval hero.
A standoff spanning thousands of miles of sea, a contest concerning the dignity of the navy and the overall maritime landscape, is still brewing silently, with undercurrents surging and ready to erupt at any moment.
The coastal defenses of the Sabaody Archipelago were already completely shrouded in a chilling atmosphere of war.
The colorful bubbles that were originally floating in mid-air, dazzling and dreamlike, shattered under the pressure of the extreme atmosphere. The countless crystal-clear films burst open, turning into tiny specks of light that dissipated in the sea breeze.
The entire beach stretches for thousands of meters, with densely packed naval formations arranged in layers, overlapping and forming an impenetrable steel defense line.
The Navy Soldier in the front row held standard-issue rifles, the blades gleaming coldly, the barrels pointing steadily forward;
The soldiers in the middle row set up heavy muskets and repeating rifles, their muzzles black and cold, locking onto the lone ship at sea;
The coastal batteries and anchored naval warships were all poised for action, with dozens of main guns raised, gunpowder loaded, and a deafening roar of gunfire ready to be unleashed.
The auras of tens of thousands of elite naval personnel coalesced into one, and countless sharp gazes focused on the sea, creating a terrifying pressure capable of overturning a large pirate crew.
The two Admiral of the headquarters stood at the front of the battle, their auras completely opposite, yet both carrying earth-shattering combat power.
Akainu Sakazuki was surrounded by billowing, molten red lava. The intense heat distorted the surrounding air, and the beach beneath his feet continuously scorched, smoked, and melted. The scorching heatwave spread rampantly, turning the area within several meters into a scorching inferno.
His face was ashen, his eyes filled with Absolute Justice indignation and rage. His fists were clenched, lava dripping slowly from between his fingers. Every muscle was stretched to its limit, and the immense power of the Logia Devil Fruit surged wildly within him.
Kizaru Borsalino, standing to the side, had completely shed his usual carefree, lazy, and playful demeanor.
His short black hair was tousled by the sea breeze, and the sunglasses perched on his nose could not conceal the seriousness and apprehension in his eyes. Tiny golden particles of light surrounded him, and the light-speed energy of the Glint-Glint Fruit permeated his limbs and bones, ready to unleash an ultimate speed and penetrating attack at any moment.
Having experienced the covert surveillance during the Deserted Island Battle and the shadow of being frightened away by Madara's rebuke, he knew better than anyone that the fighting power contained in that young figure on the sea had already surpassed that of the Four Emperors of the New World, and was a terrifying existence capable of overturning the order of the sea.
The veteran lieutenant Headquarters Vice Admiral, including Flying Momonga, Doberman, Bastille, and Strawberry, stood on both sides, all of them having lost their usual composure.
They were all elite warriors who had roamed the seas for decades and experienced countless bloody battles. A thick layer of Armament Haki flowed around them, their sword hilts were tightly gripped, their postures were tense, and their Observation Haki was fully activated, not missing any slight change in their opponent's aura.
Ordinary pirates, any one of the Four Emperors, could intimidate the entire sea. But now, they were all on high alert, just to fight against the lone Madara Uchiha.
The entire naval force has entered the highest level of combat readiness, and the aura of killing intent soars to the sky.
On the deck of a giant warship in the open sea, the young-looking Madara Uchiha silently in the wind.
His long, ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making his handsome and sharp young face even more peerless. There was no trace of the vicissitudes of time, only a pair of deep, scarlet Sharingan that held the killing intent and arrogance that had transcended a thousand years.
His deep blue Clan Uniform fluttered, his figure was tall and aloof, like an ancient Asura standing on the vast sea. Although he was alone, his aura overwhelmed the overwhelming fighting spirit of tens of thousands of navy personnel on the coast.
Looking down at the navy's heavily fortified and tense formation, Madara's last bit of patience completely vanished.
He came here at the request of Uchiha Natsu to warn the Navy about their despicable acts of fighting amongst themselves and plotting against the new generation of Uchiha clan members during the Deserted Island Battle. He only needed to give a word of warning and deterrence before he could leave.
However, this group of naval forces, possessing a massive army and top-tier combat power, not only showed no restraint, but instead adopted a posture of fighting to the death to suppress him, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer numbers and superior combat strength.