"The Navy's fleet," the technician reported. "But the ships... don't look right."
Dragon ordered, "Bring up the long-range telescope feed."
The main screen immediately switched to the telescope's view. Everyone sucked in a sharp breath—the ships of that fleet were an eerie purple from bow to stern, their hulls warped and twisted as though they were creations from another world. Most shocking of all was the gigantic warship at the front, where a familiar figure stood at the bow—Akainu.
But this was no longer the Akainu they knew. His body was almost entirely covered in purple energy, magma intertwined with Void Energy to form some terrifying new substance. Behind him, purple energy churned like enormous wings.
"How did they find us?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked in shock. "Dawn's location should have been top secret."
Lin Ye gripped the Dawn Blade tightly, feeling the warning coming from its blade. "I think we underestimated Void Energy's ability to sense things. The energy fluctuations from all seven keys gathered together are like a beacon in the night to them."
Dragon made his decision at once. "Activate the plan ahead of schedule. Everyone, prepare to set sail immediately. Follow the designated route to Laugh Tale. Whitebeard, can you buy us some time?"
Whitebeard grinned as the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit gathered in his hand. "Of course. This is exactly what I do best."
Ace stared at Akainu's distorted image on the screen as the Flame Key in his hand blazed fiercely. "The day of Purple Moon in the Sky is close at hand. No matter what, we have to reach Laugh Tale before then."
Alarms shrieked across Dawn as Revolutionary Army soldiers swiftly took their positions. Heavy weapons were urgently loaded on deck; gun turrets rotated toward the sea; medical teams prepared aid