It swung its massive arm, and the fortress's protective barrier began to emit a blinding purple glow. Countless Void Creatures poured out of the fortress, forming neat battle formations in the sky as they awaited the invaders' arrival.
Firmament let out an angry roar. "Evil being, you have defiled the skies I protect! Today is your end!"
Luffy tightened his grip on the Connection Bow, his gaze unwavering. "No matter how powerful the enemy is, we cannot back down. Sabo and Ace are still waiting for our good news, and the whole world is waiting for us to gather the Anchor Stones."
He looked at his companions beside him. "This is indeed going to be a hard fight, but we have no other choice. The Storm Stone is right there. We have to get it!"
Gan Fall drew his longsword, sunlight glinting off its blade. "Warriors of Sky Island, show the courage passed down through four hundred years!"
The Shandia warriors raised their shields and spears, shouting in unison, "For the glory of our ancestors!"
Firmament spread its enormous wings, silver-white scales gleaming beneath the sunlight. "For the oath I swore to protect!"
Sabo took a deep breath as power began to surge within him. "For every life twisted by the Void!"
Luffy drew back the Connection Bow, a golden arrow condensing on the string. "To save the world! Move out!"
After several hours of swift swimming, Ace's team finally reached the outer waters of Fish-Man Island. But the sight before them made everyone suck in a cold breath—this was no longer the beautiful, fairy-tale-like Undersea Kingdom they remembered.
The once crystal-clear seawater had turned a strange dark purple, as though it had been thoroughly dyed with ink. Even more terrifying, countless dead marine creatures floated everywhere in the purple