Void Battle, Coordinated Combat

"It's a Marine 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 fleet's vessels 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 massive warship at the forefront. A familiar figure stood at its prow—Akainu.

But this was no longer the Akainu they knew. His body was almost entirely covered in purple energy, magma interwoven with Void Energy to form a 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 its warning pulse through the weapon. "I think we underestimated Void Energy's ability to sense things. The energy fluctuations from all seven keys gathered together must be like a beacon in the night to them."

Dragon made a swift decision. "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. That's what I do best."

Ace looked at Akainu's twisted image on the screen. The Flame Key in his hand burst into fierce flames. "The day of Purple Moon in the Sky is almost here. No matter what, we have to reach Laugh Tale before then."

Alarms shrieked endlessly aboard Dawn as Revolutionary Army soldiers rushed to their positions. Heavy weapons were loaded across the deck, gun turrets swung toward the sea, medical teams prepared aid stations below deck,