Meanwhile.
Deep within God Valley.
Kong had arrived at God Valley through a CP0 agent's Devil Fruit ability.
After meeting up with Sengoku and Garp, he led them into the Palace deep within God Valley.
They were going to meet two of the Five Elders.
Inside the hall, the two Elders sat in their seats.
One was powerfully built, with a large W-shaped beard and a bald head, radiating authority even without a trace of anger.
The other wore loose white robes, draped casually over his body.
He held a long sword in his arms, resting with his eyes closed. He lacked the other man's imposing majesty.
Yet he exuded an even more intimidating, unfathomable aura.
As the three men entered.
The burly Elder's stern, commanding voice rang out:
"You're all here. Sit."
"Have the arrangements been made?"
Kong sat down and said:
"Everything is ready. The Buster Call Fleet has already departed from headquarters."
"Why would Rocks suddenly attack God Valley?"
Rocks had been gathering forces for months, and everyone had been speculating about his intentions.
No one had expected him to attack God Valley, far away in the West Blue.
The Five Elders clearly knew something.
And yet, despite being the Fleet Admiral, he still did not know the actual reason, even with the crisis upon them.
That was why Kong frowned.
The burly Elder glanced at Sengoku and Garp before saying:
"Hmm... the Celestial Dragons' Secret Treasure is buried in the valley."
"But a year ago, a brat with a special ability slipped inside."
"After being hunted for several months, he vanished without a trace."
"We never expected him to have joined the Rocks Pirates."
Kong nodded:
"I see..."
The sword-bearing Elder said impassively:
"Enough, Kong."
"This is also an opportunity."
"Pirates are better off in disarray."
"Rocks..."
"Nothing but a clown."
The Buster Call Fleet.
Forty enormous warships, built by imperial commission, sailed toward the West Blue.
Each warship was commanded by an admiral-rank officer and carried a thousand elite Marines.
Aboard his warship, Sakazuki watched the excited expressions on the soldiers' faces as they stood on deck.
Sakazuki gave a slight nod.
Indeed.
Nothing fired up people's fighting spirit like a major event.
Just then, Doberman approached, a hint of worry on his face.
"Rear Admiral Sakazuki, can we... win this time?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Rocks has over a hundred captains under his command, along with so many great pirates like Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and Ochoku..."
"If we lose, then the world..."
"There's no need to worry, Doberman."
Looking at the deeply worried Doberman, Sakazuki understood.
No one understood the brutality of pirates better than a child whose entire family had been slaughtered by them.
If the Marines were defeated and pirates ruled the world, it would be hell on earth.
Sakazuki said:
"You need to understand something."
"Setting aside the Void Century, the World Government has existed for eight hundred years."
"Over those eight hundred years, pirates have emerged one after another."
"Heroes and ruthless conquerors are the last things this sea lacks."
"But eight hundred years have passed, and those heroes and conquerors have been cut down like weeds, crop after crop."
"Only the World Government has remained firmly above them all."
"Rocks is nothing but a clown."
"Rule the world? Hah."
Sakazuki's words, laying bare the true nature of the world, shook Doberman deeply. For a long time, he could not calm himself.
"This..."
"This..."
Patting Doberman on the shoulder, Sakazuki returned to his room, leaving the young man some time to digest it all.
The voyage continued...
Seven days later, at the Palace in God Valley.
"They're here..."
The men resting with their eyes closed opened them at the same time.
They walked out of the Palace and looked toward the sky as boundless Conqueror's Haki swept over them, bearing down upon all of God Valley.
Along with the Conqueror's Haki, a savage voice thundered across the heavens.
"Let the world start trembling here! Ahahahaha!!!"
"Kill them all!!!!"
Before you continue