Security in Mary Geoise was even tighter at night than during the day.
The number of guards patrolling the streets had tripled. CP Agents stood at every intersection, and reconnaissance Visual Den Den Mushi circled overhead. Infiltrating the Empty Throne under these conditions was almost impossible.
But Lin Yan had his methods.
"Observation Haki, full power."
He closed his eyes, his perception spreading outward like ripples. Every sign of life, every operating machine, and every flow of energy within five kilometers appeared in his mind.
"Twelve guards at the main entrance, eight at the side entrance, four snipers on the roof, six hidden sentry posts..." He quietly recited the guards' positions. "The patrol passes every fifteen minutes, with a three-minute gap. The Visual Den Den Mushi have a blind spot in their scans. In the shadows by the eastern corner, there's a window of about ten seconds."
Robin and Ace listened, dumbfounded. Perception on this level was beyond their understanding.
"Big brother, how are you..." Ace swallowed.
"Part of Mother's legacy." Lin Yan opened his eyes, golden patterns flashing within them. "Her Observation Haki had reached the level of 'Future Sight.' I haven't fully mastered it yet, but I can still achieve an 'all-knowing perspective' for short periods."
He looked at the two of them.
"The plan is simple: I'll use the blind spot to infiltrate from the east. Ace, create a disturbance on the west side to draw the guards' attention. Robin, use your Flower-Flower Fruit to grow arms on the walls and scout the interior for me."
"A disturbance?" Ace's eyes lit up. "That's my specialty!"
"Remember, don't hurt anyone, and don't reveal your identity," Lin Yan reminded him. "Just use smoke bombs and flashbangs to cause confusion. Once we succeed, retreat immediately and regroup at the harbor."
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
The three split up.
Ace crept beneath the western guard tower and took several small spheres from inside his clothes-Chopper's specially made "Smoke-Flame Bombs." They produced thick smoke and blinding light when they exploded, but had no destructive power.
Timing it precisely, he threw the spheres the instant the patrol passed!
Boom, boom, boom-!
Smoke and brilliant light erupted together! The guards immediately fell into chaos.
"Enemy attack!"
"On the west side! Get over there!"
"Careful! It could be a diversion!"
Most of the guards were drawn away.
Meanwhile, Lin Yan slipped like a phantom into the shadows on the east side. A thin layer of flame covered his body-not to attack, but to bend light and achieve "optical invisibility."
Of the ten-second blind spot, he needed only five to cross the security perimeter and reach the "Pangaea Castle core area," where the Empty Throne was located.
It was a freestanding white tower, its spire piercing the night sky. It had no windows, only a heavy golden door. Two members of the Holy Knights in golden armor stood on either side.
Lin Yan hid in the darkness and used Observation Haki to sense the interior.
The tower had a complex, multilevel structure. The lowest level was the guards' rest area, the second held the archives, and the third was... a prison?
He sensed several faint presences on the third floor. One of them made his heart leap.
That was... Mother's presence!
Though extremely faint, like a candle flickering in the wind, it was unmistakably his mother's presence! She was still alive, imprisoned beneath the Empty Throne!
Lin Yan forced down the urge to charge straight inside and continued sensing. The fourth floor was empty, the fifth was a meeting room, and the sixth... held the Empty Throne itself.
Beneath the throne lay an enormous energy source. Its fluctuations closely resembled the "Devil Fruit Source" Lin Yan had sensed in the Funeral Temple, but it was far greater and far more sinister.
"So that's it..." Lin Yan understood. "The origin of Devil Fruits is sealed beneath the Empty Throne. And Mother... they captured her to use as the seal's 'key,' or its 'sacrifice'?"
He had to get inside.
But how? Those two Holy Knights were definitely above Admiral level. His chances of forcing his way through were slim.
Just then, Robin's voice sounded directly beside his ear through her Flower-Flower Fruit ability.
"Captain, I found a ventilation opening on the north side of the tower. It's small, but big enough for you to pass through. It leads to the archives on the second floor, where security is relatively light."
"Good work," Lin Yan replied quietly. "How's Ace doing?"
"The disturbance has already been quelled, and the guards are stepping up their patrols. You only have ten minutes."
"That's enough."
Lin Yan silently moved to the north side. Sure enough, a concealed ventilation opening was there, only thirty centimeters in diameter. But for him, having mastered "Elemental Splitting," that was no problem.
His body turned to flame and slipped inside.
The ventilation duct was narrow, but Lin Yan used Flame Shaping to compress himself into a fiery snake and advance rapidly. A minute later, he reached the vent above the second-floor archives.
Looking down through the grille, he saw a vast archive, its shelves stretching beyond sight. Two clerical workers were sorting documents. There were no guards.
Lin Yan slipped out of the vent and landed soundlessly. He quickly scanned the shelf labels-most held World Government historical records, information on Affiliated Nations, Marine reports, and so on. But in the farthest corner stood a separate shelf without any labels.
He approached and discovered that a transparent energy barrier protected it. Intricate runes flowed across the barrier. It was clearly some kind of advanced sealing technique.
"It needs a specific key..." Lin Yan frowned. He tried penetrating it with fire, but his flames were repelled the instant they touched the barrier.
Breaking through by force would trigger an alarm.
As he considered his options, one of the books on the shelf suddenly moved by itself.
It was not the wind. It truly moved-as though an invisible hand were turning its pages.
Lin Yan warily took a step back.
The book slowly rose, floated before Lin Yan, and opened on its own. Its pages contained no text, only a picture.
A woman engulfed in golden flames held a flag bearing the sun and the letter D as she stood before the Empty Throne. Behind her were three young figures-one wearing a straw hat, one wearing a cowboy hat, and one... who was him.
Beneath the picture was a line of small writing.
[If you're seeing this picture, it means you've made it here. Son, don't save me. My mission is complete. Take what lies beneath the throne. It is the final gift your father and mother left you.]
It was his mother's handwriting.
Had Mother left this book?
Lin Yan reached out and touched the page. It suddenly caught fire, but instead of burning away, it turned into golden flames and surged into his body!
Another inheritance of memories!
These memories were clearer: twenty years ago, after the God Valley Incident, his mother had voluntarily come to Mary Geoise to negotiate with the World Government. She had offered herself as the "core of the seal" to suppress the Devil Fruit Source in exchange for twenty years of breathing room for the D Clan.
The price was... she would remain imprisoned beneath the Empty Throne forever, until her life ran out.
"Mother..." Lin Yan clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
Why? Why would you do this?
The memories gave him the answer.
[Because if I didn't, the World Government would launch a second 'God Valley Incident' and purge the entire D Clan. You, Ace, and every descendant of D scattered across the world. I traded my freedom for your future.]
[Now, those twenty years are over. The seal is about to loosen, and the Devil Fruit Source is about to awaken. When that happens, the World Government will seek a new 'sacrifice'-quite possibly you, Ace, or another member of the D Clan.]
[So before I fade away completely, you must retrieve what lies beneath the throne. It is the 'key' your father, Roger, obtained at the cost of his life. It can grant complete control over the Devil Fruit Source and free the D Clan from its curse.]
[Remember, don't save me. My life is already bound to the seal. Saving me means releasing the devil. Complete your mission and usher in the age of dawn. That is the best repayment you could give me.]
The memories ended.
Lin Yan opened his eyes. All hesitation was gone, leaving only resolve.
He could not waste the twenty years his mother had bought with her life. He had to obtain that "key" and fulfill his parents' final wishes.
He looked at the energy barrier. Since his mother had left these things, then...
He cut his finger and dripped a drop of blood onto the barrier.
Hum-!
Ripples spread across the barrier. Then... it vanished.
The books on the shelf flew into Lin Yan's hands on their own. There was not one, but three-the first was "The Truth of the Void Century," the second "Research into the Origin of Devil Fruits," and the third "The Complete Record of Sun God Nika."
Lin Yan skimmed them rapidly, committing everything to memory-the memory ability inherited from his mother allowed him to remember everything he read.
Ten minutes later, he closed the final book.
The whole truth was now clear.
The Void Century had been a war between the D Clan and the "Great Kingdom." The Great Kingdom had created Devil Fruits through technology to control the world. Led by Sun God Nika, the D Clan had risen in resistance and ultimately won a bitter victory, but the Sun God had also fallen in that war.
After the war, the surviving D Clan had split. Some chose to conceal their names, while others chose to blend into the world. The Great Kingdom's descendants became the present-day Celestial Dragons. They rewrote history, branded the D Clan as "devils," and founded the World Government.
The Devil Fruit Source was the ultimate weapon left behind by the Great Kingdom. It awakened once every eight hundred years and required the bloodline of the D Clan's royal family to seal it again. His mother was this generation's "sacrifice."
At the end of his life, his father, Roger, had used his "Pirate King's blood" and the "Voice of All Things" ability to separate a portion of "pure power" from the Devil Fruit Source and forge that "key."
That key was now beneath the Empty Throne.
Lin Yan returned the three books to the shelf and turned to head for the sixth floor.
But just then-
"This ends here, Monkey D. Yan."
An icy voice came from the archive entrance.
Lin Yan turned and saw five masked CP0 agents in white suits blocking the exit. Their leader held a long blade crackling with electricity.
"We knew you would come," the CP0 agent said coldly. "The Five Elders gave you three days because they wanted to see what you would do. We didn't expect you to be so eager to walk into our trap."
Lin Yan looked at them calmly.
"Move. I don't want to kill anyone."
"Arrogant fool!" The CP0 agent charged, swinging his blade. "Take him! Dead or alive!"
All five CP0 agents attacked at once!
They moved like lightning, coordinating seamlessly as attacks came from different angles and cut off every avenue of retreat. These were elite assassins trained by the World Government, each stronger than a Marine Vice Admiral.
But Lin Yan merely raised his right hand.
"Furnace-Furnace Fruit: Steam Explosion Domain."
There were no flames, only heat.
Within a ten-meter radius of Lin Yan, the air temperature instantly soared to three thousand degrees! It was not fire, but pure thermal radiation! The moisture in the air vaporized instantly, generating terrifying high-pressure steam!
The instant the five CP0 agents entered the domain, the heat burned their skin and the steam blasted them away!
"Aaaah-!!!"
Amid their screams, the five smashed through bookshelves and collapsed, unable to rise. Their bodies were severely burned. Though alive, they could no longer fight.
Without so much as a glance at them, Lin Yan walked straight toward the exit.
But as he reached the doorway, he stopped.
More people stood outside.
Not CP0, but members of the Holy Knights-twelve in all, each clad in golden armor and carrying a different weapon. Their leader was a white-haired old man holding a longsword that burned with holy flames.
"Roland, Holy Sword Wielder and captain of the Holy Knights' Third Squad," the old man introduced himself. "By order of the Five Elders, I am here to execute the rebel D. Yan. Surrender, and your corpse may remain intact."
Lin Yan sensed his opponent's strength.
He was strong.
Roland was definitely at the peak of Admiral level, perhaps even close to the level of the Four Emperors. The sword in his hand was no ordinary weapon either. It radiated a sacred yet dangerous aura.
"And if I refuse?" Lin Yan asked.
"Then die." Roland raised his sword, its holy flames surging. "Holy Sword: Judgment!"
He slashed down!
The golden holy flames became an enormous wave of sword energy, tearing through the air toward Lin Yan! That strike had enough power to cleave a mountain!
Lin Yan dared not take it lightly. He pressed his palms together.
"Furnace: Earth-Core Steel Flame Wall!"
Red-gold flames surged from the ground and condensed into a thick metal wall. Its surface gleamed like flowing lava, and its hardness rivaled diamond.
Clang-!!!!
The holy sword energy struck the Steel Flame Wall with a deafening crash! The wall shook violently, and a deep crack appeared across its surface, but it did not shatter!
Surprise flashed in Roland's eyes. "You can block my holy sword? Not bad. But how many strikes can you block?"
He raised his sword again, preparing an even fiercer attack.
But just then, something unexpected happened.
The tower housing the Empty Throne suddenly shook violently!
It was not an earthquake. The tremors came from the base of the tower-as though something were awakening!
Roland's expression changed drastically. "This is bad! The seal is loosening! Hurry! Everyone, reinforce the seal!"
The Holy Knights immediately abandoned Lin Yan and rushed toward the tower's base.
Lin Yan seized the opportunity and charged toward the top-he had to get the key!
But just as he reached the stairs, someone blocked his path.
It was Kuma.
He had appeared here at some unknown point and now stood before Lin Yan.
"Move," Lin Yan said coldly.
Kuma looked at him and suddenly spoke.
"Your mother asked me to tell you: the key is inside the left armrest of the throne on the sixth floor. Once you have it, leave immediately. Don't look back."
Lin Yan froze. "You..."
"I'm an undercover agent for the Revolutionary Army," Kuma said quietly. "Your mother arranged for me to infiltrate this place twenty years ago. Go. I'll hold them off."
With that, he turned to face the pursuing Holy Knights and spread his hands.
"Ursus Shock: Maximum Output!"
A terrifying shock wave erupted, blasting the entire staircase apart! The Holy Knights were cut off below.
Lin Yan gave Kuma a long look, then charged toward the tower's summit without looking back.
The sixth floor. The Empty Throne.
It was an enormous circular hall with only one thing at its center-a plain stone chair. This was the legendary "Empty Throne," the seat symbolizing the "King of the World."
But now, someone sat upon it.
No, it was not a person.
It was a desiccated corpse dressed in magnificent robes. It gripped a scepter topped with an enormous red gemstone.
Lin Yan could sense terrifying energy sealed within that gemstone—it was part of the Devil Fruit Source.
On the throne's left armrest was a small recess. Its shape matched the emblem in his hand perfectly.
He walked over and placed the emblem into the recess.
Click-!
The armrest split open, and a metal box sprang out from inside. In the box lay a golden key-only the size of a finger, yet it radiated a heart-pounding aura.
"Father... Mother..." Lin Yan picked up the key and held it in his palm.
The instant he touched the key, his father's memories surfaced in his mind:
[Yan, by the time you get this key, I should already be dead. Don't be sad. I've finished walking the path of the Pirate King. Now it's your turn.]
[This key can let you temporarily control the power of the Devil Fruit Source. But remember, it is only a 'key,' not 'power itself.' True power is something you must train for and comprehend yourself.]
[Use this key to open the gates to a new era. Let the Will of D shine upon this world once more!]
The memories ended.
Lin Yan put the key away and turned to leave.
But just then, the desiccated corpse... opened its eyes.
They were eyes burning with ghostly blue flames.
The corpse slowly turned its head toward Lin Yan and spoke in a hoarse voice:
"The bloodline... of D... you've finally... come..."
"Give the key... back to me..."
He-or rather, Imu, the true ruler of the World Government, a survivor of the Void Century, and the last monarch of the Great Kingdom-rose from the throne.
"Eight hundred years... I've waited eight hundred years... finally... the last descendant... of the D Clan's royal family..."
"If I devour you... I can... fully return to life... and rule... this world again..."
He raised his scepter, and its red gem erupted with blinding light!
The entire hall was engulfed in blood-red light!
Lin Yan felt unprecedented pressure-it was not suppression through strength, but an overwhelming disparity in the very level of their existence! Imu's existence had already transcended the bounds of "humanity." He was something older and more terrifying!
"Furnace-Furnace Fruit: Full Power!" Lin Yan roared, unleashing his crimson-gold flames at full force!
But within the blood-red light, the flames flickered like a dying candle in the wind, unable to get anywhere near Imu!
"Useless..." Imu laughed hoarsely. "Your flames... are merely the power of a 'fruit'... while I... am the 'source' of the fruits..."
"All Devil Fruit Users... are mere ants... before me..."
He reached out a withered hand to seize Lin Yan!
Lin Yan tried to dodge, but the blood-red light held his body in place. He could not move!
At that critical instant-
"Flower-Flower Fruit: Thousand-Armed Guanyin!"
Countless arms sprouted from thin air. Some grabbed Lin Yan and pulled him back, some formed a wall of bodies before him, and others attacked Imu directly!
Robin!
She had burst in at some point and now stood at the hall's entrance, her hands crossed before her chest as she pushed her ability to its fullest!
"Robin! Run!" Lin Yan shouted. "You're no match for him!"
"I know!" Robin gritted her teeth. "But I can't... stand by and watch you die!"
Bloody tears streamed from her eyes-controlling over ten thousand arms at once had already pushed her beyond her limits. Even so, she did not stop.
The arms surged toward Imu like moths to a flame. Though they turned to ash the instant they touched the blood-red light, they kept coming, buying Lin Yan precious time.
"Foolish..." Imu waved a hand, and the blood-red light surged toward Robin like a tide!
"You're not hurting her!"
Ace charged in too! Blue-white flames blazed all over him as he shielded Robin:
"Fire Fist: Great Flame Commandment: Flame Emperor!!!"
It was the strongest move he could currently use-compressing and condensing all his flames into a massive fireball ten meters across, then thrusting it at the enemy!
The fireball collided with the blood-red light!
BOOM-!!!!!!!
A terrifying explosion swept through the entire hall! The shock wave cracked even the walls!
Amid the smoke and dust, Ace and Robin were hurled backward and slammed into the wall, coughing up blood and losing consciousness.
Lin Yan, having been pulled away by Robin's arms, avoided the center of the explosion and suffered only minor injuries.
He looked at the two unconscious figures, then at the figure slowly emerging from the smoke and dust. Unprecedented fury blazed in his eyes.
"Imu..." He clenched the key and poured all his power into it. "You hurt my people."
The key blazed with dazzling golden light!
The golden light fused with the flames within Lin Yan, forming an entirely new power-not the Furnace-Furnace Fruit, not the Flame-Flame Fruit, but the more primal, purer "Origin Flame"!
His eyes turned pure gold.
His hair stirred without wind, every strand burning with golden flames.
A pair of wings made of flame unfurled behind him.
"That's..." For the first time, terror appeared on Imu's face. "The Sun God... Nika's... form?! Impossible! Nika has been dead for eight hundred years!"
"No." Lin Yan's voice rang out like a divine decree. "Nika never died. His will has been passed down through the generations. And now..."
He raised his hand, condensing a golden sun in his palm:
"It's my turn."
"Sun God Nika Form-"
"Initial Awakening!"
Before you continue