Behind them stood towering zombie warriors of the giant race, ranging from dozens to hundreds of meters tall, exuding an overwhelming presence.
In addition, there was a vast army of ancient giant clones.
The sheer number gathered was staggering, creating immense pressure.
It was enough to make one's scalp tingle and heart tremble.
"Currently, in the Netherworld Pirates, apart from the indisputable Four Heavenly Kings, three members of the Eight Stars, Ace, Law, and Kid, have already reached the monster level... Each of them is capable of contending with an admiral from the Marine Headquarters!"
"Especially Yamato, whose strength is comparable to the legendary Dark King, Rayleigh, in his prime. Even against Kaido before he awakened his full power, she could fight for three days and three nights without losing!"
Luke surveyed the vast forces of the Netherworld Pirates before him.
His eyes gleamed with absolute confidence as he clenched his fist, a cold smile forming on his lips.
"Then there's Hancock, whose strength rivals Yamato, ready to join the battle, along with Douglas Bullet, who has mastered the advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion, and even Kaido, who has awakened the Azure Dragon Fruit, pushing his power to new heights..."
"Even if we exclude the most mysterious figures like Imu and the Five Elders, who have all awakened Mythical Zoan ability, the so-called God's Knights, and the CP0 elites, no matter how strong they are, we should still hold the advantage!"
He refused to believe otherwise.
Unless the World Government still had the Ancient Weapon Uranus at their disposal…
With the Marines being held back by his Fallen Angel legion, zombie army, and clone army, unable to reinforce them…
If the World Government could still withstand the Netherworld Pirates' assault, then that would be truly unbelievable.
… … ….
Time passed, the sunset, and night fell.
By dusk, darkness had enveloped the vast ocean.
No one knew that massive islands and an enormous fleet were splitting into two formations, speeding through the sky at a staggering altitude of ten thousand meters.
Their destination is the Marine Headquarters, Marineford, in the first half of the Grand Line and the G-1 branch at the entrance to the New World.
Meanwhile, atop the red line, within the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
An unexpected guest had arrived.
With his unique Observation Killing ability and his special Devil Fruits, Luke perfectly concealed his presence, slipping past the heavily guarded areas and into a mysterious underground facility.
There, lying before him, was a colossal object, aged by time yet gleaming with a metallic luster.
This was the Celestial Dragons' national treasure.
The Ancient Weapon, Uranus!
"Hmm, they even incorporated Sea Prism Stone..."
After studying Uranus for a moment, Luke frowned. "And it requires the blood of a Celestial Dragon to activate?"
… … …
At this moment, in the grand Pangaea Castle, within the Chamber of Power...
The Five Elders, who held supreme power over the World Government, were gathered, dining, and discussing matters.
"Who's there?!"
"This presence... It's not normal!"
"Damn it! Who dares?!"
Suddenly, St. Marcus Mars, St. Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, and the others sensed something amiss.
Their expressions changed instantly as they shot to their feet.
They gazed into the distant sky, filled with shock and fury.
"Boom!"
The roof was violently shattered.
Under the stunned gazes of the guards, a massive creature wreathed in black flames suddenly took flight into the pitch-black night.
What was horrifying was that it had the head, wings, and claws of a bird…
Yet it also possessed a long serpentine body.
Its sharp, elongated beak was lined with rows of jagged fangs.
It bore an uncanny resemblance to the legendary demon bird, Itsumade.
An unsettling chill ran down everyone's spine.
"Shiryu!!!"
Several massive islands loomed ahead.
Shiryu's auras were immediately locked onto by Observation Haki.
St. Marcus Mars, who had transformed into a giant bird-like creature, spread his wings and surged forward, seething with rage.
Swish…
The sharp, elongated beak suddenly snapped open.
A burst of intense flames erupted, hurtling directly toward Shiryu.
"Heh, as expected... I've been discovered, huh?"
On the leading island, Shiryu, with a cigar clenched between his teeth, revealed a look of resignation.
Facing the unfathomable depths of the World Government, attempting a direct assault was indeed unlikely to succeed.
Screech!
But the next moment, his gaze turned cold.
Without hesitation, he struck back. A dazzling blade light slashed forward fiercely.
"Slicing Wave!"
Boom!
In an instant, the searing slash clashed violently with the incoming flames.
Sparks scattered, illuminating the dark sky.
The commotion immediately alarmed the guards and residents of both the Holy Land Mary Geoise and the towns below.
"What was that? Firelight?"
"Damn it! What's going on?"
"Quick, something's wrong! Stay on alert!"
"Enemy attack!"
The deafening explosions in the silent night sky, along with the blazing fire raining down like shooting stars, made the stationed marines and CP agents realize something was amiss.
They immediately became alert.
"Tch... What a terrifying monster... Is that one of the Five Elders?"
Hovering midair, Shiryu gazed at the terrifying, flame-shrouded bird-like creature before him.
Without hesitation, he pressed his wristwatch Den Den Mushi and reported: "The plan has changed; we've been discovered!"
After a moment of silence, Luke's voice came through the wiretap-proof Den Den Mushi.
"In that case, we have no choice. Begin."
"Understood!"
Shiryu grinned.
"What are you planning?"
St. Marcus Mars, in his monstrous bird form, glared at Shiryu with murderous intent, his fury boiling over.
"Is Obask Luke really planning to go to all-out war with the World Government?"
"Congratulations, Five Elders... You guessed it right."
Shiryu snapped his fingers with a smirk.
"This is my gift to the World Government and the marines!"
Before his words even finished, St. Marcus Mars's expression shifted drastically as he looked up.
Massive floating islands suddenly lost their support and plummeted toward the ocean below.
Boom!
At the same time, above both Marine Headquarters and the G-1 branch, a deafening, sky-shattering piercing sound echoed.
One after another, enormous islands suddenly descended from the vast night sky and plummeted straight down violently.