(T/N: Please consider reviewing this Fanfic. Thanks and appreciate all who support me.
(T/N: Enjoy!)
<><><><><><>
Within the magnificent palace, silence reigned. The words of the old man on the high platform had stunned everyone, and terror was written on more than a few faces.
To unite over seventy countries and form a colossal fleet on the seas—just imagining it was enough to reveal the overwhelming power and dread of such a coalition. This war would decide the fate of the world itself.
The armoured man's pupils dilated to their limit, his entire body trembling. After what felt like an eternity, he drew a deep, shuddering breath, his throat moving heavily.
Without a doubt, this was the most terrifying intelligence he had ever uncovered in his years as an undercover Marine agent.
The World Government was preparing to launch the greatest war in history against the Marines.
The scale of it would eclipse both the War of Marineford and the Onigashima battle.
"The Seventy-Nation War!" His heart shook violently as nerves consumed him.
"I must transmit this intelligence back to headquarters as quickly as possible! They must prepare at once!"
If the seventy nations were allowed to gather their strength and merge into a single fleet, it would spell disaster for the Marines—especially now, scattered across the world and still consolidating their newfound control.
On the high platform, the four Elders looked down with icy expressions at the gathered rulers.
Most were kings of the seventy nations, though at the very least, some were princes. Among them lingered even remnants of the Celestial Dragon bloodlines.
This war touched upon the interests of each one of them—they had no reason to refuse. After a long silence, a trembling king finally broke the stillness.
"You are right. We can no longer back down. Otherwise, we will face certain destruction at the hands of the Marines."
"Not long ago, a Marine fleet passed sixty miles from my nation's waters. The entire kingdom was thrown into high alert, as if facing annihilation!"
One by one, voices of kings rose in fear and fury.
"There's no retreat! They want to drag us down from the summit into the abyss! If we lose this war, we lose everything!"
"For our noble bloodlines and families, such humiliation is worse than death! I cannot imagine living as equals with commoners!"
"Class is the foundation of this world's stability! Form the coalition! Assemble the greatest fleet ever seen, destroy the Marines, and reclaim the world that belongs to us! We will fight them to the death!"
Their roars thundered through the palace, shaking the chandeliers above. Seeing this, the four Elders finally exhaled with faint relief.
They knew well that their coming battle against the Marines could not be won with the remaining Elders and CP organizations alone.
The true weight of the war lay with these nations. Never underestimate the power of the world! For the "world" meant the union of more than a hundred nations—a monumental force.
That was the World Government. And among them, whether mighty or expendable, kingdoms would rise and fall endlessly, generation after generation.
"Then I ask that you immediately pass down this command," said Saint Marcus Mars, narrowing his eyes as his voice grew deep and resonant.
"This time, every nation must give everything it has. And you all understand one thing clearly. Since the destruction of Mary Geoise, our fellow Celestial Dragons have suffered heavy losses. Many seats among the Dragons now stand vacant."
His voice dropped to a solemn weight. "After this war, each of you will have the chance to claim the title of Celestial Dragon!"
In that instant, countless eyes burned with feverish desire. Breathing quickened. To become a Celestial Dragon—the dream of nobles across the world!
Even among the aristocracy, status was divided, and the Dragons reigned at the pinnacle.
To rise to such heights, to enjoy that life of untouchable privilege—what could be more intoxicating? Three words had awakened their deepest ambition.
Marcus Mars scanned their enraptured faces and gave a slight nod. With this matter settled, the world's survival seemed secure.
His gaze then shifted to the armoured knights standing guard around the hall, perfectly straight and still.
They were the loyal cavalry of the kingdoms, here mostly as a symbol, for no one expected them to maintain order truly.
Hidden among them were agents of the CP organization.
As he studied these knights one by one, Marcus Mars gave a faint, approving nod—these were indeed formidable elites.
Their strength was evident in their very presence. But then, his eyes fell on one knight in particular.
His pupils shrank, and a cold glint flashed, transforming into murderous intent.
"Quiet!" Marcus Mars's voice cut through the hall like ice. The kings froze in confusion.
"I did not expect that on such a solemn occasion, a few little mice would dare to sneak in! I must admit, the Marines' intelligence network has surpassed even my expectations."
His words sent waves of alarm through the gathered kings, who turned to scan their surroundings. The armoured Marine agent's expression shifted sharply, but he did not act rashly.
In the very next moment, the bespectacled Elder standing beside Marcus Mars, hand resting on his samurai sword, let his eyes turn frigid.
With a sudden, fluid motion, he unsheathed his blade. Without hesitation, the sword slashed toward the knights at the rear of the hall.
"Swish!" A razor arc split the air, grazing the tops of the kings' heads, leaving their scalps tingling.
A sickening "pfft" followed—one knight was cleaved clean in half, blood spilling across the floor.
The undercover Marine officer nearby froze in horror, every vein chilled.
"The number of little mice is greater than I expected," said Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro coldly, swinging his blade once more.
"Swish!" Another slash tore through the air. The knight's armour crumbled like paper, body split as easily as the first.
The hall fell into stunned silence. The legendary Elders not only held authority but also wielded terrifying martial might.
Even the guards protecting the king instinctively drew their weapons, forming a barrier in panic.
Chaos erupted, but Nusjuro's blade continued. His gaze shifted again, fixing upon another figure.
His wrist turned, and the sword flashed once more—so fast and precise that even seasoned experts failed to see the motion.
The slash grazed their scalps, drew a sharp arc, and cut toward another armored knight.
BANG!
The strike exploded, obliterating the knight in an instant.
"No need to panic. I can identify every intelligence officer by their aura," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said coolly. Then, with a sudden spin, his longsword turned again.
This time, the Marine agent's expression shifted drastically. He tore the helmet from his head.
"A rat from the Marines," Nusjuro said coldly, his gaze locking onto him.
At that moment, the forms of the other three Elders shifted. Behind them appeared monstrous, beastlike shadows, their combined aura crashing over the palace like a storm.
"Blueno!" a shout rang out.
The Marine officer snapped out of his terror and turned to see an armoured figure sprinting toward him. In the blink of an eye, he was already there.
The man's body swelled, a fierce aura bursting outward to resist the crushing pressure of the Elders.
With a sharp twist, his armour shattered apart, revealing a leopard's face and cloudlike markings coiling his neck and limbs.
"Lucci!" Blueno shouted.
"Escape!" roared Rob Lucci, his right foot snapping out with deadly force. Black and red lightning coiled around his leg.
"Tempest Kick!"
His strike collided with Nusjuro's sword slash.
BOOM!
The explosion ripped through the hall, shredding walls and sending debris flying.
The Elders' expressions darkened as they fixed their glares on the man who had blocked their combined pressure with a single kick.
"Former CP9 assassin… now head of Marine Intelligence—Rob Lucci!"
"Such audacity!"
Their voices dripped with disdain. To them, Lucci was a traitor beyond forgiveness.
But Lucci remained silent, fists clenched, sweat streaming down his brow.
Facing four enemies equal in power to Saint Saturn, he had no confidence of victory. His only hope lay in Blueno's Door-Door Fruit.
"Quick! Blueno!" he barked. "The two of us can't hold this place!"
"Yes!" Blueno's face was taut with nerves. With a sharp gesture, he opened a door behind them.
"Don't let them escape!" Saint Marcus Mars shouted, his tone fierce. The four Elders attacked at once, unleashing a storm of power that shook the palace to its foundation.
Lucci's heart thundered.
"It's ready!" Blueno roared, leaping toward the portal.
Lucci bellowed in fury, lightning blazing around his arms as he planted himself in front.
"Iron Body!"
The four attacks struck.
BOOM!
The blast hurled Lucci straight through the door. In a flash of light, the portal vanished.
The Elders instantly reappeared at their former spot, their grim faces illuminated by fresh blood dripping on the stone floor.
"That was Blueno—the Door-Door Fruit user," one Elder spat. "A troublesome power."
"What a pity," another added coldly. "If we had killed the head of Marine Intelligence here, the coming war would've been far easier."
"But compared to them, the seventy-nation fleet is what matters most."
"We cannot afford to delay."
Their words echoed one after another.
....
Meanwhile, ten miles from Nirvina Island,
SWISH!
Two figures stumbled from a door and collapsed onto the deck of a ship.
"Lucci!" Blueno cried in alarm.
"I'm fine!" Lucci growled through clenched teeth. Blood streamed from his wounds, pooling beneath him.
The rest of the SWORD unit rushed over, their faces stricken.
"Those old geezers discovered us. I took heavy damage. But my injuries don't matter!" Lucci rasped.
"What matters is transmitting the intelligence!" He grabbed Blueno's collar, roaring,
"Blueno!"
"I understand!" Blueno nodded frantically. But before he could say more, Lucci's eyes rolled shut, and he slumped unconscious.
"Medic! Save him, now!" Kaku bellowed.
Koby's face hardened as he strode toward the stern. "Quickly, get us out of here. The World Government already has our trail!"
The crew turned. Dark specks had appeared across the sea, growing rapidly as enemy ships closed in.
Blueno's face darkened. He snatched up a Den Den Mushi. "Marine Headquarters, this is SWORD! We have critical intelligence to report!"
At the same time in Marineford, hurried footsteps pounded down the corridor outside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Arashi's gaze lifted. He had not heard such urgency in a long time—proof enough of the gravity of the message.
The door burst open without a knock.
"Fleet Admiral! Urgent intelligence from the SWORD unit!"
"Speak," Arashi commanded.
"Not long ago, SWORD located the four remaining Elders. They convened a seventy-nation summit on Nirvina Island."
"There, they resolved to unite their forces into the most powerful fleet in history, aimed directly at the Marines!"
"In the process, SWORD Commander Rob Lucci was discovered and gravely injured. He is in emergency treatment as we speak!"
The report came swiftly, every word sharpening Arashi's gaze. After a long pause, he let out a low, humourless laugh.
"A seventy-nation coalition?" His eyes gleamed. "Interesting… very interesting."
Drawing a deep breath, he rose to his feet.
"Then let the world witness who stands supreme—the Marines, or their so-called coalition."
With a single wave of his hand, Arashi issued the highest order without hesitation.
"Mobilise the entire Marine fleet. Prepare for the final war!" His voice rang like steel.
(T/N: Please give me some power stone, I hope it can at least reach the top 100)
If you want to support me, join my patr**on. Have 20 advanced Chapters for you guys.
patr**n.com/saitamablast > OP:SJ NOVEL TIER