Roy was the first to soar into the sky, followed closely by the others, breaking through the White-White Sea.
The giant egg flew higher and higher, finally bursting under atmospheric pressure at an altitude of 10,000 meters.
Pop!
The eggshell cracked, and vast amounts of white clouds gushed out like foam, rapidly expanding upon contact with the air. As the clouds swelled, their area grew larger and larger. Roy landed on the expanding mass, and beneath his feet, a sky island took shape, roughly the size of Hachinosu, the Pirate Island, making it a medium-sized island.
He jumped a few times, testing the surface. It felt no different from other sky islands, perfectly habitable.
However, survival would require adaptation to high-altitude living and self-sufficiency.
"The created sky island can only remain here; it can't move," Roy noted. To propel the island, a kinetic energy source would need to be installed, allowing it to travel the world like the small sky island of Weatheria.
Whitebeard and the others also ascended, witnessing the entire process of the sky island's creation. None had expected Pluton to truly create a sky island, perhaps this would really be their future.
Of course, if the Celestial Dragons could be eliminated, the world wouldn't need to sink entirely. The existence of the Celestial Dragons had disrupted the entire world's ecosystem.
"So this is the sky island. Shall we move our base here?" Whitebeard asked.
"Yes, we can relocate here. Moreover, we must fortify this sky island into an aerial fortress to counter Uranus," Roy replied.
"Indeed. If we remain in Wano, we might face attacks from the World Government again," Whitebeard nodded.
"Continue producing sky islands. One alone isn't enough; we need more," Roy said.
If everyone in the world were to eventually live on sky islands, one would clearly be insufficient, many more would be needed.
Mary Geoise, Room of Flowers
"Imu-sama, we have news about the Whitebeard Pirates in Wano," the Five Elders reported, entering the Room of Flowers and bowing before Imu.
"Tell me," Imu raised a hand, and a butterfly landed on it.
"Wano has opened its borders. Zunisha destroyed Wano's barriers. The Whitebeard Pirates have obtained Pluton and have already begun creating sky islands," Saint Figarland Garling reported.
"Pluton..." The butterfly in Imu's hand was suddenly consumed in flames, its wings charred. As it writhed on the ground, Imu stepped down and crushed it underfoot.
"Mu is angry... They should all die..."
"At your command, we will do everything," Saint Ju Peter said.
"We have already initiated a worldwide conscription. We will gather the world's forces to exterminate them," Saint Nusjuro added.
"They will not be allowed to survive. Your light shall shine upon the world," Saint Warcury declared.
Kong watched the Five Elders and sighed inwardly. Perhaps it had been a mistake to join them.
"Go. Mu will extinguish the embers of this era," Imu said calmly.
"Yes!"
The five bowed simultaneously before rising and leaving the Room of Flowers.
Returning to the Room of Authority, they knew the world's situation was dire. Beyond the Marines, they had very few forces left to mobilize.
"The God's Knights have already headed to Elbaf. We need more power," Saint Garling said.
"Will Elbaf obey? They are a warrior race and have opposed the World Government for eight hundred years," Kong remarked.
"We've investigated. We only need to capture Prince Loki of Elbaf. The others are of no concern," Garling replied.
"Six years ago, we received news that the giant king Harald had died, and Loki fled Elbaf, causing massive destruction worldwide. Even Charlotte Linlin couldn't capture him. Eventually, Red Hair defeated him and returned him to Elbaf."
"Had Red Hair not taken him back to Elbaf, we might have recruited him into the God's Knights long ago," Saint Warcury added.
"I've already dispatched Shamrock and Ju to Elbaf. If the recruitment plan fails, we will destroy Elbaf entirely. We cannot allow them to remain," Saint Garling said.
"Our spies sent to Elbaf over the years have all disappeared. We know nothing of the interior. Moreover, the Straw Hat Pirates are with the Giant Warrior Pirates and may appear in Elbaf," Saint Nusjuro warned.
"Then we will annihilate them all," Saint Garling declared.
"Will you take action personally?" Saint Warcury asked, turning to him.
"It's not out of the question," Saint Garling replied coolly.
"The Red Hair Pirates have left Calm Belt Island and are about to make contact with Fire Fist Ace. That traitor who betrayed the Celestial Dragons is still alive and possesses a Poneglyph," Kong said calmly.
His words instantly angered the other Four Elders. This was a disgrace to the Celestial Dragons.
Years ago, Fisher Tiger had climbed the Red Line, set fire to Mary Geoise, and freed slaves, a humiliation for the Celestial Dragons.
How could Fisher Tiger have succeeded alone? With the Marines, the God's Knights, and the Five Elders present, how could a mere fish-man adventurer have prevailed?
Fisher Tiger was eventually defeated by then-Rear Admiral Strawberry, now a Vice Admiral, proving his strength was mediocre. His success in rescuing people from Mariejois was only possible because of an insider, a traitor who followed him to Fish-Man Island.
This incident was the Celestial Dragons' greatest shame in eight hundred years, akin to the recent execution of Donquixote Mjosgard, another ungrateful wretch.
"That traitor must die, and the Poneglyph in his possession must be recovered. We cannot allow the four Road Poneglyphs to remain outside our control. The one that was on Fish-Man Island was taken by him, he must be eliminated," Saint Garling said.
"It appears the Red Hair Pirates and the Spade Pirates may clash, and the Whitebeard Pirates might intervene. We've received word that the Whitebeard Pirates, Beasts Pirates, and Big Mom Pirates have formed an alliance in Wano," Saint Nusjuro reported.
"We cannot interfere there. Because of Roy, we've lost two of our own. The next time we encounter him, we must kill him for good," Saint Warcury said.
"Talking is useless. Let's deal with Elbaf first," Saint Ju Peter interjected.
"I will go personally," Saint Garling stood up.
"Will you take all members of the God's Knights?" Saint Petermarc asked.
"Since the Straw Hat Pirates are also there, we will all go," Saint Garling declared.
"The conscription has caused unrest worldwide. Fourteen countries have refused to contribute troops," Kong reported.
"Erase them all."
.....
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