"We shall personally lead the expedition. Target... the Red Hair Pirates and the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Inside the spaceship, the Five Elders addressed a group of men in white suits.
These men all removed their masks. Their duties were similar to CP0's, but from this moment on, for this battle, they would no longer wear masks.
Numbering only twenty, they were the Celestial Dragons' elite, second only to the God's Knights.
Their leader was Shamrock, the commander of the God's Knights.
Even after one failure, he remained the commander. His performance was deemed acceptable; he wasn't dismmised for the defeat.
The massive spaceship expelled jets of air and slowly lifted off from the Red Line.
"Big Brother, we have news. They've taken off from Mary Geoise," Jozu came to find Roy, saying excitedly.
"At the spaceship's speed, it will take about three days to reach our vicinity," Marco said.
"Make the arrangements. Send away all non-essential personnel. The rest, prepare for battle," Roy said.
"Yes!"
Those who received the orders sprang into action. Following Roy's prior arrangements, they began evacuating logistics personnel and non-combatants to other manufactured sky islands. Those places would be their hope, their families' sanctuary.
"I want to fight too," Whitey Bay didn't want to leave.
"We have a child. Take little Rein away. If I survive, I will come find you," Roy kissed Whitey Bay's forehead. As for little Rein, who had previously disliked and resisted Roy, she was now very quiet in his arms.
"Da-da!"
"Wait for Daddy to come back. Listen to Mommy."
"Mm! Listen. Rein listens the most."
A spaceship was arranged to take away the families of the Whitebeard Pirates. The elites of the Whitebeard Pirates, Beasts Pirates, and Big Mom Pirates all remained.
"I told you, you'd join us eventually," Roy said to Katakuri.
"We are not joining you. We are forming an alliance with you, a cooperative relationship," Katakuri said.
"What's the difference? The enemy this time is strong. Don't die," Roy smiled.
"I won't," Katakuri said calmly.
Everyone on the sky island was actively preparing for war: gathering food, readying weapons, devising tactics.
The spaceship from Mary Geoise was headed for Lodestar Island. The Red Hair Pirates and Straw Hat Pirates would decide the final outcome there, it would be their last chance.
"The Marines' duty is to protect Mary Geoise."
At Marine Headquarters, Akainu received the order. The Five Elders were marching out with the Ancient Weapon, while the Marines were to guard the seas, preventing anyone from entering Mary Geoise.
Especially the Revolutionary Army, protecting Mary Geoise now depended entirely on keeping them out.
Originally, the World Government had the support of over 170 countries, but now they were alienated and disloyal and challengers had emerged.
Nations worldwide maintained a cold, wait-and-see attitude. You fight. Fight until you're bloody and the world is turned upside down. We'll see who is stronger and then pledge allegiance to them.
Now, the Revolutionary Army was igniting flames of war across the globe. Nine hundred years ago, it was Joy Boy's ideology spreading, but only in the New World. Only Queen Lili of Alabasta, compassionate, opposed the World Government and joined Joy Boy's ranks.
This time was different. Revolutionary fires burned worldwide, just like in the first world. War spread across the globe.
Imu, embodying Nika, led the world to victory but became the demon Satan.
According to very ancient cultural heritage of the various races, Satan was also a savior. The first Sun God wasn't like Joy Boy or Luffy. The first Sun God Nika was actually the demon Satan.
People drew summoning circles to call the demon Satan from another realm.
Where Brook was sent flying by Kuma, ordinary people, oppressed by the long-armed tribe, drew magic circles on the ground, praying for Satan's appearance.
This scene was strikingly similar to that of oppressed humans in the first world.
When faced with oppression from the advanced lunar civilization, humans had also prayed to for a saviour in this way.
Imu was the one who answered them. And the Sun God Nika, perhaps initially Satan, only became associated with the sun after Imu's victory, as she mastered the sun's power.
When faced with oppression again, people remembered the legend. Though the Sun God Fruit was born on the Sunlight Tree Eve, it escaped from it, and the World Government had been searching for it ever since.
It eventually fell into Joy Boy's hands, and the second Sun God was born.
When faced with oppression, people first prayed for the demon Satan's descent, and only later for the Sun God's appearance.
The world's history is long, its changes vast, and people's ideologies constantly shift.
Why did Doflamingo say Imu wasn't from this world? Perhaps her very existence was that of a demon.
The mystique surrounding Imu was gradually fading, and the world's history was becoming clearer.
Perhaps what would defeat her wasn't the Sun God, but a demon even more ferocious than her.
After all, the Sun God had failed once. Perhaps only a more evil demon could defeat the demon Satan.
The current attitude of nations worldwide was non-participation, sweeping the snow only before their own doors. No matter who won, they wouldn't lose, as long as they didn't fall to the Revolutionary Army now.
If they handed over their armies to the Marines, they would be powerless against Revolutionary Army attacks.
The Marines' efforts during this period were focused on nations around the world, as uprisings erupted everywhere.
Everything started with the World Government's conscription. The massive loss of local troops led to increased pirate raids, forcing the Marines to deploy the conscripted soldiers for suppression.
The World Government's initial idea was to have the Marines conscript troops to deal with the New World pirates.
Now, with their rear home on fire, they found it better not to conscript. Current Marine expenditures were too high, with severe shortages in logistics and manpower.
They could only issue orders to stop conscription, contract forces, and focus on protecting Mary Geoise.
As for the nations of the world? Let them fend for themselves.
East Blue, Goa Kingdom
"What do you think you're doing?"
On the city walls, a group of armored soldiers stood, led by a nobleman in silver armor.
"What are we doing? Revolution, naturally. To overthrow noble rule and build a world where all are equal!" the people outside the walls roared, raising their weapons.
"Don't even think about it! Even without most of our army, you won't succeed in entering the city!"
"Is that so?"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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