New World, a towering, cloud-piercing secret realm.
Several islands floated in midair, aligned at an altitude of over a kilometer.
These had once been part of the Golden Lion's territory.
After Roger's death and the Golden Lion's imprisonment, when the New World was carved up, Charlotte Linlin had exchanged territory with Sakazuki to fill in the gaps, taking eight islands in total.
There were also two islands with Marine branch bases.
However, with the Marines backed by the Red Line, their reinforcements came too quickly—after taking only two islands, support forces had already arrived, forcing the Golden Lion to retreat.
Looking at the ten islands floating in the air, the Golden Lion narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Almost there."
The secret realm, after massive artificial acceleration of growth, was now devoid of human presence. Densely packed giant beasts crowded together, clashing in constant combat.
The island's ecosystem was ruined, no further materials could be harvested for creation, and even the research team—including Dr. Indigo—had already been "dealt with" by him.
He had little time left. The idea of unifying the world no longer appealed to him.
All he wanted now was to bring about a war that would fill the world with sheer, crippling fear—that would be enough...
The Golden Lion raised his right hand, and the ground of the secret realm began to split from a hundred meters underground, breaking into ten massive chunks that floated upward.
Countless giant beasts, packed tightly on the ground, tumbled from the edges, plummeting a thousand meters into the sea below.
The Golden Lion ignored them. With another wave of his hand, the ten chunks—still teeming with beasts—were hurled toward the ten islands.
The beasts that crashed onto the islands burst forth, driven by hunger, fixing their gaze on the islanders.
The islands' strongest defenders had long since been eliminated by the Golden Lion.
The remaining pirates, Marines, and civilians—weak and helpless—were now the prey of these ravenous monsters.
A cruel grin tugged at the Golden Lion's lips.
"Eat. Eat."
"Once you've eaten your fill, let this land drown in disaster."
But before that, there was still one more thing to do...
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The sunset was blood-red, the color unsettling to behold.
Bzz—mmm—bzz—
"Alert, alert!"
"Target is the Golden Lion!!!"
"All warships in the harbor have been seized by the Golden Lion!"
"Tend to the wounded!"
"Evacuate the harbor!!"
High above Headquarters, a ship bearing the Golden Lion Pirates' flag hovered in the sky.
Several warships, tilted and skewed, floated below it, Marines tumbling from their decks into the sea.
Fleet Admiral Kong burst from the fortress, racing to the top of the citadel. Morris and Zephyr rushed in from the academy.
Several Vice Admirals stood ready, eyes fixed upward.
Brows knitted tightly, the gathered officers heard Kong's deep voice.
"That damn Golden Lion really knows how to pick his moment."
High overhead—several hundred meters above—only a small speck of the Golden Lion's ship could be seen.
At this moment, the few Marines capable of reaching him instantly weren't even present; those remaining were close-combat specialists, guarding Headquarters.
At this distance, by the time they reached him, the Golden Lion would simply flee.
Kong's fists darkened with dense, surging Armament Haki, and he thrust them upward.
Two jet-black bolts shot toward the sky like arrows.
Zephyr's eyes shifted to the warships floating above the harbor.
"Better think about bringing those ships down first."
"Let's move together."
Morris narrowed his eyes.
"What a troublesome ability."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he vanished, and the Vice Admirals launched toward the harbor.
A thousand meters up, sensing the Marines' movements, the Golden Lion sneered.
"This is only the beginning."
His voice, infused with Conqueror's Haki, echoed through Headquarters as he floated in the air.
With his two sword-legs, he slashed downward, sending twin golden blades of air—like arrowheads—colliding with Kong's attack.
Boom—!
The clash erupted into massive shockwaves and a spreading white mist in midair.
Then, with a flick of his right hand, the Golden Lion sent the warped, floating warships diving toward the fortress.
He turned, steering his own ship toward the Four Seas.
High above, dozens of floating island fragments drifted after his vessel, heading for the seas.
Ever since he had released the beasts to hunt on the islands days ago, they had devoured every resident—and hadn't eaten since...
...
Marine Headquarters, harbor.
Boom—boom—boom—boom—!
The plummeting warships were caught by the Vice Admirals, their bows forced down to the ground.
Even so, several houses were smashed, and part of the harbor lay in ruins.
Some warships still had Marines aboard; their fate upon impact was uncertain.
"Tend to the wounded!"
"Hurry!!!!"
Zephyr hefted a massive warship and carried it to the harbor.
Boom—!
As the ship hit the water, waves surged over the docks.
Boom—!
Morris tossed another warship into the sea.
"Wouldn't it be better to just stay a legend?"
"Damn pirate."
Zephyr's face was grim.
"That Golden Lion just attacked Big Mom's territory not long ago."
"And now he comes to Marine Headquarters... this isn't just to make a statement."
"After years of preparation, he's finally ready to take his revenge on the world."
Morris's brow furrowed.
"Whatever the case, we need to prepare for war."
"Let's head to the Fleet Admiral's office."
...
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Fleet Admiral Kong sat at the head, with Zephyr, Morris, and several veteran Vice Admirals gathered below.
On his desk were Den Den Mushi linked to Sakazuki, Sengoku, and Tsuru.
As for why there was no Garp... his head wasn't suited for analysis—he'd be called in only when a mission needed assigning.
After Kong's adjutant reported the damage from the attack, the Fleet Admiral spoke.
"If anyone has thoughts, speak them."
Morris shook his head.
"I don't get it. If the Golden Lion wants revenge..."
"Why offend both sides?"
"Big Mom's searching the world for him right now."
"She wants him dead."
Tsuru's steady voice came from the Den Den Mushi on the left.
"Did he say anything?"
Kong crossed his arms.
"He only said one thing—this is just the beginning."
Sengoku's voice came from the middle Den Den Mushi.
"He's looking for revenge, that's for sure."
"But it's hard to pinpoint his target."
Kong tapped the desk.
"That's exactly the issue."
"We have no idea who his next target is."
Sakazuki's voice suddenly came from the fiery red Den Den Mushi on the right.
"Which way did he go?"
Kong paused, then looked thoughtful.
"Toward the Four Seas."
Tsuru's voice followed.
"I see."
Sengoku's voice sounded again.
"That does fit his style."
Sakazuki's voice came once more.
"I'll head to East Blue."
"Have the residents of Loguetown evacuated, just in case."
...
South Blue, Cleansing Campaign Fleet.
Aboard a warship, Sakazuki ended the Den Den Mushi call.
After giving instructions to Bullet and Enel, he formed a massive magma-golden eagle and leapt onto its back.
Its wings and tail spewed endless heat and molten rock as it soared into the sky.
A crimson light streaked across the heavens like a meteor, flying toward the East Blue's Reverse Mountain entrance.
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