Holy Land Mariejois.
Pangaea Castle.
The originally ancient and elegant city was now packed with people.
Celestial Dragons.
Marines.
CP organization intelligence agents.
Kings and guards from World Government member nations worldwide.
"What is happening outside?"
"Why gather us all together? Is this not the Holy Land? How could we face danger here?"
"Reportedly a Marine Admiral has defected."
"Nonsense! How could Admiral Crimson Snake defect? There must be some misunderstanding!"
All of Pangaea Castle was like a marketplace, with member nation kings loudly discussing and arguing, while surrounding guards were helpless to stop them.
These were kings from over 170 member nations!
Forget the guards. Even the World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders, could only gather them here without stopping their conversations.
The Five Elders could ignore one or two member nation kings.
But not over a hundred!
"Damn, White Wolf Silas!"
The bald Elder, Saint Nusjuro, had a grim expression.
Silas's actions this time amounted to trampling the entire World Government's dignity underfoot, not only killing Celestial Dragons but also causing Mariejois riots during the World Council.
How many years had it been?
Since becoming an Elder, this was Saint Nusjuro's first encounter with such an audacious pirate who completely disregarded them.
"We must make Von Braun Rona pay!"
Agricultural Elder Saint Ju Peter's eyes were sharp.
"This precedent cannot be set!"
If it were just simple defection, that would be one thing. But Rona used her position during the slave rebellion to deploy Marines protecting Celestial Dragons and member nation kings, preventing immediate suppression of rebelling slaves.
Afterward, she ambushed Holy Knights Commander Saint Figarland Claude, leaving the Holy Knights leaderless.
By the time they realized it, the slave rebellion was unstoppable.
Now over 100,000 rebellious slaves filled all of Mariejois, more than all of Mariejois's soldiers combined.
Moreover, they could not trust the remaining Marines anymore.
Who knew if enemy spies lurked among them?
So though the Five Elders desperately wanted to dismember Rona, they dared not leave Pangaea Castle, fearing outside chaos would affect the interior.
If anything happened to these member nation kings, the World Government would lose all credibility.
"Currently Saint Lucas, Glinton Hoin, and Stephens are pursuing Von Braun Rona. I have ordered Carlo King's arrest and detention. As Fleet Admiral, he must answer for Admiral betrayal!"
Saint Lucas was the Holy Knights Supreme Commander, also the father of Saint Figarland Claude and Saint Figarland Garling.
Glinton Hoin and Stephens were CP organization higher-ups, with Glinton having participated in the Elbaf battle against Silas.
Finally, Carlo King was the current World Government Commander-in-Chief, Fleet Admiral Elephant Yama's superior.
The Five Elders ordered his arrest.
If Carlo King dared resist, thunderous wrath awaited him. The Five Elders would personally suppress him.
Such a major Marine incident made the Five Elders deeply distrust all top fighters with Marine affiliations, unwilling to let them near Pangaea Castle's inner ring, only allowing outer perimeter positioning.
This addition and subtraction invisibly restrained the considerable World Government top fighting power, leaving the Five Elders' faces as black as pot bottoms.
"Latest news: Marine Admiral Kong severely wounded and defeated; Holy Knights Vice-Commander Saint Figarland Garling lost contact after engaging White Wolf Silas; Marine Admiral Ortega was forced to retreat against Silas and two Giant Warrior Pirate captains combined."
"Also, reports indicate Elbaf's Giant King Harald appeared at Sabaody Archipelago with numerous giant elites."
Upon this news, all Five Elders' expressions grew extremely grave.
White Wolf Silas, Giant King Harald, and Rona.
Any single one could be ignored.
But together...
"Do they intend to assault Mariejois?"
In 800 years of World Government existence, countless arrogant pirates existed, but this was the first time anyone dared such provocation.
Most importantly, three top fighters are actually cooperating for the same goal!
At this moment, outside the Holy Land of Mariejois, on the completely vertical Red Line, an unprecedented riot was occurring. Countless slaves escaping Mariejois competed to board bubble gondolas descending the Red Line.
Unlucky slaves missing gondolas but confident in their strength simply climbed down the Red Line directly.
Momentarily, the cliff that had separated the Grand Line's first and second halves, standing in this world for countless years, crawled with dense human figures.
Occasionally figures fell from the sky.
Over 10,000 meters high. Once falling, unless extremely powerful, the moment of impact meant death.
Even so, slaves continuously chose this most dangerous escape method.
Even later-arriving Silas and Harald were shocked by this scene.
Give me liberty, or give me death!
"Originally I just wanted to trouble those high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons, but now I think we should get serious."
Silas's initial plan was liberating Sabaody Archipelago slaves. Regarding Mariejois slaves, though regrettable, most would likely die in subsequent pursuit.
But seeing this scene, Silas felt obligated to do more.
"They are coming!"
In the sky, Rona's figure flickered intermittently.
After Rona ambushed and sealed the Holy Knights Commander in Sea-Prism Stone, ordinary Holy Knights members ultimately could not stop her.
Though Rona escaped the Holy Knights entanglement, she was seriously wounded, most severely by Saint Claude's strike during his sealing.
If she could spare attention for bandaging, it would be fine.
But continuously battling Holy Knights members while protecting slaves left Rona in poor condition.
But no problem now.
From afar, she saw Silas and Harald's figures.
"Never expected you, big guy, to come too. If you want to fight, I am available anytime after this battle!"
Blood stained half of Rona's body. Seeing Harald, she smiled, completely ignoring their past enmity.
"Several troublesome guys are pursuing."
Rona's current state was not good. Without immediate treatment, she might not display half her strength in upcoming battles.
But Rona need not act.
"I will go up first!"
Silas looked at Harald with a grin, leaping straight toward the Holy Land of Mariejois.
Though initially planning to fight at Red Port below the Red Line, this would affect countless slaves in their battle.
So Silas ultimately chose the riskier approach.
"Hehe, I will not lose either!"
Though missing a leg, after Silas charged toward Mariejois, Harald also began climbing the Red Line at considerable speed.
Passing Rona, Harald said steadily, "The slaves you freed this time include our giant race. Von Braun Rona, you owe us nothing."
After this battle, though giants would not consider Rona a benefactor, they also would not specifically target her for previously attacking Elbaf.
Attacking Elbaf was by World Government orders.
And Rona had already repaid her share through actions.
"Hmph, I simply refuse to harm women and children."
With her independent nature, Rona did not care what giants thought. She acted because she wanted to, regardless of giant opinions.
If giants someday provoked her, she would show no mercy either.
Rona and giants were destined for poor relations.
But at least now, they shared the same goal!
"Quickly! Strong fighters help block Marines and Holy Land guards. Prioritize protecting women and children! Do not push; we can take you all!"
White Wolf Pirates crew also mobilized.
Though Rocks and Newgate were seriously injured, Ripley and Linlin had recovered some fighting ability after rest.
Moreover, to evacuate more people, Ripley's ability was essential.
The Millennium Falcon had returned to its original size.
The entire deck was densely packed with bean-sized figures. If not for the lantern fish supporting the Millennium Falcon from below, every ship movement might topple countless people.
"Gyegyegyegye, Ripley, your ability is really useful. Shrink us too for easier fighting."
"Gabababababa, we lack strength for Hakoku anyway. Though shrinking reduces attack range, at least we will not worry about small soldier sneak attacks."
After consecutively releasing Hakoku twice, Dorry and Brogy's stamina had greatly declined, gaining numerous wounds restraining Ortega.
They lacked the strength to oppose Admiral-level fighters now.
So only Silas and Harald ascended Mariejois to intercept enemies.
The moment Silas stepped onto the Red Line, he saw a peregrine diving at extreme speed.
"Is that you?"
Silas immediately recognized this bird.
At Elbaf, among those besieging him besides Kong and Rona was this bird. A year later, though Glinton had not reached Admiral standard, he was close.
After all, Glinton was young. Having experienced battle with Silas without serious injury, gaining insight was normal.
Glinton was extremely confident.
He dared charge ahead alone because he saw Rona was injured.
He could not match prime Rona.
But injured Rona? Perfect achievement material!
However, he was ultimately a step late.
Admiral Rona's position brought too many conveniences. She knew the Marine and CP organization arrangements in Mariejois thoroughly.
So before acting, she had Glinton diverted.
Until Rona ambushed Saint Claude, no World Government member suspected Rona had attacked Mariejois.
Rona had entered Red Port.
But Glinton was confident he could catch her before she left Red Port!
However, when he flew down from Mariejois to pursue Rona, he saw a figure ascending against the flow.
Seeing that figure, Glinton's peregrine form seemed frightened, nearly forgetting to fly.
"Gah, White Wolf Silas!?"
Information had delays, so Glinton was completely unprepared for Silas's arrival.
But preparation was not too late now.
Seeing Silas instantly, Glinton said nothing.
He turned and fled!
Any hesitation would disrespect Silas's fierce record of fighting three opponents.
Right.
Back then, three of them nearly killed Silas.
But now he was alone!
Moreover, though he had progressed this year and a half, he still lagged behind Kong and Rona from back then.
Let alone Silas.
Silas could handle at least two opponents of his level.
No, three!
Glinton decided to wait for the Holy Knights Supreme Commander and his superior before fighting Silas.
So Silas ascended Mariejois almost unobstructed.
Before him spread a vast realm. Lush vegetation surrounded bright, clean streets extending from his feet to the horizon's edge.
A city stood at this realm's center.
Pangaea Castle!
Though far away, seeing that city still stirred Silas's heart involuntarily.
Wariness, premonition.
As Observation Haki continuously strengthened, Silas could see increasingly distant futures, even certain future omens.
The city before him symbolized dangerous omens.
Fortunately, his goal was not assaulting Pangaea Castle.
Slaves continuously passed him fleeing, but Silas's gaze was fixed on one direction.
As the peregrine descended from the sky, two aged but extremely dangerous figures also appeared before him.
Holy Knights Supreme Commander, Saint Figarland Lucas.
CP Organization Commander-in-Chief, Stephens.
Standing atop the Holy Land of Mariejois, battle was imminent!