— — — — — —
While Rimuru was gaining more powers, the world of One Piece was undergoing earth-shaking changes.
"What the hell are the Navy doing? Why haven't they sent reinforcements yet? The rebels are practically at the capital's gates!" A furious king shouted at the CP9 agent on the other end of the line.
"The Navy can't help you. They're completely tied down by the pirate union," the CP9 member replied flatly, used to these kinds of desperate calls by now. Over the past few days, rulers from all over the world had been calling in for aid—but there was none to give.
Dozens of nations were being attacked at the same time, while the Navy was locked in a brutal struggle with the pirate alliance led by the likes of Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard. They didn't have the luxury of protecting anyone else.
"You worthless World Government lacke—" The king didn't even finish before the CP9 agent hung up. They could barely protect themselves, much less bother with his whining. Answering at all was already a courtesy.
"Damn it! He dared hang up on me? I'll make them pay for this, I swear it." The king's rage twisted his face as he roared, "And those filthy peasants who dared to rebel—I'll see them all executed!"
"I don't think you'll get the chance."
The voice echoed across the vast hall, freezing the king in place.
"Who's there?!" He shot up from his throne in panic. Before he could even steady himself, a gleaming blade flew across the room, piercing him clean through and nailing his body to the wall.
The king slumped to the floor.
His death marked the fall of yet another kingdom.
Benimaru strode into the hall, sparing only a disdainful glance at the corpse. Without another word, he turned and left.
...
Across the seas, Veldora, Milim, Shion, Hakuro, Geld, Souei, and other top commanders swept through kingdom after kingdom.
Outside of the New World alone, more than thirty nations had already been toppled. Twelve rulers had pledged allegiance to them, and their ranks were growing stronger by the day, momentum unstoppable.
In the New World, almost every pirate alive had joined the alliance. The criminals were killed. More than ninety percent of the kingdoms there had already become their allies.
---
Fish-Man Island — Ryugu Kingdom
"So, King Neptune, what is your decision?" Diablo asked politely, his eyes fixed on the towering fishman before him.
Neptune, still young at the time, shifted uneasily and glanced toward his wife, Queen Otohime.
She gave a quiet nod. Taking a deep breath, Neptune asked, "Can you truly guarantee that we will be treated as equals?"
"Of course," Diablo answered without hesitation. "Every life deserves equal treatment. I promise you—when the new world dawns, merfolk and fish-men will stand alongside all other races, free and equal."
"If you can really make that happen, then Fish-man Island is willing to join you," Queen Otohime said. "But… can you truly keep that promise?"
"We can. And we will." Diablo's answer was firm and unwavering.
Otohime held his gaze in silence for a moment before saying, "We need to discuss this among ourselves. Could you give us some privacy?"
"Of course." Diablo bowed slightly and stepped away to wait.
When he was gone, Neptune turned to his queen. "What do you think? Was he being sincere?"
"Yes," Otohime replied softly. "He wasn't lying."
Neptune frowned, deep in thought. "But if we side with them and they fail… the consequences will be disastrous."
Otohime's voice grew passionate. "And if they succeed, then our people will finally live under the sun, treated as equals with humans. Isn't that the dream we've always held? The Celestial Dragons will never give us that. They never have, and they never will. This is our only chance."
Her words struck deep. Neptune clenched his fists, veins bulging with anger as memories surged forth. "You're right. For years they've oppressed Fish-man Island, kidnapping and selling our people, rejecting every one of our appeals. Every year, hundreds of merfolk are enslaved. Every year, we pay a massive tribute of Heavenly Gold, and in return we get nothing. Not even the dignity of being seen as equals. What is there left to hope for from the World Government?"
With his resolve hardened, Neptune and Otohime approached Diablo once more.
"Lord Diablo," Neptune declared, "Fishman Island will stand with you. We'll fight at your side—so long as you keep your promise."
"You won't regret this decision." Diablo smiled warmly. "This world is about to become something beautiful."
— — —
The Holy Land Mary Geoise, within a vast palace
The Five Elders knelt on the ground, reporting to the figure above them.
"Lord Imu, the situation is critical. The traitors are openly challenging your supreme authority!"
"Uprisings are breaking out across the world," another Elder added. "Our forces are stretched too thin. And now, even commoners are rioting everywhere!"
Each of the Elders spoke in turn, rattling off grim reports. But the figure on the high throne stood in silence, as if their words meant nothing.
Finally, a voice descended from above.
"Prepare."
The Elders immediately fell silent, waiting.
"Summon all the armies. The final battle is about to begin."
"Yes, my lord!" x5
The Five Elders hurried off to gather every remaining army, leaving Imu alone upon the high throne.
"Eight hundred years," Imu murmured. "In all that time, I have never been defeated. This world will forever remain under my rule… for I am God."
...
..
Time passed. Three months slipped by in the blink of an eye. Through relentless struggle, every nation across the seas had been freed. Only one place remained untouched—Mary Geoise, the foul heart of sin and corruption.
"Finally, the last stop! Then I can go home and play games!" Shion stretched lazily on the deck, grinning. After all this fighting, the end was finally in sight.
"Don't celebrate too early," Hakuro said coolly beside her. "Even after this battle, there will be aftermath to deal with. At least another month or two of cleanup."
"Aw, man…" Shion's smile collapsed into a pout. "I just want to go home already. It's been forever since I hugged Rimuru-sama. I miss the feeling so much…" Her cheeks flushed pink as her voice trailed off, clearly lost in thoughts she probably shouldn't be sharing aloud.
"If Lady Shion wishes to return first, it could be arranged," Diablo's voice cut in smoothly. No one even noticed when he had joined them.
Diablo smiled pleasantly. "These trifling matters aren't difficult for me to handle. Of course, all you'd need to do is acknowledge your rightful place… as the second secretary."
"Wha—?!" Shion's face went dark. Planting her fists on her hips, she barked, "Don't underestimate me! I'm a perfectly professional secretary, and I was at Lord Rimuru's side before you ever showed up! I'm the first secretary! You're the second secretary! Got it?!"
Diablo only smiled, unfazed by her outburst. He and Shion got along well enough that these harmless spats had become something of a running joke between them.
"Enough bickering," Benimaru cut in, walking over with his sword in hand. "Save your breath. We've arrived."
Everyone turned their gaze forward. Countless warships stretched across the horizon, row upon row, the full might of the World Government assembled in one place. Even from a distance, their oppressive presence weighed heavily on the air.
But then, their own champions stepped forward—Roger, Whitebeard, the Redfield, Shiki, Rayleigh—each standing tall, staring down their enemies across the sea.
"Tch. Last desperate struggle," Benimaru muttered with contempt. Then he raised his voice for all to hear. "Your job is only to hold off their elites. Don't overdo it. Just stall them. Got it? Now… prepare to fight!"
"Guess that's our cue."
A familiar, cheerful voice rang out from behind. Turning, they saw Milim, Veldora, and Guy Crimson approaching, power radiating from all three.
"As long as Imu falls, the battle ends," Benimaru reminded them. "No need for pointless losses." Still, as he looked at the two oldest Demon Lords and the Storm Dragon side by side, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Imu. The poor fool was about to get beaten into the ground.
"Relax, relax!" Milim puffed her chest proudly. "That so-called Imu guy? I'll crush him in seconds."
"Let's hope so," Benimaru sighed. "But don't underestimate him. That fruit ability of his should be tricky. Time... anyone who can control time is—"
"Yeah, yeah, just stop nagging!" Milim shot into the sky before he could finish.
"We'll go too," Guy said casually, following after her with Veldora close behind.
Benimaru rubbed his temples. "Please, just let this go smoothly." Drawing a deep breath, he pulled his blade free and raised it high from the prow of his ship, shouting with all his might: "Charge!"
Without words exchanged, the two armies slammed into each other.
The war had begun.
...
High above the battlefield, Garp leapt into the sky, muscles bulging with terrifying power. His fist gathered energy into a colossal shockwave, the kind that could obliterate an entire warship.
"Galaxy Impact!"
The attack hurtled downward—only to smash into a shimmering emerald barrier.
"Multilayer Barrier."
The shield enveloped the entire ship, rippling violently under the impact, but it held firm.
"Vice Admiral Garp," Shion's voice rang out as she strode forward, her blade resting on her shoulder, body glowing with magical power. "This is as far as you go. Your opponent… is me."
"Tch. Annoying." Garp's eyes hardened. The threat radiating from her was no joke.
...
Elsewhere, Whitebeard blasted Sengoku back with a single punch, then sent Kuzan flying with a devastating kick.
"Sengoku, what happened to you? You hit like a child! Go home and drink your milk! Gurarararara~" Whitebeard roared with laughter as he charged forward, quake energy surging into Murakumogiri. He swung with crushing force straight at Sengoku.
"Don't get cocky, old man! You're nothing special. Even toddlers could put up a better fight!" Sengoku spat back, his golden Buddha form now wrapped in a dark haze of Armament Haki. He met Whitebeard's strike head-on, their clash unleashing a shockwave that tore the land apart for miles around. Anyone caught in the blast would be vaporized instantly.
Elsewhere on the field, Kong was intercepted—by none other than Roger himself.
"You bastard! You dare show your face before me?!" Kong's rage erupted, his Haki manifesting like solid armor around him.
"Skyfall!"
The ground shook as Kong launched his full power.
"Oi, oi, oi!" Roger winced, dodging narrowly. "You trying to kill me here?" His grin didn't falter. Thanks to his ability to hear the voice of all things, he managed to slip past the killing blow by the thinnest margin.
"Damn coward! Face me head-on if you have any guts!" Kong bellowed, throwing punch after punch. But every strike met only empty air as Roger danced away at the last second, infuriating him even further.
Meanwhile, deep within the palace of Mary Geoise, the unwelcome guests had arrived.
.
.
.