Whitebeard's expression turned solemn; the Gorosei's strength could not be underestimated.
"Pops, are the Gorosei really that terrifying? How do they compare to you?" Marco asked from the side, puzzled.
Whitebeard sighed, tightening his grip on Murakumogiri, and spoke quietly.
"I didn't expect it. Zephyr was right—the Gorosei have truly all made their move," he said.
"Any one of them would, I'm afraid, be no weaker than I am," Whitebeard added with a grave look.
Everyone aboard the Moby Dick changed their faces at once after hearing Whitebeard's words. If that was true, there were far too many formidable opponents assembled.
Kaido, Big Mom, Garp, Sengoku, Kong, and the Gorosei—ten peerless powerhouses in all.
On their side, only Whitebeard and Hawkeye Mihawk could stand against them.
Were they really going to let Ashveil face ten peerless powerhouses alone?
Noticing the unusual expressions across the Whitebeard crew, the Gorosei showed a hint of disdain.
"Hmph, ten seconds left. Your time is nearly up—prepare!" the Gorosei ordered.
A terrifying killing intent radiated from every direction around the Whitebeard Pirates' ship.
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
"Eight!"
"Seven!"
...
As the Marines counted down, a lazy voice drifted out over the broadcast, carrying Conqueror's Haki.
"You're really noisy, you know. I'm playing a game, and your shouting is all over the screen," the voice said, calm but annoyed.
"Can't you keep it down a bit and let me finish in peace?"
Ashveil shuffled out of his cabin in slippers. This normally easygoing man now wore a face full of irritation.
The global broadcast of Kong's and the Gorosei's conversation had reached Ashveil while he was in the middle of a game. He felt like storming out and giving them a good slap to quiet them — but he hadn't cleared the final boss yet, and he couldn't afford to lose focus.
Of all people, these bastards wouldn't stop, and then they started counting down. Ashveil's hand shook, he mis-timed his move, and the final boss defeated him.
He had been working on that boss all day, and because of their commotion he had failed at the last moment. Ashveil was furious, and he made no effort to hide it.
"Because of you noisy bastards, I didn't clear my game, and I won't let you off!" Ashveil shouted at the World Government's forces with ringing contempt.
The live broadcast camera zoomed in on him, and people around the world reacted in shock. So this was Ashveil.
Although he looked unassuming, his words were charged and commanding, the kind of presence that carried Conqueror's Haki.
And all that because he lost his game? Strong people really had different priorities.
On the Moby Dick, the Whitebeard crew who had previously shown concern at the World Government's presence relaxed upon seeing Ashveil, and a few even laughed.
With Ashveil here, they felt there was nothing they couldn't handle.
"Does Ashveil also possess a Conqueror's Haki-infused technique?" Jozu asked, suspicious.
"Gurararara! Of course. A man who has mastered Conqueror's Haki would naturally possess remarkable techniques," Whitebeard boomed with hearty laughter.
Hawkeye Mihawk tightened his grip on his black blade, Yoru, a small smile at his lips.
"I was worried I wouldn't have anyone worthy to spar with, but now it's perfect," he said.
"Stinky Marines, you disturbed our Captain Ashveil's game, and the consequences will be severe!" Marco shouted at the United Army of the World Government, voice booming over the water.
The morale of the Whitebeard Pirates surged with Ashveil's appearance.
The Gorosei's mouths twitched with fury. How dare that man Ashveil ignore them like this?
He actually said they had ruined his game, and that he would deal with them? Such arrogance.
"Hear my command! Make killing Ashveil your primary objective! Now attack!" the Gorosei barked, furious.
The horn of war sounded, and waves of Marines charged in Ashveil's direction.
For a moment, the area around the Whitebeard fleet erupted with thunderous battle cries, killing intent shaking the heavens.
The sky darkened, thunder rolled, all stirred by the fighting spirit of the World Government's greatest.
A gale whipped around them, warships and pirate vessels rocking violently under the wind, lending a surreal intensity to the battlefield.
Viewers across the globe watched in stunned silence. At one command, nearly two hundred thousand troops had moved at once.
Could anything truly exist that could resist such a force?
Kaido and Big Mom could not remain idle. Upon hearing the Gorosei's order, they surged to the front lines.
Charlotte Linlin rode Kaido's dragon form through the sky, using her flying ability to reach the battlefield first.
Once arrived, Kaido reverted to his human form. The club in his hand crackled with purple lightning, Conqueror's Haki coiling through it.
"Thunder Bagua!" Kaido bellowed, swinging the club toward the Whitebeard fleet.
Linlin followed, calling, "Napoleon!"
Her hat transformed into a massive sword and landed in her hand.
"Mama, this opponent looks trickier than usual," Napoleon commented after transforming.
"Mamama, I don't believe they can stand up to our combined formation," Linlin sneered.
They attacked together, and instantly the sky and sea filled with terrifying sword intent.
"Ikoku... Sovereignty!" Linlin roared.
A blade wave tore through the air, as if the space itself had been sliced.
"Linlin, Kaido, you spineless bastards—colluding with the World Government!" Whitebeard shouted, anger etched across his face.
His hands were in motion; a transparent power flowed over Murakumogiri as he slashed at the twin onslaught.
Boom!
A thunderous roar blasted from where the attacks collided. Explosive energy scattered, black lightning streaking from the impact.
For a moment the world dimmed, the sea boiling violently as waves rose and crashed.
Onlookers gasped in awe and dread.
"Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido — a clash of three Emperors, is it truly this fearsome?" someone whispered.
"This is only the start; the battles to come will be worse. Who can imagine whether these clashes will even crack the sky?" someone else murmured.
Even those who had seen much were shaken by the display. If ordinary civilians had been this close, they would have been terrified beyond measure.
Somewhere in the New World, a big-eater girl watching the broadcast widened her mouth in astonishment.
"Is this the power of Emperors? Even I might get hurt just by being nearby," she said.
Kid, also watching, stared in disbelief.
"Is this the standard of the Four Emperors? To become Pirate King, I must surpass them all!" he declared.
Luffy watched the live feed, eyes bright with fierce resolve.
"Is this comparable to Roger's prime?" Luffy said, awe tinting his voice.
"Hahaha! Just wait, I'll take you all on one at a time!" Luffy shouted, brimming with fighting spirit.
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