Normally, the massive Gates of Justice only need to open a narrow gap to send criminals toward Impel Down or Marine Headquarters. It is rare for them to be fully opened. If the switch on this side is not activated, even if the Marine fleet arrives at the opposite end of the gate, they cannot enter Enies Lobby. Their only option would be to circle around the iron fences outside the island and enter through the main front gates.
"Return to the ship first. Enel, get ready!"
Souta Kiryuu let out a cold laugh. He had no intention of keeping the Marine fleet blocked outside the Gates of Justice. His [Lightning Storm] was prepared to destroy both the Judicial Tower on the rear island and the incoming Marine fleet, while Enel's [Thunder's Judgment] was aimed at obliterating the courthouse on the main island, including its front gates and port.
"Understood!"
Enel grinned, transforming into lightning and vanishing, returning to complete his apocalyptic Thunder's Judgment and guide it down from the sky.
"Bonney, let's go."
Kuma carried Bonney and Capone Bege away. Law also teleported to safety, while Lafitte, having found a Den Den Mushi camera somewhere, recorded the dramatic moment he killed the Chief Justice.
The Enies Lobby guards who had awakened under the pressure of Conqueror's Haki saw the Chief Justice slain and the CP agents all lying defeated. Panic overtook them, and they madly fled toward the front island. Yet Enel, reveling in his cruelty, struck them down with bolts of lightning along the way. Only a few managed to escape to the front island's port.
Within the second support pillar of the Bridge of Hesitation, Souta Kiryuu located the mechanism that fully opened the Gates of Justice, brazenly inviting the Marine Headquarters fleet inside.
He lifted his gaze to the storm clouds above, dense and flashing with black-violet lightning, a hint of madness gleaming in his eyes. Even if the Marine Fleet Admiral himself came, he would still fight!
The massive thunderclouds formed from Enel's Ark Maxim gathered above. Most of them were part of Enel's [Thunder's Judgment], while a smaller portion had merged with Souta Kiryuu's fiery clouds and poisonous mists, creating a uniquely ominous violet-red storm for his [Lightning Storm].
On the exclusive high-speed sea current between Marineford and Enies Lobby, over twenty battleships charged toward the island.
"Sengoku, those thunderclouds are unusual!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru narrowed her eyes as they neared Enies Lobby. The bizarre storm split into two shades: mostly pitch-black but laced with ominous violet-red clouds. Both flashed with terrifying lightning.
"I sense immense danger…"
Buddha Sengoku's body radiated faint golden light. The golden markings of his Buddha form slowly appeared on his forehead, sending him constant warning signals.
"Report! Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Gates of Justice at Enies Lobby have been fully opened!"
The lookout high atop the mainmast shouted down to the deck, binoculars in hand. At their current speed, the fleet would soon surge through the massive gate.
"Slow down! All units divide into four formations and establish four Buster Call phalanxes. The vanguard will enter the Gates of Justice first—if they see the enemy, fire at will! The left and right wings, along with the main formation, must be ready to unleash cannon fire!"
Sengoku quickly arranged the formations as the fleet pressed onward. No matter what dangers awaited within, they would charge in. After all, Enies Lobby was government territory, not Souta Kiryuu's playground! With such overwhelming numbers, why should they fear?
"Send a scout ahead—someone with a flying ability to check the situation!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru urged caution. The storm clouds unsettled her deeply; they seemed even more dangerous than the thunder attacks of Kaido or Big Mom.
"Agreed. Dispatch the aerial scouting unit."
Sengoku accepted her advice. It was disheartening that he had to personally lead reinforcements to Enies Lobby while worrying about an ambush from Souta Kiryuu, an escaped experiment. Still, he doubted Souta's small band could truly harm them here. This was Marine territory.
Two winged Marine scouts quickly launched from the vanguard's flagship, soaring toward the Gates of Justice. Yet as they approached, several bolts of violet lightning struck from the storm, sending them smoking and crashing into the sea.
"Damn it! Rescue them! Vanguard, prepare to fire! Full speed into Enies Lobby! All ships, advance at maximum speed!"
Sengoku roared his command. It was now clear—the Judicial Island had fallen to Souta Kiryuu. Worse, he remained there, mocking the Marines by refusing to flee. It was blatant defiance!
He abandoned caution, pushing the fleet forward with overwhelming force. Even Sengoku himself prepared for battle. He would see for himself just how powerful this so-called strongest experiment turned dragon truly was.
Atop the Judicial Tower, Souta Kiryuu watched as five or six Marine battleships surged through the Gates of Justice. He immediately recognized them as the vanguard fleet. Lightning flickered overhead, but he withheld his strike, waiting for the larger force behind.
"Report! Report! No enemies sighted!"
"All forces, land! Rescue the Chief Justice!"
With no resistance encountered, the Marine Vice Admiral of the vanguard relayed the situation and led his men ashore at the Judicial Tower, searching for members of Souta's crew. Under the oppressive thunderclouds, they scoured the tower thoroughly, but found no trace of the enemy. The situation felt unnervingly eerie. They pressed on, lowering the drawbridge to storm the main island's courthouse.
As this unit entered the courthouse, high above, Enel spread his arms wide, cackling madly. A colossal black thunderball, the size of a small island, began to descend from the heavens.
"Report! Disaster! Fleet Admiral—the Chief Justice… all of them have been slain!"
The Vice Admiral of the vanguard, his voice trembling with fury, used the Den Den Mushi to relay the shocking news back to the main fleet. He could hardly believe Souta's crew had dared massacre such important officials.
"Damn them!"
Sengoku's roar echoed from the flagship. Following the death of Celestial Dragon Saint Charlmak, yet another vital figure had been struck down.
"All forces, land on Enies Lobby!"
At his order, the remaining three formations surged through the Gates of Justice, rushing toward the Judicial Tower.
Meanwhile, Tsuru's sharp eyes remained fixed on the storm above. Her Kenbunshoku Haki swept out frantically, her sense of dread only mounting since they had crossed the gate.
"Sengoku! He's there!"
At the top of Enies Lobby, she caught a glimpse of a faint silhouette. In the violet lightning flashes, Souta Kiryuu's mocking smile emerged. He revealed himself from invisibility, transforming into a colossal dragon and diving into the violet-red storm.
In an instant, the storm churned as if boiling, thousands of lightning bolts writhing within. The heavens erupted in thunder.
"Sengoku! Take a look at the gift I've prepared for you!"
"[Lightning Storm]!"
After more than an hour of brewing, the apocalyptic tempest finally erupted. Violet thunder laced with poisonous gas and wind blades exploded into tens of thousands of lightning serpents, striking down upon every Marine within the Gates of Justice. The entire island was consumed by blinding light.
And above the courthouse, Enel's manic laughter echoed as he unleashed his own doomsday strike. From the storm descended a massive black thunderball, vast as an island itself.
"[Thunder's Judgment]!"