Not long ago, on the stretch of sea between the Kingdom of Lulusia and the Red Line.
The battle between the Revolutionary Army and the Navy fleet had reached a level of intensity never seen before.
The Revolutionary Army's commanders and elite officers no longer held back or remained in the shadows—they charged the Navy head-on in the fiercest possible confrontation.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, stop struggling!
Your granddaughter has already fallen into Souta Kiryuu's hands. If you understand the situation, I can guarantee that under Souta Kiryuu, Peacock's life will be spared!"
Eastern Army Commander Belo Betty and Eastern Army Deputy Commander Ahiru led the Eastern forces in a full assault against Vice Admiral Tsuru's women's unit.
"…"
Tsuru did not answer. Together with her direct subordinate, Vice Admiral Kujaku, she fought with all her strength to prevent the Revolutionaries from stepping onto the Red Line.
However… it seemed that their mission had already failed.
Northern Army Commander Karasu and Western Army Commander Morley were no longer on the battlefield—meaning the two of them had likely already broken through toward the Red Line.
"Shishishishi! Black Horse Justice, your strength as Director of the Crime Investigation Bureau is pretty impressive!!"
Grand Line Army Commander Emporio Ivankov and his Deputy Commander Inazuma fought together, surrounding the man whose power stood just under that of the Admirals: Black Horse Tensei.
"That bastard Karasu is already heading to assault the Holy Land, isn't he!?"
Black Horse Tensei's face darkened. He knew. It was over.
Their fleet didn't have the strength to stop the Revolutionary Army's full mobilization.
Marine Headquarters forces were stretched thin. They lacked high-level combat power—severely.
"Shishishishi! Wouldn't you like to guess?"
Ivankov's large head shook with laughter. The Kiryuu Pirates' sky fleet had already gone to attack Mary Geoise. Naturally, the Revolutionary Army would not fall behind—they had deployed two Army Commanders to assault the sacred land atop the Red Line.
"Break them!!"
Southern Army Commander Lindbergh, along with his Deputy Commander Gambo, Northern Deputy Commander Giron, and Western Deputy Commander Ushiano, launched a full assault on the Marine Headquarters fleet.
Victory belonged to the Revolutionary Army, launching an all-forces offensive for the first time in history.
High in the sky, blinding light and raging storm-winds clashed in fierce combat.
"You all are too much, Dragon.
Couldn't everyone just stay here quietly and stall until the battle over there finishes?"
Borsalino, Admiral Kizaru, sighed bitterly as he fought the Revolutionary Army Leader Dragon. They hadn't managed to stop the Revolutionary Army. Two of their Army Commanders had already escaped.
In truth, their mission had already failed.
Staying here just meant taking a beating.
"Borsalino, the world has already entered unprecedented change.
Why continue clinging to the decaying World Government?
Leave the Navy.
I invite you to join the Revolutionary Army.
But if you think that would be too tiring—
I can recommend you to Souta Kiryuu instead, to continue protecting Dr. Vegapunk.
I assure you, the benefits and vacation you'd receive protecting Vegapunk there would be ten times what the Navy gives you."
Dark red lightning of Conqueror's Haki crackled around Dragon, accompanied by countless razor-edged wind blades. His aura was overwhelming.
But he didn't want to fight Kizaru seriously—he tried persuasion first.
"I joined the Navy at 26… it's been 30 years. I only have a few years left before retirement! You're trying to ruin me!"
Kizaru, now 56, sighed again.
All he wanted was to safely retire with a full Admiral's pension and enjoy a peaceful old age.
"Retirement? Do you think that's actually possible?
My father is already 76 and still has to join dangerous battles in the New World.
He can't even get leave to visit his grandson in the East Blue.
Zeffa-sensei, Tsuru, Sengoku—
Which of them got to retire peacefully in their seventies?
If you don't find yourself a new employer, your fate will be to 'work until you die.'
Vegapunk's side is peaceful. Souta Kiryuu has money. You'll be satisfied."
Dragon spoke just as casually as Kizaru.
Both of them had already lost the will to clash seriously.
They both knew it—
Their fight here no longer affected the decisive battles in Mary Geoise or the New World.
"Enough! If you keep talking, I might actually be tempted.
I am a Navy man of justice. Let's continue fighting."
Kizaru's expression twisted into something even more pained, but his attacks continued—though the force behind them had clearly diminished.
He was slacking again.
Since he still had to report to the government and headquarters, he had to look like he fought Dragon with all his might.
Feeling the shift, Dragon cooperated, exchanging flashy world-shaking blows without real killing intent.
…
Meanwhile, within the Red Line.
Northern Army Commander Karasu used his crows to carry Western Army Commander Morley toward the Red Line.
Then Morley used the Push-Push Fruit to move them into the interior of the Red Line itself—headed straight for the Holy Land Mary Geoise, ten thousand meters above.
"It seems their barrier doesn't cover the ground.
We can enter Mary Geoise directly."
Morley, the dwarf giant, carried Karasu without making a sound, arriving beneath Pangaea Castle.
Morley belonged to the Giant Race—not like Whitebeard or Big Mom, who were only seven or eight meters tall. But at around eleven meters, Morley was still smaller than the average twenty-meter giants.
"The Kiryuu Pirates seem to have already begun attacking Mary Geoise!"
"Let's find the switch to shut down the barrier!"
Outside, chaos erupted.
The Celestial Dragons were panicking, running everywhere.
Footsteps, alarms, and screams echoed throughout the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, corpses—rotting, monstrous undead—were being thrown onto the transparent surface of the barrier above Mary Geoise.
Some still wore the clothing of the Celestial Dragons.
This drove the Celestial Dragons into near hysterical terror.
The acting Captain of the Holy Knights, Saint Pains, stood with the newly assembled Holy Knights and CP forces, staring up at the sky fleet.
"Without Emperor-level force, those pirates cannot break this shield!!"
He drew his golden longsword and shouted, attempting to calm the trembling nobles.
This barrier had cost a fortune to construct—it was the highest grade defensive technology available.
Breaking it was no simple matter.
With the Five Elders absent and Imu only partially materialized, Saint Pains had to protect Mary Geoise at all costs.
"Tell Sengoku to get here immediately!!"
Several Celestial Dragon family heads frantically dialed the Fleet Admiral.
Marine forces at Headquarters were ordered to move to safeguard the Holy Land.
Marineford was now considered far less important.
In Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, who had been watching the G-18 fortress battle broadcast, nearly collapsed when he received the order.
He had no choice but to leave minimal forces at Headquarters and lead all remaining power toward Mary Geoise.
"Hee-shishishishi! Number One Self-Destruction Airship—GO!!"
Above the Red Line, Moria screeched with laughter as a battleship loaded with explosives soared toward the shield.
PX-Bruno and Law both activated their Devil Fruit abilities, attempting to bypass the barrier and invade Mary Geoise directly.
…