The colossal snail fleet.
Vinsmoke Judge stood by the window, watching the ascending fleet with a smile.
The Navy's blockade of the New World had greatly aided him, by helping Hale Nock transport necessary supplies.
In the past year, he had gained considerable support, secretly controlling several affiliated nations without anyone knowing.
It was just that he had not yet openly confronted the government, as he desired more land...
After more than twenty years of struggle with no progress in reviving the Vinsmoke family, less than a year of cooperation with Hale Nock had led to the secret control of several countries without the government discovering it.
Judge increasingly felt that cooperating with the Four Emperors was a very correct decision.
Reiju leaned against the rear palace door, watching Judge fantasize about the future with a blank expression, unable to feel any excitement.
Reiju, who possessed normal human emotions and a mature mind, always felt that cooperating with pirates was not a good choice.
The Navy was at its peak, and pirates would be eliminated sooner or later. By then...
Buzz—Buzz—Buzz————
A piercing alarm suddenly sounded, and the entire fleet went on high alert.
All personnel entered combat readiness:
"Who is it!"
But it was all in vain...
Dense vines surged out from beside the climbing giant snail, some piercing the giant snail's body, others entering the ship's cabins, branching out and penetrating the chests of the soldiers.
But they all had one thing in common: all living things pierced by them rapidly shriveled, their moisture and energy drained...
Boom boom boom—
Explosions erupted. In a mere few seconds, the entire fleet, except for a fleet of mummified corpses nailed to the Red Line and vines fluttering in the sky, was gone.
Only the Vinsmoke royalty, who had escaped into the air with their high-tech equipment, remained.
Judge floated in the air, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his eyes wide with terror:
"Ah—ah—"
He could only utter sounds, unable to form a complete sentence.
Reiju was also inwardly shaken by the terrifying scene. The other three sons watched the scene below with interest; having been stripped of their emotions since childhood, they knew no fear...
The vines, having absorbed all life, paused their flight and then suddenly straightened and stretched towards the figures in the sky.
Though they attempted to resist, their abilities of fire, electricity, and poison were unleashed towards the approaching vines, appearing powerful but unfortunately ineffective.
They couldn't even escape, being directly ensnared, pierced, and drained by the countless vines.
It was then that an arrogant voice echoed from the sky:
"Struggle, pitiful little ones."
Aramaki slowly descended from the sky, a sinister grin on his lips:
"Die in despair and struggle."
"Traitors."
"Oh my~"
"And a beautiful young lady~"
"What a shame!"
"Sakazuki's order to me was to leave no one alive except the main culprits~"
He feigned regret, but mercilessly increased his power output.
Except for Judge, the main culprit, his children were instantly drained of all their blood and energy.
The vines swayed, and the desiccated bodies of the few became like brittle glass, beginning to crumble...
Aramaki waved his hand, and the vines flung the few towards the Red Line...
Crash—
They impacted the hard ground.
After their cracked bodies shattered into pieces, they fell into the endless sea.
Aramaki slowly flew before Judge, looking with a hint of amusement at the sobbing, terrified man:
"Honestly..."
"With your cowardice, how dare you defy the World Government."
"You've delayed my meeting with my idol!!!"
His expression darkened, and he absorbed some nutrients from Judge.
Feeling his life force ebb away, Judge shivered, regaining his senses, and stammered:
"Don't kill me... don't kill me.... don't...."
Seeing such a spineless individual, Aramaki lost interest. Vines growing from his fingers pierced Judge, hoisting him towards the Sabaody Archipelago:
"Really, this kind of trash has delayed me for months..."
The main reason was that the Red Line was too long, circling the world. Although there was some information, the routes were unknown, so he could only search aimlessly...
After Aramaki left, the vines that had pierced the giant fleet and countless clone soldiers slowly withered, losing their supporting power.
The mummified corpses nailed to the Red Line... fell into the sea...
-----------
New World, New Marineford.
The solemn fortress, bathed in the setting sun, possessed a peculiar serenity.
In the Fleet Admiral's office.
With the final stroke of his pen on the document, Carol let out a sigh of relief:
"Hoo—"
"Done."
He stood up, stretched, and moved his body.
He shook his head, massaging his neck with one hand, and walked out of the office to stand on the parapet, enjoying the scenery for a while.
Just then, he seemed to sense something as the entire island emanated a hint of heat.
Tap—tap—
The sound of leather shoes hitting the ground echoed.
A mass of magma appeared by the parapet, condensing into a figure. Sakazuki's voice rang out:
"You've worked hard."
Carol smiled and looked beside him:
"You're finally back, Fleet Admiral."
"If you were any later, I wouldn't have been able to hold on."
Months had passed since Sakazuki had begun tracing the ley lines. Because he had to travel through the magma at the earth's core, he couldn't carry a Den Den Mushi, and could only wait.
He was almost unable to hold out with Aramaki. Although he had provided some false information, it couldn't be too obvious, and only delayed him for a few months before Aramaki found the Vinsmoke family.
Fortunately, he had sent Fujitora to Fish-Man Island not long ago, and Aramaki was now converging with him on Fish-Man Island...
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"Believe in yourself, you can do it."
Carol held his forehead, looking helpless:
"You're not afraid of things escalating, are you."
Sakazuki smiled, remaining silent, but the upward curve of his lips indicated his good mood.
Carol asked curiously:
"It seems the ley line tracing went smoothly."
"You're in such a good mood."
Sakazuki snorted playfully:
"Imagine, those foolish pirates..."
"Wanting to destroy those two islands and overturn the table, only to find that the buttons are still in our hands."
"Their expressions then..."
He gazed at the sea and said softly:
"Must have been spectacular...."
Carol, looking at Sakazuki's smile, also inexplicably laughed:
"You're truly malicious."
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki...."