Sakaski's large hand, clad in black gloves, grabbed the flying head and tossed the red-haired man aside.
*Swish!*
Karol suddenly appeared and caught it.
He hung the head of Shanks the Red-haired on the iron hook at his waist, right next to the head of Heil Nock, with two empty hooks beside them...
Sakaski pulled the Griffith from the tight grip of the headless corpse, and kicked the corpse directly into the sea.
The expressions of the others remained unchanged. Only Sengoku's brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing...
Sakaski had no habit of cherishing enemies or showing respect. It was already a kindness that he hadn't completely annihilated them...
He threw the Griffith in his hand to Karol and said,
"Let's go."
"To Whole Cake Island, to convene a pre-war meeting."
"Those two will be dealt with tomorrow."
The Four Emperors and pirates were not Sakaski's ultimate goal.
Because their downfall was so easy, Sakaski had never taken them seriously. With Karol's instant-teleportation fruit, let alone the Four Emperors...
Even if Roger or Rocks were resurrected, they would die as miserably as the Red-haired.
Kaido, the strongest creature, would have to weigh whether he could withstand a beating tomorrow. Sakaski, Barrett, Garp, and Sengoku would fight him together...
The reason for dealing with those two tomorrow was that the Revolutionary Army would arrive at the Red Line port the day after tomorrow to attack Mary Geoise.
That was also Sakaski's ultimate goal, planned for decades, just waiting for that day...
A day when all the powers in this world could be annihilated...
Karol's face was weary, and he took a deep breath,
"Yes."
Sengoku, Barrett, and Enel also flew over. The few of them gathered together, linking to Karol.
*Swish—*
They disappeared without a trace.
----------
New World, Egghead Island.
In a secret laboratory in the clouds.
Luffy was tied to a Seastone frame with his limbs spread out like a starfish. His eyes and mouth were covered, preventing him from seeing or speaking.
Countless data cables were plugged into Luffy's body, and the screen of a large device next to him displayed his physiological state.
Cartloads of nutrient solution were pushed in, grabbed by mechanical arms, and injected into Luffy's body one by one.
Jinbe's Seraphim, who had fused with the Mellow-Mellow Fruit, placed his hand on Luffy's body, activating his ability. Combined with the massive energy from the nutrient solution, it was perfectly integrated into Luffy's body.
However, soon several of Vegapunk's clones looked solemn. Something was wrong; the nutrient solution shouldn't have been needed in such quantities.
While this nutrient solution couldn't awaken Devil Fruit users of non-Zoan types, for Paramecia types, just a few doses could raise them to their limit.
And now this guy had already been injected with a cartload of nutrient solution. No wonder Sakaski had ordered preparations. This was too absurd...
At this moment, Luffy struggled more and more violently, spurred by the injection of nutrient solution and the ripening effect of the Mellow-Mellow Fruit.
The massive energy within the nutrient solution perfectly merged into every cell of Luffy's body. The power of a Devil Fruit was closely related to one's physical strength and energy...
Zoan-type users, under such energy infusion, would directly break through their limits and be forcefully pushed to awakening.
As time ticked by, another cartload of nutrient solution was consumed.
Shaka, looking at Luffy, whose aura was as deep as an abyss, broke out in a cold sweat and directly pressed the stop button.
"We can't continue."
Lilith was somewhat displeased, crossing her arms and saying,
"What's the matter? It was just starting to get interesting."
Shaka shook his head, a little frightened,
"Interesting?"
"Look at the data on the screen."
He pointed to Luffy's current physical statistics on the large screen.
"If we continue, even if he doesn't awaken,"
"He definitely won't be able to hold on and will break free. We must stop."
Seastone wasn't absolute. When it reached a certain level, even if one couldn't break free, free movement would be possible.
It was like giving Sakaski Seastone handcuffs, making him unable to use his ability and weakening his stamina, but he could still kill countless people with just finger guns...
Looking at the data on the screen, Lilith also frowned,
"Then what should we do?"
Shaka entered command after command on the console.
"Let's remove this for now."
"After reporting, we'll make a decision."
----------
Grand Line, on both sides of the Calm Belt.
The Revolutionary Army fleets, which had departed from the East Blue and South Blue, had all exited the Calm Belt and were converging towards the center.
Dragon stood on the deck of the ship, gazing at the distant horizon, as if he could see the raging fire...
*Rustle—*
A flock of crows flew and gathered around him.
They formed a man cloaked in a black feathered coat, with an iron megaphone over his mouth, his face obscured. It was the Revolutionary Army's North Blue commander, Karas.
"What, so lacking in confidence?"
Dragon was silent for a moment, then his low voice sounded,
"Yes."
"The more I understand this world,"
"The more I realize how ridiculous I am..."
"Liberating the world..."
At this moment, it seemed like a joke. The wheels of progress could no longer be stopped. Even if he poured all his efforts, he couldn't control the direction, only make a final struggle.
Karas shook his head and said solemnly,
"Don't deny yourself, don't deny everything we've done."
"At least you've saved many people, many countries, haven't you? Everything we've done is meaningful."
"Besides..."
"I don't believe you have no backup plan."
Dragon chuckled after hearing Karas's words, his expression softening somewhat.
"I do, but unfortunately, I won't live to see that day..."
"If we die in Mary Geoise, the Revolutionary Army in the Four Seas will immediately disband, and various kingdoms and duchies will be established."
"Then it will be up to this world whether it falls into the hands of the Navy or returns to the World Government."
But no matter which outcome, they would not be able to act against these newly established nations, as it would almost mean declaring war on the world.
There was a legitimate reason to act against the Revolutionary Army, but with the disbandment of the Revolutionary Army and the establishment of these kingdoms, they had already drawn a line with the past.
Regardless of who won, if they didn't want to be enemies of the whole world, they would have to swallow their pride and accept this outcome...
The Revolutionary Army would perish, but its will and ideology would spread throughout the world, waiting for an opportunity...
This could also be considered a victory, couldn't it...
----------
New World, Defense Line against Whole Cake Island.
Inside the central island base.
Sakaski sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, leaning back in his chair.
On the table in front of him lay two heads.
Every arriving general was startled by the two heads. Were they the heads of Emperor Heil Nock and Shanks the Red-haired?!
The middle-ranked generals were utterly shocked, sitting silently, waiting for Sakaski to speak.
On the left side of the two rows of seats below sat Sengoku, Garp, Zeff, Morris, and others.
On the right sat Barrett, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Borsalino, Enel, and...
*Swish—*
Aramaki and Karol appeared.
Aramaki exclaimed with surprise,
"It's really convenient, young Karol."
Karol nodded and smiled wearily, then retreated.
Aramaki also walked over to the last seat on the right and sat down, looking at Sakaski with fanaticism in his eyes.
After all, igniting the New World and instantly annihilating hundreds of thousands of people was truly...
Sakaski ignored Aramaki's fanatical gaze and spoke slowly,
"The war has reached its final stage."
"I won't say any more superfluous words."
"Charlotte Linlin and Kaido will be dealt with by me, Barrett, Garp, and the Great Elder Sengoku, along with some high-end combat power."
"The rest is up to you."
"The subsequent grand encirclement operation will be commanded by Lieutenant General Morris, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and Instructor General Zeff. Do not let a single pirate escape."
Enel sat below, propping his chin,
"Then where are we guys going?"
He was referring to himself, Borsalino, and Aramaki.
Borsalino and Aramaki were also curious. Judging by Sakaski's demeanor, he seemed to have other matters to attend to...
Sakaski glanced at everyone and said,
"According to the latest intelligence, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon."
"Has led his fleet across the Calm Belt and is preparing to attack Mary Geo..."
Garp, who had been dozing below, suddenly opened his eyes wide and stood up. Sengoku's face flashed with a headache, and he immediately stepped forward to press Garp's shoulder, looking at Sakaski.
"Wait, Sakaski."
"How did Dragon cross the Calm Belt? Isn't that technology only possessed by the Navy's research department?"
Sakaski looked at them indifferently.
"How should I know."
He ignored the troubled Garp and the pained Sengoku.
"The Revolutionary Army will likely arrive at Red Port the day after tomorrow."
He looked towards Enel's group.
"You three will be taken back to headquarters by Karol and await orders."
"We will rendezvous after we deal with Charlotte Linlin and Kaido, and then head to Mary Geoise."
At this point, everyone in the hall finally understood why the command of this war had been handed over to the three old men, Morris, Tsuru, and Zeff.
They hadn't expected the Revolutionary Army to be about to attack Mary Geoise. This news was truly too sudden.
Sakaski's attitude at this moment was also unclear; he didn't say who he would help, only that they should await orders and rendezvous...
Was he going to commit all the high-end combat power to Mary Geoise? This...
The expressions of those below varied. Sengoku looked solemn, Garp looked conflicted, Aramaki frowned, Enel yawned, and Borsalino rolled his eyes, thinking about something.
However, most of the Vice Admirals remained expressionless. Shocked as they were, it didn't concern them...
Their main battlefield was here, eradicating these pirates.
This high-level meeting, which gathered almost all of the Navy's top brass, continued for a while after dividing tasks, and then everyone quickly departed to their positions.
Garp, who rushed out of the conference room with a conflicted expression, clenched his fists and turned back to find Sakaski, but was stopped by Sengoku, who followed him out.
"It won't make a difference to wait a day."
"After dealing with Charlotte Linlin and Kaido tomorrow, we'll still have time."
"Garp..."
In the conference room.
As people dispersed one by one, Enel stretched and stood up, stretching his limbs.
Karol walked in at this moment.
Borsalino also lazily stood up.
"Oh~"
"Leaving now~"
Karol's weariness eased slightly.
"There's no time to delay."
Borsalino shrugged indifferently. He was already familiar with the process. Borsalino and Enel, along with Aramaki, placed their hands on Karol.
Karol took a deep breath.
*Swish—!!!*
They vanished instantly.
Sakaski gazed at the spot where the four had disappeared, his eyes distant...
----------
New World, Egghead Island.
In the center of the island, in the separate underwater prison connected to the sea.
*Splash—*
Four figures instantly appeared in the water.
This place was filled with seawater. Since all four were Devil Fruit users, their bodies stiffened, motionless, and slowly sank to the bottom...
Borsalino and Aramaki's pupils constricted. Their eyes darted towards Karol and Enel, and seeing their calm gazes, their hearts sank...
Cuzan's mysterious death also came to their minds. Cuzan's death a few days ago had been too sudden, but they hadn't had time to ponder it.
But now it seemed... they deserved it.
They never expected Sakaski to set such a trap. Who would have thought that Karol would teleport them, along with Enel, into the sea?
They had no defenses whatsoever...
A complete betrayal of trust...
Borsalino and Aramaki's faces turned ashen. The four slowly sank into the underwater prison.
As soon as they reached the bottom of the prison, the alarm within the prison was triggered. Then, two mechanical arms extended from above and retrieved Karol and Enel.
Karol lay on the ground outside the prison, propped up.
"Whew—"
He closed his eyes to rest.
Enel had already disappeared.
Regardless of what happened to Borsalino, he had saved him before, but this was Sakaski's order, and he could not disobey.
Karol walked slowly to the outside of the underwater prison and squatted down.
"Sorry, Admiral Borsalino, and this wild Admiral."
"There's no place for you in the new world."
"So..."
"Get off the bus."
As his words fell, four mechanical arms extended within the prison, holding two Devil Fruit reclaimers and two tubes of deadly toxic fungi that could cause immediate death...
Let alone Logia users like the two of them, even powerful Zoan-type individuals like Jack or Kaido, who were strong in physical body, would be unable to move in the seawater and would have no way to resist...
Karol watched the two below indifferently, their eyes meeting until the two fruits in the Devil Fruit reclaimers took shape...