Rosse's appearance like a descending deity completely detonated every viewer watching the live broadcast, and the reporters on site taking photos.
Especially the reporters at the scene, each of them had already prostrated on the ground and could more directly feel Rosse's oppressive presence.
Finally, Rosse stepped down from the sky step by step, as if a god had descended to the mortal world.
During this process, something happened that made Saint Garling's face change dramatically and left the global audience jaw-dropped.
Saint Saturn, who had been waiting by the red carpet, actually dropped to both knees and prostrated himself before Rosse.
"You damned bastard! Saint Saturn! You!"
Saint Garling couldn't help but curse; his face twisted.
Saint Saturn's kowtow didn't just humiliate himself, it ground the dignity of the Five Elders under his feet.
With Saint Saturn kneeling like that in front of the whole world, people would only think the Five Elders all stood beneath Rosse, and that the gap between them was like an unbridgeable chasm.
When had the Five Elders ever knelt to anyone besides Imu? He admitted Rosse had some merit, but absolutely not to the extent that the Five Elders would prostrate.
If he went to stop it now, it would only make the whole world laugh at them, Saint Garling really couldn't hold back.
In the end, though, Saint Garling did nothing; he just watched Rosse slowly descend from the sky with a sour expression, and Rosse finally stepped onto Saint Saturn's back and touched the ground.
Only after Rosse continued toward the World Government building did Saint Saturn slowly rise and fall in behind him, like a loyal guard.
This scene would undoubtedly be imprinted in the hearts of audiences worldwide, spreading at an incredible speed until everyone had elevated Rosse to a pedestal.
The live footage followed Rosse's footsteps, capturing his every movement in fine detail.
Olvia expertly controlled the camera, shifting it with Rosse's gaze to the magnificent World Government building.
When Rosse's figure came before Sakazuki, Sakazuki did not hesitate, he removed his hat and bowed slightly, offering his highest respect.
After Rosse passed him, Sakazuki fell in step, flanking Rosse along with Saint Saturn, one on each side, like faithful bodyguards.
Their movements were natural and fluid, as if such gestures had been performed countless times before, perfectly showing respect and obedience to Rosse.
The camera continued with Rosse's advance and finally settled on Saint Garling standing at the doorway.
Olvia had already introduced Saint Garling's identity earlier.
The newly appointed Warrior God of Justice, one of the Five Elders, head of the Figarland family, former Commander of the God's Knights, the top powerhouse who had killed the sea legend Rocks...
Countless titles that would make anyone feel genuine awe toward Saint Garling.
Originally, Rosse's plan didn't include a role for Saint Garling, only Saint Saturn and Sakazuki were meant to set off his presence.
But since Saint Garling was so eager, Rosse certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity.
Saint Garling's face was iron-blue. Seeing Olvia move the camera toward him, he immediately felt something was wrong; the look he shot Olvia carried a hint of murderous intent.
Before Rosse even arrived, Saint Garling had already made the preparatory motion to turn away.
He wasn't going to be Rosse's stepping-stone, dream on!
Before he could move, however, a crushing wave of Conqueror's Haki, like millions of tons of seawater pressing down, washed over him.
"Fuck!", Saint Garling cursed inwardly, but standing before Rosse's sudden Conqueror's Haki, his body froze on the spot.
Rosse's Conqueror's Haki was unbelievably strong, but not so absolute that it would render him immobile.
Still, the sudden onslaught froze him for a moment.
That single moment was enough for Rosse to reach him.
Smack!
Rosse merely patted Saint Garling on the shoulder.
Saint Garling felt as if an immense weight had landed on his shoulder, instantly forcing his body down and compelling him to drop to one knee.
'What a force... If we fought head-on, I absolutely wouldn't be a match...'
Saint Garling's expression changed drastically; in the end he fell silent and bowed his head, choosing not to rise and confront Rosse.
It was pointless.
He couldn't win, and any action would only disgrace the World Government.
Judging by Rosse's display of power, he was absolutely no match.
Rosse had truly reached that level.
In that moment, Saint Garling thought of the rumors about Wano Country; he had always believed Rosse succeeded thanks to Zephyr, Vanessa, and Sakazuki to crush the Golden Lion's men.
But now it seemed that Rosse alone might already be enough.
Taking a deep breath, Saint Garling let his body relax completely.
This time, Rosse had won.
But even if the other was strong, he would remember this debt.
Don't give him the chance.
Rocks was strong too once, yet he was eventually gang-banged to death.
If they ever gave Rosse a chance, even if Rosse were stronger than Rocks, he would meet the same end.
When Rosse walked into the World Government building, Saint Garling silently rose and proceeded inside.
This scene, too, was burned into the eyes of audiences worldwide.
If Saint Saturn's respect for Rosse could still be explained as deference to a family head, the fact that two Five Elders had knelt left no room for doubt.
The Five Elders were no longer the supreme authority in the eyes of the world.
The vacant throne of the World Government seemed to have found its occupant.
And that person's name was Jaygarcia Rosse.
The shock Rosse left behind did not dissipate even after the area in front of the World Government building quieted down.
———
[New World, Whitebeard's Temporary Base]
Although this wasn't in a member nation's territory, with Whitebeard's resources they could still connect to the broadcast.
Seeing Rosse's sequence of entrances, everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates fell silent; even Marco and Kozuki Momonosuke, who harbored deep hatred toward Rosse, instinctively drew in their necks.
Hostility remained, but fear was real.
"Old man, do you think we still have a chance?", Marco asked, bewildered.
"All I know is, if we don't make a move, then we definitely have no chance."
Whitebeard, rarely without laughter, spoke in a heavy voice. It sounded like he was saying it to Marco and the others, but also to himself.
Of everyone present, no one understood Rosse's strength better than him, he had truly faced Rosse at his peak.
Four against one, they had lost miserably; only he had scraped back a life.
One on one, he had no hope of victory, escape was even a luxury.
That kind of despairing might surpassed even Rocks of old.
"Old man, everyone!"
At that silence, a big, dark-skinned man with a large black beard stood up, "We're the strongest pirate crew! I don't know why you're worried. When have we ever fought the World Government head-on? We're pirates, play to our strengths. The World Government is powerful, but can they guard the entire sea?"
"They can't even find us, what right have they to kill us? Why should we hang our heads like that!"
His words struck like a heavy hammer on everyone's hearts.
"Tch! You bastard!"
Marco looked at Thatch dumbfounded, he could never have imagined that usually inconspicuous Thatch could be so impressive in this moment.
"GURARARARARARA! Thatch speaks well, we are pirates!"
Whitebeard laughed out loud, sweeping away the gloom.
Before this, he had indeed been cornered into a dead end.
Right, they were pirates, and had never confronted the World Government directly; he should have realized this sooner.
He had once opposed Rocks, and they had lost terribly, this was only a replay.
Since they were pirates, they should solve problems in pirate ways.
Whitebeard's gaze fell on Thatch; his tiger-like eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of nostalgia flickered deep within.
'So similar! So like Rocks...'