Chapter 511: The Fall of Marineford
The massive Science Division experimental base now sat in the wilderness beyond Mariejois.
Above, within the cloud layer, the colossal structure had vanished into the distant sky.
Inside the half-ruined Pangaea Castle, Imu sat upon the towering Empty Throne.
Below him stood the Five Elders in black suits, their faces stern and serious.
Further below them were the kings of the many Government allied nations, their faces written with panic and anxiety.
"Now, state your decision," Saint Ju Peter looked down at the assembled kings. "Will you submit to Lord Imu, or choose extinction?"
The noble kings exchanged uncertain glances.
Then.
"I will submit!"
The first king dropped to his knees.
A monster that had beaten even Brett and the Admirals into desperate flight was beyond anything they could oppose! If they wanted to live, submission was the only option available!
With the first person taking the lead, naturally there would be a second, a third...
One king after another knelt. In the end, they chose to pledge loyalty to Lord Imu.
But not everyone was willing to submit so easily.
King Cobra of Alabasta clenched his fists tight. His chest heaved violently, his expression constantly shifting, as though struggling with some internal decision.
Finally, his expression became calm and his clenched fists loosened, but his eyes alone grew incredibly resolute.
He had made up his mind.
However, just as he was about to speak, two hands grabbed his shoulders.
King Riku of Dressrosa and Elizabello II of Prodence.
The two tall, sturdy kings physically pressed Cobra down, forcing him to kneel alongside them.
"Whatever you're thinking of saying now is meaningless," King Riku said, his head bowed low. His voice was heavy. "You can see for yourself, can't you? This isn't someone who'll reason with us."
"If we're not careful, our entire kingdoms might be destroyed outright."
King Cobra's body went rigid in that instant.
Then finally his body went limp, his head hanging low.
"I understand."
Now was not the time for rash action.
"Very good."
The Five Elders nodded with satisfaction. Every last king had chosen submission.
Now they were truly united, weren't they?
"Lord Imu, please give your orders. I believe we're fully prepared for war!"
The Five Elders turned back around, kneeling once more before Imu.
"In that case, let's start with something first," Imu said leisurely. "Fish-Man Island is somewhat difficult to reach, so let's begin there."
"We should be arriving soon, shouldn't we?"
Somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line, in Paradise, a cloud raced through the sky at high speed.
In front of the cloud, a figure sprinted forward, pulling the cloud along.
Of course it was Brett, rushing back with his newly recruited allies.
"Borsalino already went ahead to Marineford!" On the cloud, Garp clenched his fist. "I hope Sengoku can react in time!"
Though they had escaped Mariejois, this matter was far from over!
That Lord Imu had already marked the Navy for elimination. How could Marine Headquarters at Marineford possibly be ignored?
Headquarters was in danger!
"Zephyr's base was attacked by that thing before," Brett said as he flew forward. "The result wasn't pretty."
"I know this sounds overly pessimistic, but all we can do now is give our best effort and leave the rest to fate."
"We'll do what we can."
Vice Admiral Garp slowly released a breath.
At almost the same moment, Admiral Kizaru, even faster than Brett, had already returned to Marineford. He went straight to the Fleet Admiral's office, found Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and summoned Vice Admiral Tsuru as well.
"How could... how could such a thing be possible?!"
Kizaru explained what happened at Mariejois in the most concise terms possible. Fleet Admiral Sengoku's entire face had gone stiff, sweat continuously seeping from his forehead.
"Borsalino, you've got to be joking!!"
The Government using Navy soldiers as experimental subjects, then framing Gion after being discovered, plus a hidden monster that had ruled the world for eight hundred years, and now deciding to eliminate the Navy entirely.
Each piece of news was heavier than the last. Just hearing it left Fleet Admiral Sengoku's mind in chaos. How could he dare believe it?
"I also wish this were just a dream," Kizaru spread his hands helplessly. "But this is reality."
"..."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku fell silent. Then he plunged both hands into his afro, scratching in frustration.
"How can this be happening!"
"So Gion really was framed after all!" Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed. "But the situation has developed far beyond our imagination."
"Now isn't the time to hesitate, Sengoku," Kizaru dropped his usual casual demeanor, speaking with rare seriousness. "They said they're eliminating the Navy. That wasn't a joke."
"Marineford is in danger right now."
"..."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's hands froze in his hair for a long moment before he raised his head. "So now we can only abandon Marineford?"
"The current situation doesn't allow us much time to deliberate," Vice Admiral Tsuru said heavily. "Give the order, Sengoku."
"..."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku gave a bitter smile. "Looking on the bright side, at least we've seen the Government's true face. We won't continue aiding tyrants anymore, right?"
He stood up, his fist slamming down hard on the heavy desk before him. "Then let's organize the evacuation!!"
When Brett arrived at Marineford pulling his cloud with everyone aboard, warships had already assembled at the port. Navy soldiers were loading supplies onto the vessels.
Brett nodded slightly. The efficiency seemed acceptable.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had been decisive, not hesitating too long.
"Whew~"
Admiral Ryokugyu breathed a sigh of relief. "Looks like we're not too late."
Smiles of relief appeared on the faces of Gion and Vice Admiral Chaton as well.
However, in that very instant.
Brett's eyes suddenly widened. He spun around, looking toward the distant sky behind them.
The next moment, the distant clouds were pierced through. Multiple dazzling beams of light tore across the heavens.
Then the beams fell upon Marineford.
BOOM.
An explosion.