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Chapter 98 - Chapter 97: Declaration of War on Wano

[Mission: Conquer Wano Country]

[Objective: Defeat the Beast Pirates, overthrow the Kozuki Oden regime, dismantle the Kurozumi Orochi shogunate.]

[Reward: Number of draws based on final mission evaluation. Prize pool: One Piece treasures and abilities.]

[Duration: 7 days]

[Participants: 3]

---

[Chat Group]

Uchiha Miyuki: "Simple enough. If this were twenty years later, maybe it'd be a challenge. But the current Beast Pirates? They're not all that. Kaido hasn't even peaked yet."

Yamamoto Mei: "Right. No Tobi Roppo, no Jack. Just Kaido, King, and Queen carrying the whole crew. Even with Oden and his retainers, Wano's overall strength is… mid."

Nerona Jaeger: "Oh, by the way—I already handled King. [image attached]"

Uchiha Miyuki: "Huh? Seriously? You really live up to your name, Jaeger. The mission hasn't even started, and the enemy already lost one commander."

Jibril: "Pfft—how dull. A bunch of powerhouses arguing about insects. It's like elephants debating which ant is stronger."

Kasumigaoka Utaha: "Hey, not everyone in the group is strong. Eriri, Sakura, Erina… they'd straight-up die in a world like this."

Luo Hao: "No need to worry. Jaeger would never allow that. When it matters, he's the most dependable."

Nerona Jaeger: "Exactly. I'm no slouch. If anyone gets hurt in the One Piece world under my watch, I'd be the embarrassment."

Eriri Sawamura: "'Not a slouch'? You could wipe out humanity if you wanted!"

Aizen Sosuke: "Jaeger and the others are Reincarnators. They've seen bigger worlds. A little humility makes sense."

Uchiha Miyuki: "Yep. Moon-splitters, world-busters—flashy, but still surface-level. There's always something worse."

Uchiha Miyuki: "You know which world really breaks the scale? A Certain Magical Index. There's a being called a Demon God. To them, worlds are toys. One thought—reality rewrites."

Nerona Jaeger: "Accurate. They ignore logic entirely. 1+1 might equal 3. Gravity might stop because they're bored. That's a Demon God. Even existence follows their mood."

Tohsaka Sakura: "That's… terrifying."

Aizen Sosuke: "Does something like that truly exist?"

Uchiha Madara: "Shut up. I'm going into hiding again. I thought becoming a Shinigami made me impressive—now I'm apparently worthless?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha: "This is so extreme it almost sounds like parody. Some LNs wouldn't dare write something this OP."

Jibril: "The more you learn, the smaller you feel. Compared to Demon Gods, even my god of war Artosh is adorable."

Luo Hao: "If you had to fight a Demon God… what would you do?"

Nerona Jaeger: "Suicide. Not that it would help."

Uchiha Miyuki: "Yeah. Best case—they don't notice you. Worst case—pray you die instantly."

Luo Hao: "…So all martial training is meaningless before such beings."

Uchiha Miyuki: "Meaningless? Luo Hao-san… even their hair has higher authority than us."

Luo Hao: "…"

Esdeath: "Tch. I hate how realistic that sounds."

The chat group fell silent—overwhelmed by the sheer scope of power they'd just discussed.

It felt like thinking you were rich… only to discover someone spends your life savings before breakfast.

Then—

[Congratulations! Group members Sosuke Aizen, Eriri Sawamura, and Saitama have accepted the mission. Please confirm readiness.]

Eriri Sawamura: "WAIT—ME?! Jaeger—no, Boss Jaeger! You HAVE to protect me!"

Nerona Jaeger: "Relax. With the Otsutsuki Progenitor bloodline, my stamina is nearly infinite. I can keep a Noble Phantasm active the whole time."

Esdeath: "You mean the Chaos Dragon Leviathan? It's been a while since we saw that monster."

Eriri Sawamura: "I found it in my system files… WAIT. IT CAN CRUSH WORLDS BY TURNING IN ITS SLEEP?! And you're using that to protect me?!"

Nerona Jaeger: "Yep."

Eriri: "Boss! My eternal gratitude!!"

Saitama: "Huh? I'm in the mission too! Why isn't anyone asking me for protection? I'm a hero, you know…"

Uchiha Miyuki: "Looks. Girls like pretty boys."

Saitama: "…That's unfair."

Aizen Sosuke: "Don't worry, Saitama-kun. You may protect me."

Uchiha Miyuki: "…Sorry, what?"

Yamamoto Mei: "Pfft—Aizen! Stealing the spotlight again?"

Saitama: "Well, if you're in danger, I'll help. No problem!"

---

Jaeger closed the chat.

Beside him, Scarlet slept peacefully. He tucked the blanket around her gently… then raised his hand and tore open space itself.

--

Navy Headquarters – Midnight

Despite the late hour, the atmosphere inside the Navy's conference room remained tense and sleepless. Fleet Admiral Kong, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and Admiral Sengoku sat at the long table, shoulders heavy with exhaustion.

Ever since Garp's death at the hands of Jaeger, none of them had found rest. They buried their grief in work, but it dulled nothing.

Suddenly, Kong's eyes narrowed, instincts flaring.

"…Who's there?"

Sengoku and Tsuru followed his gaze. Before either could react, the air in front of them twisted—warped—like reality itself was nothing more than a painted canvas being torn open by invisible hands.

A figure stepped out from the void. Familiar. Imposing.

"Saint Jaeger…?" Kong asked, voice uncertain, as if doubting his own eyes.

Jaeger smiled as he entered the room, his presence making the space feel noticeably smaller.

"Yes, it's me," he said with a casual nod, eyes sweeping across the trio. "Still working this late? It's thanks to your dedication that we Celestial Dragons can enjoy such a peaceful life."

Tsuru and Sengoku stiffened. His words, dripping with arrogance, stung like poison. If Jaeger hadn't killed Garp, they wouldn't be here drowning in grief.

But more unsettling than his attitude was his ability. That rift… that spatial tear. Another Devil Fruit? But Jaeger had used lightning before.

"Saint Jaeger," Kong said quickly, masking his caution with rigid formality. "What brings you here at this hour?"

"Prepare to mobilize," Jaeger ordered flatly. "Stussy will lead five warships into the New World, accompanied by Sengoku and Akainu. Once they arrive, Sengoku will remain stationed in Wano."

"What!?" Kong burst out, visibly shaken. "Leave Sengoku in Wano? That's absurd!"

He stepped forward, voice cracking with desperation. "Saint Jaeger, Sengoku is the next Fleet Admiral! I've spent years—"

Shlick—!

A flash of silver. Before anyone understood what happened, Kong's words and his left arm—were cut short.

For an instant, Kong stood frozen in shock. The pain hadn't even caught up yet. If not for the blood splattering across his uniform, he might've thought it a hallucination.

"S-Sir!!"

Sengoku lunged forward, fury erupting—but Tsuru seized his arm, stopping him.

"That was a warning," Jaeger said coldly as he slid his sword back into its sheath. "I'm not asking the Navy. I'm informing it. You serve the World Government. You are its dogs. Remember that."

"…Understood." Kong's voice came out hoarse, defeated—like a man who had aged years in seconds. "I'll make the arrangements immediately."

Jaeger smiled faintly. "Good. If I'm in a generous mood someday, maybe I'll reattach your arm."

He turned away as the air around him rippled again. Space folded inward, swallowing him whole. Within seconds, he was gone—leaving only silence and a spreading pool of blood behind.

BANG!

Sengoku smashed his fist through the conference table, teeth clenched. "Unforgivable… That bastard! He's gone too far!"

Kong, clutching his severed shoulder, spoke with startling calm. "Tell me… did either of you see his sword move?"

Tsuru and Sengoku exchanged a glance. Both shook their heads.

"…No. Not a thing."

A chill settled over the room. If Jaeger had aimed for their necks instead…

Kong sighed deeply. "Sengoku… abandon the Fleet Admiral position. You won't defeat Akainu for it. And let go of Garp's death."

Sengoku didn't answer. He simply lowered his head.

After a heavy pause, Tsuru spoke quietly. "Did either of you notice… the girl beside Saint Jaeger?"

Kong blinked. "Girl?"

Sengoku frowned. "What girl?"

"If I'm not mistaken… it was Scarlett, the princess from Dressrosa. Still a teenager. She was asleep beside him."

Tsuru's voice softened with quiet sorrow. "That child's been ruined. Another victim of Jaeger's twisted pleasures."

Sengoku clicked his tongue in disgust. "Hmph. That bastard is a debauched tyrant. Who knows how many princesses he's 'claimed' like that."

Kong turned to Tsuru, puzzled. "Why bring this up?"

She smiled faintly. "Gion is my little sister. Don't you think someone like her could catch Jaeger's interest?"

Kong's face darkened. "Tsuru… don't tell me you're planning—"

"Relax," she cut him off. "I'm not sending her to assassinate him. I'm saying… it may be better if she's by his side. Someone needs to speak for the Navy when the time comes. Better that than becoming puppets of the Celestial Dragons."

Kong stared before slowly nodding in grim understanding.

"…I see. I thought you meant something else entirely. Still… will Gion even accept that?"

"I'll talk to her," Tsuru murmured. "Justice comes with sacrifice. I just wish… it didn't have to be her."

That same night, Kong—one arm short—moved swiftly.

By sunrise, Stussy had received her orders.

Five warships set sail into the New World, carrying Akainu, Sengoku, and a storm of dread.

On the deck, Akainu's molten fists crackled with lethal anticipation. "I've been waiting for this day. Saint Jaeger is a man worthy of loyalty. The Beast Pirates will fall."

Stussy, standing beside him, unconsciously scooted away.

"…Can you not melt the deck, lava freak?"

Time surged forward like an unforgiving tide.

Outskirts of Wano Country

Five warships approached the quiet sea surrounding Wano, sails heavy with tension. A stillness hung beneath the gray sky—the silence before catastrophe.

At the bow, Stussy stood smiling brightly, almost playfully.

Behind her, Sengoku stood with arms crossed, face carved in stone. Akainu clenched his fists, jaw tight. Neither man spoke. They knew what this meant.

Above them, riding a small bone dragon no bigger than a horse, was Eriri, eyes wide with awe.

"This world… it's incredible," she whispered, wind brushing her hair.

"It truly is," Aizen murmured, floating calmly beside her.

Saitama nodded, cape fluttering lazily. "Yeah. I've seen a lot of worlds in the streams, but this one's pretty weird. No roads, only giant waterfalls. Who builds a country like that?"

Below them, on deck, Jaeger turned to King—his fractured cheekbone and blood-stained jaw proof of the beating he'd received.

"Go ahead. Make the call," Jaeger said, as casually as if discussing breakfast.

King obeyed. He lifted the transponder snail and dialed.

"Kaido-san," King said simply. "I was captured by a Celestial Dragon. The Navy's here too."

A pause. Then Kaido's voice boomed through the snail—low, furious.

"…I see. Celestial Dragon, huh? Do you bastards want a war with me?"

"Yes," Jaeger's voice cut in gently—without even a hint of fear. "Isn't this what you were waiting for? You wouldn't have come for the heavenly gold otherwise."

Silence. Then—

"…Interesting," Kaido muttered. "In that case… let's begin the war."

The line went dead.

"Does that count as a declaration of war?" Saitama asked, scratching his head. "So… what now?"

"Now?" Jaeger grinned, raising his hand. Electricity crackled across his palm.

"Now we say hello."

He activated the live broadcast.

Lightning surged around him. The sky darkened as a storm assembled overhead. In a flash, a radiant lightning spear formed in his grasp.

"I've tuned this Noble Phantasm to five percent output," Jaeger said calmly.

"That should be enough to erase most of the Beast Pirates in Wano. Only a few key individuals need to survive. We only need them for the evaluation."

He lifted the spear toward the heavens. His tone was casual—yet the fate of millions hung on his fingertips.

With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it.

It shot upward, then plummeted like a divine meteor—an executioner's verdict descending from the clouds.

This was no mere weapon. It was Zeus's wrath given form—a spear that could tear stars apart.

Its name was—

"I am the Lightning that tears apart the stars—!!"

•••

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