As they entered the area surrounding Pangea Castle, Marco and the others quickly noticed that the Gorosei and the Holy Knights were already waiting in the massive garden outside the castle.
Everyone immediately stopped in their tracks.
Kaido grinned fiercely, his eyes overflowing with battle intent.
"Worororo! Gorosei, Holy Knights, so the final battle is finally here!"
Saint Warcury snorted coldly before shifting his gaze toward Kuzan.
"Kuzan, in the end, you still chose to side with pirates?"
Kuzan sighed helplessly.
"At this stage, there's no point saying things like that anymore. The World Government has ruled this sea for eight hundred years, and the Celestial Dragons have become the greatest poison in this world. They should've been removed long ago."
Marco stepped forward and looked toward Pangaea Castle.
"Even now, Imu still refuses to appear? Does she seriously think you people alone can stop us?"
His voice suddenly rose across the battlefield.
"I can already sense your aura inside the castle. Are you still not coming out?"
Inside Pangea Castle, Imu had been silently observing everything through her Observation Haki.
After hearing Marco's words, she slowly rose from the Empty Throne.
The next second, a massive magic circle appeared in the garden outside the castle.
Black and crimson energy twisted together as a gigantic portal opened in midair.
Soon, a tall figure over three meters in height slowly walked out.
The moment Imu appeared, a terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
Black and crimson lightning surged violently through the air.
The overwhelming pressure crashed toward Marco's forces like a natural disaster.
Many Giants instantly turned pale, while some weaker warriors collapsed unconscious on the spot, unable to withstand the sheer intensity of her Haki.
At the same moment, Marco's body erupted with equally violent Haki.
His own Conqueror's Haki surged forward and collided directly against Imu's.
Black and red lightning split the sky apart.
Dark storm clouds rapidly gathered overhead as the earth beneath them cracked apart under the pressure of the two monstrous forces.
The collision alone felt like meteors smashing into the world.
Boom!
After a violent explosion, the two waves of Haki finally dispersed.
The Gorosei and Holy Knights felt genuine shock.
Even they had rarely witnessed Imu releasing her full power.
Every one of them immediately bowed respectfully.
"Imu-sama…"
On the opposite side, the allied forces wore grim expressions.
They already knew Imu was powerful, but none of them expected her mere presence to be this terrifying.
Fortunately, they still had Marco.
Marco narrowed his eyes as he looked at Imu carefully.
"So the ruler of the world is actually a woman."
Imu possessed an almost flawless appearance.
Her long crimson hair faded into darker shades near the ends, and the massive crown atop her head made her seem even more imposing.
At the same time, Marco activated his system scan.
Name: Nerona Imu
Devil Fruit: Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Satan Form
Estimated Combat Level: Planetary Level
Marco's eyes sharpened slightly.
So her Devil Fruit was the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Satan.
No wonder she could transform Giants into demonic creatures.
She herself was the source of those powers.
For a brief moment, Marco even wondered whether Devil Fruits had earned their name because of Imu's demonic abilities.
Still, one thing reassured him.
Imu's strength remained within the limits of this world.
She was powerful, but she had not surpassed the Planetary Level.
Imu's cold gaze locked onto Marco.
"Marco, Imu is willing to give you one opportunity. Submit to me, and I will allow you to stand beside me. Together, we can share this world."
The moment those words were spoken, Dragon, Kuzan, and the others stiffened.
This was an invitation from the ruler of the world herself.
Even though they believed Marco would refuse, the thought still crossed their minds.
If Marco accepted now, everyone present would die here.
Marco suddenly sneered.
"Nah, I refuse."
He looked at Imu mockingly.
"At a time like this, saying something so naive almost feels embarrassing."
Imu's expression remained indifferent.
"Since you insist on resisting, then Imu will personally deal with you."
Her scarlet eyes shifted toward the Gorosei.
"Nusjuro, eliminate the rest of these insects."
"Yes, Imu-sama."
The Gorosei responded respectfully.
To them, Marco was the only true threat.
Nobody else mattered.
Hearing Imu continue speaking in such a superior tone made Marco laugh coldly.
"You make it sound like you've already won."
As he spoke, black flames erupted across Marco's body.
Since his system scan confirmed that he and Imu stood on the same level, the only uncertainty left was her ability.
He intended to test it personally.
Without hesitation, Marco shot forward.
At the same instant, a portal suddenly opened behind Imu.
Her body immediately retreated into it.
Then countless dark tentacles burst out from within the portal and wrapped around Marco's body.
A terrifying pulling force dragged him toward the darkness inside.
"Damn it!"
Black flames exploded from Marco's body, instantly burning away the tentacles.
But before he could react further, another magic circle appeared beneath his feet.
In the next second, Marco vanished completely.
"Marco!"
Jozu's expression immediately changed.
Vista remained relatively composed.
"Don't panic. Captain Marco's Vivre Card is still intact. Imu probably used her ability to drag him somewhere else."
As he spoke, Vista raised the Vivre Card in his hand.
The paper remained stable.
Jinbe nodded firmly as blue phoenix flames burned across his body.
"He is the future king of this world. There's no way he'll fall so easily."
He clenched his fists tightly.
"We still possess the Phoenix power he granted us, and that alone proves he's alive. Believe in Marco-sama. He will definitely win."
Hearing those words, everyone gradually steadied themselves.
At this point, all they could do was trust Marco.
Saint Warcury snorted disdainfully.
"The only victor will be Imu-sama."
"Move!"
Saint Nusjuro suddenly roared.
"Kill them all!"
At the same moment, he unsheathed the Shodai Kitetsu and charged forward first, beginning the decisive battle outside Pangea Castle.
===
Read chapters ahead on Patreon, with every chapter organized into collections.
Subscribing a membership gives you access to "ALL" fanfictions,
Or you can buy only the collection you want, to gain access to chapters ahead.
P-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/_Zeph.