The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

The moment the words fell

"boom!!!!!"

Conqueror's Haki erupts!

It's not about intimidation on a large scale, but about extreme focus and targeting!

The dark purple, lightning-shaped aura almost materialized, carrying a terrifying pressure capable of crushing souls.

It precisely wrapped itself around each member of the Blackbeard Pirates!

"Uh!"

"what?!"

"That domineering aura..."

In an instant, the entire Blackbeard Pirates, who had just been arrogant and domineering, were...

Whether it was a vicious Level 6 criminal or Blackbeard's former officers, their expressions all changed drastically!

The weaker members, such as Burgess and Doc Q, let out a muffled groan, their faces turned ashen, and they knelt on the ground, their eyes filled with horror!

Even top-tier villains like the Tyrant King, Shiliu, and Catherine had their pupils contract and their bodies stiffen at this moment.

No one expected that Conqueror's Haki could also bind and control others.

In an instant, Gern, with just his domineering aura, forcefully suppressed the newly formed Blackbeard Pirates, who were in the midst of expanding ambitions!

This also deterred anyone from taking the lead!

Chapter 472 'The World'

Blackbeard's smile froze completely at that moment.

He stared intently at Gern, his teeth clenched, and logically, as the captain, he should have been the first to make a move.

But... that is indeed the case.

Even though the opponent was severely injured and his breathing was unstable, the absolute deterrent power of "Heavenly Tremor" that surpassed all living beings still shone through.

It is definitely not something that his newly assembled group of "partners," each with their own ulterior motives, can easily shake!

Thinking of this, Blackbeard's gaze involuntarily drifted to the still oppressive corpse beside him.

The title of "world's strongest" may never have truly left us.

Originally, he also coveted the Heavenly Tremor Fruit, which displayed power that eclipsed the heavens and earth, and the Black Blade Eight Desolations.

After all, having been secretly watching, he had long since witnessed the power of this fruit.

If he could seize this opportunity and take it all in one fell swoop, his ambition would be supported like never before!

Ultimately, the perfect plan in his heart was to acquire the Heaven-Shaking Fruit, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and the Black Blade Eight Desolations.

At the same time, kill Gern and cause the Navy to collapse in the New World!

Then, he simply took over all of Whitebeard and Gern's territory!

The plan was perfect, but reality dealt him a heavy blow.

Even if Gern is already at his limit, the price he pays is something Gern cannot afford.

In other words, if someone wanted to kill him now, even if a massive army came out of nowhere to take his head, it would only take a little time.

Thus, in a moment of weighing the options, Blackbeard's cunning and cautious nature led him to make the decision that best served his immediate interests.

Abandon Gern and proceed with the original plan!

Whitebeard's body cannot be left unattended for too long!

He knew some of the secrets of Devil Fruit power transfer, but he wasn't 100% certain.

The longer it drags on, the greater the variables become. He dares not gamble on whether he can still successfully obtain the Tremor-Tremor Fruit power he has been dreaming of!

Moreover, the reason why these "partners" he recruited from Level 6 of Impel Down were willing to follow him was...

To a large extent, it's because he promised this power that could overturn the world!

Therefore, the guys behind him were also waiting and watching.

If he backs down or chooses the wrong target here, this fragile alliance could fall apart in an instant.

In a split second, a resolute glint flashed in Blackbeard's eyes!

He stopped looking at Gern and instead turned to give the two crew members behind him a very subtle look.

Van Auger and helmsman Lafayette immediately understood!

Almost the instant they received the command, the two pulled out a huge black curtain that they had prepared beforehand!

"Shh!"

A dark shadow flashed by!

A black cloth was precisely draped over Whitebeard's imposing body, and also directly covered Blackbeard himself, who was standing in front of Whitebeard's body!

In an instant, a huge black cloth blocked everyone's view and concealed the forbidden scene that was about to take place: the desecration of the dead and the theft of power!

Under the absolute intimidation of Gern, Blackbeard chose to settle for second best and turned his fangs toward his deceased "father"!

As Blackbeard and his crew swiftly covered Whitebeard's body and himself with a black cloth, Gern stood with his sword, not stepping forward to stop them.

He didn't move.

It wasn't a lack of power or fear, but rather a lack of purpose.

After all, he was in extremely poor condition. If he forced his way into the fray, the Blackbeard Pirates, those thugs who were already looking forward to this scene, would definitely stop him at all costs.

Getting caught up in the chaos would only worsen his injuries, making it a losing proposition. Besides, there was a red-haired guy lurking behind him, ready to show off at any moment.

However, it is possible to interfere by using the power of the Heaven-Quake Fruit from a distance.

Blackbeard, who possesses the Dark-Dark Fruit and can absorb and nullify ability attacks, must have been prepared, making it difficult for his attack to succeed.

More importantly, in his eyes, Blackbeard's act of stealing the Devil Fruit was nothing more than the disgusting sight of a hyena devouring a giant elephant's carcass. While it was certainly repulsive, it could not change the fact that the giant elephant had already fallen.

The battle between Whitebeard and him was a passing down of will and strength.

As for his entanglement with Blackbeard, it was purely a dirty struggle for interests, something Gorn disdained.

What he needed to think about now was what was to come, especially the extremely solemn warning Whitebeard had given him before his death.

When facing 'it'... you can't lose!

Because you are too powerful, Gern.

If you lose... then really... really... no one can stop you.

Combining the information previously revealed by Shiki, and the meaningful tone Whitebeard used when mentioning Rocks' defeat...

Gern's previous speculations about the "World Government" and even "Im"

At this moment, they seem to be connected, pointing to a larger and more terrifying truth.

“Back then… I wore it too early…” Gern muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.

He now realizes that although he has come this far thanks to his foresight.

But our knowledge of the world's deepest secrets, of the true struggle that has unfolded from eight hundred years ago to the present, remains limited.

"It seems... there are many secrets I don't know about," Gern murmured with a sigh.

The destruction of the Rocks Pirates shocked the world at the time and was considered a miracle created by Garp and Roger working together.

But now, Gern is almost certain.

Rocks, in a true sense, was not defeated by Garp and Roger!

He most likely lost to the "world" that Whitebeard spoke of!

A colossal entity that transcends the conventional concept of a world government—another ancient and indescribable entity!

Garp and Roger may have just happened to be there, becoming the "heroes" in the open.

And this 'world' is definitely [Imu], and Whitebeard said he couldn't lose, and that no one could stop him, so in other words...

"When facing the 'world,' does my defeat not mean being defeated, but rather losing myself...?"

Gern wasn't stupid; he realized this almost instantly.

A sudden realization.

Before his death, Whitebeard saw through Gorn's deep-seated pursuit of pure power and foresaw that he would inevitably clash head-on with that "world" in the future.

His failure will not only be a personal downfall, but may also mean that the world order will completely collapse due to his loss of control, plunging into an abyss of no return.

Power, at this moment, becomes a double-edged sword.

He longed to use it to reach the summit, but Whitebeard warned him that after reaching the summit, he would face the final battlefield where he could not afford to lose.

"Hoo~" Gern slowly exhaled, clenching the Eight Desolations in his hand.

Looking at the black cloth that concealed the blasphemous act, his eyes turned cold again.

The remnants of the old era have been wiped out, and he need not concern himself with the hyenas' farce.

Next, his gaze will truly turn to the deepest fog that shrouds the world.

"The world..."

Chapter 473 I'm asking you, what are you doing?

Gern remained inactive, observing the situation from the sidelines.

On the other hand, Ace and his crew, consumed by rage and determined to retrieve their father's remains, could not stand idly by while Blackbeard desecrated Whitebeard's body!

"Teach!!! You bastard!!!"

Seeing the huge black cloth covering Whitebeard's body, Ace's pent-up grief and anger erupted completely at this moment!

Without even thinking, with a roar, his right fist transformed into a raging inferno.

A fiery "fire fist" was unleashed!

however.

"Shh!"

A cold blade of light arrived first, slicing into the fiery fist with the precision of cutting through silk!

The fierce slash forcefully cleaved the massive flame in two.

It transformed into two streams of dissipating fire, which swept past the black cloth on both sides without causing any damage!

Shiryu of the Rain appeared before the black cloth, slowly sheathing his famous sword "Thunderstorm".

With a cigar dangling from his lips, he exhaled a smoke ring, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"This is... a miraculous moment."

"We cannot be disturbed."

Shiryu's composed demeanor, as if he were enjoying a good show, further fueled the rage of the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates!

"Shiryu!!!"

"Kill them! Get Dad back!"

Just as flames surged around Ace again, preparing to charge forward and fight to the death...

"Ace!!! Stop!!!"

Marco instantly transformed into his phoenix form and blocked Ace's path with incredible speed, gripping his shoulders tightly with both hands.

Although his face was filled with grief, his eyes were unusually clear, and he grabbed Ace and shouted each word clearly:

"Assess the situation, Ace!!!"

"My father... he's already dead in battle!!!"

"He didn't give any orders in the end, but he traded his life for our survival! For your freedom!!!"

He shook Ace's shoulder hard, trying to snap his brother out of his rage: "Look around! The Navy is still lurking!"