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

the other side

Bucky the Clown from "Bucky Delivery" once again used his "lucky color Haki," which was blessed by the sea after a brief moment of panic.

He first reached an agreement with Sha Crocodile, who had also come to him to collect a loan shark's debt.

And coincidentally, it attracted the legendary pirate "Lone Red" Barolorick Redfield, who was tired of wandering alone and was looking for an interesting "observation point".

Thus, in the New World, Kalai Bali, Pakistan Express built upon its existing intelligence network and vast cash reserves.

A gray organization called "Cross Guild" that accepts all kinds of commissions (including mercenaries, bodyguards, and intelligence trafficking) has been officially established.

Bucky, still sporting that comical blue-nosed face, is "assisted" by the two real big shots.

He sat on the throne of guild leader with a bewildered yet secure air, his extraordinary fortune astonishing.

At the same time, what truly made the world feel the new admiral's iron fist and determination was the bloody purge that followed.

Seven days after the declaration was issued, Gern signed the order of Field Marshal.

The government announced the abolition of all legal immunity and political privileges of the Celestial Dragons, the "world's nobles."

The moment the order was given, the elite naval forces already deployed in the Sabaody Archipelago and at key shipping lanes acted simultaneously.

The twelve Celestial Dragons and their guards, who were enjoying themselves and acting arrogantly in the "lower realm," were arrested in full view of everyone.

Nine of them, who attempted to rebel as "descendants of the Creator" and threatened or even attacked the Marines, were killed on the spot by Enel.

The execution was recorded by a video denial-of-call (DN) and leaked through specific channels.

Mary Geoise is furious!

But after the fury... came silence.

For a whole month, not a single Celestial Dragon dared to step out of the Red Line.

Undercurrents surged within Pangu City, the Five Elders held frequent emergency meetings, and the Knights of God were constantly being mobilized.

But facing the independent navy that had completely broken off relations and had just demonstrated its thunderous methods and powerful military strength...

The world government was momentarily caught in a dilemma and fell into silence.

At the same time, the avalanche effect in politics began to emerge.

In the first half of the Four Seas and the Grand Line, over 60% of the world's member states and non-member states of the World Government are located in areas under the actual control of the Navy or are subject to its powerful influence.

After a brief period of observation and intense internal struggle, they all sent special envoys, either secretly or openly, to New Marineford.

Tax agreements, military cooperation treaties, supply contracts... piled up like snowflakes on the desk of the newly appointed Chief of the Navy, Tezzolo.

Money, supplies, manpower, intelligence... the massive war machine of the Independent Navy, under Gern's ruthless control...

Far from being paralyzed by its separation from the World Government, it instead thrived with a greedy and efficient attitude.

It frantically absorbs the nutrients released after the collapse of the old system, rapidly expands, takes root, and becomes increasingly stable.

........

Early July, New Marineford, Marshal's office.

Gern stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, outside which was a bustling military port.

On the desk behind him lay a newly released world situation map, marked with different colors.

The Navy-controlled area, the ambiguous zone, the World Government's staunch supporter zone, and... several special areas marked in crimson.

Wano Country remains blocked by a massive waterfall.

On Onigashima, the Beasts Pirates' flag still flies high, and the news of Jack the Drought's defeat seems to have had no effect on them whatsoever.

Intelligence from Whole Cake Island in Totto Land indicates that the Big Mom Pirates have been relatively quiet recently.

The Blackbeard Pirates on Pirate Peak Island also fell silent.

And at the summit of the Red Line, the sacred land of Mary Geoise.

"Marshal Gern." At that moment, Tezzolo pushed open the door and entered.

"The first batch of candidates for commanders of the reorganized New World G-series bases have been selected. Please take a look."

Gern didn't turn around, but simply gave a faint "hmm".

The year of the sea splitting open has officially begun.

Chapter 581 The 'Silence' of the Holy Land

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, deep within the city of Pangaea.

The Void Throne stands at the far end of the spacious hall, perched atop dozens of pristine white steps.

Legend has it that this throne symbolizes "empty royal power," representing that the world government has no single dictator.

Yet at this moment, before this throne symbolizing "equality," the Five Elders, the highest authority in the world, kneel in the most humble and fearful posture.

They have been kneeling for far too long.

From the moment the declaration of independence by Germain Reginald Sigmar, which tore the world apart, was transmitted across the world via video Den Den Mushi, to the moment it was transmitted from the moment it was transmitted via video Den Den Mushi, it was a moment that ...

The five of them received an extremely concise order from "that great one," and were immediately nailed to this spot, kneeling prostrate beneath the cold steps of the Void Throne.

There were no further instructions, no explanations, and even the hollow, neither-male-nor-female echo that usually resonated in their minds fell completely silent.

There was only boundless, suffocating silence.

"Nasujiro".

At that moment, Shepard X. Pitt Saint's faint voice broke the almost frozen silence in the hall.

The kneeling posture caused wrinkles in his sharp dark suit, and his meticulously groomed beard appeared somewhat disheveled.

But he still turned his head and looked at Izambaron V. Nassshuro beside him.

"What... happened?"

This question has been lingering in the minds of others for far too long.

All they knew was that Nassuro was ordered by Lord Im to intercept Gern and reclaim the "Mother Flame".

The result was that they returned severely injured, followed by Lord Im's rare command: "Do not descend to the mortal realm."

And then, for more than a month, an unprecedented and complete silence ensued.

Nasujiro knelt on the spot, his head slightly lowered. Upon hearing the question, his serious and stern face furrowed.

“I don’t know either,” Nasujiro said in a low voice. “I only remember… I lost.”

A complete and utter defeat. My swordsmanship, my Devil Fruit power, even the 'blessing' bestowed upon me by the master…”

He paused.

“Then… when I came to my senses, I was… back in Mary Geoise.” Nasujiro’s brows furrowed even more.

"What happened in between, what methods Gern used, why the master gave the order... I have no memory of it."

It's as if that period of 'time'... has been erased.

Erased?

The others felt a chill run down their spines at the same time.

"That's a side effect of the adult's arrival," said Jaigolusia Satan Saint, opening his eyes.

“We have no memory of it, so there’s no need to ask.” He then closed his eyes again.

“So what do we do now?” Marcus Mazsan sighed deeply. “Are we just going to let ‘Skyquake’ continue like this…?”

"Judicial Island has been completely taken over by the Navy, and all waterways leading to the Gates of Justice have been blocked by the Navy fleet."

Our tax collection fleet encountered naval expulsion and even seizure during our operations across the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line.

More than ten member states have stopped paying their 'celestial gold' and instead transferred their tax revenue to New Marine Fendo.

The CP organization's operational space in the lower realm was severely compressed, resulting in heavy losses...

If this continues, within six months, the World Government's 'legitimate' facade in the lower realm will be completely torn apart and trampled underfoot.

“In short…” Jaigolusia Satan Saint kept his eyes closed, his fingers gently twirling the scepter.

"We cannot disobey the orders of our superiors."

“But…” Topman Vochuli Saint couldn’t help but speak up, “Satan Saint, shall we continue to be ‘quiet’ here?”

That's tantamount to handing over all initiative in the lower realm to Tianzhen!

He is not only depriving us of our resources and power, he is systematically and thoroughly destroying the legal foundation of the world government's rule for eight hundred years!

He is telling the world that there are no Celestial Dragons, no World Nobles, and no 'descendants of the Creator'.

This ocean can function just as well, and perhaps even... better!

"He...he's digging us out of our roots!" Vocuri Saint became increasingly agitated as he spoke.

"When the hearts of the people have completely turned to him, when those member states have become accustomed to paying taxes to the navy and seeking its protection, when the navy's 'new justice' becomes a new benchmark in people's hearts..."

Even if we possess immense power, when we return to the lower realm, we may not face resistance, but rather utter...estrangement and hostility!

We will become the 'invaders'!

These words were scathing, yet utterly true.

The other four, including Satan, who had kept his eyes closed, all frowned even more deeply.

They wield the highest power in the world (the Knights of God, the pinnacle of CP0 combat power, and immense military potential).

Possessing some of Vegapunk's advanced technology, as well as terrifying resources and secrets accumulated over eight hundred years.

In theory, they possess the power to instantly counter all of Gern's measures.

However, Lord Im's orders tightly bound their hands and feet.

That was not just an order, but also a... transmission of fear.

Even the adults, due to their contact with Gern, issued an order that was almost absolving them of war: "Do not descend to the mortal realm."

Even afterwards, an unsettling silence fell, the underlying message of which sent chills down the spines of these old servants who had served the adults for centuries.

"Do you think we don't want to have plans and resist?" Nasujiro suddenly raised his head. "Aren't we kneeling here right now?!"

“Or,” Nasujiro’s gaze pierced sharply at Vaujuri, his tone chilling, “are you going to disobey the master’s orders?”

Vocuri Saint trembled, his face drained of color, and he quickly lowered his head: "I dare not."

Disobeying Lord Im? The mere thought was enough to send shivers down their spines.

That was a consequence that could not be simply described as death.

That's something even more terrifying than "erasure"... denial.

The hall fell silent once again.

They, the rulers of the world, now resembled five children who had done something wrong, kneeling helplessly before the empty throne, awaiting their parents' punishment.

Time passed second by second.

Sunlight streamed through the tall stained-glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light across the floor, shifting from bright to dusky.

Ultimately, it was replaced by wall lamps that automatically illuminated inside the hall, emitting a soft white light.

I don't know how many days have passed.

"Om..."

A faint buzzing sound, seemingly emanating from the very soul, suddenly resounded simultaneously in the minds of the Five Elders.

It's not sound, but a tremor that reconnects the perception of "existence".

The five people shuddered violently at the same time, burying their heads even lower until their foreheads almost touched the cold ground.

coming!

The Lord... has finally descended once again!

Unfortunately, the instructions, reprimands, or new orders that the five had anticipated did not come.

What entered their senses was a... blurry, fragmented piece.

Endless darkness and nothingness. (Is that the essence of Lord Im's power? Or some kind of encounter?)