Cold snow drifted down from the bleak, overcast sky above Philseque Island, fluttering like white catkins onto the frozen, rigid faces of the Five Elders.

The world had gone eerily still.

Not a sound could be heard—not even a bird's cry.

Facing the smirking gaze of the Marine brat before them, the Five Elders' expressions were grim. Even in their monstrous transformed states, terrifying in both size and presence, they couldn't hide the fury and panic in their eyes.

He really dared to do it.

He actually dared!

How could he?

He had sent the Shichibukai "Blood Dragon" Fisher Tiger to infiltrate Mary Geoise—the sacred land of the Celestial Dragons—to set fires, wreak havoc, and free those lowly slaves!?

Not in their worst nightmares had the Five Elders ever imagined someone would truly have the audacity to invade the Holy Land.

It was the greatest humiliation the World Government had suffered in centuries.

Under normal circumstances, someone like Fisher Tiger would've been easy to eliminate. They could have sent anyone and wiped him out with ease.

But this time was different.

All the "reliable" combat power of Marine Headquarters had already been drawn to the North Blue, and even the five of them—the highest authorities of the World Government—were here on this frozen, remote island.

And to make matters worse, this damn brat of a Marine had orchestrated it all alone, dragging every last bit of their strength to the North Blue…

Just realizing that made the Five Elders break out in a cold sweat.

But what troubled them most was that even if the five of them combined their full strength, they still couldn't take down Daren in a short amount of time.

This guy was too strange.

He hadn't yet reached the absolute peak of this sea. He was still far from the level of Rocks—the "King of the World" who could shake islands with just his presence.

And yet, he was somehow more troublesome than Rocks ever was.

An almost indestructible body, strength beyond even that of the giants, speed and reflexes that defied logic... Whether it was hand-to-hand combat, Haki, or his Devil Fruit ability, the man had no weaknesses.

The existence of this bastard felt like it had been designed purely to torment them.

Just then, another burst of "buru buru" calls rang out from the Den Den Mushi on each of the Five Elders.

They paused, joints cracking as they rapidly shifted into their towering five- to six-meter human-beast hybrid forms, pulling out the Den Den Mushi and accepting the calls.

As the devices lit up, projections slowly began to take shape.

What appeared was a scene straight out of hell.

A sea of red filled the vision. Roaring flames lit up the gloom, swallowing the sky. Most of the city had been consumed by fire.

Through the smoke and blaze, they could just make out hordes of enraged, frenzied slaves rampaging through the streets, tearing through the Holy Land Guard like they were made of straw. The soldiers scattered, broken and routed.

The Five Elders frowned deeply, their hearts sinking fast.

Had it really gotten this bad?

According to the reports, at least a third of Mary Geoise's commercial district had already fallen.

Fortunately, the "Land of the Gods"—where the Celestial Dragons resided—was still heavily guarded and had not suffered significant damage... yet.

Warcury took a deep breath, shot a glance at the Vice Admiral beside him—also back in human form and gasping for air—and coldly spoke into the military Den Den Mushi:

"Fisher Tiger, stop now... there's still a chance for us to show mercy."

"Or do you really think you can lead those foolish slaves out of the Holy Land?"

On the other end, Fisher Tiger replied calmly,

"Lords, I don't believe what I'm doing is evil—so I don't need anyone's forgiveness."

"On the contrary, it is people like you—tyrants who enslave lives and strip away freedom—who should be begging for forgiveness. Power, in and of itself, is the greatest evil."

"As for whether I can get my people out of this damned city, that's none of your concern."

"Light and fire will guide our way."

Fisher Tiger's firm and unyielding voice left the Five Elders momentarily speechless.

None of them had expected that the long-oppressed fishmen would give rise to someone like Fisher Tiger.

Suddenly, Saturn let out a cold snort, his tone laced with menace.

"If you stop now, we'll make it painless for you. We won't pursue the others, either... But if you continue—do you really think Fish-Man Island can withstand the wrath of the World Government?"

Fisher Tiger answered, voice cold as ice,

"There's no need for threats. I chose this path. I have no regrets."

"As for Fish-Man Island's safety, I have full confidence in Daren-san."

"I didn't come to bathe the Holy Land in blood—only to rescue those who suffer in chains. That's all."

With that, he cut the line before the Five Elders could speak another word.

"Damn it!!"

Saturn roared through gritted teeth, whipping around to glare at the Vice Admiral, who was clearly exhausted. His bloodshot eyes burned with fury.

"Daren, you little brat! Is this your declaration of war against the World Government!?"

Daren steadied his breathing, wiped the blood from his mouth and face, and sneered.

"With your wisdom and brilliance, surely I don't need to spell it out."

"When you cornered me like this, did you really think I wouldn't fight back?"

The Five Elders froze.

Of course they had considered the possibility that Daren might retaliate—and they were confident they had taken every precaution.

They'd locked down the island with elite Marines. They'd used Daren's wife as leverage. They'd even personally descended on the North Blue.

Measures like those were enough to crush anyone who dared resist.

But what they hadn't expected was that—beyond his terrifying strength—Daren had quietly made his own preparations behind the scenes.

"...What a joke."

Just then, a cold and arrogant laugh rang out.

Warcury shook his head dismissively, his voice brimming with absolute confidence.

"Daren, did you really think Fisher Tiger alone would be enough to throw us into disarray?"

"I told you... You know nothing of the World Government's eight centuries of power."

As he spoke, the image on the Den Den Mushi—still linked to the situation in Mary Geoise—shifted.

Several figures began to appear, their presence deep and foreboding.

They were tall, composed, and dressed in noble World Government uniforms: light-colored dress suits with thick, upright collars, topped with dark, ankle-length hooded coats. On their arms gleamed pale medals embossed with the World Government's cross-shaped emblem of authority.

Among them, Daren immediately recognized a familiar red-haired figure.

Saint Figarland Garling.

"This farce will be over in just a few minutes..."

Warcury's face twisted into a confident smile.

"...judged by the God's Knights."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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