“Buzz—Buzz—”

  At El’s and, the increasingly powerful war mae of the Fallen Angel Pirates roared to life.

  In just three days, three massive fleets were assembled, prising over 30,000 crew members, an additional 50,000 Homies soldiers, and more than 100 warships. Led by the three “Camities”—Thunder Camity Cyril Oka, Wind Camity Irma Irene, and Fme Camity Afar—they set out in a grand march toward the G-11 fortress, making no effort to ceal their objective.

  The decration of i sent shockwaves across the seas, causing even the Wover and Marine Headquarters to grow armed.

  …

  Holy Land, Mary Geoise

  “What!?”

  “That bastard…”

  “His goal is to elimihe Marine fortresses in the New World?”

  “Damn it, he’s too good at pig his timing! Right when Rocks is causing chaos everywhere!”

  The Five Elders, upon receiving the report, were both shocked and furious. Initially, they had been relieved that Totto Land’s Kingdom seemed ued in interfering with the war between Marine Headquarters and the Rocks Pirates. But now, Fallen Angel El had suddenly ordered his pirate fleet to move, targeting the Marine fortresses ier half of the New World.

  “Although El doesn’t seem i on taking a personally, this ing man must not be uimated,” said Saint Mars. Holding his abdomen in thought, he tinued, “And with his strong subordinates, I fear G-11 ’t hold out.”

  “It’s not just G-11. I suspect his ambitioend much further,” added Saint Nasujuro, clutg the first-geion Kitetsu sword. “That bastard is clearly determio stop the Marines from rebuilding any major fortresses and to use this ce to drive them pletely out of the New World.”

  Saint Saturn, leaning on his e from the sofa, spoke gravely:

  “The expeditio has returo the G-1 Fortress, and the rebellious Seven Warlords have scattered. Meanwhile, Bck Bear and Iron Bone are statio G-5, and the Holy Knights have been deployed to guard G-1 against a Rocks attack. G-11 Fortress is too far away to reinfor time.”

  Saint Ju Peter frowned from his seat on the sofa. “So, do we abandon G-11?”

  “What other choice do we have?” Saint Mars said helplessly, pressing his hands on the sofa’s backrest. “We must admit that the strength of these New World pirates is overwhelming. With the current Marine forces in the New World, we ’t maintain trol of the situation. And sihe Marines are also responsible for the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Seas, they ’t it most of their forces to the New World indefinitely.”

  “So, we must prioritize,” Saint Ju Peter muttered, narrowing his eyes in thought.

  “The most critical task now is to defend G-5 Fortress. It is one of the Marines’ few remaining major strongholds in the New World and a vital foothold for reg dominan the future. Losing it is not an option!” Saint Valkyrie emphasized. “If G-5 falls, G-1 Fortress will be the st line of defense against these pirates, directly threatening the Holy Land.”

  “Order Kong and Sengoku to retreat from G-11 and fortify G-5 immediately!”

  With the Five Elders’ decision to withdraw to G-5, the Mari G-11—including Kong, Sengoku, and Garp—relutly prepared to evacuate. Even they had to admit that the Marines’ influen the New World had signifitly weakened and could no longer suppress the increasingly ambitious pirate fas. Their forces couldn’t stay indefinitely, and they were fortuhat El hadn’t personally led the assault.

  As G-11 prepared to retreat, G-5 Fortress faced an ued visitor.

  …

  G-5 Fortress

  “Huh?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Impossible!”

  “Gulp! No way…”

  “It’s Fallen Angel El!!!”

  “The stro creature in the world?”

  “What is he doing here?”

  The pierg wail of arms echoed throughout G-5 Fortress. Thousands of Mariared in shod disbelief at the enormous creature hurtling toward them at breakneck speed. The colossal figure, blog out the sun, instilled dread in the hearts of all who saw it.

  “Damn it…”

  “This is bad…”

  “Fallen Angel El…”

  The overwhelming presence sent shivers down the spines of even the Marine Vice Admirals statio the fortress. Soon, Admirals Bck Bear and Iron Bone—who had beeo G-5 in light of the Rocks Pirates’ ret attacks—arrived. They stood solemnly, feeling the unimaginable, urained aura emanating from the creature before them.

  “Fallen Angel El, what is the meaning of this?” Admiral Bck Bear demanded, his voice thick with killing i. “Are you deg total war on the Wover?”

  “Marines, listen well. Starting today, G-5 Fortress will cease to exist. The New World will no longer have a pce for the Marines!”

  Desding from the skies, the monstrous figure radiated unparalleled mes pitch-bck head, ed with golden horns and a fming mane, and its scaly, aquamarine body resembled a dragon of legend. Four cwed limbs and two massive pairs of wings—one blue and one bpleted its terrifying form. It hovered -5, gring coldly at the assembled Marines.

  El’s voice was devoid of emotion as he addressed the Marine leaders.

  “I’m giving you a choice: leave this fortress immediately and avoid unnecessary casualties, or stay and be crushed like is. I have no problem with the tter.”

  “Now, answer me—YES OR NO?”

  Bleam