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What would be the consequences if that conversation was broadcast to the world?
On a large scale, everyone would now know that the Celestial Dragons had internal conflicts and that the government was no longer a united front. This would greatly reduce the government's authority, shaking the very foundations of their rule— a treasonous act!
On a smaller scale, when the mysterious and noble Celestial Dragons were revealed to be power-hungry and exposed such disgraceful behavior in front of the entire world, the prestige of the "World Nobles" would be utterly destroyed.
But most importantly...
Orrick had revealed his origins!
"The Nibelung Family... were once pirates?"
"Pirates?!!"
Boom!!!
Below the Red Line, in places Rowen couldn't see at the moment, countless civilians, pirates, and Marines were in an uproar, their eyes wide with disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost.
If even pirates could become the most noble Celestial Dragons, descendants of gods, then...
What are we holding on to?
Countless Marines were left in turmoil, filled with confusion.
We could replace them too!
The hearts of pirates ignited with a flame called ambition, their spirits soaring.
If even the rulers are pirates, what should we do?
Trembling citizens stared at the pirates howling in the streets, shivering with fear.
"Dammit!!"
"Arrest them!"
The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) shouted in a rage, realizing that after this revelation, there was no turning back.
"Understood!"
Rowen nodded, his face filled with murderous intent.
This was not the outcome he had wanted.
Everyone had underestimated Orrick's determination and ambition. When he realized he couldn't succeed, he chose to burn everything down, resetting everything to zero.
He cannot be allowed to succeed!
Zzz zzz...
Electricity crackled in his eyes as Rowen clasped his hands together, then slowly pulled them apart.
Boom Rumble!!
In an instant, the clear sky became overcast, and for the first time, the land atop the clouds felt the calm before the storm.
The leaden clouds stretched across the sky, and it was as if you could reach out and touch them.
Countless people looked up in terror, watching the lightning snakes writhing within the clouds, horrified.
"It's Rowen! What's happening?"
At the execution ground, Sengoku turned to gaze at the darkening sky, his expression heavy.
"Report! Urgent military situation!"
A messenger burst through the chaos outside and rushed to the center. Spotting Sengoku, his eyes lit up. Without bothering to salute, he handed over the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
"Fleet Admiral, something terrible has happened!"
There was no time to scold him. Sengoku's instincts told him that something truly serious had occurred. Without hesitation, he took the video Den Den Mushi and pressed the switch.
Boom!
Crack!!
Deafening thunder lit up the surroundings as a massive thunderbolt struck the outskirts of the Holy Land. The resulting explosion from the lightning charred the stone buildings, throwing the entire Holy Land into chaos.
At this moment, Sengoku could no longer pay attention to anything else.
As he watched the video transmitted by the Den Den Mushi, a chill surged through his heart. Reflecting on his decades of effort, Sengoku's vision darkened, and he staggered backward.
"Sengoku!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru was quick and attentive, and she frowned silently but swiftly moved behind him, preventing the Fleet Admiral from collapsing to the ground.
"It's over!"
"Everything is over!"
"Sengoku… I'm taking emergency command as the Commander-in-Chief of all forces. Hand over your soldiers to me immediately!"
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed across the sky.
As Sengoku saw that towering, majestic figure leading troops into battle, he finally regained some composure.
He glanced at Tsuru beside him. Her usually sharp eyes now held an unmistakable weariness. With a wave of his hand, he spoke.
"Go help them, Tsuru."
"I'm fine."
"You..."
Tsuru opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, all her thoughts turned into a sigh. "I understand!"
"All Marines, listen up!"
At the moment Sengoku nodded, "Steel Bone" Kong stepped onto the platform and roared with his deep, powerful voice.
"Akainu, finish the battle quickly— no need to worry about casualties!"
"Everyone else, split into squads and immediately seal off all exits of the Holy Land! Any failure will result in the entire unit being executed!"
Buzz!
At the same time, a low, oppressive humming sound filled the sky.
Looking up, everyone saw a massive light barrier rising around them. The semi-transparent blue screen shimmered like ripples of water, but anyone with a keen eye could sense the immense power of lightning emanating from it.
Within Pangaea Castle, Rowen summoned his awakening power, his entire body covered in blue light spots, as he roared.
"Awakening Technique: Thunder-Slaying Heavenly Coffin— Sealing Heaven, Locking Earth!"
Buzz...
The high-frequency noise echoed for miles as light rippled across the barrier. Once the barrier enveloped the entire Holy Land, it solidified into a lethal lightning dome.
Lirisk's eyes darkened, and he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
"So that's it. You've sealed off any electromagnetic signals, planning to find the source later?"
The strength of this barrier was debatable compared to Doflamingo's Birdcage. Opinions varied, as the two techniques were fundamentally different in nature.
But the surging electricity sealed off the entire Holy Land, instantly cutting off all broadcast signals. No signals could enter or leave.
"Heh!"
"Don't forget, I'm the Thunder-Lightning Human, Lirisk."
Sizzle!
Rowen's body turned into a black streak, appearing in front of Orrick. His left hand formed a blade, stabbing into "Orrick's" head.
Creak… Crash!
The Celestial Dragons behind him were shocked. Did the head of the Nibelung Family, Nibelung Orrick, just die?
How could he dare?!
But soon, they realized they were mistaken.
In the midst of Lirisk's grim expression, Rowen withdrew his hand, shaking off the brain matter, blood, and bone fragments clinging to it. He clenched his fist slightly.
Sizzle...
Pop!
The electrode chip sizzled as it burned out. The person lying on the ground wasn't Orrick at all!
"Bon Kurei, a high-level officer of Baroque Works, the Clone-Clone Fruit user who can transform into anyone he touches— with same face, body, and voice included."
Looking at the dead man with dilated pupils, Rowen slowly said, "No wonder the Marines couldn't find him for so many years. He was found and modified by your Nibelung Family."
He crushed the chip, which, much like the ones in the future with Kuma, caused the victim to lose consciousness and become a puppet.
"Why search for the signal source? Don't forget, Lirisk, I'm the Thunder-Lightning Human."
"My ability to sense electromagnetic waves far surpasses anything that technology can easily evade."
However, despite saying this, Rowen hadn't realized it immediately. After all, who would have thought, or dared to think, that the mighty Nibelung Orrick would actually be someone else in disguise?
Who would assume that the "most Haki-filled Celestial Dragon chief," trained in the "Spartan education mode," wouldn't dare to kill?
"Lirisk... why go to such lengths?"
Now that the signal threat was neutralized, Vic closed his eyes in sorrow.
"Did our failure to punish Doflamingo back then plant seeds of resentment in you?"
Though Orrick wasn't present, Lirisk's presence indicated he was a sacrificial pawn to lure them into this trap.
After all, with only one Bon Kurei, he could impersonate only one person. If Rowen had noticed something wrong immediately, the entire plan would have collapsed, leaving no chance to use their trump card.
Vic found it hard to believe that Orrick would even sacrifice his own flesh and blood. But the truth was undeniable.
All he wanted to know was... why?!
"So, you did know it was him."
"He used Pluton's cannonball to blow me to the brink of death."
Lirisk fell silent for a moment before continuing, "But that's not the point."
"The Nibelung Family creed taught me that if you seek revenge, you do it yourself."
"I just wanted justice for our house— a justice we've been denied since the very founding of the government, where we've been marginalized."
*Thud!*
With that, Lirisk suddenly turned, driving his clawed hand into the chest of a Celestial Dragon who had been following them.
As the Celestial Dragon looked at him with confusion and fear, Lirisk softly murmured, "Do you know? My father killed my mother just like this, right in front of me, less than three meters away."
"Because in his heart, mating with a worthless breeding stock was revolting."
"But for the sake of continuing the Family's bloodline, he had to accept the despicable custom of inbreeding within the Celestial Dragons."
"We are wolves, yet he forced us to live among sheep… Have you ever seen a wolf that doesn't eat meat?"
"To him, we weren't Celestial Dragons at all— just pets, imprisoned and bred, living lives worse than death."
Vic was speechless. All the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.
After a long silence, he sheathed his cane sword, took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth as he coughed twice, and stepped aside.
"I leave this to you, Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)."
"Understood!"
Rowen smiled faintly and took a step forward. The intense pressure from his combined Haoshoku Haki and Thunder Cloud Dragon aura caused the ground to sink as if a massive weight had crashed down, revealing cracks and a sunken, circular pit.
"This time, I don't think I have a reason to hold back."
"Indeed!"
Lirisk dropped the corpse in his hand and returned the smile. "This time, we decide both victory and life or death."
"Dying won't be that easy, Saint... Lirisk!"
"Oh, let's find out then!"
(End of Chapter)