Red Line, Mariejois.
After a lengthy journey, the Ryu-Sen reached this grim sacred location. Four individuals descended the gangway from the ship.
Upon landing, a CP0 agent, who had been patiently awaiting their arrival, approached.
"Francis? You seem to be doing quite well".
Atlas sensed the familiar aura and raised his eyebrows slightly.
This person was rather acquainted with him.
He had been left by Atlas during the New World reshuffling operation, but later, his true identity as an undercover agent within the Beasts Pirates was revealed.
Kaido was pursued throughout a significant part of the New World, but Atlas eventually caught up with him and rescued his life.
Unexpectedly, he didn't succeed in completing the mission and ended up joining CP0.
It appears that this individual brought substantial benefits to the World Government by dealing with the Beasts Pirates.
"...I owe it all to Admiral Hakuryu for saving me from Kaido. Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing here today."
Francis smiled wryly and shook his head, "Moreover, compared to you, Admiral Hakuryu, my accomplishments are insignificant..."
Even when he initially encountered the man before him, He sensed that this individual's future accomplishments would undoubtedly be significant.
However, he didn't anticipate the sizable surprise the other party would present when they met again.
Engaging in a direct confrontation with the man known as Kaido of the Beasts and managing not to be defeated quickly.
"Hakuryu Admiral, let's proceed inside. If we linger any longer, the Five Elders might hold us accountable."
Francis glanced at the composed Mjosgard and couldn't shake off a sense of oddity.
He had heard that Saint Mjosgard didn't fare well on The Fish-Men Island.
However, when confronted with the holy land they were about to reach, he displayed no enthusiasm at all, which contradicted his past behavior.
"Alright, let's not delay then. I have matters to attend to at Marineford."
Atlas remained composed, seemingly oblivious to any changes in the other person's demeanor.
Squeak——! ! !
Upon finishing his statement, the towering doors slowly swung open.
A breathtaking and opulent scene unfolded before everyone, resembling a beautiful scroll gradually unraveling.
"Is this Mariejois? It's truly..."
Princess Otohime couldn't help but pause, struggling to find adequate words.
"What a bumpkin! This is just a modest corner of Mariejois," Mjosgard remarked dismissively.
"Your Highness, please don't be deceived by its appearance. Numerous sins are concealed beneath this facade," Jinbei cautioned Otohime without wavering in his gaze.
This wasn't his inaugural visit to the Holy Land of Mariejois, and the spectacle wasn't sufficient to divert his attention for the time being.
"...indeed."
Mjosgard fell into silence for a moment before admitting in a hushed voice.
"——??!!"
This statement startled Francis, who was leading the way.
Suppressing the inclination to turn around and inspect, he instinctively slowed down and attentively strained his ears.
'Isn't this the Celestial Dragons he knows? !'
'As a proud Celestial Dragon, when did he ever adopt such a humble tone?'
'This is the holy land, Mariejois, not The Fish-Men Island! !'
'Is Saint Mjosgard still dwelling on the days of The Fish-Men Island? ! This is his home turf! Manifest the proper dignity befitting a World Noble! !'
Francis screamed internally with disbelief.
As they conversed, a few individuals approached the sidewalk. A soldier clad in sturdy armor knowingly handed over a metal connecting rod and flashed a flattering smile at Mjosgard.
"Sir Mjosgard, care to join and give it a try?"
He recalled that Saint Mjosgard was among the Celestial Dragons who particularly enjoyed this construction.
If Mjosgard Saint favored him this time and gained recognition, it might not be impossible to directly access the inner realms of Mariejois.
Since the Homing family departed from the Holy Land over a decade ago, the members of the 19th royal family, the Donquixote Family have noticeably dwindled.
As one of the central figures, Saint Mjosgard's status and significance are unquestionable.
"...No need, I can handle it alone."
After pondering for a moment and casting a glance at Princess Otohime without revealing any emotion, Mjosgard shook his head, declining the offer.
"Alright, I'll handle it for you..."
Before the soldier could finish his sentence, he froze in disbelief. Although thoroughly shocked, he dared not lift his head to inquire.
"Enough of the idle chatter. Let's move quickly and meet those five elders. I have matters to discuss with them."
Dismissing the soldier with casual disregard, Mjosgard's tone took on a hint of impatience.
However, this brusque demeanor somewhat comforted Francis leading the way.
The taste remains unchanged, still the same.
.....
Grand Line, an unfamiliar stretch of the sea.
The somber night persisted, pressing down on the ocean, with the distant sky and sea appearing to blend into one.
Boom--! ! !
Pitch-black cannonballs rained down into the night, and sporadic bursts of fire instantly illuminated the darkness.
Three warships encircled a towering vessel on the sea, their black gun muzzles targeting the pirates evading in small boats below, subjecting them to relentless bombardment.
The colossal waves, intermittently crashing, continually pushed the pirates to their survival limits, teetering on the brink of life and death.
Not far away, an eccentric-looking pirate ship, only half of its hull afloat, featured a tall figure grinning with gaping teeth. Motionlessly, the figure questioned the slender one perched on broad shoulders.
"Byojack, how much time has passed?"
"It feels like eight minutes, cough, cough, cough..."
The slender figure responded, then began coughing, the small bottle in his hand shaking violently.
It was a diminutive elderly man adorned in a horned helmet, with a lengthy gray beard dangling down. He appeared frail, as if he might topple from his shoulders at any moment.
"Too slow."
The tall figure remained stoic, emotionless, and briskly commanded his comrades behind him: "Hey! Nightin, Gairam, and Sebastian, go and show them how to fight."
"Yes!!"
Upon the command, several figures swiftly dashed out, reaching the warship location almost instantly.
Rumble——! ! !
A fierce explosion echoed, accompanied by screams, as the warship and pirates were engulfed in a fiery inferno! !
"World, they are the companions we finally gathered together."
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Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari