Mary Geoise
In the sky, the golden Conqueror's Haki spread out like a divine force, pressing down on everything below. Its overwhelming power caused even the strongest to falter. Even Hancock, despite her own Conqueror's Haki, was shaken to her core.
This force was undeniable, powerful enough to grow stronger when faced with worthy opponents. It was the courage and dominance that only the true kings could wield, towering above all others.
The impact of this power was shocking. Celestial Dragons, slaves, CPOs, and even their elite guards close by were knocked unconscious instantly. Those farther away couldn't help but drop to their knees. Even the Celestial Dragons, trembling in disbelief, knelt as if they were mere mortals before a god.
"How can this be?" one of the Celestial Dragons muttered in awe. "A person from the Grand Line... wielding the spirit of a god?"
"This power!" another gasped.
The Five Elders stared in shock, their expressions filled with confusion and fear.
"How does he possess a power so similar to that of Lord Imu?" one of them said, his voice trembling. "Could he be a descendant of Lord Imu?!"
"But he wasn't in the Valley of Gods... How is this possible?" another Elder questioned, their minds racing to make sense of what they were witnessing.
The scene had taken an unexpected turn, and nothing seemed to make sense anymore.
Just then, Leno turned his head, his gaze sharp and unyielding, like a predator sizing up his prey. In an instant, he disappeared, reappearing outside the window like a flash of lightning.
The glass shattered into pieces under the immense pressure of his Haki. Black sparks danced as the clash of Conqueror's Haki sent a shockwave through the air.
A bald Elder with glasses stepped forward, holding one of the supreme-grade swords, the legendary Kitetsu sword. His eyes gleamed with a pale golden light as he locked onto Leno.
"This is not a place for you to run wild!" he growled, his expression stern.
Leno's response was swift and unforgiving. His sword, Dragon Sparrow, enveloped in the aura of Conqueror's Haki and infused with his powerful Haki, crashed down.
The seastone floor beneath them cracked under the pressure. In a blink, Leno's strike sent the bald Elder hurtling back into a stone pillar, leaving it covered with spreading cracks.
The remaining Four Elders could only watch in shock as their strongest member was overpowered. Leno, in his Sulong form, was far beyond their comprehension, his power echoing through the battlefield.
Despite their titles and influence, the Five Elders were not warriors but rulers. Their strength lay not in their physical abilities but in their command over the World Government, Marines, and other institutions.
The real power of the World Government came not from individual might but from the collective force of the Marines, CP, and the unshakable presence of figures like Lord Imu and the weapon Uranus. Even a force like the Revolutionary Army could challenge the World Government if they found its weak spots.
Suddenly, a group of warriors dedicated to protecting the Celestial Dragons closed in on Leno from all directions.
"How dare you!" a voice roared as a figure charged at Leno, moving like a bolt of lightning, the air crackling with electricity.
The attacker, a member of the Mink tribe, used his fur's natural static electricity to paralyze his enemies. But Leno stood unaffected, thanks to his Overlord Body's elemental resistance. He turned, his eyes burning with a cold intensity.
In one swift motion, Leno's sword flashed through the air. Blood splattered as the Mink warrior fell in two halves.
Gasps echoed through the crowd, and for a moment, fear paralyzed the warriors. But loyalty to the Celestial Dragons drove them forward, overriding their instinctual terror.
"Fools!" Leno hissed, stepping forward.
With each movement, his sword sang through the air, cleaving through one opponent after another. The ground was stained red, and bodies fell in waves, piling up at his feet like discarded toys.
The once-proud warriors were reduced to nothing, their lives cut short by the blade of a man who stood above all, unchallenged and unstoppable.
The Five Elders stood there, mouths dry, one even retching.
Blood... so much blood!
They'd been indifferent when Leno overpowered Kaido, but witnessing this scene firsthand—seeing their own ally fall—was a different horror entirely.
"Ten thousand soldiers?!"
The Five Elders were in shock, their faces ashen.
This is madness!
Hundreds of corpses lay sprawled across the ground, blood pooling in the gutters, filling the air with a metallic stench. Those who had rushed to aid their fallen comrades halted in their tracks, paralyzed by the sight.
Charging into that slaughter? Impossible!
Who in their right mind would face that demon's blade?
Leno stood amidst it all, his sword dripping with blood. Drop by drop, it painted the ground red. His golden eyes, tinged with a dangerous glint, radiated pure menace. He was cold, relentless—murderous.
He took a slow breath, struggling to suppress the savage urge welling up within him. The bloodthirst clawed at his sanity, his rage simmering just beneath the surface, ready to explode. The strain of maintaining his Sulong form was wearing on him, pushing his body to the brink.
If he let that rage take over, he'd become a true beast—an unthinking monster until his body finally gave out.
"So... how should this end?"
Leno's voice was low, almost a growl, as he eyed the remaining Five Elders. "Should I slice you down one by one? Or do we talk this out like civilized folks?"
He narrowed his eyes, using his Observation Haki to gauge their intent. There was a hint of danger there—a hidden threat, lurking like a lion ready to pounce but holding back for now.
This guy doesn't seem to care if the Five Elders live or die, Leno thought, a smirk tugging at his lips.
The Elders knew he could take them all down. Sure, they could be replaced, but as long as Imu was alive and Uranus remained in their hands, the real threat continued.
Silence stretched on.
"Well, either way works for me," Leno said with a shrug. "It'd be quite the spectacle to drag a bunch of Celestial Dragons down to hell with you. What do you say?"
He turned away casually, as if he'd already made up his mind.
"Wait!" the blond Elder shouted desperately.
Leno kept walking.
Damn! The Five Elders exchanged anxious glances. They knew they were playing with fire. If Leno truly intended to bring down Mary Geoise with him, it'd be game over for them all.
No one wants to gamble with a lunatic!
"What are your demands?" the curly-haired Elder asked hurriedly.
Leno stopped, a satisfied smile crossing his face. "First, any and all of your operations in East Blue—cancel them immediately!"
The Five Elders hesitated but ultimately nodded in agreement. "Fine."
"Do it now," Leno ordered.
Reluctantly, the bald Elder dialed a number. "Cease all activity regarding the Hunter Guild in East Blue, effective immediately."
"What? But we've already—"
"Did I stutter?" the Elder growled.
"No, sir! Retreating right away!"
Leno's ears picked up the exchange from the phone snail, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction.
"Now, hand the Den Den Mushi to Kuzan," Leno said.
The Elder's jaw clenched, but he handed over the receiver.
"Kuzan," Leno said smoothly, "it's me."
"You really crashed the party at Mary Geoise, huh?" Kuzan replied, his voice calm despite the tension.
"Yeah, beautiful place," Leno said with a chuckle. "Shame if something were to happen to it."
Kuzan's expression hardened, understanding Leno's unspoken message.
"Ellegia is secure," he confirmed.
Relief washed over Leno. As long as East Blue was safe, he could ease up on his assault.
Turning back to the Five Elders, he said, "My second condition: you and your government forget today ever happened. For the next five years, we coexist peacefully."
The Elders glared at him, but they knew they were trapped. "Agreed."
"Good," Leno said. "And we'll need a written treaty—let's call it the 'Treaty of Peaceful Coexistence.'"
"You're pushing your luck," the curly-haired Elder snapped.
"Am I?" Leno raised the phone snail again. "Should I call Morgans? This story would make headlines worldwide."
"Fine!" the Elders said through gritted teeth.
After getting the signatures of the Five Elders, Leno pocketed the treaty with a satisfied grin.
"For my final condition... Curly, you're coming with me."
"What?!"
Outside Pangaea Castle, the rescuers froze in place, staring at the sight of Leno holding his blood-streaked sword and one of the Five Elders at his mercy. Not one dared to move.
Leno raised his sword high, summoning the winds of the Wind's Blessing. Sand and dust spiraled into a hurricane, obscuring everything from view.
With the curly-haired Elder in tow, he made his way toward the Red Line, his body growing weaker with every step.
Imu hadn't shown up, Leno noted. Not yet.
That was fine. This wasn't the time for an all-out war. His message had been delivered loud and clear: He'd invaded Mary Geoise once, and he could do it again.
As long as Leno lived, the Five Elders, Imu, and every Celestial Dragon would be looking over their shoulders, fearing the day he decided to strike once more.
His presence was now a deterrent, a force akin to the legend of Uranus—powerful enough to keep the entire world on edge.
And for now, that was enough.
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg