Boom...!
"What's happening?!"
"The entire Holy Land is shaking!"
"Could it be… an enemy daring to invade the World Government?!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
Mariejois trembled violently, the ground beneath it quaking with intensity.
The expressions of everyone in the World Government changed drastically. Panic spread as personnel rushed outside to investigate the cause of the tremors.
When they finally stepped out of the World Government headquarters, they froze in place, stunned by the sight before them.
Stretching across the Red Line was a massive, terrifying scar—a slash that began at the severed Alchiman mangrove in Sabaody Archipelago and carved its way toward the heart of the Holy Land, Mariejois.
The deep, glowing cut emitted a searing heat that warped the air around it, reminding everyone that this was no illusion—it was real.
At the end of that devastating slash stood a lone figure, half-shrouded by the smoke and sunlight blocked by the fallen mangrove. He held a simple yet imposing blade in his hand.
Though he made no immediate move, his mere presence sent shivers down the spines of the World Government's advance guards.
A single man—standing against the might of the World Government.
It was unthinkable. For centuries, no one had dared to challenge the World Government, let alone invade Mariejois. Not even the fearsome Emperors of the Sea had attempted such a reckless act.
Yet here he was.
"Enemy… enemy attack!" one of the guards finally screamed, breaking the silence.
"He's attacking the World Government!"
"Sound the alarm—now!"
"Inform the Five Elders immediately!"
Meanwhile, inside the World Government's highest meeting room...
"Morgans is a fool," one of the Five Elders said angrily. "Not only did he escape the CPO, but he also had the audacity to expose the World Government's scandal. That man will pay dearly!"
The other Elders nodded in agreement. The betrayal of the World Economic News had already spread chaos across the seas. The prestige and authority of the World Government, carefully built over the past 800 years, were now at risk of crumbling.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet shook violently.
"What's going on?!" one Elder demanded, standing up abruptly.
Before anyone could answer, the door burst open.
A pale-faced CPO member rushed in, sweat streaming down his forehead.
"Five Elders! There's an emergency!"
"Speak!"
"The World Government is under attack!" the CPO agent stammered.
"What?!"
The Five Elders exchanged shocked glances.
"Who would dare—wait, is it Kaido?!" one Elder exclaimed.
"No, it's not Kaido or any of the Four Emperors," the CPO member clarified, his voice trembling. "It's… it's the 'Sinner'!"
The room fell silent.
"The Sinner?"
The Elders' faces darkened.
"Impossible," muttered the Elder with the long beard. "Even if he survived Lord Im's attack with Uranus, he should be severely injured. There's no way he could recover this quickly!"
"And yet," the CPO member said, "he's here. Alone."
The room filled with tension as the Elders processed this information.
The Elder with the fluffy beard gripped his scepter tightly. "If that Sinner thinks he can overthrow the World Government single-handedly, he is gravely mistaken."
He turned to the others. "Let's go. We cannot leave this matter to the CPO alone. The world must understand the consequences of challenging Mariejois."
At the gates of Mariejois...
Bai Ye stood at the edge of the Holy Land, his sharp eyes scanning the grandeur of the World Government's headquarters.
The opulent buildings, the extravagant decorations, and the luxury that symbolized the Celestial Dragons' wealth and power—all of it was built on the suffering and exploitation of countless people.
To Bai Ye, this was the epitome of corruption.
Today, it would all come to an end.
"Stop!"
A voice rang out as dozens of soldiers poured in from every direction, armed to the teeth.
"Do you realize what you've done?!" one of them shouted. "This is the Holy Land! Do you understand the consequences of attacking the World Government?!"
Bai Ye said nothing.
The soldiers raised their weapons, encircling him.
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Bai Ye remained calm. This wasn't the first time he'd faced such odds, and it wouldn't be the last.
Without a word, he unleashed his immense spiritual pressure.
Boom!
The ground beneath him cracked and sank, spreading outward like a ripple.
The soldiers froze, their courage evaporating in an instant.
Bai Ye raised his blade.
"Anyone who stands in my way… will die."