As those words fell, an invisible pressure spread outward, foreshadowing an unprecedented storm that was about to sweep across the entire ocean world.
An extremely special and severe order spread throughout the entire Marine system.
All Marine officers, upon encountering any of the Four Emperors, were granted the authority to strike first and report afterward.
"As long as you kill them, there will be a reward!"
"The more pirates you kill, the greater the reward!"
The news was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up towering waves.
At that moment, inside the tactical conference room at Marineford, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as though water could drip from the air.
Under the dim lights, everyone sat around the enormous round table, their gazes focused on the order that had just been read aloud.
One officer suddenly slammed the table and shouted, "This should have been done long ago!"
A burning light shone in his eyes, filled with approval and expectation for the order.
However, when he slowly raised his head and looked at the other officers, most of his enthusiasm was instantly extinguished.
The Vice Admirals, who were usually known for their courage and decisiveness, were now pale as paper.
Fine beads of sweat had even appeared on their foreheads.
What showed in their eyes was not excitement, but deep worry and fear, as if they had already seen the enormous disaster that was about to arrive.
"Are you certain about this?"
An old staff officer who had survived the brutal Summit War broke the silence. His voice trembled slightly, carrying panic he could not quite hide.
His hands clenched unconsciously into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"To start a battle without requesting orders from headquarters first… that is far too risky. What if it's a trap carefully laid by the enemy? One wrong move, and we could be wiped out completely!"
The old staff officer's words were filled with concern, and every word seemed to strike heavily against everyone's heart.
Just then, Kizaru leaned lazily against the back of his chair.
His signature sunglasses reflected the glaring red text written across the clause.
"How scary~ Starting a fight the moment we run into the Four Emperors joining hands or something…"
His tone sounded relaxed and teasing, but his eyes were unusually focused.
His fingertip unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the Ame no Murakumo Sword. The movement was subtle, yet it revealed the tension in his heart.
For the first time in many years, he felt an unprecedented pressure.
After all, facing mysterious and powerful opponents like the Four Emperors was something even a man with the speed of light could not take lightly.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the next instruction.
The clock in the tactical conference room ticked steadily, each sound like a death sentence, making everyone increasingly restless.
They all knew very well that once this order was carried out, it would trigger a world-shaking war.
And no one could predict the outcome of that war.
...
Anyone who kills an Emperor officer will be promoted three ranks!
The Sabaody Archipelago had always been an important strategic location, a place where all kinds of information gathered and people came and went constantly.
On this day, the usually calm recruitment office suddenly erupted into intense commotion.
The crowd rippled like water struck by a boulder. Cries of shock and heated discussion tangled together, shattering the usual peace.
A pirate as massive as a mountain stood there, radiating a fierce aura.
He had just torn his own wanted poster off the wall with overwhelming force, the paper instantly crushed into pieces in his rough hand before scattering into the wind.
At that moment, he gripped an enormous spiked club, its surface flashing faintly with cold light and containing terrifying power.
He strode up to the notice board, raised the club high, pointed straight at the contents, and roared at the top of his lungs,
"If I take down that bastard Queen, does that mean I can become a Vice Admiral right away?!"
His voice boomed like a great bell, echoing throughout the recruitment office and making people's eardrums buzz.
The Marine publicity officer in charge of reception immediately broke out in beads of sweat that rolled down his cheeks.
He hurriedly wiped the cold sweat away with his sleeve and stammered,
"A-according to the regulations, if someone successfully kills an officer at the level of an All-Star, they can indeed be directly promoted to Vice Admiral…"
His eyes showed tension and unease, afraid that the reckless and vicious giant in front of him might suddenly do something extreme.
The soldiers around them also held their breath, their gazes fixed tightly on the scene. For a moment, the atmosphere became unusually tense.
Not far away, some newly arrived recruits whispered among themselves.
Some had envy and longing shining in their eyes, imagining that one day they might also have such an opportunity.
Others looked worried, afraid that this disturbance would bring them unnecessary trouble.
Because of this giant pirate's appearance and the question he had thrown out, the entire Sabaody recruitment office fell into a subtle and tense atmosphere.
The world at sea had always been full of unknowns and challenges. Every battle could change a person's fate.
And now, this rule about being promoted three ranks for killing an Emperor officer was like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring up countless waves and drawing everyone's attention.
After all, on that cruel yet opportunity-filled sea, strength and glory were often bound tightly together.
Who could have imagined that a small recruitment office would become the stage for such a sensational event?
Yes.
Anyone who killed an Emperor officer would be promoted three ranks.
This rule hung above everyone's heads like a double-edged sword, bringing limitless possibility while also carrying enormous risk.
As for whether this giant pirate who dared challenge Queen the Plague could truly realize his ambition and step onto the path of becoming a Vice Admiral…
That was still unknown.
...
Mary Geoise was wrapped in clouds and mist, filled with a suffocating pressure.
Saint Nusjuro stood tall atop the towering spire of Pangaea Castle, like a god overlooking all living things, his sharp and icy gaze looking down upon the vast, raging sea below.
His eyes were like deep pools, and within his pupils, a shocking image was clearly reflected.
Wanted posters carrying mighty names were being mercilessly devoured by roaring flames.
They were the bounty posters of Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard, overlords of the sea.
They had once symbolized glory and danger, yet now they twisted and curled violently inside specially made flames before finally turning into ash that scattered through the air.
However, something strange happened.