On the other side, the monitors inside the Divine Kingdom displayed the advancing fleet.
The vast formation wound across the ocean like an enormous black dragon.
Warships sailed in perfect rows, their metal hulls gleaming coldly while the flags atop their masts snapped violently in the sea wind, announcing their arrival to the world.
With unstoppable resolve, the immense fleet completed its airtight encirclement of the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
Dark clouds of war spread like spilled ink, quickly swallowing the once-blue sky.
Even the brilliant sunlight dimmed beneath them, warning of the brutal storm about to erupt.
The scale of the Marines' deployment was unprecedented.
The overwhelming combat power gathered there would have been enough to destroy the forces of any single Emperor of the Sea.
The countless ships were equipped with advanced weapon systems, ranging from massive main cannons to sophisticated missile launchers. Every weapon displayed the Marines' immense military strength.
Yet despite the seemingly unstoppable force surrounding them, the Eternal Divine Kingdom showed no sign of panic.
Its extensive surveillance network covered every corner of the sea, while its efficient intelligence-sharing agreement with the Revolutionary Army provided an even broader view of world events.
The kingdom's leadership had detected the Marines' mass mobilization long ago.
Rather than act prematurely, they had watched and waited like experienced hunters, meeting the approaching threat with extraordinary confidence and composure.
Inside the Eternal Divine Kingdom's command room, the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.
Bullet's violent eyes remained fixed on the image of the Marine fleet displayed across the screen.
His brows were drawn tightly together, and undisguised impatience covered his face.
Suddenly, he raised one massive arm and smashed his fist down onto the reinforced table.
The impact released a deep, deafening crash as he vented his frustration.
"They spent all that time gathering this many people just to stand around and make noise. Watching them is making my fists itch!
"Ron, hurry up and charge Pluton's main cannon! One shot of 'purification' will shut every last one of them up for good!
"Problem solved!"
...
Bullet's booming voice echoed through the command room with unquestionable force.
Ron stood quietly before the enormous observation window, his black robes stirring gently in the breeze like a shadow in the night.
His deep gaze remained fixed on the vast white fleet spread across the distant sea—the military force that claimed to embody "Absolute Justice."
After a long silence, he slowly shook his head.
"Bullet, destruction is always the easiest solution. It's also the most useless."
His voice was calm, but carried the weight of deep conviction.
"You need to understand that not everyone inside the Marines' enormous war machine is a fanatically loyal slave of the Celestial Dragons."
Ron turned and looked across every core member gathered in the room, his gaze seeming to penetrate straight into their hearts.
"Think about people like Kuzan. No matter what mission he carries out, he has always retained his compassion and humanity.
"Then there's Issho. He pays close attention to the suffering of ordinary people and genuinely sympathizes with those forced to endure hardship.
"Do men like them truly believe that their justice exists to protect a pack of parasites like the Celestial Dragons?
"Many Marines may simply be trapped by duty, gratitude, or restraints they cannot easily cast aside."
Bullet folded his arms and gave a cold snort. A trace of disdain curled at the corner of his mouth, but this time, he did not argue.
Ron continued, wisdom shining in his eyes as though he could see through every illusion.
"We need to win them over. Make them understand who the true disease afflicting this world really is, and give the justice in their hearts somewhere it genuinely belongs.
"That may be far more meaningful than simply destroying them—and far more difficult."
His tone then sharpened, carrying undeniable resolve.
"Of course, if words cannot awaken them, then the necessary use of force will serve as another form of persuasion.
"This battle may be unavoidable, but we cannot settle for merely winning the war.
"We must also win their hearts."
His words reverberated through the command room, setting a purpose for the coming battle that went far beyond simple victory or defeat.
Everyone who heard them fell into thought.
They understood that the true significance of this conflict was not limited to which side remained standing. The future direction of the entire world would be decided here.
...
Outside, powerful sea winds howled across the water and whipped the waves into white foam.
The Marines' imposing flagship sailed steadily forward, its towering bow pointed toward the heavens like a sharpened spear.
At the very front stood Admiral Kizaru—Borsalino.
The usually careless man had put aside his familiar air of indifference.
He slowly adjusted his trademark sunglasses and narrowed his eyes behind the lenses, staring intently toward the mysterious horizon.
Dozens of islands floated around the Eternal Divine Kingdom in the distance like irregular stars arranged across the sky.
They varied greatly in size and shape. Some resembled colossal beasts lying at rest, while others looked like giant turtles swimming through the clouds.
A closer inspection revealed that several of them had fresh, jagged rock faces along their edges.
The marks of recent separation were still clearly visible, proving that some tremendous power had only recently torn them from their original locations and transported them here.
The exposed stone gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight, silently hinting at the astonishing operation taking place behind the scenes.
"Ooh~ This is quite something…"
Kizaru drew out his words, faint mockery and uncertainty mixing in his voice.
He rubbed his chin absently, contemplation entering his gaze.
"They're going through an awful lot of trouble to bring so many islands home. Just what sort of ambition are they hiding?
"Perhaps they're trying to build an enormous amusement park in the sky? How frightening~"
He shook his head faintly, though the caution in his heart continued to grow.
Standing nearby was Vice Admiral Momonga.
His face was grim, as though covered by a layer of storm clouds.
He fully understood the importance and difficulty of the mission before them.
After drawing a deep breath to steady himself, he stepped forward with his back straight.
An adjutant handed him a massive golden loudspeaker that gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, like a symbol of the Marines' authority and justice.
Momonga filled his lungs, his chest expanding sharply.
When he spoke, the loudspeaker amplified his deep voice into rolling thunder that crossed the vast sea and reached the distant chain of floating islands with perfect clarity.
"People of the Eternal Divine Kingdom, listen well! I am Vice Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters!"
His authoritative voice echoed across the entire region.
"You have shown open contempt for the authority of the World Government!
"You have dared to conceal an Ancient Weapon capable of destroying the world, an act that constitutes a direct challenge to the established global order!
"Not only that, you have coerced innocent civilians and dragged them into chaos, gravely disrupting the peace that should prevail across these seas!"
Anger burned in his eyes, and every accusation left his mouth like the edge of a blade.
"Today, guided by our belief in Absolute Justice, the Marines have gathered their full elite fighting force!
"Our warships fill the sea, our morale stands at its peak, and every Marine soldier is prepared for battle!
"We swear to eradicate your evil kingdom from this ocean like the malignant growth it is and allow the light of justice to shine once more upon these waters consumed by darkness!"
Momonga deliberately paused.
The murderous tension spread like heavy storm clouds, pressing down on the sea until it felt difficult to breathe.
The surrounding air seemed frozen.
Only the endless rhythm of waves striking the hulls continued to break the silence.
Then Momonga delivered his final declaration, his voice rising with even greater intensity.
"Prepare for a battle to the death, Eternal Divine Kingdom!
"You have only two choices before you.
"Surrender peacefully, submit to the law, and accept judgment—
"Or prepare to be reduced to ashes and erased from this world forever!"
Having finished, Momonga slowly lowered the loudspeaker.
Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, and his breathing had grown heavy, but his eyes remained firmly fixed on the floating islands ahead.
Now all that remained was to await the Divine Kingdom's answer—and the battle certain to follow.
...