"I'm heading to Mary Geoise first. Get the ship coated over the next few days and wait for my return."
"Got it. Be careful, Allen."
"Don't worry."
...
After bidding farewell to Nami and the others, Allen quickly followed Momonga to depart for Mary Geoise.
Before leaving, Momonga cast a seemingly casual glance at Nami's group, his eyes thoughtful, before withdrawing his gaze and leading Allen away.
After the Marines left.
Nami looked down at the serum in her hand.
Vegapunk had already explained the usage and effects of the serum to them previously.
Each vial of serum was tailor-made based on their blood samples. Once injected, the Lineage Factor within their bodies would gradually fuse.
Under normal circumstances, their appearance wouldn't change. Only when this power was activated would their bodies exhibit the traits of the Lunarian Tribe, much like a Zoan Devil Fruit transformation.
It could roughly be understood as having eaten the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Lunarian.
"It's hard to imagine that the World Government possesses this kind of technology. If it can be mass-produced, couldn't they use the Lineage Factor to build a powerful army?"
Nami couldn't help but marvel.
What she didn't know was that the World Government had already mass-produced the Pacifista army using the Lineage Factor of the Buccaneer Tribe, just waiting to debut them to the world at Marineford.
Even the more advanced Seraphim models had already entered the manufacturing stage.
"If Vegapunk truly possesses technology five hundred years ahead of the rest of the world, mass-producing an army of genetic warriors using the Lineage Factor probably wouldn't be hard to achieve,"
Sanji said dismissively.
Germa 66 had achieved this technology over a decade ago; whatever Vegapunk had was likely far more advanced and mature.
"Let's go. We need to find a place to stay first."
"Yeah."
...
A moment later, Sanji and the others left the area.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
At Grove 62 of the Sabaody Archipelago, an area under Marine jurisdiction.
At this time, personnel in the station were sparse. Momonga led Allen through the base to the coast, where a top-tier standard battleship had been waiting for a long time.
After boarding, Momonga led him across the deck straight toward the ship's superstructure, saying,
"Refreshments have already been prepared in the room. If you need anything, just tell the soldiers."
"Got it. Oh, right, have your men go to the island and pass on a message for me,"
Allen suddenly said, handing a few pieces of paper to Momonga.
Momonga took the papers, glanced at them curiously, and then frowned in confusion.
"The Marines have no obligation to follow the orders of a Warlord of the Sea, however..."
After a moment of silence, Momonga added,
"This minor matter is fine. I just don't quite understand what your goal is in doing this."
"Being too comfortable is also a hazard. Sometimes, a little stimulation is needed. Anyway, just have someone get it done."
Allen said with a slight smirk, then walked into the room on his own.
Momonga didn't say anything else. He waved a subordinate over and gave a few instructions.
Shortly after, the battleship slowly set sail.
There was only one conventional way to reach Mary Geoise: via the elevator apparatus installed on the cliff face of the Red Line, located behind Marine Headquarters.
The journey wasn't far, and the battleship arrived near noon.
Stepping onto the suspended elevator platform, several CP agents dressed in black suits had already been waiting for a long time. Accompanied by them, Allen and Momonga slowly ascended into the sky.
Birds flew past their eyes. Looking down from above, they could see Marineford, its crescent-shaped bay packed with battleships, and the faintly visible maritime forest of the Sabaody Archipelago in the distance.
Soon, the group reached the peak of the Red Line and, led by the CP agents, stepped into the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
The first thing that caught their eyes was a vast town, deep within which stood a massive manor castle.
Walking along the stone-paved road, Allen looked around at the empty surroundings and asked,
"Why isn't there a single person in sight? Where are the Celestial Dragons?"
"This is a special period. To avoid unnecessary trouble, the Celestial Dragons have been relocated deep within the Holy Land,"
the CP agent leading the way explained.
Allen didn't mind and asked again,
"How many Warlords have arrived so far?"
"Including you, there are five in total. Only the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily and Jinbe the Knight of the Sea have yet to respond to the World Government's mandatory summons,"
the CP agent replied.
...
Right around mealtime, the group arrived in front of the massive manor castle. Led by the agents, Allen entered and arrived at the doors of a reception hall.
Knock—knock—knock!
The CP agent stopped, knocked on the door, and announced in a strong voice,
"Reporting. Warlord of the Sea, Francis Allen, has arrived."
"Bring him in."
A steady, deep voice came from inside. The CP agent pushed the door open in response and gestured to Allen,
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the other Warlords are inside. Please enter."
Allen walked past him and entered calmly.
In the spacious hall, the first thing that caught his eye was a giant round table in the center, laden with various foods. Several figures were seated around it.
The moment he walked through the door, everyone present turned their heads to look at him.
"Fuffuffuffuffu, so both of the newly appointed Warlords have arrived."
Donquixote Doflamingo, draped in a pink feather coat and wearing red sunglasses, crouched beside the dining table, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
Hawkeye had his arms crossed over his chest and his feet propped up on the table. He sized Allen up with his gaze but said nothing.
As for the other two familiar faces, Kuma sat silently to the side without any reaction.
The last Warlord, Teach, held a slice of pizza in his hand. Chewing on it, he immediately threw his head back and burst into laughter upon seeing Allen.
"Zehahahaha! We meet again, Allen! I never thought the day would come when I'd sit at the same table as you!"
"Seeing you still alive really kills my appetite, you fat bastard."
Allen approached the opposite side of the table with a look of disgust, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
"Zehahahaha! Who says otherwise? What, you want to fight me again right here?"
Teach said with a loud laugh, though a faint murderous intent flickered deep within his eyes.
"How scary... so aggressive right from the start."
A teasing, middle-aged male voice came from a nearby corner.
Allen turned his head slightly and glanced over, seeing a man in a yellow striped shirt lounging casually on a sofa.
Kizaru sat with his legs crossed, his feet resting on the coffee table. He held nail clippers in his hand, trimming his nails. With an expression that was both teasing and somewhat sleazy, he said,
"But let's drop it. If the Warlords start fighting here, the World Government will hold us Marines accountable."
At this moment, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who was sitting beside the round table wearing a Marine officer's uniform with his chest covered in medals, adjusted his round glasses and said calmly,
"Stop messing around. This summons wasn't to have you come here and fight. War could break out at any moment, so I hope you all can behave yourselves."