215 With the Justice System

New World.

Offshore from G-5 Branch.

"Boom—!"

Above the sky, that terrifying energy capable of tearing the firmament collided — then abruptly stopped.

Four figures, in unison, halted their actions.

Sengoku and Garp exchanged a look; a trace of gravity flashed across both their eyes.

The World Government?

What are they doing here?

Could it be...

On the other side, Kaido — transformed into a blue dragon — and Big Mom riding a thundercloud also stopped. Their huge draconic pupils and bloodshot eyes both turned toward the sea behind the G-5 branch.

Even the Five Elders personally mobilized?!

What on earth does the World Government intend to do?!

...

Everyone around the world watching this final war through Den Den Mushi froze, holding their breath.

The image suddenly switched from the Four Emperors' clash high above to the rear sea area of the G-5 branch.

There, a pure-white fleet was racing in.

On the decks, six figures stood silently.

The World Government's highest authority — the Five Elders!

And the Supreme Commander of the Knights of God — Saint Figarland Garling!

Why are they appearing here?!

Have they come to help the Navy and jointly wipe out the Four Emperors?!

...

On the deck of the giant white flagship.

"The situation is even better than expected."

Saint Nasushurō pressed his hand on the first-generation Onikiri; his aged face showed no expression, but his voice sounded inside the minds of the other four.

Telepathic communication!

"That's right."

Saint Peter's blond hair fluttered in the sea breeze.

"Kaido and Big Mom — these two remnants of Rocks — are conveniently tying down part of the Navy's top forces for us."

"What a stroke of luck!"

"Since the Navy dares openly mutiny, let them see the true might of the World Government."

Saint Warcury's mind spoke cold and grim: "First, completely erase Hawke — the source."

"Then clear away those so-called Navy legends."

"Finally, deal with these two Emperors of the sea."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

In an instant their minds reached complete accord.

Saint Nusjuro's gaze fell on Saint Garling standing behind him; he nodded slightly.

Saint Garling understood immediately.

He stepped forward and swung his hand sharply. "Knights of God — sortie!"

"Understood!"

"Whoosh—!"

Figures hidden beneath hoods behind him ripped through into streaks of light and shot into the sky, headed straight for the G-5 branch!

At the same time, the Five Elders themselves also rose slowly into the air.

They hovered over the G-5 branch, looking down on everything below like gods judging the world.

"The Navy has betrayed justice!"

Saint Saturn's voice, transmitted via Den Den Mushi, spread across the world.

"They have secretly expanded their armaments, slain World Government officials, ignored the security of allied nations, wantonly provoked war!"

"Today, we, on behalf of the World Government, hereby declare!"

"The Navy is a rebel organization!"

"All of its top brass are traitors!"

"The World Government will, at this place, execute the highest level of—"

"Heavenly Punishment!!!"

"!!!"

The entire world erupted in shock!

The Navy — has been defined by the World Government as a rebel organization?!

What is going on?!

Countless people felt their worldviews utterly overturned in this moment.

...

On the lookout platform of G-5 Branch.

"Hah—!"

Hawke listened to that grandiose heavenly judgment from the sky and instead wore a brilliant smile.

Perfect timing!

Absolutely perfect!

He had been calculating whether the combined Justice Points from Kaido and Big Mom would be enough to push his last ability to the Peak. Now, there was no need to worry.

The Five Elders and the Knights of God — the true evils perched at the top of the world, feeding off blood for eight hundred years — had personally delivered themselves on a platter!

These aren't enemies.

They're walking, massive reservoirs of Justice Points!

"Whoosh—!"

Hawke's form slowly rose.

He reached the same altitude as the Five Elders and calmly swept his gaze across those five aged faces who believed they controlled everything.

"Yo~"

A flash of golden light — Kizaru appeared behind Hawke, hands in his pockets.

"I've known Saint Saturn for a long time~"

"Hmph!"

Zephyr's hulking figure appeared too; he flexed his "Black Arm" restored to peak, eyes fixed on Saint Warcury.

By sensing blood flow, he judged that among the Five Elders this one was the most vigorous of life.

"Hawke! Need a forest?!!"

Aramaki laughed wildly as innumerable vines shot up beneath his feet and hoisted him into the sky.

"The World Government is… so ugly!"

A smiling figure wielding a staved sword rose into the air with a single swing!

Four admiral-level powers solidly took positions behind Hawke.

"..."

"The Five Elders!"

Hawke's voice transmitted clearly through the live Den Den Mushi to every corner of the world.

"If the justice you speak of is bowing down to the Celestial Dragons, turning a blind eye to crimes, treating the lives of the people as poker chips — if that is called 'justice'..."

"Then that kind of justice..."

"The Navy rejects it!"

"From today onward, I — and the reborn Navy — will give 'justice' a brand new definition!"

"That definition is—"

"Evil must be exterminated!"

"Oppression must be crushed!"

"All the decayed things that block the world's progress will be ground to dust under the iron hooves of the Navy!"

"Whether pirate or..."

Hawke's gaze, like twin unsheathed blades, stabbed straight at the Five Elders. "—so-called gods!!!"

"Boom—!!!"

A terrifying torrent of scarlet Conqueror's Haki surged out of him.

Hawke slammed his hand.

"All units — attack!"

"Leave none in sight!"

On the G-5 branch plaza, in the eyes of tens of thousands of elite Navy soldiers, fanatic worship and bloodthirsty killing intent instantly filled their gazes!

"Oooooo—!!!"

A roar like an earthquake and tidal wave shook the sky!

"Kill!!!"

...

Navy Headquarters — Marineford.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.

A massive Den Den Mushi was broadcasting the New World war in real time.

"Pfff—!"

Sakazuki sat alone in the broad Fleet Admiral's chair.

A freshly lit cigar was pinched between his fingers; the deep red ember flickered in the room, casting light over his face that was as hard as volcanic rock.

"Hmm...?"

Sakazuki's hand holding the cigar suddenly paused in mid-air.

A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

The Five Elders — how could they appear at the G-5 branch?

The very reason he had not gone to the front and instead chosen to stay at Headquarters was to guard against the World Government!

He knew full well the Navy's actions had crossed the Celestial Dragons' bottom line.

So he stayed here.

In the name of Fleet Admiral, with the strongest admiral-level forces, defending Marineford.

But now — the Five Elders had shown up at G-5!

What does that mean?

Opportunity!

A once-in-a-millennium chance to pull the World Government out by its roots!

The Five Elders going to the front...

And the entire Knights of God accompanying them...

That meant the pinnacle of world power — the sanctum perched atop the Red Line — Mary Geoise...

had become an undefended empty city!

"!!!"

Sakazuki's eyes sharpened instantaneously, as if they could pierce time and space to stab at that eight-hundred-year rotten citadel.

He could launch a surprise attack on the sanctum!

But the premise is...

G-5 branch must hold!