The Five Elders had no doubt that Lucifer would launch a war against the World Government. The destruction of Mariejois was a stark reminder from the past.
"That kid has no sense of awe or restraint in his heart!"
"There's only one path left for us now," one of the elders muttered.
The Five Elders exchanged glances, their expressions grim as they reached a unanimous decision.
"Do whatever you deem necessary, Kong."
Gripping their swords, the Five Elders turned to Kong and Sengoku, speaking in deep, resolute tones:
"The matter of global conscription is now in your hands.
"Anyone strong enough can immediately be granted the rank of Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, or even Admiral by the Naval Headquarters.
"Strengthen the Marines at all costs."
The elders' eyes burned with murderous intent as they roared:
"We don't care what methods you use, how many lives are lost, or how much money it costs.
"We want one result—Lucifer must be eliminated!"
The curly-haired elder stepped forward, adding ominously:
"If you fail to accomplish this, you two will pay the price with your lives."
His sharp gaze fixed on Sengoku.
"Especially you, Sengoku.
"As the Fleet Admiral, this failure lies squarely on your shoulders. If you fail again, an apology with your life will not be too much to ask."
The curly-haired elder's words carried the weight of lingering resentment from earlier conflicts.
Sengoku, meeting the elder's glare with unwavering resolve, responded calmly, "If I fail again, I won't apologize with my life.
"Because I will die fighting on the battlefield, not fleeing from it!"
"Good. Remember what you've said today!"
Meanwhile, on the Grand Line's first half, the endless sea stretched out under a clear sky.
A massive fleet of over a hundred pirate ships advanced with unparalleled momentum. Merchant ships and rival pirates alike scrambled to flee at the sight of the pirate flag.
Onboard the flagship Nether, the crew gathered on the deck for a grand celebration.
"Let's celebrate the complete victory of the Nether Pirates! Cheers!" Lucifer declared, raising his glass of wine.
"Yeahhh!!!"
Enel, Cavendish, Shiryu of the Rain, and others responded enthusiastically, the atmosphere electric with revelry.
As the banquet continued, Lucifer revealed over 30 Devil Fruits, setting them on the deck. These were the spoils of their recent battles.
"Here are the Devil Fruits we've obtained. If anyone wants one, feel free to choose."
"Of course, I don't know all their specific abilities, but there are a few I do."
Lucifer picked up one and tossed it toward a nearby boat.
"Evil Wolf, this one's for you. It should suit you well."
The boat, massive in size but occupied solely by San Juan Wolf, rocked as the enormous giant caught the fruit.
Before he could react, the Devil Fruit had already slipped into his mouth.
San Juan Wolf, towering at over 180 meters tall, barely noticed the fruit—hardly a mouthful for him.
"Captain Lucifer, what kind of fruit is this?" the giant asked hesitantly, realizing too late what he'd eaten.
"It's the Paramecia Stone-Stone Fruit. Combined with your immense size, your combat power will be extraordinary."
Lucifer smiled, clearly pleased with his choice.
San Juan Wolf, albeit hesitant, nodded.
The rest of the crew inspected the remaining fruits. Shiryu of the Rain, however, showed little interest in the ordinary ones.
"Captain, what about these?" Shiryu asked, pointing to a select few.
Lucifer smirked.
"These are special. The Logia Blood-Blood Fruit, capable of manipulating blood, came from a CP0 agent I killed.
"The Sand-Sand Fruit? That's Crocodile's—obtained after his defeat.
"Magellan's Venom-Venom Fruit is already known to you.
"The Fusion Fruit belonged to Douglas Bullet.
"And finally, Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit."
The names alone ignited the crew's excitement.
Three Logia fruits, including the Magma-Magma Fruit and the Blood-Blood Fruit, were particularly enticing.
Lucifer, however, kept a certain fruit—the Soul-Soul Fruit—for his own purposes.
"I'll take the Blood-Blood Fruit," Shiryu declared, grabbing it without hesitation.
For Shiryu, whose love for killing and the scent of blood was unmatched, this fruit felt like destiny.
"I'll take the Magma-Magma Fruit," Pizarro, the Evil King, announced, reaching for it.
But as his hand moved, another pressed down firmly on his.
"I want that one too, Pizarro."
It was Choate, the Heavy Drinker, his face flushed and his breath reeking of alcohol.
"You dare challenge me for it?" Pizarro growled, his expression darkening.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Choate grinned, unbothered by the tension.
The two glared at each other, neither willing to back down.
"Oh? You want to fight for it?"
Lucifer didn't stop; in fact, he was eager to watch a good show unfold.
"That's right, let's have a fight."
"Whoever is strong will eat the Lava-Lava Fruit. The weak aren't qualified to wield such a powerful ability."
Byrnndi Waldo sat off to the side, holding a wine bowl, laughing.
Xuanyue Hunter, Enel, and other Devil Fruit users also sat aside, eager to watch the spectacle.
As Devil Fruit users themselves, they were already excluded from the bounty this time, but they weren't going to miss out on the entertainment.
"Then it's decided," Pizarro said, standing up with a burst of powerful energy. "Let's fight, Choate."
"That's exactly what I had in mind," Choate responded, carrying a gourd of wine and also releasing a powerful aura.
The surrounding pirates roared, boosting the momentum of both contestants.
"I've opened the market, who wants to place bets?"
A pirate shouted.
"I'll bet on Pizarro to win—50 million Berries!"
"I'm betting on Choate to win—100 million Berries!"
"100 million Berries?! You just got out of prison! Where did you get that kind of money?"
"From a dead body, maybe?"
"Did you rob a corpse for 100 million Berries? Are you dreaming?"
"I bet on Pizarro."
"Choate!"
Tens of thousands of pirates yelled and cheered, while others booed. The betting was fierce, and the approval ratings for both Pizarro and Choate were almost equal.
As legendary pirates, their strengths were on the same level. The only way to determine who was superior was through a fight.
"Captain, who do you think will win?" Shiryu of the Rain asked Lucifer, puffing out a ring of smoke.
"Whoever is stronger will win."
Lucifer replied casually, then reached out to grab the sea in front of him. "Steel ring!"
In an instant, a massive steel arena appeared before everyone's eyes.
The arena was square, measuring more than 100 meters on each side, and made entirely of steel.
Lucifer's use of his Void Void Fruit showed just how terrifying the power of his Devil Fruit was.
What's more, the steel arena moved along with the pirate fleet, allowing everyone on the surrounding ships to watch the battle unfold.
"The battlefield is ready. You can fight on it now."
Lucifer's voice echoed through the air, causing the surrounding pirates to cheer.
"Of course, anyone who's confident in their own strength can take the stage."
"The chaotic battle is about to begin, and the final victor will claim the Lava-Lava Fruit."
The pirates cheered even louder at the thought of the prize.
"I'll give it a try!"
"I'll go too!"
"The Lava-Lava Fruit will make me a top-tier cadre for sure!"
The pirates from Impel Down were all ruthless and lawless, and none of them would hesitate unless they had personally fought someone stronger.
Winning the Lava-Lava Fruit not only promised incredible power but also a chance to be favored by Lucifer and rise in the ranks of the Nether Pirates.
No one would let this opportunity slip away.
Soon, countless pirates leaped onto the ring, eager to join the scuffle.
"Hmph, a bunch of clowns jumping around, thinking they can rob me? They're asking for death!"
Pizarro, the Evil King, glared at the newcomers with a murderous glint in his eyes. Without hesitation, he leaped onto the ring, ready to show them why they were making a grave mistake.
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