MTLNOVEL Chapter 178: 178: War against Marie Jois.
"You're not Kaido… Who are you?"
Doflamingo's expression shifted sharply as suspicion crept in. He instinctively tried to take off and escape, but an immense invisible force weighed down on him, locking his body in place.
"You actually noticed the difference. I underestimated you," the man wearing Kaido's face said.
The expressionless facade of Kaido clashed strangely with the playful tone of the voice behind it. The eerie mismatch sent a chill through Doflamingo's spine.
"My name is Zenkichi. Surely you've heard of me," the man said, stepping forward. As his true form was revealed, the illusion faded completely, leaving Doflamingo face-to-face with the infamous Arakawa Zenkichi.
"It's really you..." Doflamingo's eyes widened in disbelief. The oppressive aura that had frozen him in place—clearly, it was Haki. And not just any Haki, but an overwhelming display of Conqueror's Haki combined with an indomitable will.
"You've taken control of the Yonko Pirates?"
Zenkichi nodded calmly. "Yes. And now the world will fall under my control."
He paused, then asked in a chillingly casual tone, "Doflamingo, let me ask you—do you choose life… or destruction?"
Doflamingo stood frozen for a moment, sweat beading on his brow. He knew this wasn't an idle threat. With no other option, he lowered his head in acknowledgment.
"I'll follow you."
Zenkichi smiled slightly. "Good choice. We'll be making camp outside Dressrosa for a few days. As the host, I trust you'll entertain us well."
Doflamingo forced a dry laugh. "Of course."
Though he ruled Dressrosa with an iron grip and a network of dark dealings, the country had flourished under his rule. What once was a poor and broken land had become a glittering jewel—filled with flowers, beauty, music, and dance. A place tourists from across the seas visited, unaware of the shadows lurking beneath its surface.
As members of the Donquixote family approached, Zenkichi's eyes drifted over to Violet and Monet.
"Plenty of beauties in your crew, Doflamingo," he said, eyeing the two women casually.
"They're… loyal subordinates of mine," Doflamingo replied, clearly uneasy.
"The two of them stay. The rest can leave."
Zenkichi didn't wait for a response, dismissing the others with a wave of his hand.
It had been too long since he'd let himself relax. Among the Yonko Pirates, there were few women—and none that fit his tastes. Big Mom's crew was full of monstrous characters, and although he'd once considered making a move on Robin, circumstances had shifted too quickly. Now, as his conquest neared its final stages, he wanted no more distractions—just a brief moment to unwind.
Zenkichi's fleet, now unified under his banner, set sail toward Mariejois, the sacred land of the Celestial Dragons.
At the World Government's headquarters, the Five Elders were already aware of the impending attack—and enraged by the news.
"These damn pirates! We didn't even try to crush them yet, and now they dare make the first move!"
"It's not just the Yonko Pirates anymore… this is Zenkichi's doing."
"He overwhelmed Sengoku and all three Navy Admirals. If the reports are accurate, not even the four Yonko together could stop him."
"That means he's brought the Yonko under his command… and he's leading them straight to us."
"Hmph! The World Government isn't so easily shaken. Let them come. They'll learn the price of defiance."
"We've consolidated our power for this moment. When the battle comes, we'll eliminate Zenkichi and every pirate that follows him."
"And once they're gone, our grip over the seas will be absolute."
Their decision made, the Five Elders set their plan in motion. The showdown would take place at the G-5 Marine Branch in the New World, a vital outpost—much like Marineford—that served as the last bastion before reaching the sacred lands of Mariejois.
If the Yonko Pirates captured it, they'd have a direct route to the World Nobles' doorstep.
Recognizing the risk, the Five Elders committed everything to this battle. Forces were pulled back from across the globe. Suppression efforts in the Four Blues and the Grand Line's first half were paused. Every resource was funneled into the New World.
This unprecedented move shook the Navy Headquarters. Many high-ranking officers voiced concern. Vice Admiral Garp was particularly outspoken.
"You're going to let pirates run free across the rest of the world?" Garp roared. "The people will suffer!"
Despite their objections, the World Government's envoys arrived with clear logic—and persuasive words.
"If we don't crush the Yonko Pirates here, what then? If we fall… the seas will fall with us."
"Without the World Government, who keeps the pirates in check? Who holds the line?"
"If we lose this battle, the chaos that follows will be far worse than anything we've seen—even worse than when Roger died."
"There will be no balance. No order. The world will descend into a storm that none of us can stop."
Their reasoning, while cold, was irrefutable.
In the end, even the most reluctant of naval leaders yielded. Orders were accepted.
A force of 400,000 elite marines was gathered. The Five Elders themselves prepared to command from the front lines. Powerful agents from CP-0 and beyond were summoned, and the G-5 base turned into a fortress bristling with strength.
All eyes now turned toward the New World, where the fate of the entire sea would soon be decided.
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