Chapter 121: The Worlds Reaction!

Anticipating that the World Government might retaliate using Uranus after the raid on Mariejois, Edie devised a countermeasure: he would elevate Beehive Island into the sky using the Float-Float Fruit. The destructive power of Uranus was undeniable—it could obliterate an entire island with a single strike, far surpassing even the destructive power of a nuclear bomb.

Erased. That was the only word to describe the weapon's effect.

However, the flaw in Uranus' design became clear: its attacks were confined to fixed targets. As long as Beehive Island was floating in the sky, it would remain safe from such devastation.

It was clear to Edie that the Float-Float Fruit was a strategic Devil Fruit, perfect for the task at hand. He had acquired a Float Ring long ago, but its effect lasted only ten hours, making it impractical for long-term flight. The solution? He would clone a version of Shiki capable of maintaining the island's flight indefinitely.

At the entrance of the Beehive Research Institute, Yuji knelt, pressing his hands to the ground. A subtle tremor rippled through the island as the Float-Float Fruit's power surged. Slowly, the massive island began to lift, detaching from the seabed as seawater flooded the void left behind. The island's ascent was graceful, and within moments, Beehive Island hovered in the sky like a colossal citadel.

Satisfied that everything was in order, Edie returned to his quarters to catch up on much-needed sleep.

When he woke up, it was already afternoon. After a brief wash, he took the elevator down to the restaurant. There, he was greeted by a table laden with his favorite dishes—an elaborate spread of delicacies.

"Did Hancock make all this?" Edie smiled, sitting down to enjoy the meal in solitude.

The cuisine of Amazon Lily reminded him of exotic dishes from his previous life, bringing a sense of familiarity that he appreciated. As he ate, Momousagi entered the room, her expression a mixture of surprise and concern.

"Edie," she began, sitting down across from him, "did you really put the island in the sky?"

"What's wrong?" Edie asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

Momousagi took a sip of red wine before replying, "I woke up and nearly fell over when I saw the island floating. What's going on?"

"It's just a precaution," Edie explained, his tone calm. "The World Government might use Uranus to retaliate."

Momousagi paused, thinking deeply. "If that's the case, the island might still be tracked. Beehive Island's magnetic pointer isn't exactly rare. The World Government must have one."

Edie smiled. "Getting smarter, Bunny."

"I'm not a fool!" Momousagi rolled her eyes and playfully glared at him.

"Of course I considered that," Edie replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Do you know why islands in the Grand Line are magnetic, while those in the Four Seas are not?"

Momousagi's curiosity piqued. "Why?"

Edie leaned back, casually explaining. "The soil in the Grand Line contains a substance called NHCa21, which has magnetic properties. The magnetic field in this world is disordered, and the North and South Poles are reversed."

He continued, "Researching this in depth would take a long time, but I'm not interested in it right now."

Standing up, he instructed her, "There are many civilians on the island. Make sure someone reassures them about the transition."

"Yes, yes," Momousagi replied, half-serious. Changing the subject, she added with a sly smile, "By the way, when did you clone Golden Lion Shiki? Yuji suddenly showed up today. You must have some secret base somewhere."

Edie shrugged off her curiosity with a cryptic smile, He wasn't about to reveal the existence of the system to anyone.

Later, Edie summoned Robin to the underground laboratory.

After weeks of rigorous study, Robin had gained a preliminary understanding of bloodline factor theory. It was time for her to apply this knowledge. Using the blood of the Five Elders as an example, Edie decided to mentor her directly.

Under the dim light of the laboratory, Edie meticulously demonstrated how to extract bloodline factors from a sample. Robin watched intently, her natural aptitude for learning evident as she quickly absorbed the process. Step by step, Edie guided her, his tone patient yet precise.

By the end of the session, Robin's confidence had grown visibly. She nodded firmly, ready to contribute to Edie's groundbreaking research.

"This will be useful for our future studies," Edie murmured, observing her progress.

"It's amazing... Is this the blood factor?"

Robin gazed at the projection with awe, marveling at the intricate complexity of the blood factors. This was an entirely new frontier—far more fascinating than even her lifelong pursuit of archeology, though undeniably just as enigmatic.

Seeing the delicate strands of science laid bare before her was nothing short of mesmerizing. Theoretical knowledge alone could not have conveyed this level of wonder.

But doubt crept into her mind. Could she really be of use in this field?

"Don't rush yourself, Robin," Edie said, his voice steady. "The search for truth is a journey without an end."

"I understand, Doctor. I'll do my best!" Robin responded with determination, her expression bright and eager.

Her enthusiasm pleased Edie. He admired how Robin's natural curiosity and tenacity gave her the spark of an eager learner, making her more than capable of assisting in even the most complex research.

Edie then directed Robin to observe while he began analyzing the blood factors extracted from the Four Elders of the World Government. What he uncovered both confirmed and deepened his suspicions.

Among their blood factors, there were no traces of the so-called "immortality factor" or any evidence of the legendary immortality surgery. Their cellular makeup—red blood cells, white blood cells, and beyond—showed no signs of immortal properties.

"As expected..." Edie murmured, leaning back in his chair. His curiosity burned brighter now.

No immortality surgery, yet an apparently endless lifespan. How was this possible?

What intrigued him further was how the blood factors of the Elders were starkly different from those of normal humans. A bold theory began forming in his mind.

Could it be that these individuals were not entirely human? Could they be the "demon" essence inherent in Devil Fruits themselves—entities akin to the legendary Tot Musica?

The implications of this idea sent a shiver down Edie's spine. If true, it warranted direct investigation.

He rose decisively. "Robin, clean up the lab. We're done here for now."

After leaving the lab, Edie made his way to the main control center, summoning Yuji. He issued his next command: "Take Beehive Island to the skies and chart a course to the East Blue."

Satisfied with Yuji's compliance, Edie climbed to the ninth floor of the research institute. There, a room had been converted into a dance studio, where Dressrosa's Princess Violet was teaching Kozuki Hiyori the art of dance.

Accompanying them was Uta, the future world-renowned singer, who hummed quietly in the corner.

Upon noticing Edie, the three paused their activities.

"Mr. Edie!" Hiyori exclaimed, running to him like a small bird returning to its nest. She jumped into his arms, but her small stature only brought her up to his waist.

"Edie-sama, are you here to watch me dance? I've been practicing very hard!" she said eagerly, tilting her head upward for approval.

Edie chuckled, patting her head. "Of course, Hiyori. I know you've been working hard."

He then turned his gaze toward the other two. Violet greeted him with polite caution. Uta, still timid after two years on Beehive Island, muttered a soft, "Hello, Sir Edie."

"Come here, Uta," Edie beckoned gently.

The girl hesitated but approached, her small frame tense with nervousness. Though she had grown somewhat accustomed to life on the island, Edie's commanding presence still unsettled her.

Sensing her unease, Edie softened his tone. "Uta, do you want to visit the City of Music?"

"Elegia?" Uta's eyes lit up with sudden interest, though her confusion lingered.

"Yes," Edie continued. "Elegia is the heart of the music world, home to the finest musicians and orchestras. It's the perfect place for someone with your talent."

Hearing this, Uta's excitement surged. Her lifelong dream was to perform on the grandest stage for the entire world to hear.

"I want to go! I really want to go!" she exclaimed, her shyness momentarily forgotten.

Edie smiled, pleased with her reaction. "Then it's settled. We'll go to Elegia and find the best music teacher for you and Hiyori."

"Really?!" Uta's voice was brimming with joy. "Thank you, Mr. Edie!"

Though Edie played the role of a benevolent benefactor, his motives extended far beyond Uta's musical aspirations. His true purpose was far deeper—securing the Demon King of Song, Tot Musica, sealed within a cursed musical score in Elegia.

The being was an ancient force of destruction, one that Edie intended to uncover and harness. Only someone with Uta's Sing-Sing Fruit could awaken it, making her an indispensable part of his plans.

The journey to Elegia would take weeks due to Beehive Island's slow flight speed. Uta's bubbling anticipation kept her pestering Edie daily about their progress.

Edie could only smile patiently, urging her to wait. Inwardly, his mind turned over his plans, ensuring that every step toward awakening the ancient Demon King was perfectly aligned.

For Edie, the journey to Elegia was just the beginning to finding out the secrets of the Five elders and Imu—and putting a end to them for good.

While Beehive Island made its slow journey toward the East Blue, the attack on the Holy Land of Mariejois sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Despite the World Government's attempts at suppression, such a monumental event could not be concealed. The World Economic News quickly broke the story, its details soaring across the skies and reaching every corner of the seas.

In the palaces of the 170 member nations of the World Government, kings and queens were left speechless as they saw the news.

World Economic News

Front Page Headline:

"Attack on Mariejois! Hundreds of Celestial Dragons Dead in a Night of Chaos!"

Subhead:

"Pirate Emperor Kaido Takes Responsibility—What's Next for the World Government?"

The report begins with an ominous description of the event:

"Mariejois, the untouchable sacred land of the Celestial Dragons, is no more. Once a bastion of opulence and power, it now lies in ruins, consumed by fire and devastation. Reports indicate over 90% of the Celestial Dragons were killed, their golden palaces reduced to ash. For the first time in over 800 years, the heart of the World Government has been shattered."

A double-page spread shows aerial photos of Mariejois taken by the news coo. Smoldering rubble stretches as far as the eye can see, with the remains of Pangaea Castle barely recognizable. Columns of smoke rise into a sky darkened by ash and soot.

Eyewitness Testimony:

One survivor, a trembling Former Slave of the Celestial Dragons, recounted:

"It was a nightmare. Flames erupted everywhere. Screams filled the air. The Celestial Dragons ran, but there was nowhere to hide from those wild beasts. Even the Five Elders... I didn't see them... I don't know if they're alive."

Kaido Claims Responsibility:

The article highlights Kaido's bold declaration he personally made to Morgan's :

"This world needs a reset, and I'm the one to do it~!"

Despite Kaido's claim, rumors swirl about the involvement of the enigmatic Dr. Edie from Beehive Island, known for his connection to cutting-edge technology and devastating weaponry. However, the World Economic News makes no direct accusations, leaving the readers to draw their own conclusions.

The report closes with questions that gnaw at the world:

What happened to the Five Elders?

Why didn't the Navy or Cipher Pol intervene in time?

And most importantly, what happens next?

East Blue - Windmill Village:

A group of villagers huddled around a newspaper at the bar. The usual laughter and cheer were replaced with hushed whispers.

"Mariejois… gone? Can you believe it?" Makino murmured, holding the paper with trembling hands.

An older man frowned. "Those Celestial Dragons… They had it coming, didn't they? Years of tyranny, and now the scales are balanced."

In the corner, a young boy with a straw hat stared at the photos. His wide eyes glimmered with an unusual intensity.

South Blue - A Small Port Town:

In a bustling marketplace, a traveling bard paused to read the newspaper posted on a bulletin board. A crowd of fishermen and merchants gathered, craning their necks to catch a glimpse.

"This is madness! Mariejois was untouchable!" one merchant exclaimed.

A fisherman shook his head, spitting into the dirt. "Untouchable? Ha! Nothing's untouchable anymore. Not when monsters like Kaido roam free."

The crowd fell silent, unease rippling through them as they pondered the uncertain future of the World.

In Alabasta's royal capital, Alubarna, Princess Vivi burst into her father's study, clutching the newspaper in her hands.

"Father!"

Cobra sat at his desk, staring blankly at the front page. His trembling hands barely held the paper steady.

"Such devastation... What could have led to this?" he murmured, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Alabasta's dwindling rainfall, a problem that had plagued the kingdom for years, now seemed insignificant by comparison. Cobra slumped back into his chair, covering his face with a weary hand.

"The World Summit is supposed to happen next year," he muttered. "But with Pangaea Castle gone, will it even take place?"

New World - Dressrosa:

In the newly established fertilizer factories, workers murmured amongst themselves during a break.

"Hundreds of Celestial Dragons… dead," one man muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Another worker, wiping sweat from his brow, chuckled darkly. "Serves them right, the bastards. Always thought they were gods. Turns out they bleed like the rest of us."

"But what about us?" a young woman interjected. "If someone could do that to Mariejois, what's stopping them from targeting our homes next?"

The group fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in.

In the Royal Palace of Dressrosa, where the Donquixote Family had established a temporary base, Doflamingo held the newspaper with a wicked grin.

"Fufufufu... Slaves and Celestial Dragons—only in the face of death can they ever be equal!"

He leaned back, his sunglasses gleaming. "Kaido? There's no way he orchestrated this on his own. This has his fingerprints all over it."

Though Edie's name wasn't mentioned in the article, Doflamingo had no doubts. Only the doctor from Beehive Island could have executed such a masterstroke.

Pirate Crews Across the Seas:

At a tavern in the New World, pirates laughed and cheered, clinking their mugs together.

"Kaido really did it! That madman actually flattened Mariejois!" a burly captain roared, his laughter echoing.

A wiry navigator smirked. "Kaido might be the face of it, but there's no way he did it alone. That doctor—Edie—he's the real danger."

"Who cares? The Celestial Dragons got what they deserved!"

The laughter masked a lingering fear. If Mariejois could fall, no one was truly safe.

Edie's Perspective:

Back on Beehive Island, Edie skimmed the newspaper once before tossing it aside.

Over ten days passed, yet the news refused to fade. The World Government had issued no public statement, and the Five Elders remained suspiciously absent from the public eye.

But Edie's focus was elsewhere. Beehive Island had finally crossed mountains, seas, and skies to arrive in the East Blue.

Their destination: the famed Music City, Elegia.