The war has begun!!!

A few days later, a large number of ships left Wano Country. At the same time, the Navy also took action, with a fleet of warships heading towards Mary Geoise.

Eventually, beneath Mary Geoise, several coalitions from different factions gathered in one place.

The world was in turmoil, with the World Economic News Agency and dozens of other newspapers reporting the event widely. News of the upcoming decisive battle between the coalition of Nicholas, the Revolutionary Army, and the Navy against the World Government spread rapidly to all corners of the world. Almost everyone learned about it instantly.

As if sensing the impending war, dark clouds loomed over Mary Geoise, and a tense atmosphere enveloped the Holy Land. The once-arrogant Celestial Dragons now cowered in their mansions, filled with fear and unease.

Even the most foolish of the Celestial Dragons had lost interest in their usual games due to the oppressive air. Meanwhile, the more perceptive among them pressured the World Government, understanding that if it were overthrown, and if those "inferior beings" breached Mary Geoise, their fate would be disastrous.

Simultaneously, as the coalition and the World Government clashed, chaos erupted across the seas. Numerous opportunists and criminals took advantage of the situation, pillaging and plundering. Unrest spread around the world.

At Mary Geoise, countless soldiers gathered around the Holy Land, which now operated like a well-oiled war machine. Cannons were placed throughout the city, and massive robots waited in the square—these were the Pacifistas, key units in the World Government's war efforts.

Inside the conference hall of Pangaea Castle, many influential figures gathered: the Five Elders, representatives of the nineteen families of the Celestial Dragons, the head of the Holy Knights, the leaders of CP (Cipher Pol), and other high-ranking officials.

"Report! The rebel army is approaching the waters near Mary Geoise, but they haven't attacked Red Port yet. They seem to be waiting for something," a World Government officer informed the Five Elders, holding the latest intelligence.

"So fast..." Many in the room frowned. They hadn't expected the rebels to reach the gates of Mary Geoise in just a few days since learning of their attack plans.

"How are the defenses of Mary Geoise?" one of the Five Elders asked.

"The defenses were completed a week ago," the officer responded solemnly.

"We must stop them outside of Mary Geoise," one of the Elders commanded gravely.

"Understood!" The officer answered and left the hall.

"Let's hear your thoughts," one of the Five Elders urged.

"The Pacifista troops are ready and can enter the battlefield at any time."

"The Holy Knights are on standby."

"CP0 is prepared to move out."

"Our nineteen royal families are ready to join the fight!"

"The 300,000-strong fleet of allied nations has formed a blockade around the perimeter and can attack the rebels at any moment!"

The representatives at the meeting quickly reported their readiness.

"Good. This time, we will completely crush the rebels and stabilize this era!" declared one of the Elders.

"Esteemed Five Elders, we can handle most of the rebel forces. But how do we deal with their top fighters, like former admirals Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, as well as Sengoku, Garp, Dragon from the Revolutionary Army, Red-Haired Shanks, Nicholas' pirate crew, the Giant King, and others?"

The gathered leaders knew that ordinary soldiers wouldn't decide the outcome of the war. It was the battles between the strongest on both sides that would truly determine victory.

The rebel side's high-level combat power was overwhelming, even surpassing the notorious Rocks Pirates of old. Thunder God Nicholas alone was a terrifying force, and even the Five Elders might struggle to defeat him. Other admiral and emperor-level fighters would also require equally powerful opponents to counter them. Otherwise, a single top-tier fighter could annihilate tens of thousands of soldiers, tipping the battle in favor of the rebels.

"Someone will take care of Nicholas; no need to worry about that. As for Garp, Sengoku, and the rebellious former admirals, we, the Five Elders, will personally see to their elimination. The remaining enemies will be handled by the nineteen royal families and the Holy Knights."

"They're here," said one of the participants, as many in the room suddenly turned their gaze toward Red Port. The bald Five Elder holding the First Generation Kitetsu remained calm but spoke with chilling intent.

At Red Port, below Mary Geoise, tens of thousands of soldiers stared in fear at the figure in a black coat who appeared at the port—Nicholas had arrived.

The Celestial Dragons, who claimed to be descendants of the gods, had erased a century of history from the world and exterminated the divine race that once lived atop the Red Line. They built the Holy Land of Mary Geoise atop the world's largest continent. For over 800 years, Mary Geoise stood as the unassailable home of the Celestial Dragons.

But now, with Nicholas and his army at their doorstep, that era seemed to be coming to an end. The previously unchallenged authority of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government was in jeopardy.

The moment Nicholas stepped onto Red Port, the defenders were alerted. Everyone stood on high alert, waiting for this most notorious villain to make his move against the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.

Tens of thousands of soldiers at Red Port watched Nicholas with fear, having been ordered to intercept the rebels. Now that their leader had appeared, their duty was to raise their guns and fire at him. But facing the world's most dangerous man, they stood frozen, unable to move. Sweat dripped from their foreheads, their throats clenched, and their fingers twitched nervously.

Nicholas paid them no mind, continuing to walk forward.

Step—step—

Each step he took seemed to crush the hearts of the soldiers. As he approached, the tension grew unbearable. It felt as if the very air was becoming oppressive, and breathing required immense effort.

"Gulp..." The sound of nervous swallowing filled the air.

The weapons in their hands offered no comfort.

Seeing how overwhelmed the soldiers were, Nicholas had no interest in killing them. After all, most of them were just sons of ordinary people. As someone once said, war is merely one farmer's son crossing great distances to kill another farmer's son.

This war had nothing to do with them; Nicholas was after those at the top.

With his next step, arcs of lightning flickered around Nicholas.

In an instant, a terrifying, invisible force rippled out from Nicholas, passing through the bodies of the tens of thousands of soldiers at Red Port. Silently, their minds were struck as if hit by a massive blow, and their bodies froze before their eyes rolled back.

One by one, the soldiers collapsed like dominoes.

Thud—thud—thud!

The sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed repeatedly.

Moments later, all the soldiers at Red Port lay unconscious, without exception.

Nicholas continued his steady march toward Mary Geoise.

The war had begun!