Chapter 297

The next day, the sun rose from the edge of the sea, its dawn light dispelling the darkness that had shrouded the ocean.

Off the coast of Shadow Island, a massive, technologically advanced battleship roared to life with an earth-shaking engine sound. This was Meowth's crowning creation, the third-generation machine—the final model, "War Fortress"!

On the ship's deck, made of durable Wapol alloy, Zyhark stood at the forefront, surrounded by all the Demon King Organization's top officers.

Behind them, tens of thousands of crew members—"cannon fodder," one might say—stood eagerly in anticipation, every face lit with excitement.

Even knowing the dangers, these fame-hungry, thrill-seeking maniacs had climbed aboard this super battleship bound for Raftel.

If they could stand alongside Zyhark on the legendary final island, the rewards awaiting them would be wealth beyond imagination and fame beyond measure.

Just to say, "I made it to Raftel," would be enough to send them into a frenzy. This was an irresistible temptation for any pirate!

Because of this, countless pirates from all over the New World had gathered on the outskirts of Shadow Island, hoping to witness this historic moment with their own eyes—even if the journey's end meant death.

This public announcement had been Zyhark's doing, spread through various channels.

Since their actions were bound to be discovered anyway, he figured it would be better to create a massive spectacle, drawing all of the World Government's attention and giving the Revolutionary Army and Navy an opening to launch a full-scale assault on Mary Geoise!

With a two-pronged attack, this was the plan Zyhark, Sengoku, and Dragon had devised.

No matter which side succeeded, it would deal a severe blow to the World Government.

The Revolutionary Army would have no issues; the Navy, however, might face considerable resistance from the Government's loyal "dogs" (such as Green Bull).

But this was no longer Zyhark's problem; he trusted Sengoku's tactical prowess to handle these matters. After all, the majority of the Navy's rank and file were motivated by a genuine sense of justice.

Given the chance to destroy the World Government, who would choose to live as a watchdog?

With the coordinates Robin provided, the War Fortress locked onto Raftel's location. Amid a display of force, it broke through the waves, surging forward into the distance!

Meanwhile, in different parts of the New World, two large-scale battles began silently.

The alliance of Red-Haired Shanks and Hawkeye Mihawk clashed against the crew led by Golden Lion and Douglas Bullet; and Whitebeard's fleet, landing on Hive Island, engaged in battle against Blackbeard Teach!

Though Red-Haired Shanks, himself a Celestial Dragon, preferred not to participate in this war, and Whitebeard, now in the twilight of his career, was unwilling to risk his family's safety for a youngster's plans, both men had a bond with Zyhark and instead took action to intercept any unknown elements that could threaten the war's outcome near Raftel.

Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters:

After an intense battle, all loyalist Celestial Dragon "dogs" had been purged.

Standing on the headquarters' balcony, Sengoku gazed over the packed plaza, every face firm with determination and resolve.

Tears welled in the old Fleet Admiral's eyes, his long-dormant sense of passion and justice reignited within his chest.

"Brave and righteous Marines, this is a moment of historic importance. To carry our convictions to the very end, to ensure that our cloak of justice is no longer stained, you need not hold back this time."

"Now, as Fleet Admiral, I issue you your greatest mission."

"Execute justice and wipe out the world's greatest evil!"

His stirring words filled the soldiers with morale, their spirits soaring.

They had waited for this day for far too long!

In the rear meeting hall, Admirals and Vice Admirals sat, each face stern and serious.

When they first heard of the plan to strike against the World Government, they had been stunned, but as seasoned warriors, they quickly regained composure.

Some quietly polished their new swords, others checked pocket watches holding pictures of loved ones, while a few stole glances at two figures standing in the corner of the hall.

Those figures were the legendary Marine hero Garp and his son…

The world's most notorious criminal, Monkey D. Dragon!

"Hahaha! Who'd have thought I'd be able to fight side by side with my unfilial son in my lifetime!" Garp laughed heartily.

This time, it was genuine joy and excitement.

Dragon, once a candidate for Fleet Admiral like Sakazuki and Kuzan, had left the Marines over ideological differences, forming the Revolutionary Army—a source of great regret for Garp.

Now, that regret was finally gone.

"Old man, this is no ordinary battlefield. Are you up for it? Maybe you should just go back to East Blue and farm," Dragon remarked, arms crossed and leaning casually against the wall, casting a side-eye at his father.

"Oh, really? Sounds like I need to remind you of those good old days."

Garp's gaze darkened, his raised fists crackling with power.

"I'm not the same as before, old man."

Dragon straightened, his fingertips swirling with wind.

As father and son seemed ready to throw down, Kuma, Ivankov, and other Revolutionary leaders, along with Vice Admiral Tsuru, quickly intervened to separate them.

With much effort, the two begrudgingly turned away, snorting in irritation.

Under Sengoku's command, the Marine officers and Revolutionary Army troops boarded the latest model of flying battleships.

One by one, the ships bearing the flag of justice took to the skies, heading straight for the holy land of Mary Geoise.

Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise:

The once-lavish city that housed countless Celestial Dragons was now eerily empty, silence weighing down the atmosphere.

After learning of the Marines' betrayal, the Five Elders had immediately ordered the evacuation of all civilians. Now, they stood guard at the city gates with ten Seraphim, God's Knight leader Figarland Garling, and every CP agent, awaiting the arrival of the rebel forces.

An hour later, the first flying battleship broke through the clouds, hovering over Mary Geoise.

Soon after, like sparks in a wildfire, countless ships packed with Marines and Revolutionary forces appeared in the Five Elders' sights!

This entangled saga of love, hate, and vengeance between the three powers was about to reach its final, decisive clash!

…

As for the Demon King Organization, after enduring fierce storms, torrential rain, snow, and every other conceivable form of extreme weather, the endless sea finally revealed a shadow of land.

In the distance, they could see a ruined skull flag atop the island's tallest mountain.

It was the pirate flag of Gol D. Roger!

They had arrived at Raftel, the Final Island!

The War Fortress slowed to a halt, and as Zyhark and his allies stepped onto the island, an overwhelming Haki burst forth like an infernal aura.

It covered the entire sea, so powerful that even the mighty pirates following behind them fainted on the spot!

The sky turned blood-red under the force of Conqueror's Haki, as a dark silhouette walked across the air, each step exuding an unmatched sense of pressure.

Imu stopped, their strange eyes shifting slightly, looking down upon Zyhark and the others from above.

"I've been waiting for you, Demon King Organization."

"Welcome to the hell I've carefully prepared for you…"

"Hell."

BOOM!

With Imu's words, a massive, eclipsing full moon appeared in the crimson sky—Imu had pulled the moon down from the heavens!

The devastating tidal forces surged, stirring the ocean into towering waves. The earth trembled violently, and vast stretches of land began to emerge from the sea around Raftel!

With a mere gesture, Imu had reshaped the sky, the sea, and the land itself—this was the true power of the World King!

"Hell, is it? You're thoughtful indeed, preparing a grave for yourself," Zyhark smirked, fixing his gaze on Imu. He reached into the void, slowly drawing the Sword of Rupture.

If he had been alone, facing this final boss of the One Piece world, he might have had no chance of victory.

But today, he was not alone. Today, his friends stood beside him.

CRACK!

Lightning surged, as multiple Conqueror's Haki auras erupted simultaneously, shattering the oppressive surroundings.

The final battle had begun!

(End of Chapter)