Chapter 456

Clove laid a newspaper on the table and spread it open.

Gao Wen lowered his gaze to look.

There, on the front-page headline, was written the news that the world was about to sink.

“Sea levels worldwide will rise at an accelerated rate, expected to submerge the highest point of the Red Line Continent within two years…”

“Humanity’s future lies on the moon…”

“The World Government has secretly built one hundred arks to carry humanity’s last spark to the moon, waiting for the tides to recede before returning to the earth…”

“But each ark can carry only one hundred thousand people…”

…

Gao Wen read only this far, then stopped.

The World Government’s calculations were barely concealed at all.

Yet at this moment, when all people across the world were gripped by panic over the world’s sinking, they first used ancient weapons to coerce the ocean’s strongholds into attacking Britannias.

Then, after witnessing the true nature of these forces, they threw out this bait…

“Now, every power across the world will surely lose their composure!”

Clove’s expression was grim.

Once, in Seven Water City, Gao Wen’s group had become the target of all, besieged by endless pirates.

But the forces involved in the Mingwangzhengbazhan back then were incomparable in strength and threat to what they are now.

This is about survival, about the coming battle!

It would fully awaken the beast within them—even Clove, as strong as he was, felt profound dread.

“The World Government’s escape slots are, in essence, the only hope they have of surviving after the land sinks!”

“Even those who intended to sit back and watch the tigers fight will now enter the fray—Britannias will be engulfed in endless siege!”

The World Government’s move was a masterstroke—striking at the root.

It directly forced everyone to weigh their own survival against Britannias on the scales.

Under such circumstances, anyone would choose what served their own interest!

Clove raised his eyes to Gao Wen, his gaze faintly tinged with concern.

But unlike what he had expected, he saw not even a trace of worry on Gao Wen’s face—only calmness, and a curious, amused smile.

“You…”

“Do you truly have that much confidence you can lift this nation into the sky?!”

Originally, Clove had absolute faith that Gao Wen could use the Gura Gura no Mi to raise Britannias.

But now, facing the World Government’s successive moves, he could not help but feel uneasy.

Gao Wen nodded, his demeanor calm:

“Originally, we were still a little short.”

“But during this time, after crossing that barrier, my power has surged again.”

“Even I cannot be certain how far I’ve come now.”

“If not for the potential impact on civilians during the nation’s ascent, we wouldn’t have waited this long.”

Seeing Clove’s lingering unease, Gao Wen casually bent down and pressed his palm against the earth!

In an instant, the power of the Gura Gura no Mi expanded across all of Britannias—and beyond, spreading hundreds of nautical miles around it before Gao Wen deliberately halted it.

BOOM—!

The ground shuddered violently, the tremors racing up from beneath Clove’s feet!

The sea within the inland sea surged into towering waves a kilometer high, then calmed in an instant!

The same happened far out in the open sea.

Countless Sea Kings thrust their heads above the water, terrified, scanning their surroundings—yet sensing nothing, they dove back down even faster!

In that fleeting moment, everyone within Britannias realized: this was surely Gao Wen rehearsing for the astonishing act half a month away.

Clove, standing before Gao Wen, felt it more acutely than anyone else.

In that single instant, he felt that all of heaven and earth lay under Gao Wen’s control.

In less than a month, the Gura Gura no Mi had reached, in Gao Wen’s hands, a height never before seen—and never to be surpassed again.

Such power…

Clove swallowed hard, feeling his earlier doubt had been a joke.

Throughout these years, which of the things this man had promised had he not delivered?

Gao Wen raised his gaze, gazing at the now-still sea far off, murmuring:

“The World Government has moved. If we do not respond, we’d be disrespecting their enthusiasm. Now, let’s see what choices the various powers will make.”

“Indeed.”

Clove calmed, a fierce smile curling on his lips:

“I’m truly looking forward to that day!”

…

A few seconds earlier.

Though Gao Wen’s action lasted only an instant, it did not escape the perception of Britannias’ many strongholds.

Drake, who had been traveling with Tenghu through small towns across Britannias, suddenly froze in place.

Drake’s face turned pale as he stared toward the source of the tremors, his heart racing.

“What?!”

Tenghu slowly turned to face Drake, then immediately understood why his reaction was so intense.

He smiled faintly and said:

“You don’t think Gao Wen was joking, do you?”

“As far as I know,”

“That man only played the gambler once—back in the East Blue, against Mihawk. Otherwise, he never makes promises without certainty.”

“If he made this pledge, he already has the means.”

Drake said nothing, still stunned.

But—

Recalling the news he had read on the newspaper today, his expression grew deeply complex.

The World Government, meant to save civilians in this chaotic age, was using escape as bait to force oceanic powers to besiege Britannias.

Yet the man at the storm’s center, targeted by the entire world, chose this moment to secure a path to survival for his people.

Justice…

Justice…

Justice!

For the first time,

Drake felt those two words were so repulsive he nearly vomited.

Tenghu noticed his distress but stood silently beside him, waiting.

Most of Zefa’s students had been shaped by him, each with their own understanding, conviction, and belief in justice.

Yet when the World Government’s mask was torn away, these were the ones who suffered the most.

Drake was certainly one of them.

And justice weighed heavier on Drake than most.

Thus, when the Marine’s mask of justice was ripped off, revealing its ugly, dark core, the impact was immense.

Drake stood motionless for a long time.

Only when the last rays of sunset fell upon him did he awaken, slowly falling into step behind Tenghu.

In the sunset,

Drake’s silhouette stood straighter, lighter.

…

Several days later.

Marine Headquarters.

Inside the Marshal’s office.

Akainu sat in his chair, a cigar clenched between his teeth, his face grim, the atmosphere suffocatingly heavy.

He saw the World Government’s scheme with perfect clarity.