Chapter 461: The Roar of Avalon

Britannias.

Above the skies.

The Research and Development Bureau.

Of Gao Wen's core cadres, save for Beville and Fujitora, who were responsible for border defense, the rest had all gathered here.

Everyone's gaze was fixed tightly on the colossal object situated at the center of the Research and Development Bureau.

"An ancient weapon modeled after Pluton; although it lacks the Mother Flame, that nearly infinite energy source possessed by the ancient weapon in the World Government's hands..."

"... it instead draws its power from the massive ley line energy of Britannias—no, from the ley line energy deep within Britannias and its surrounding seas..."

Vegapunk's eyes rarely showed such a look of obsession.

Originally, he had been unwilling to see ancient weapons reappear upon the seas, even less willing to personally forge all of this.

Thus, even when he had initially defected to serve under the World Government, he had spoken the lie that the technology of this era could absolutely not reproduce ancient weapons.

Had he known the World Government already possessed an ancient weapon, the Mother Flame would never have become a reality.

But now, his thinking had changed.

Only military force can forge peace!

The moment the ancient weapon in the World Government's hands fired, the original balance, the original stability, had already been utterly torn apart.

What this era needs now is a power capable of checking the World Government.

And compared to the various powers on these seas who are bent solely on hegemony and dreaming of becoming a second Celestial Dragon, Gao Wen, who has written equality into the Constitution of Britannias, is undoubtedly a far more trustworthy existence.

When the last trace of hesitation vanished from Vegapunk's heart, the birth of this behemoth before their eyes came to pass!

"Truly magnificent!"

Redfield could not help but let out a sigh of admiration.

Even in his own era, ancient weapons had existed only in legend.

Even though he had once glimpsed fragments of them within translations of the Poneglyphs, the power of words paled in comparison to the shock of seeing it with one's own eyes!

"The ley line energy flowing through its entire body; even just a single glance makes one feel uneasy."

"That restless power in the air—it simply, simply, simply makes one's soul tremble!"

Hawkeye stood to the side, subconsciously reaching out to grip the sword on his shoulder.

That was not an impulse to strike, but a strong individual's most fundamental perception of crisis.

This thing...

No one can withstand it!

No.

Except for that monster, Gao Wen, no one can withstand it!

Not only Hawkeye, but everyone present conceived this thought at this very moment; in that same instant, they all turned their heads to look at Gao Wen!

"Captain!"

Franky's voice, much deeper than before, came from atop Avalon.

Accompanied by a sound of metal grinding, Franky's face emerged upon the hull of Pluton.

Utilizing the ability of the Munch-Munch Fruit, Franky had now completely fused with Pluton, becoming an existence similar to a central control system or artificial intelligence.

Although he could still transfer his consciousness back to his original body as usual, in his own words, he felt very good now and saw no necessity for it.

"It's about time we make our voice heard to the world!"

Whoosh—!

A sudden gale blew through the high skies, causing Avalon's flag to snap loudly in the wind, bringing with it an indescribable chill.

Located above the sea of clouds, ten thousand meters from the ground, the temperature here was terrifyingly low.

Yet at this moment, the bodies of everyone present grew hot.

Within two years, Britannias had suffered three consecutive baptisms by ancient weapons, causing losses that were immeasurable.

Everyone had long been stifling a fire of anger in their hearts, waiting precisely for this moment to demand a blood debt from the World Government.

This was not merely Avalon's first cry, but the beginning of Britannias's conquest of the world!

Gao Wen looked around, seeing only the fiery eyes of his companions, and a smile could not help but curl the corners of his mouth.

Three years ago, when he had first arrived in this world, he could be said to have been almost entirely alone, but now he had so many comrades behind him.

In his heart, there were now things he simply had to do.

This feeling...

Was good!

"Franky!"

"Fire!"

"Understood, Captain!"

Franky's mechanical voice echoed through the skies above the Research and Development Bureau.

The next instant.

Pluton, which had been hovering above the Research and Development Bureau, began to rise slowly; the pale blue energy conduits covering its body began operating at high speed, as the ley line energy compressed into liquid converged toward the central cannon muzzle!

Gulp—!

Vibration waves, with a frequency approaching the upper limit of human endurance, began to diffuse in all directions!

The dark clouds shrouding the skies above Britannias dispersed like spring snow meeting the winter sun, and the Research and Development Bureau, hidden in the high altitudes of Britannias, was truly exposed to the world.

No!

This was not an exposure, but a slumbering monster opening its bloody maw, intending to tear a chunk of flesh from this planet.

"That is..."

"Knight Gao Wen actually chose the high skies as the location to construct the King of the Underworld?!"

Nearly a hundred nautical miles away, the Marine forces were retreating in an orderly fashion.

Akainu ultimately chose to trust the intelligence transmitted by Drake and ordered the Marine fleet to withdraw from the waters near Britannias.

At this moment, Akainu gripped the telescope in his hand so tightly that his breathing nearly stopped.

I should have thought of this long ago; I really should have thought of this long ago!

After the destruction of the Neo-Marines, Issho defected to Britannias.

Since he was able to stabilize those several out-of-control floating islands in Water Seven, naturally he could also rely on his abilities to lift an entire island into the sky.

Now, everything was already too late.

Seeing that massive vessel hovering above the floating island, its huge body covered entirely in pale blue energy conduits, Akainu's heart grew nearly half cold.

Whether it was the gradually stifling air or the giant ship in the high sky growing brighter and brighter like a second sun, both heralded just how terrifying the impending attack would be!

"Retreat!"

"Retreat!"

"The entire army, accelerate the retreat!"

Kizaru stood to the side, his mouth agape; for the first time, he saw an emotion named panic on Akainu's face.

This man, who was like steel, actually showed a hint of helplessness at this very moment.

After a momentary lapse of attention, Kizaru quickly turned around and relayed Akainu's orders.

In the span of merely a few breaths, hundreds of Marine warships accelerated their withdrawal toward the outer periphery of Britannias!

At this very moment, even a fool could sense something was wrong; a crowd of pirates fled in all directions like madmen, yet ultimately they were one step too late.

Avalon's charging was complete!

Clack-clack-clack—!

The massive cannon muzzle rotated, pointing straight up at the high sky, as if intending to tear the firmament apart!

Immediately, a violent torrent of energy poured forth from Avalon's cannon, transforming into a pillar of light so solid it seemed tangible, piercing through heaven and earth.

"That is..."

"What the hell is that?!"

Katakuri raised his head, gazing toward the sky, his entire face illuminated in this instant.

Not just him; the expressions of everyone present froze, their bodies going rigid.

They were like feline animals whose fur stood on end, unable to move, having witnessed something beyond imagination.

Slow to realize, Cracker raised his head, following the direction of everyone's gaze, and froze on the spot.

Between heaven and earth, there was only a single pillar of pale blue light, illuminating nearly the entire ocean.

Such a magnificent and grand spectacle brought nothing but the deepest, most unforgettable, and most extreme fear to those present.

They did not know what that thing actually was.

But just over a month ago, through a projection Den Den Mushi, they had seen something similar in the sky above Britannias!

"An Ancient Weapon?!"

"Has the World Government made its move again?!"