Chapter 461

Britannias.

Above.

Technology Development Bureau.

Among Gao Wen’s core officers, all except Beivier and Tenghu, who are assigned to border defense, have gathered here.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on the colossal object at the center of the Technology Development Bureau.

“The ancient weapon forged in the image of Poseidon, though it does not possess the nearly infinite energy source known as the Mother Flame like the one held by the World Government.”

“But instead draws its power from the vast geothermal energy of Britannias—no, from the geothermal energy deep beneath Britannias and its surrounding seas…”

Vegapunk’s gaze was unusually entranced.

He had originally refused to see ancient weapons return to the seas, and had no desire to personally forge them.

That was why, even when he defected to the World Government, he lied and claimed that current technology could never replicate an ancient weapon.

Had the World Government already possessed one, the Mother Flame would never have been realized.

But now his thoughts had changed.

Only force can forge peace!

The moment the World Government’s ancient weapon fired, the old balance, the old stability, had been utterly shattered.

What this era needs is power sufficient to counterbalance the World Government.

And among the warlords of this sea, all obsessed with domination and eager to become the next Celestial Dragon, Gao Wen—who inscribed equality into Britannias’s constitution—is undoubtedly the more trustworthy force.

When Vegapunk’s final hesitation vanished, this monstrous beast was born!

“Truly magnificent!”

Reiderfield couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

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

Though he had glimpsed fragments in translated historical texts, the power of words paled beside the shock of seeing it with his own eyes!

“The geothermal energy flowing through its entire body—even just looking at it fills one with unease.”

“The restless power in the air—it’s… it’s… it’s making the soul tremble!”

Hawk-Eye stood to the side, instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword on his shoulder.

It wasn't a spontaneous act of aggression—it was the most primal recognition of danger from a true strong one.

This thing…

No one can stop it!

No.

Only Gao Wen, that monster, can stop it!

Not just Hawk-Eye—all present shared this thought at once, and in that instant, they all turned to look at Gao Wen!

“Captain!”

Franky’s deeper voice echoed from above Avalon.

Amid a sound of grinding metal, Franky’s face appeared on the surface of Poseidon’s hull.

Thanks to the powers of the Moku Moku no Mi, Franky had fully merged with Poseidon, becoming something akin to a central control system or artificial intelligence.

Though he could still transfer his consciousness back to his original body, according to his own words, he felt fine now—there was no need.

“It’s time to make our voice heard by the world!”

Whoosh—!

A fierce wind suddenly howled through the high sky, making Avalon’s flag snap violently and bringing an inexplicable chill.

This place sat above the cloud sea, over ten thousand meters above ground, with temperatures terrifyingly low.

Yet everyone’s bodies grew warm at this moment.

Within two years, Britannias had endured three assaults by ancient weapons—losses incalculable.

Everyone had long been holding back a fire, waiting for this very moment to demand blood from the World Government.

This was not merely Avalon’s first cry—it was the beginning of Britannias’s conquest of the world!

Gao Wen scanned the crowd, seeing only fiery eyes, and a faint smile curled on his lips.

Three years ago, when he first arrived in this world, he had been nearly alone—but now, he had so many companions behind him.

He now had something he absolutely had to do.

This feeling…

Good!

“Franky!”

“Fire!”

“Understood, Captain!”

Franky’s mechanical voice echoed above the Technology Development Bureau.

The next instant.

Poseidon, which had been hovering above the Technology Development Bureau, began to slowly rise; the pale blue energy conduits covering its body spun at high speed, compressing geothermal energy toward the central cannon mouth!

Goo—!

Vibration waves, nearing the human body’s upper tolerance limit, spread outward!

The clouds blanketing Britannias scattered like spring snow before winter sun; the Technology Development Bureau hidden high above Britannias was now fully exposed to the world.

No.

This was not exposure—it was a sleeping monster opening its maw, ready to tear a chunk of flesh from this planet.

“That’s…”

“Knight Gao Wen chose to build Poseidon in the sky?!”

Hundreds of miles away, Marine forces were retreating in orderly fashion.

Akainu had ultimately trusted Drake’s report and ordered the Marine fleet to withdraw from the seas near Britannias.

Now Akainu gripped his telescope, his breath nearly stopped.

I should’ve known—I should’ve known this long ago!

Ever since the fall of Neo Marines, he had defected to Britannias.

If he could stabilize those few runaway floating islands in Seven Water City, he could certainly use his ability to lift an entire island into the sky.

Now it was all too late.

Seeing the massive vessel hovering above the floating island, its entire surface covered in pale blue energy conduits, Akainu’s heart nearly froze.

Whether it was the increasingly heavy air or the colossal ship glowing brighter and brighter in the sky like a second sun, both signaled the terror of the impending attack.

“Retreat!”

“Retreat!”

“All forces accelerate withdrawal!”

Kizaru stood aside, mouth open—he had never before seen panic on Akainu’s face.

This man, as unyielding as steel, now looked helpless.

After a moment of stunned silence, Kizaru turned quickly and relayed Akainu’s orders.

Hundreds of Marine warships accelerated away from Britannias within mere breaths!

Even fools sensed something was wrong; pirates fled in panic in all directions—but it was too late.

Avalon’s charge was complete!

Kaka—kaka—!

The massive cannon rotated, pointing straight upward, as if ready to tear the heavens apart!

Then a violent torrent of energy erupted from Avalon’s muzzle, forming a solid beam of light piercing heaven and earth.

“That’s…”

“What the hell is that?!”

Katakuri looked up, his entire face illuminated by the light.

Not just him—all present froze, their faces pale, bodies stiff.

Like cats caught sight of something beyond imagination, fur standing on end, unable to move.

Klibe, belatedly, raised his head and followed the crowd’s gaze—he froze on the spot.

The only thing in heaven and earth was a pale blue beam of light, illuminating nearly the entire sea.

This magnificent, awe-inspiring spectacle brought only the deepest, most unforgettable, most extreme terror to those present.

They didn’t know what it was.

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

“Ancient weapon?!”

“Did the World Government strike again?!”