Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Defending Mary Geoise.
Mc name would be changed to 'Ignyr', I left the 'IG' so as to not cause confusions.
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Under the devastation of the earthquake, Marineford, once hailed as the strongest fortress, split apart like a shattered bloom.
The land on both sides tilted inward, sending countless debris and corpses tumbling into the seawater-filled chasm.
It's believed that Garp and Sengoku, along with the remaining Navy forces, had already boarded warships and evacuated the headquarters they had defended for a century.
In what appeared to be a simple move, Ignyr caused the remaining forces on the battlefield to lose their footing completely.
Everyone near Ace watched in disbelief as Ignyr's near-suicidal act sent one soldier after another plunging into the rift below.
"Get on the ship—now!"
Watching his comrades scramble up, clinging desperately to the cliffside rocks, Ignyr pointed to a nearby direction.
He had struck a deal with the Navy to cease hostilities—Garp had promised to leave him a warship to escape.
Ignyr had no doubt he could strike down the Red-Haired Pirate again and demolish what remained of the Navy's stronghold with full force.
As the ocean flooded the chasm beneath them, the lone warship in the inner bay was dragged inward by the current.
Timing it perfectly, Ignyr led the others in a leap toward their only hope of escape.
By the time the four landed on the battleship, the island had fully rotated, turning the former battlefield into two towering cliffs.
Ace took the helm, steering through the sky-torn rift until they finally emerged onto open sea.
"Where to now?"
Having narrowly escaped, Shiryu of the Rain and Ignyr stood at the ship's bow, gazing at the familiar sea.
Shiryu, always chewing on a cigar, calmly wiped the blood off his cursed blade.
Meanwhile, Devon sat cross-legged on the deck, eyes closed, channeling energy to mend her severed tail.
Ace turned to glance back at the now-ruined Marineford, reshaped by the quake into a massive gateway, before asking Ignyr what came next.
"Let's rest for a night in Sabaody Archipelago…"
Hearing the captain's command, Devon's eyes instantly flew open, unable to hide her excitement.
She could finally remove her filthy prison uniform and wear something beautiful—a wish she had long held in secret.
Ace and Shiryu kept their eyes on Ignyr, waiting for the next step in his plan.
Ignyr didn't shy from their stares. Instead, he looked up toward the heavens above the new Marineford and, after a moment of silence, declared:
"Then we head to the Holy Land—to slaughter the Celestial Dragons."
After disrupting the War at the Summit, obtaining the power of two Devil Fruits, and rising to the peak of the world's power, Ignyr was ready.
He had no intention of waiting. He would storm Mary Geoise again, this time to end the real killers—those who murdered his mother.
The wheels of vengeance turned with unstoppable force, driven by the fire in the Avenger's heart.
After the war's carnage, the Navy was left crippled and understaffed. No one would expect an assault on the Holy Land so soon.
With World Conscription still on the horizon, this was the perfect time to strike.
The others stood frozen, jaws slack at Ignyr's audacious proclamation.
But soon, the thrill of such a mad plan stirred excitement and fanaticism in Shiryu and Butterfly alike.
"Wiping out the filthy Celestial Dragons is only the first step in toppling this rotten world," Ignyr added, seeing the lingering concern on Ace's face.
Ever since Ace joined the crew, Ignyr had constantly reminded him of Whitebeard's death—and of his bloodline as the son of the Pirate King.
Slowly, methodically, the Avenger had poured his dark ideals into Ace, molding him into a reflection of himself.
Whether through Warlord-level strength or unwavering loyalty, Ace had become his most dependable ally.
The path of revenge was treacherous—but having someone like Ace by his side gave Ignyr a measure of peace.
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Meanwhile, within the halls of Mary Geoise—
"The current death toll among Navy forces has reached 16,893, with 28,386 injured, and 4,758 missing. Admiral Akainu is confirmed dead. Marshal Sengoku has been wounded. Vice Admirals…"
"Enough!"
The herald's report was interrupted by a sharp cry. One of the Five Elders stood abruptly, face twisted in fury.
In 800 years of World Government rule, the Navy had never suffered such devastating losses. Nearly half its troops were dead or maimed.
The Navy headquarters, a centuries-old symbol of dominance, had been obliterated—reduced to nothing.
Even Marineford itself had been reshaped by the enemy's attack, cleaved by the massive rift now known across the world.
"To counter our most dangerous threat, Ignyr—'The Avenger'—Marshal Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp have proposed a new strategy," the herald continued, cautiously watching the Elders' reactions.
"Sengoku suggests initiating World Conscription immediately and increasing soldier pay fivefold."
Though the financial toll would be immense, military weakness would mean inevitable collapse. Sengoku's proposal was not only necessary—it was urgent.
One of the Elders sighed, nodding toward the herald to proceed.
"Vice Admiral Garp recommends fortifying Mary Geoise's defenses to prevent another intrusion by the world's most wanted criminal."
In truth, Garp had long considered the Celestial Dragons a burden. His request was more about deterring Ignyr's wrath than protecting them.
Yet ironically, it stirred unease across the world and drew the attention of new, ambitious factions.
The Five Elders sat in tense silence as the herald finished relaying the emergency meeting's conclusions. They exchanged grim glances.
Then one Elder stepped forward with finality.
"Very well. Execute Sengoku's plan immediately."
He paused, looking back at the others. Seeing their silent approval, he turned to the herald once more.
"Order Aokiji to lead five Vice Admirals and deploy 20,000 troops to defend Mary Geoise!"
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