Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Commander CP0-7 forced himself to remain respectful as he questioned the newly appeared Nether Race general.
Even though every word spoken by this new general was filled with disdain toward the World Governnt and all of them—
He still had to endure it.
Because everything from four thousand years ago had brought an overwhelming pressure upon the World Governnt.
If it were only the Nether Race's strength alone, it would indeed warrant caution—but it would never be enough to force the World Governnt into such a low posture.
What truly pressed them down…
Was the Divine Race.
That incomparably terrifying race.
And the countless other powerful races of that era.
"Nether Race General… Ghost Forest."
Leaning lazily against the wooden box, Ghost Forest glanced at Commander CP0-7, a mocking smile curling at his lips.
"What? Do you have a problem with ?"
"Just as expected!"
The mont those words were spoken—
Countless people across the seas felt their hearts skip a beat.
They had guessed it!
Another Nether Race general!
The third one!
This was already the third Nether Race general to appear so far!
"I wouldn't dare."
Commander CP0-7 quickly shook his head.
Even though he was extrely dissatisfied with the Nether Race's attitude, with a great enemy looming, he had to continue trying.
Because the Nether Race was currently their fastest gateway to understanding everything that had happened four thousand years ago.
"It's just… General Ghost Forest…"
"While our World Governnt may indeed fall short compared to the Ancient King of that era…"
"After developing to this point, we now control vast resources across the seas…"
"And the current state of the Nether Race… likely isn't ideal either, is it?"
"With the support of the World Governnt, your strength could recover rapidly…"
"Only then would you stand a greater chance… against the Divine Race."
As he spoke, Commander CP0-7's tone carried a faint trace of arrogance.
There was no denying it.
The Nether Race was indeed a powerful race from four thousand years ago.
But in this era—
The World Governnt stood at the very peak.
"Oh? And then?"
A chilling wind swept through the air.
Hanfeng Linlin gripped her weapon, Silver Fla, her icy gaze sweeping across the crowd as her voice rang out with unquestionable authority.
"This ti, you were the ones who first provoked the dignity of the Nether Race… and yet you still dare to seek cooperation?"
"Our Nether Race… may not be the Divine Race…"
"But we are not so naless existence to be insulted at will!"
"Anyone who insults the Nether Race…"
"…will be killed by personally!"
Her voice was cold and rciless.
As she spoke, endless frost surged outward, and the raging cold wind howled around her.
A terrifying killing intent descended.
In an instant—
The entire area fell into suffocating silence.
The smile on Commander CP0-7's face froze.
The words he had been about to say were choked in his throat, unable to co out.
"So the Nether Race isn't much better than the Divine Race after all…"
"You're nothing more than a weakened version of them."
"The Divine Race is arrogant, tyrannical, and treats everything with contempt… highly aggressive."
"And your Nether Race… isn't any different, is it?"
"The only thing you lack… is the strength of the Divine Race."
Kizaru narrowed his eyes, staring directly at Ghost Forest, Hanfeng Linlin, and Ironblood Wushuang as he spoke with clear mockery.
From beginning to end—
Not a single one of the three Nether Race generals had truly regarded them.
As a Marine Admiral, one of the highest combat forces of the Navy—
Kizaru had his own pride.
Being belittled again and again like this…
Now that any hope of negotiation was gone—
He could no longer tolerate it.
What's more—
At present, the Nether Race's strength did not surpass theirs.
Ironblood Wushuang wasn't even stronger than him.
Hanfeng Linlin was rely on par with Akainu.
Even if Ghost Forest, in his pri, had reached the level of the Four Emperors—
So what?
They still had Garp—the Hero of the Marines!
"Courting death!"
"Nightmare Serpent!"
A fierce expression flashed across Ghost Forest's face as he suddenly stood up.
The wooden box on his back exploded apart.
Clusters of purple energy rapidly condensed.
A deafening roar shook the heavens.
A massive serpent materialized, its enormous body twisting as it surged forward.
Terrifying energy rippled through the air as its blood-filled maw lunged directly toward Kizaru.
"Laser!"
Kizaru's expression sharpened as he pointed rapidly.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!"
Several golden beams tore through the sky, detonating violently in front of the charging serpent.
The explosions chained together, thunderous and deafening.
Yet—
The serpent at the center of the blasts remained completely unhard.
In fact—
Its speed seed to increase.
In the blink of an eye, its massive maw had crossed hundreds of ters, nearly swallowing Kizaru whole.
"Yata Mirror!"
His expression darkened.
Kizaru released a path of light, his entire body transforming into countless photons as he shot away at extre speed.
"Slash—!"
The Nightmare Serpent missed its target.
But in the next instant, it twisted its body and chased after Kizaru, tearing through the air.
"Ama no Murakumo Sword!"
"Laser!"
"Light-Speed Kick!"
As Kizaru streaked across the battlefield at incredible speed, he unleashed attack after attack.
Each move carried imnse destructive power, sending shockwaves through the clouds and blasting towering waves across the sea.
And yet—
None of it could harm the Nightmare Serpent.
It was as if it existed in an entirely different dinsion—
Untouchable.
"This…!"
Even in his photon state, Kizaru stole a glance at the completely unhard serpent—and his heart trembled.
While maintaining his speed consud part of his power, even his casual attacks were incredibly destructive.
He hadn't expected to defeat it with those attacks—
But at the very least—
It should have been injured.
And yet now—
After such a barrage—
The Nightmare Serpent remained completely intact.
As if it hadn't been attacked at all.
What kind of ability was this?
"Just what… kind of attack is that?"
Garp and the others were equally shaken as they watched Kizaru being relentlessly pursued.
Kizaru might be the fastest among the Admirals—
But that didn't an his attacks were weak.
Those beams of condensed photon energy—
Even if they weren't as destructive as Akainu's magma—
Were still far from weak.
And yet—
Against that bizarre serpent—
They were utterly ineffective.
Not even slowing it down.
Across the seas—
Ambitious figures and the Four Emperors alike watched as Ghost Forest attacked Kizaru without hesitation.
After the initial shock—
A surge of excitent spread among them.
They had never expected this.
In such a situation—
The Nether Race had actually rejected a mutually beneficial alliance…
And instead chose to stand directly against the World Governnt.
"Still… to attack Kizaru without hesitation in this situation…"
"This Nether Race… isn't simple."
On the deck of the Red Force—
Shanks stroked his chin, his eyes flickering as countless thoughts raced through his mind.
He couldn't understand it.
What reason could possibly make the Nether Race reject the World Governnt's alliance?
Was it truly just arrogance?
Or was there sothing more behind it?
"Captain… don't you think the appearance of the Nether Race generals outside Impel Down isn't a coincidence… but sothing planned?"
Benn Beckman's eyes shifted as a terrifying thought gradually ford in his mind.
"If it were only Ironblood Wushuang at the beginning, that would be one thing…"
"But then Hanfeng Linlin appeared… and now Ghost Forest…"
Yasopp frowned, thinking deeply before speaking with certainty,
"This can't be a coincidence."
Hearing this, Shanks suddenly understood, his heart tightening as a bold hypothesis ford.
"Their target… was never us from the beginning."
"Maybe it's Kizaru and the others… or Impel Down itself… or sothing nearby that's drawing them in."
"All the things Ironblood Wushuang and Hanfeng Linlin said…"
"Were just to stall for ti!"
"Around Impel Down… there are very likely more Nether Race generals!"
"And even what they've said… might not be entirely trustworthy!"
"But what could possibly be here… that would make them go to such lengths?"
Yasopp's brows furrowed deeper, confusion filling his eyes.
Impel Down—
Was nothing more than a prison of the World Governnt.
A place that held dangerous criminals.
There shouldn't be anything worth such effort from the Nether Race…
Unless—
They were planning to break prisoners out and recruit them?
But after rejecting the World Governnt's alliance—
Would they really care about such defeated individuals?
"Mount Buzhou!"
Shanks suddenly exclaid, a flash of realization igniting in his mind.
"That's it! It has to be!"
"If Laugh Tale can be the base of the Divine Race—Mount Buzhou—"
"Then the area around Impel Down could also be the base… or a sacred land of one of the great races from four thousand years ago!"
"The reason they're stalling…"
"Is very likely because of this place!"
"That's why Ironblood Wushuang, Hanfeng Linlin, and Ghost Forest are standing out in the open—buying ti!"
"While the other Nether Race generals…"
"…have already begun their operation!"
"Buzz—"
Shanks' words struck like enlightennt.
Benn Beckman and Yasopp instantly understood.
That's right!
How had they not thought of this?
Impel Down—
That was rely the na used in this era.
But four thousand years ago—
No one knew what it had truly represented.
That deep ocean floor…
Might have always hidden an enormous secret.
And that secret—
Was the true reason behind the Nether Race's actions.
"Looks like… the Nether Race isn't a group that's easy to deal with…"
A flash of wariness passed through Shanks' eyes.
At this mont, he was filled with caution toward the Nether Race.
As for everything they had said before—
He doubted it greatly.
After all—
As the first race from four thousand years ago to appear—
Before the other races revealed themselves and before the full truth ca to light—
Wasn't it entirely up to them to say whatever they wanted?
How much of it could really be trusted?
And such a race…
How could anyone place their faith in them?
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