A dark-haired youth stood atop the Holy Land, gazing down upon the "god" worshipped by all. His face bore a cynical, arrogant grin. That defiant posture, set against the sacred and solemn backdrop of Pangaea Castle and the Celestial Stairway at his feet, bathed in brilliant sunlight, delivered an indescribably immense visual impact. It felt as though the highest order and rules of this sea had been utterly overturned, collapsing into nothingness.

In that moment, gazing upon the figure standing atop the Celestial Stairway, every representative of the Member Nations present, along with the numerous guests and journalists, found their eyes involuntarily dazed, their expressions filled with utter shock.

What was this?

Light Speed Response!?

Every single person was left speechless.

"We're done for..." Cobra's eye twitched uncontrollably. Though he'd long known Daren was reckless and lawless, Cobra never imagined he'd dare to be this brazen! He'd infiltrated Pangaea Castle itself!

Not just him—King Riku of Dressrosa and the other Member Nations' representatives felt their hearts surge with uncontrollable shock. They couldn't believe their eyes, many of them gasping in disbelief. That man... The commander of the world's strongest fleet, the "World's Most Dangerous Criminal" who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with "Pirate King" Roger, bearing a bounty of 5 billion berries... "King of the North Blue," Rogers Daren!

How could he possibly be inside Pangaea Castle? Was the World Government's defense force truly this weak? Had he even knocked Fleet Admiral Kong flying? What possible purpose could he have for suddenly appearing at such a solemn occasion as the God's Knights' inauguration ceremony!?

Most crucially, the newly appointed God's Knights' Commander, Saint Figarland Garling, and the World Government's supreme authority, the Five Elders, had only just declared war on the North Blue Fleet to the entire world. Yet he immediately emerged and "knocked Kong flying"… This was simply...

With these thoughts, representatives from numerous Member Nations instinctively turned their gaze toward the Five Elders and Saint Figarland Garling, their expressions oddly unsettled.

'That bastard... he actually showed up!'

Meanwhile, Stussy, standing at the back of the crowd, stared in stunned disbelief at the figure before Pangaea Castle, momentarily unable to process what was happening. This was Mary Geoise, the Holy Land! The Five Elders, the Knights of the Gods, even the Fleet Admiral—the World Government's highest combat power—were all present. What the hell did that bastard think he was doing showing up at a time like this?

Once he got caught in the crossfire of so many elite fighters, even someone as powerful as him wouldn't last long! Not to mention, as far as Stussy knew, Daren still hadn't found a way to counter the Five Elders' "Immortal Bodies" ability. Thinking this, Stussy couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety for Daren.

Yet the next instant, she clenched her teeth, a flash of anger flickering deep in her eyes as she balled her fists.

'That damn bastard didn't even tell me he was coming!'

Stussy instinctively glanced at Doflamingo, but the sight before her made her pause in surprise. The proud flamingo had lifted his head, his eyes now bloodshot, fixed intently on Daren's figure. Deep within his gaze... surged an uncontrollable excitement and... a deeply concealed impulse! His hands trembled slightly, and the smile on his face was utterly beyond his control.

Stussy froze. That look in young Doflamingo's eyes was...

Admiration and reverence!?

'Could it be...'

Stussy's eyes widened slightly.

…

At this moment, the world fell silent. Not only those present, but also people around the globe watching this scene through video-Den Den Mushi, all fell silent simultaneously, plunged into an unprecedented, deathly stillness. An intangible panic began to spread through everyone's hearts.

Especially among the numerous Holy Land Guardians in the square, their hands gripping weapons began to tremble involuntarily, and a fine layer of cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

Until—

"Attack!!"

A captain of the Guardians, finally unable to control his inner fear, shouted the order with a deathly pale face. It was like a signal, or a bowstring stretched to its limit snapping. Instinctively, all the guards raised their long rifles and fired at Daren with terrified expressions.

This was the natural reaction of people under extreme tension and panic!

In an instant, gunfire erupted.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!!

Flames erupted from the muzzles as countless bullets, like a black curtain of rain, screeched toward Daren atop the Celestial Stairway.

As the Holy Land Guards opened fire, panic erupted among the Member Nations present.

"Run!"

"A fight's about to break out here!"

"Damn it! Cover me!"

"…"

Chaos erupted instantly. Yet many reckless journalists, eyes burning with fervor, stubbornly "held their ground," cameras clicking incessantly, terrified of missing such a major news story.

Countless bullets rained down like a curtain. Daren's smile never wavered, a strange crimson glow flickering in his eyes.

In that instant, his "perception" seemed to detach from his body. Like a god's vision, the surrounding environment slowed to a crawl, even freezing. Every bullet's trajectory and impact point played out before him with pinpoint clarity.

Confidence in absolute control! This was... the realm of foreseeing the future!

Then, his body shifted rapidly in place, like a phantom. Every bullet grazed past him. This artful evasion caused the Five Elders' expressions to shift slightly.

"What a nuisance."

Yet, barely two seconds later, Daren murmured softly, halting his evasion abruptly.

Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew off his body as bullets bounced relentlessly, leaving craters in the surrounding stairs, floor, and walls. Not a single wound remained!

"Hmm, this way is much more convenient..."

Amidst the hail of bullets, Daren smiled, just about to make his move.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

As if struck by some bizarre shockwave, a massive fireball erupted at the level of his head! Rolling black smoke billowed upward, engulfing his figure in churning flames.

"His head... exploded!?"

A representative from one of the Member Nations cried out in shock.

"Protect the Member Nations representatives. Ensure their safe evacuation."

A hoarse, aged voice commanded.

A colossal shadow rose from the earth, spreading a chilling, hellish aura. A terrifying, monstrous entity revealed itself before all. A black spider-like lower body, shrouded in eerie black flames, a creature with ox horns upon its head descended upon the world!

Gyūki!

Dangerous crimson light flickered in Saint Saturn's eyes—he had clearly activated his 'Fierce Eyes' ability. Gazing intently at the figure flickering within the intense flames, he declared gravely:

"The war... is about to begin."

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